In 1912, L. (Leon) L. Bean launched his mail-order business from Freeport, Maine, with his field-tested Maine Hunting Shoe. At the request of the Harvard Business School, Gorman, the chairman, former president, and grandson of L. L. Bean, candidly chronicles the challenges faced by the famed specialty outdoor company and its evolution during four periods between 1960-2000. The book includes photos of the family and business managers, catalog offerings, and an ad with the company's "Golden Rule." Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)