André Bidet, still dapper and spry at 95, loves Americans. With poignant memories of living through the German occupation of France during World War II, he is one of a fast-fading generation of French men and women who think of…

The story is told of three scientists stuck at the bottom of a deep well. The physicist is forced to admit that none of the laws of physics will lift them out of the well. The engineer admits that he,…

Harry Stonecipher, the tough-talking CEO of McDonnell Douglas from 1994 to 1997, executed one of the great turnarounds in corporate history. He made no apologies for failing to provide greater job protection for employees. As he liked to say, the…