McKinsey's Marvin Bower  provides an in-depth account of how Bower’s vision influenced the evolution of McKinsey & Company from 1933 until today.

Elizabeth Haas Edersheim, a former partner with McKinsey and a long-time friend of Bower's, decided it was important to write a book about Bower. "I don't know another individual who has had greater positive influence in the business world over the past 70 years. He was a courageous thinker who understood the critical role of business in a democratic society."

When she began researching the book, Edersheim visited Bower in retirement, and they worked together collecting background and reviewing material until his death in January 2003, in his 100th year. Edersheim says that at their core, Bower's values are synonymous with leadership. "You don't have to be a business leader to know that it is a good thing when people speak directly, when they stick to their values, when they mean what they say."

McKinsey provided background and archival material for the book.