Annual Reviews inc. A saga of success

Abstract

James Murray Luck founded Annual Reviews Inc. under conditions that would have suggested quick failure. Investment of capital was not encouraged during the Depression era. Luck's obligations as a young teacher weighed against the investment of sufficient time. Moreover, his only experience in the publishing business was in trying to sell books to farmers in Western Canada during the summer following his freshman early thirities, to create a nonprofit scholarly publishing enterprise that is regarded by the contemporary worldwide scientific research community as indispensable. The basic ingredients that were critically important in the development and continuing attinments of this enterprise, including Luck's own unique personal attributes, are summarized and evaluated against the challenges for change now appearing in the dawning age of electronic publishing.