Kochland: The Secret History of Koch Industries and Corporate Power in America

Author:                       Christopher Leonard
Publisher:                   Simon & Schuster (2019)
Print Length:              660 pages

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Hi everyone! Let’s dive right into an engaging conversation about Kochland: The Secret History of Koch Industries and Corporate Power in America. This is a company with which many of you may not be familiar. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that you have never heard of them. You may be interested to know, the annual revenues of Koch Industries (rhymes with “smoke”) are bigger than that of Goldman Sachs, Meta (Facebook), and U.S. Steel combined. This is a bit of a departure for me. Normally I review/critique biographies and memoirs about famous people and other like subjects. Here I review/critique a biography of a company. It will be fun, so let’s get going.

Kochland is quite the rollercoaster – it’s part investigative journalism, part corporate history, and part reflection on the economic forces shaping modern America. Buckle up, because there’s a lot to unpack here!

Overview of the Book

At its core, Kochland is an ambitious deep dive into Koch Industries, one of the largest private companies in the world, and the family behind it: the Kochs. Leonard traces the company’s rise over seven decades, starting with Fred Koch’s beginnings in the oil industry and moving through Charles Koch’s leadership, which turned the company into a sprawling empire. Along the way, we learn about their business strategies, political influence, and how they’ve reshaped industries ranging from energy to chemicals to finance.

Leonard structures the book as a series of case studies, each zooming in on a pivotal moment in Koch Industries’ history. From secretive business deals and labor disputes to their aggressive climate change denial campaigns, Leonard doesn’t shy away from showing the company’s controversial side. But what makes the book stand out, in my opinion, is how it connects those corporate decisions to larger questions about capitalism, regulation, and political power in the United States.

What Works about Kochland

Let’s start with the good stuff – there’s a lot to admire here. Leonard’s research is impeccable. He spent years piecing together interviews, documents, and insider accounts to provide a comprehensive look at Koch Industries. The level of detail is staggering, and you can tell he’s done his homework. For example, his explanation of Koch’s “Market-Based Management” philosophy (which is essentially Charles Koch’s guiding business ethos) is one of the clearest I’ve read. He breaks it down in a way that’s accessible without dumbing it down, which is no small feat.

Another strength of the book is its scope. Leonard not only tells the story of Koch Industries, but uses it as a lens to explore much larger systemic issues. Through the Koch’s story, he examines the decline of organized labor, the rise of corporate lobbying, and America’s growing wealth inequality. It feels like your getting two books in one – a biography of a company and a critique of modern capitalism.

One of the book’s most compelling aspects is how Leonard humanizes the story. While it would have been easy to paint the Kochs as cartoonish villains, Leonard avoids that trap. Instead, he presents them as complex, calculating figures with a clear ideology driving their decisions. This nuance makes the book feel balanced, even as it critiques their practices.

Where Kockland Falls Short

As much as I enjoyed Kochland, it’s not without its flaws. For starters, the level of detail can sometimes feel overwhelming. At nearly 700 pages, it’s a hefty read, and there are parts where the narrative drags. For instance, Leonard spends a lot of time on technical explanations of energy markets and financial derivatives. While these sections are important to the understanding of Koch Industries’ business model, they can feel too dense for the average reader. If you’re not someone who loves wonky economic details, you might find yourself skimming.

Another critique is that the book can feel unbalanced in its pacing. Some chapters – like the one on Koch’s role in shaping climate policy – are riveting, while others, like the labor disputes in Wichita, Kansas, feel overly drawn out. It’s almost as though Leonard wanted to include every single piece of research he uncovered, which makes the book feel a bit bloated at times.

Finally, while Leonard does a great job of critiquing the Kochs’ business practices and their impact on society, he doesn’t always offer solutions. By the end of the book, you’re left with a pretty grim picture of corporate power in America, but not much in the way of hope or ideas for change. That might be intentional  – after all, the book is more about diagnosis that prescription – but it can leave readers a bit deflated.

Why You Should (or Shouldn’t) Read Kochland

So, who is this book for? If you’re someone who enjoys investigative journalism, corporate exposes, or books like The Big Short by Michael Lewis or Dark Money by Jane Mayer, you’ll probably love Kochland. It’s a meticulously researched, thought-provoking read that sheds light on one of America’s most secretive companies. Plus, it offers a fascinating look at the intersection of business and politics.

That said, if you’re looking for a quick, breezy read this probably isn’t it. The book demands your attention and rewards careful reading, but it’s not exactly light fare. And if you’re already feeling cynical about corporate power, be warned – this book might push you further down that rabbit hole.

Final Thoughts

In many ways, Kockland feels like a microcosm of America itself. It’s a story about ambition, innovation, and the pursuit of profit – but also about greed, inequality and the corrosive effects of unchecked power. Leonard’s writing is engaging and his research is stellar, making this a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the forces shaping our world today.

But it’s not perfect. The dense details and uneven pacing might deter some readers, and lack of solutions can leave you feeling a bit disheartened. Still, if you’re up for a challenging, eye-opening read, Kochland is worth your time.

So, what do you think? Does this sound like a book you want to tackle? Let me know – I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Rating

4.25/5