Raisin Bran and Other Cereal Wars: 30 Years of Lobbying for the Most Famous Tiger in the World Paperback – August 12, 2014

For many, the opaque world of corporate lobbying and government affairs tends to be shrouded in mystery, and more often than not the overwhelming stereotypes that seem to be associated with members of this industry include grifters, misanthropes, and unscrupulous opportunists of the hugest order. Not necessarily so, as George Franklin has so humorously and substantively illustrated in this essential read.The world of governmental lobbying often straddles integral (if not mundane) divisions of large companies such as Legal, Finance, and Public Affairs; as such, Franklin makes a case for the need of a committed advocate who can make sense of all these areas and is deftly capable of both peeling back the purdah of government operations as well as convincingly asseverating the cause which will “save the company.” As Franklin helps us navigate through this unique world between public and private (and sometimes a hybrid of the two) sectors - starting with the era of martini lunches and concluding with the cutthroat world of Super PAC jockeying - the layers of this unique role in our society are peeled back, warts and all. While he regales us with the quintessential stories of corrupt and furtive agents involved in the government affairs industry, “Raisin Bran” really sets itself apart as it demystifies the role of the lobbyist by highlighting the necessary and often positive roles they play on behalf of their industry.Using myriad examples accumulated from a lifetime of personal experience, we are shown a wild variety of players in this arena, from the adroit to the insipid, and how lobbying is, at its core, being able to skilfully work with all types of people with both clarity and action to achieve meaningful outcomes - whether it is lowering tariffs on corn grits from Mexico or opening a cereal manufacturing plant in China. By the time you’ve concluded this concise yet highly edifying read, you’ll never look at your box of cereal without thinking how politicised every component of it likely was before it ended up in your pantry.

This is a very entertaining account of the author's 30 years as the Kellogg Company's top lobbyist in Washington, South Africa, Beijing and other exotic locations. Franklin has a good sense of humor and a keen eye for absurdity that make the book move along at a good pace. He began his career at an early age in Washington politics and there are numerous, sometimes very funny, tales of navigating the byzantine pathways of not only Congress but a raft of other government agencies. I did not realize that a food company like Kellogg had so many overseas plants, and watching Franklin also successfully navigate through the Communist party bureaucracy in Beijing was fascinating to say the least. Overall, a most enlightening and entertaining read.

This is a great little book - entertaining, insightful and grounded in decades of Washington experience. A very good introduction to the lobbying life.

George Franklin does an amazing job of teaching the why and how things get done in lobbying through a series of tell it like it is real life stories. The book is both entertaining and historical all the while giving you lessons in both strategy and tactics. From a boss who went into the witness protection program to saving a man's life in South Africa to being fired by Karl Rove and having a chance to sit next to him several years later and have a laugh about it, this is an amazing read.I recommend this book for any leader in any business who wants and/or needs to understand strategy in general and more specifically how policy can get done.Great Read.

All I could think of was Kevin Spacey starring as Franklin in his next role in "House of Cereal Cards". It was fun, informative and should be required reading in every government class. This book captures the excitement of the power of our government, the glamour of rubbing elbows with the power brokers and the ease at which lives are changed based on who you know and who likes (or doesn't like) you. I picked it up, not knowing what to expect, and finished it in one sitting.

Lions and tigers and bears...and lobbyists too, oh dear! After reading George Franklin's delightful book I will never fear a lobbyist again. He explains so clearly the how's and why's of this profession - while telling 'out of school' stories that make one laugh out loud. When I finished the book I immediately ordered multiple copies to give to family and family - you will want to do the same.

This is my favorite of Franklins books. Humorous, engaging and the right mix of politics and lifestyle

Great book - very readable. Full disclosure - I worked with George for several years at Kellogg's. The book is not overly long and thanks to George's great story-telling style, it's a fun read. I enjoyed getting the 'rest of the story' from several incidents that happened during my Kellogg career. A great resource for anyone thinking about a career in public affairs.