Book excerpt: This is the story of how Dow's bleach works developed into one of the largest most diversified chemical companies in the world. Each of several protagonists in the book has helped fashion the company through his own influence and determination. Chemist and founder Herbert Henry Down, his son Willard Dow, and others. Company executives, employees, and retirees were interviewed about the men, the events, and the decisions of which they had first-hand knowledge.