Company
History and Philosophy
 Milton
Friedman was not only the company's first author, he also gave the
company its name. After the firm was initially incorporated as Thomas Horton and Company
in 1972, Friedman made the suggestion to change the name when he looked
out in his driveway and saw three daughters and their mother accompanying
Tom to sign the book contract. An Economist's Protest, a collection
of Friedman’s essays, was the first and only book the company
published for more than a year. Almost 30 years later, it is still
in print.
 After
the three daughters grew up and pursued careers of their own, Ann
Horton, Tom’s wife, played an ever expanding role in the company.
Under Ann’s direction the company honed its skills at publishing
new and different books for the college market proving that there
is still room for a tiny publishing company dedicated to innovation.
 Innovation
worked not only on the editorial side (we certainly can’t
say editorial boardroom since it was more like the den or living
room) but also in the sales and marketing end. The company's stubborn
refusal to join the Free Book brigade is probably the single most
important reason for its longevity. The fact that instructors
are required to purchase a book in order to consider it for adoption
helped keep all the books affordable for students. (Instructors
do get a refund when they do adopt the book.) Affordable books for
students is an advantage in this day of the $100 + book.
After
Ann’s death in 2001, the youngest daughter, Karen, heard a
strong calling to return to her roots. She recently moved the company
back to New Jersey so that her own three children could grow up
under the influence of running a family business. From their current
point of view it just means that Mom is home when they get home
from school.
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