Asbestos House: The Secret History of James Hardie Industries

Asbestos House traces the century-long history of James Hardie Industries, from its 1888 origins as an import business to its position as Australia's largest building materials manufacturer. The narrative follows the company's expansion, strategic decisions, and eventual confrontation with the consequences of its asbestos production. The book examines the corporate culture and key figures who shaped James Hardie Industries during pivotal moments, including its transition into asbestos cement manufacturing and later diversification efforts. Through extensive research and documentation, Gideon Haigh reconstructs board meetings, business strategies, and the personal dynamics of company leadership. The investigation extends beyond company headquarters to explore the impact on factory workers, local communities, and the broader Australian industrial landscape. Haigh draws from interviews, corporate archives, and public records to piece together this complex corporate history. This account raises fundamental questions about corporate responsibility, the relationship between profit and public welfare, and the long-term social costs of industrial progress. The book stands as both a business history and a study of institutional power in twentieth-century Australia.

Readers describe this as a detailed investigation into James Hardie's corporate misconduct and its impact on asbestos victims. Many note the book's thorough research and clear explanation of complex business and legal matters. Liked: - Documentation of key historical events and corporate decisions - Clear breakdown of financial and legal proceedings - Balanced perspective that examines multiple angles - Personal stories of affected workers and families Disliked: - Dense sections on business transactions and legal details - Limited coverage of worker experiences compared to corporate focus - Some repetition in middle chapters - End feels rushed according to multiple reviews Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (42 ratings) Amazon AU: 4.5/5 (6 ratings) Notable review quote: "Forensically researched but still manages to maintain the human element of this corporate tragedy" - Goodreads reviewer The book appears most frequently referenced in academic citations and legal documents rather than consumer review sites.

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🏭 James Hardie Industries began as an importer of animal hair for plaster in 1888, before pivoting to asbestos products in the early 1900s—making it one of the longest-running companies in Australian history. 📚 Author Gideon Haigh conducted over 200 interviews and accessed more than 20,000 documents to write this exposé, which was published in 2006 after three years of research. ⚖️ The book reveals how James Hardie Industries moved its operations to the Netherlands in 2001 to avoid paying compensation to Australian asbestos victims, leading to public outrage and legal reforms. 🏆 "Asbestos House" won the Blake Dawson Waldron Business Literature Prize and is considered the definitive account of Australia's largest industrial health disaster. 💼 Gideon Haigh wrote this book while working as a business journalist, though he's better known for his cricket writing, having authored over 40 books about the sport.