Waterstones, the UK's national bookstore, came back from near-death by transforming into indie, local stores
by Cory Doctorow from on (#2BQ7C)
Waterstones was at death's door when it was purchased by Russian billioniare Alexander Mamut, who hired James Daunt -- an investment banker who'd founded the successful, six-store Daunt Books -- to run the chain. (more")