The People's Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century by steven watts

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Excellent Biography

A biography is a detailed account of a person's life. It can provide valuable insights into the person's character, achievements, and experiences. An excellent biography not only tells the story of the person's life but also engages the reader and makes them feel as if they are getting to know the person on a personal level.

To be considered excellent, a biography must be well-written, accurate, and engaging. The author should have a deep understanding of the subject and be able to present the information in a clear and interesting way. The biography should also include a variety of sources, such as interviews, letters, and diaries, to provide a comprehensive and accurate picture of the person's life.

An excellent biography can have a significant impact on the reader. It can inspire them, educate them, and even change their perspective on life. It can also serve as a valuable historical record, preserving the life and achievements of an important person for future generations to study and admire.

In conclusion, an excellent biography is a work of art that combines research, writing, and storytelling to create a compelling and engaging account of a person's life. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about a particular person or period in history.

0 0 Reply

sorvetie

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

He is indeed one of the Giants of the 20th century.

He made automobiles affordable for the “common” man, which had a profound impact on society. However, he also had some controversial characteristics. He was antisemitic, which is an unacceptable view. He was a populist, appealing to the common people with his ideas. He was a pacifist, advocating for peace. But he was also a control freak, which could lead to problems in his management. He hated banks and finance, as well as government intervention.

On the other hand, he was a great promoter of education and supported some colleges and primary schools. This shows his concern for the future of society. However, he was a terrible father to his only son, which is a personal failing. He was for cheaper products and higher wages but hated unions, which put him at odds with the labor movement.

For all he did for industrialization and capitalism, he remained a guy who grew up on a farm and longed for a simpler and stricter life. This shows that his upbringing had a lasting influence on him, even as he became a major figure in the business world.

0 0 Reply

soufrinsan

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

It seems an extremely large and rather intimidating task to attempt to paint a balanced picture of such a complex and even contradictory man.

His profound influence on industry and the nation encompassed social activism in the anti-war and education domains, as well as museum building. However, this was somewhat marred by bigotry, moralistic paternalism that was contradicted by his actions, and poor labor relations.

I had previously held an overly simplistic view of Ford's inventive prowess. I thought he simply invented the assembly line and not the car, right? Well, it turns out to be far more interesting than that. In this meticulously researched and well-documented book, we are reminded of Ford's invented quadracycle and other advancements in internal combustion automobiles, as well as his engineering achievements while working for Edison's electric power company, among other things.

Particularly fascinating was Ford's respect for George Washington Carver (along with his own dietary peculiarities) and the adventures of the Four Vagabonds of Edison, Ford, Burroughs, and Firestone tramp-camping. Also of great interest was the phenomenon of Ford-worship in Communist Russia/Soviet Union, with Fordson tractors on their collective farms and much more. This included Ford's admiration for all things agricultural, such as "chemurgy" like soy plastics and soy-based products, his flirtation with the Nazi government, and the culture-changing innovation of the Model T, an invention he simply could not let go.

Overall, there appears to be a moral here: the serendipity of attaining immense wealth and power may significantly magnify both the flaws and the most admirable traits of a person's character.

Here I am, standing in 2016 between two Fordsons in Murfreesboro's Cannonsburg Village bicentennial collection:

0 0 Reply

Mangafee

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I really liked this book.

It provides a great deal of interesting information and insights into the life and work of my favourite genius and nutcase all rolled into one.

The author has done a remarkable job of presenting the subject matter in an engaging and accessible way.

However, the only downside to it as I can see is that it does not mention Fordlandia at all.

Fordlandia was an important and fascinating experiment by Henry Ford, and I think it would have added another layer of depth and interest to the book if it had been included.

Despite this omission, the book is still a good read and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about this complex and captivating figure.

Overall, I think it is a valuable addition to the literature on the subject and I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

0 0 Reply

roelteXon

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Henry Ford (1863-1947) is widely recognized as the founder of Ford Motor Co., a name that endures to this day. In his era, he was famous for mass-producing the Model T cars and for implementing a "living wage" for his employees when the concept was in its infancy.

These aspects alone make Ford an excellent subject for a biography. However, other qualities and captivating contradictions add to his allure. He was a tireless self-promoter yet a hard worker, a notoriously poor day-to-day business manager but an unrivaled visionary, and he aggressively promoted Victorian-era moral standards while having a three-decade affair with a much younger employee.

In this engaging 536-page narrative, Watts skillfully reviews Ford's successes as well as his personal and professional failures. The biography is ruthlessly objective, never sparing Ford but also highlighting the qualities that led to his success.

Although the author's writing style may not be as vivid or colorful as some might prefer, Watts is more analytical and perceptive than most biographers. Ford is an interesting yet complex subject, and Watts carefully dissects and distills this perplexing dichotomy.

The biography is filled with countless interesting moments, such as Ford camping with Thomas Edison, his disastrous testimony in a libel lawsuit, and his views on reincarnation. Other memorable episodes include his long-term affair with his personal assistant, his virulent anti-Semitism, and his shabby treatment of his son.

The book progresses chronologically until Ford launches his car company, after which the chapters are organized thematically to describe his various personality traits. While some readers may find this structure odd or difficult to follow, I found it surprisingly logical and easy to understand.

However, it is disappointing that Watts does not focus more on Ford's personal life. His wife is not fully introduced until halfway through the biography, and his son, Edsel, is not a central focus until even later. Despite the many merits of this excellent biography, the reader never quite feels as if they are seeing the world through Ford's eyes; rather, it is a perceptive study of Ford from a distance.

Overall, Steven Watts's "The People's Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century" is a balanced, thoughtful, revealing, and at times captivating biography of a fascinating twentieth-century industrialist. While readers seeking a thrilling narrative may not be fully satisfied, nearly everyone will feel that they have read the most perceptive account of Ford that could ever be written.

Overall rating: 4½ stars

https://thebestbiographies.com/2022/0...

0 0 Reply

moonstarfireclan

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The original text seems a bit concise and lacking in detail. Here is an expanded version:

He is a decent individual, but his actions can sometimes be repetitive.

There is a desire for more context regarding the industry he is involved in. Instead of being laser-focused solely on the man, it would be beneficial to understand the larger picture.

Perhaps knowing about the industry trends, competition, and challenges he faces would provide a more comprehensive understanding of his situation.

This additional context could shed light on why his actions might seem repetitive and how they fit into the overall scheme of things.

By expanding the focus beyond just the man himself, a more nuanced and informed perspective can be gained.

0 0 Reply

chrissy12

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Normally, I am quite reluctant to give 5 stars to books that I wouldn't consider as my all-time favorites. However, this particular book is an exception. It is, in fact, probably my all-time favorite biography. The author has done an excellent job in writing this work of nonfiction. The book seamlessly melds chronology and theme, presenting a multi-faceted portrait of a truly fascinating, yet ironic, individual. Each chapter unfolds like a captivating story, drawing the reader in and making them eager to learn more about the subject. The research that went into this book is evident, and the author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow. Whether you are a fan of biographies or simply looking for a good read, this book is highly recommended. It will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the person being profiled and will likely stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

0 0 Reply

TmlzTedy

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

A superb business biography, on a par with my favorite biography of all time, Ron Cernow's TITAN.

Steven Watts does an outstanding job in presenting the numerous contradictions of the character of Henry Ford. He was a much more fascinating individual than I had expected. I intend to add more to this review. In summary, it's amazing that a man with Ford's huge vision, who could foresee the transformation of American society with his concepts of inexpensive and easy-to-maintain automobiles for the masses, assembly line production, and high wages for his workers, could also be a hateful anti-Semite, a cruel and emotionally abusive father, and an avowed foe of organized labor. And this is just the beginning of the many intricate layers of Ford's life.

While this is a well-researched and scholarly biography, I was at times enthusiastically motivated or quite appalled at many events in the book. The first third is filled with wonderful examples of Ford's ingenuity in developing technology for the Model T, his entrepreneurial commitment, and his shrewd methods for success. The last half relates numerous examples of his abuses as he let power and popularity go to his head, ultimately dooming his company. We also learn how he brutalized his top managers. I can't help but think the young Ford would never have tolerated such abuses.

I attribute my emotional reactions and great interest in Ford's character to both the skillful writing by Watts and the fine narration by John Mayer. I listened to the unabridged CD version all the way through and even borrowed the actual book to check source material.

I'm sure I'll re-visit Henry Ford soon and will likely get my own copy of this book for a careful reading. It has become one of my favorite biographies. I'm also curious to see how it compares to other biographies of Ford.

Bottom line: highly recommended for anyone interested in business and industrial history or the American automobile industry.

0 0 Reply

Leave a Review

You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.

The People's Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century

steven watts

This edition

Henry Ford

More editions

About the author

steven watts

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews