This book offers an incredibly rich exploration of Henry Ford and his profound influence on modern (specifically, the 20th Century) America, encompassing both the positive and negative aspects. Watts meticulously examines Ford's remarkable achievements, while also shedding light on his embarrassing missteps and misconceptions. He vividly reveals how Ford transformed the culture and lifestyle of nearly every individual residing in the US during that era, and by extension, in the years that followed.

That being said, it is a rather lengthy book, and at times, I even found it a bit repetitive. If you have a penchant for biographies and ample time on your hands, it is most definitely well worth a read. However, it took me a considerable amount of time to complete it, as I didn't have as much time to dedicate to it as I would have preferred.

I am eagerly looking forward to delving into another one of Watts' biographies, namely the one about Walt Disney. I anticipate that it will be just as engaging and informative as this one on Henry Ford.

The story of Henry Ford, Ford, and the automobile is truly awesome.

Take, for example, the incident of launching the first car on Lake Michigan. It was a remarkable feat that showcased the innovation and determination of Ford.

Another amazing aspect was when he raised wages to $5 a day, which was an extremely significant amount at that time. This decision not only had a profound impact on the lives of his workers but also set a new standard in the industry.

Based on my limited research, this biography on Ford seems to be the best one available. However, the writing style is sometimes a bit odd.

The author has a tendency to go completely out of chronological order after following a mini story. While this may not be a major issue for some readers, it did cause me to deduct a point.

Nevertheless, it is still a great book on Henry Ford that provides valuable insights into his life and achievements.

The book indeed had a repetitive theme of Henry's pursuit of industrial progress while still maintaining a connection to the rural past. However, it also provided a comprehensive biography of his life, including both the highs and lows. Henry was an outstanding engineer and machinist, and he assembled a team of remarkable individuals who could handle aspects such as business, operations, sales, and advertising. Together, they built a huge company. The description of the assembly line and the workers was truly inspiring, as they came together to produce cars (and weapons during World War 2) at an astonishing pace, significantly transforming the nation and later the world.

As an individual, Henry was well aware of the importance of publicity and often used it to promote his company and his personal beliefs. He even employed terms like "social justice" and "America first" in relation to improving workers' wages and keeping America out of World War 2, which I thought were more recent concepts. He attempted to inculcate moral principles in his workers and believed they could be managed scientifically, similar to the cars on the assembly line. He also extended a helping hand to black people and developed a friendship with George Washington Carver.

Regrettably, Henry fell prey to a common affliction among successful people. He reached the pinnacle of his success but failed to recognize when it was time to step aside and hand over the reins to the next generation. His desire for power and the spotlight led to the mistreatment of his son, ultimately resulting in the latter's premature death. His leadership style within the company was reminiscent of "The Dictator's Handbook." With absolute power and no advisors, he issued orders like a king, causing misery among the workers and a decline in the company's conditions. Moreover, he was unable to adapt to the changing times. Although he initiated consumer culture, he could not keep up with its growth and resisted building a new car model or offering credit until after numerous battles with his subordinates.

Tragically, in his old age, he endured great suffering. It was humbling to read about this once-great titan succumbing to strokes and senility. He tried to continue leading his company, but his paranoia and dependence on the opportunistic Harry Bennett led to the ousting of many outstanding leaders, similar to the situation of King Theoden and Wormtongue in "The Lord of the Rings." Finally, he had no choice but to be forced to resign.

I should pay more attention to the titles. I had certain expectations, envisioning a different kind of book. However, I was pleasantly surprised and very well satisfied with the narrative that took a completely unexpected trajectory. It led me on a journey that I hadn't anticipated.

I will definitely want to read further about the more technical developments of the Ford company. But this particular work focused on his life and beliefs. And there were indeed some rather odd beliefs that he held. He sounds truly fascinating, yet I'm also glad that I wasn't there to endure the contradictions that seemed to be a part of his character.

There was a certain darkness and even cruelty that was palpable. But I'm sure that these aspects were offset by the good that he did. After all, he did manage to change the entire direction of civilization. Whether this was intentional or if he was simply carried along in the stream of inevitability is another matter entirely.

Overall, it was a good story. It had some narrative quirks and story-telling devices that perhaps blemished it slightly. But despite that, it's a nice solid four stars. And the narrator was good and tough, with maybe just two mispronounced words. Interestingly enough, I love mispronounced words. It gives me a sense of superiority, which is rather strange but true.

Just a magnificent read.

It is absolutely extra-ordinary!

Thank goodness for Steven Watts compiling this magnificent tale of truth.

We get a super thorough understanding of Henry Ford, his life, and the Ford Motor Company.

This book takes us on an in-depth journey through the life of Henry Ford, one of the most influential figures in the history of the automotive industry.

We learn about his early days, his struggles, and his vision that led to the creation of the Ford Motor Company.

The author's detailed research and engaging writing style make this book a must-read for anyone interested in history, business, or innovation.

I highly recommend reading this book to gain a deeper understanding of Henry Ford and his impact on the world.

I truly relished reading this book centered around Henry Ford.

Previously, in other readings, I chanced upon this author who highly advocated for this particular book.

The book delves deep into Henry Ford, presenting him not only as an innovator but also as a mechanical technician.

It explores his remarkable contributions to the automotive industry, highlighting his ingenious ideas and revolutionary techniques.

By reading this book, one can gain a profound understanding of Ford's mindset, his determination to push boundaries, and his unwavering commitment to excellence.

It offers valuable insights into the evolution of the automobile and the impact that Ford had on shaping the modern world.

Overall, this book is a captivating and informative read that provides a comprehensive look at the life and work of Henry Ford.

If you are seeking a book that zeroes in on the history of the Ford Company, meticulously detailing aspects like yearly turnovers, profitability statistics, and capital structure from a business perspective, then this isn't the volume for you. Instead, this book centers on the man who gave birth to the company, Henry Ford (1863 – 1947). Of course, we do gain insights into the company, but we learn so much more about his life, his family, his friends, his idiosyncrasies, his goals and principles, and what he aimed to accomplish by producing a car that an ordinary man could afford. He became a folk hero! He is regarded as the person who had the most significant impact on American life in the 20th Century! I was unaware of this before picking up the book. By making cars accessible to the common man, he brought about our consumer society, vertical integration of production, urbanization, an extensive network of roadways, new buildings such as gas stations and garages, and changes in our credit system like installment plans. He even influenced how we court the opposite sex; just think of all the romantic moments that occur in cars!

This book examines Henry Ford throughout his entire life. We are presented with both his virtues and his flaws. It is incredibly interesting to view consumerism, a concept we often look at with distaste today, through the eyes of those who saw it as a promise of a better life and a means of leveling the classes. What was being offered was a lifestyle that had previously been restricted to the rich and the elite. Did Ford come to understand the negative consequences of the society he had helped create? Yes, he did, and we see how he attempted to counteract the negative aspects that emerged in the consumer society.

We learn about the significance of Ford's $5/day wage promise, as well as the subsequent Sociological Department and the requirements associated with the promise. We discover his initial interest in car racing. I absolutely loved reading about the race starring Barney Oldfield driving the 999! Not only here but throughout the book, the author captivates your interest. He draws you in and makes you eager to find out what happens as events unfold. We learn about all the early car models, especially those that were important to Henry. We also learn of his refusal to make changes. Less attention is focused on the models introduced by others in the company. We learn about how the assembly line came into being and about the different Ford plants – Piquette Avenue, Highland Park, River Rouge, and Willow Run. We learn of Henry Ford's pacifism as well as the company's participation in both wars. We learn of Henry's hatred of FDR and Ida Tarbell's appreciation of him. We learn about labor conflicts and the terrible Harry Bennett, the early partner Alexander Y. Malcomson, and the principal Charles Sorensen during the company's first four decades. We also learn about Ford's contributions to schooling, his anti-semitism, his help to Native Americans in Georgia, his Oscar II Peace Ship, the Chicago Tribune libel trial, and the Dodge brothers libel trial of 1919. The book is long, but it remains engaging. It has to be long because there are so many important things to tell!

Family relationships are comprehensively covered. The bond between father and son and how it evolves over the years is heartbreaking to witness. We come to understand his wife. We learn about his mistress, his children, and grandchildren. We follow how the relationships change over time.

Henry Ford kept no diaries. He expressed his thoughts and beliefs through ghostwriters. He was extensively interviewed and written about in papers. His actions speak volumes. Much is written about those he worked with; here, there is no shortage of documentation. I greatly appreciated the numerous quotes. We are not just told what others thought, but we hear their exact words and how they expressed themselves. I came to fully understand the motivations, personal psychology, feelings, and reasons behind the actions of individuals.

There is a bit of repetition, but I didn't mind it at all. Repetition helps facts stick in my mind.

The audiobook narration by John H. Mayer was absolutely perfect. It is read clearly and distinctly, with a touch of dramatization. Just a touch! For example, when you listen to the exciting Manufacturers’ Cup Race in 1902 with good old Barney Oldfield, you'll be on the edge of your seat. This is how I want all non-fiction audiobooks to be read. NO! This is how I want all audiobooks to be read. The speed is perfect, and it sounds natural. Those of you who prefer books to be read quickly can increase the speed.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It is not dry. This book is less about the "head of a corporation" and more about a fascinating individual who shaped the world we live in today. This book is actually much better than I ever expected it to be!

Henry Ford was in many ways a quintessential 19th century American male. He was skeptical of formal book learning, yet deeply intrigued by all things mechanical. His restlessness and curiosity about the material world drove him to constantly tinker and improve upon existing things. He felt at home on the farm and was always open to the ideas and insights of those around him, whether they were his neighbors or complete strangers.

He was also a prime example of someone who achieved great fame and fortune through unwavering obsession. He had a clear and ambitious goal in mind - to create an affordable car for the masses - and he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to achieving it. His belief in the power of perseverance, regardless of the opinions of others, was truly remarkable and ultimately led to a revolutionary change in the way people lived and traveled.

Ford had an almost prescient vision of the world he was helping to create. He saw a future where the average consumer would be able to afford not only a car, but also the time and means to enjoy leisure activities. He introduced the concept of mass production and the assembly line, which not only made car production more efficient and affordable, but also had a profound impact on the nature of work and employment.

In this engaging and thought-provoking book, Steven Watts explores the many facets of Henry Ford's complex personality and life. He delves into Ford's achievements as an inventor, his controversial views as a bigot and politician, and his status as a folk hero and cultural icon. Through it all, we gain a deeper understanding of the man who changed the world and the forces that shaped him.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Ford's story is his unwavering determination and his refusal to accept failure. Despite the setbacks and obstacles he faced, he never gave up on his dream of creating a better car for the people. His signal achievement, the Model T, was a testament to his ingenuity and his ability to see beyond the limitations of the present.

However, Ford's story is not without its flaws and contradictions. He was a deeply flawed individual, with strong opinions and a stubborn streak that often led him to make decisions that were not in the best interests of his company or his employees. His anti-Semitism and his opposition to unions were just two of the many controversial aspects of his personality that have been the subject of much debate and criticism.

In conclusion, Henry Ford was a complex and multifaceted individual who left an indelible mark on American history. His achievements as an inventor and industrialist were truly remarkable, but his flaws and contradictions also serve as a reminder that even the greatest of men are not without their faults. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the automobile, the rise of industrialism, or the life and times of one of America's most fascinating and influential figures.

The People's Tycoon vividly showcases, through numerous examples, all the elements that made Henry Ford an extremely dominant force during the Industrial Age.

From his early days of tinkering with watches in his childhood, to his pursuit of perfection across multiple businesses, achieving success only when he could obtain full control of his enterprises. He was not only a race car driver but also an outspoken populist thinker of his era. My admiration for Ford underwent consistent changes in nature throughout the book, yet it left me with a profound appreciation for the contributions he made to American and the broader global society.

There were many interesting aspects that I particularly relished. For instance, learning about his childhood watch tinkering, his strong disdain for FDR, his often tumultuous relationship with his son, his rise to stardom from racecar driving, his remarkable media manipulation abilities, his unique philosophy on consumer culture, and the painstakingly slow and steady progress towards the highly efficient assembly-line system that took nearly a decade to fully perfect.

In the midst of the current information/AI/internet revolution, reading about Ford's impact on the world through his democratized vehicle and efficient processes feels strikingly familiar to what we are currently experiencing and will continue to be disrupted by in the near future. This includes issues such as living wages, the intersection of politics and business, the replacement of humans by mechanics, the pros and cons of consumer culture, intense competition, media manipulation, and so on.

Highly recommended.

So what I have written in the following paragraphs - under the line - were written while I was in the midst of reading this book.

However, it is really a worthy read. I have put it in my mind as a book to give to folks if appropriate.

Initially in my mind was Henry Ford - the developer of the assembly line, the $5/day innovator, the anti-semite, the Hitler admirer, the FDR opponent, and the maker of B-24s during WWII. But he was really a dynamic person in many ways.

He not only made the assembly line first but also developed a notably better car. Second, he saw it as a people's car, the Model T, and he kept lowering the price. He was not well educated but mechanically a genius it seems and tenacious, working to perfect his goals. He raced cars in the beginning too. I had looked for a long time for a biography of Ford and really found not many at all - mostly his ghost written ones. And finally somehow I came across this. I have read other industrialist biographies - Carnegie, Rockefeller but none were so noticeable outside their industrial field while Ford was active in many areas. He may have hated Jews but seems to have interacted well with African Americans and immigrants. He had severe parental failures and other shortcomings - more than a few - but was generous and modest if arrogant in his thinking.

I would read it for more than Ford but also the pulse of America in the first half of the last century. Well, I have read it so I suggest you consider reading it.

First let me note that I have looked for a while for a Ford biography - not having found one. It is notable that it is not in the New York City library system. I had to get it from a Connecticut library. I now see that it is available on Kindle but I couldn't find it before to be able to read a sample.

So I am about 40% through this book - up to mid-1920s. So far Ford is not very objectionable. He does try to impose lifestyle changes upon his workers following his virtually doubling their pay to $5/day. He encourages no alcohol, stable home life, paying bills - buying nothing on time except homes and cars. But he did support peace efforts for WWI before the US entered at least. He was somewhat generous to charities - or if he wasn't his wife had the power to do such. Along the way to getting to his car empire he was a car race driver, a builder, a mechanic etc. very industrious. He was drawn to his mechanic aptitude but seems, so far, to have always held farming as the best profession. He would have fit right in with Thomas Jefferson's yeoman farmer attitudes, I think, if he was a reader of history. - more to come I am sure

So now at 57% through the book, up to generally 1927, comes the first indication of Ford's anti-semitism - dating back to 1920 when, using the Dearborn Independent - a newspaper he had purchased in 1918, he began his weekly attack on Jews called the "The International Jew: The world's problem".

Intentionally or not, Mr. Watts, the author has delayed introducing this until the story is up to 1927. Maybe to not interfere with the presentation of the industrial progress, and problems and relationship with others problems - maybe not the least of which with his son Edsel.

Henry Ford was not a genius, yet his achievements are truly remarkable.

Later in life, he unfortunately went through a despicable Anti-Semitic phase, which I believe stemmed from his simplicity in matters outside of automobile design and manufacture.

He had little formal schooling and was not an excellent reader. He didn't build his cars himself, except for the first one, the Quadricycle. Instead, he directed others and surrounded himself with excellent designers. The Model T, produced from 1908-1927, was the real fruit of his career.

Not many people are aware of what happened with the Model T. It initially sold for $850 in 1909. But instead of sitting back and counting his money when it sold well, Ford looked for ways to make production and assembly faster and cheaper for his company, without sacrificing quality. He introduced the assembly line, which increased production exponentially. And as profits came in, he lowered the price to $280 per car, enabling poor Americans to own one.

After 19 years of refining the Model T, its production process, and lowering the price, Ford stopped making it in 1927. The 15 million Model Ts created made up 40% of all cars on the road in the world in the 1920s.

The Model T was built with a special chromium-containing vanadium steel that was strong, light, and rust-resistant. Ford first learned about this steel when he inspected a crashed Italian racer at a race.

A year ago, I needed a used pickup. I bought a '93 Ford Ranger, thinking I could do the maintenance myself. But it was too complicated. Fortunately, it broke down last summer and I sold it for scrap.

Four days ago, I bought a 1923 Ford Model T Dr's Coupe for $15K and a new facsimile book called "Ford Service". The book, full of pictures and arrows, is written for 1920s technicians. It introduced me to Henry Ford and his achievements, and inspired me to buy the Model T.

I am giving this book five stars because it had such a significant impact on me.

This is an excellent read that delves into the life of a great but flawed American icon. It takes the reader on a journey through the highs and lows of this individual's life, revealing both their remarkable achievements and their human failings.

The author does a great job of presenting a balanced view, not shying away from the controversies and challenges that the icon faced. Through vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling, we are able to get a sense of who this person really was, beyond the public image.

Whether you are a fan of the icon or simply interested in American history and culture, this article is sure to captivate you. It offers valuable insights into the complex nature of success and the price that often comes with it. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this fascinating exploration of a truly remarkable individual.