Rich and sympathetic in equal measure, this is an ambitious biography that stands out as the best I've read in years. Watts masterfully puts Ford's beliefs in context, not shying away from the nastier aspects. Through his detailed exploration, a deeply complex man emerges. Ford, for better and worse, embodied modern America. His actions and decisions had a profound impact on the nation's history. Watts delves into the various facets of Ford's life, from his personal relationships to his political endeavors. This biography offers a comprehensive and nuanced view of a man who was both a visionary and a controversial figure. It is a must-read for anyone interested in American history and the individuals who shaped it.

This biography of one of America's most fascinating individuals was truly very enlightening.

I was completely unaware that he had a rather rocky relationship with his son, Edsel. Additionally, I had no idea about his anti-Semantic views. It was quite a revelation to discover that he had also espoused various social causes. In fact, in the early years, he even went as far as developing a sociology department within his company.

I found it really interesting to learn about his close relationship with Thomas Edison. Moreover, I was surprised to know about his friendship with George Washington Carver.

I do enjoy reading an occasional biography. However, I wish the author had dedicated less time to Ford's social causes and instead focused more on the development of the automobile. I was rather disappointed that the book didn't cover more about the Edsel brand. But later I learned that the car didn't make its debut until the 1950's.

The CD, which was 29 hours and 34 minutes long and read by John H. Mayer, would receive an endorsement, but not a particularly enthusiastic one. You can read it (or listen to it) if you desire, but surely there must be other more interesting biographies of Ford available out there.

One minute you're like, "wow, Henry Ford was the best person ever."

You might be in awe of his remarkable achievements in the automotive industry, the way he revolutionized mass production and made cars more accessible to the general public. His innovative ideas and determination seemed truly admirable.

But then, the next minute you're like, "oh what a major jerk."

Perhaps you've discovered some of the less savory aspects of his character. Maybe he was known for being autocratic in his management style, or there were reports of his controversial views on certain social and political issues.

This kind of flip-flopping in perception is exactly what makes this biography so interesting and, dare I say, unbiased. It presents a well-rounded view of Henry Ford, showing both his great accomplishments and his human flaws.

By presenting the good and the bad, the reader is able to form a more complete and accurate understanding of this complex and influential figure.

It's a refreshing departure from the typical hagiographic biographies that only focus on the positive aspects of a person's life.

This biography truly gives the reader the opportunity to make up their own mind about Henry Ford.

At the very start, it was truly great. Everything seemed to be going smoothly and there was a sense of excitement and anticipation. The initial stages were filled with promise and potential. However, as time went on, towards the end, it became a bit of a struggle to get through. There were various challenges and obstacles that presented themselves. It wasn't as easy as it had been in the beginning. But despite the difficulties, there was still a glimmer of hope that things would work out in the end. Maybe it was just a phase that needed to be overcome. Or perhaps there were valuable lessons to be learned from this struggle. Nevertheless, it was clear that the journey had taken an unexpected turn from the great start it had.

The article is very well-written indeed.

The author doesn't hold back when it comes to Ford and openly delves into all of his flaws. Maybe there is a slight bias "against" Ford.

The edition had small print, which made it rather tedious to get through. However, it is still worth a read.

Even though I really don't have much regard for Henry Ford anymore, this article provides valuable insights into his character and actions.

It offers a different perspective on a well-known figure, and despite the small print and the potential bias, it manages to engage the reader and make them think.

Overall, it's a worthwhile piece of writing that adds to the ongoing discussion about Henry Ford and his legacy.

I readily admit that I read this book mainly because of my interest in the time period. Specifically, I was intrigued by the nascent American automotive industry, especially the development of the Model T.

The strength of this book lies in the fact that in many places, it serves as much as a social history of turn-of-the-last-century America as it does a chronicle of Henry Ford. This is understandable considering the author's expertise in American social history. I also found the early chapters, which described Ford's early life and development, as well as the evolution of his automotive inventions, to be quite enjoyable.

However, the book falls short of 4 stars because this biography requires a great deal more detail of Ford Motor Co. history to be integrated into it. Once the Model T is in production, the automotive industry is almost entirely set aside, except as an afterthought or something happening in the background. For example, there is no real mention of Lincoln or Mercury, and only a passing reference to Ford's forays into aviation with the "Flivver" plane or the Ford tri-motor. Additionally, I felt that there was a significant gap in Ford's activities in Latin America, with no mention of his rubber plantation (Fordlandia)! While important, the author spends an excessive amount of time on Ford's pacifistic activities and his abhorrent anti-semitism.

In conclusion, the bottom line is that neither I nor anyone else would be reading about Henry Ford at all if it weren't for the Model T and the Ford Motor Company. More industrial history is absolutely necessary. Therefore, I rate this book 3 stars.

Around 100 years ago, Henry Ford had a revolutionary idea that catapulted him to billionaire status. However, today's business people, especially those affiliated with the Republicans, seem to have completely forgotten this crucial concept: "The people who consume the bulk of the goods [and services] are the people who make them. That is a fact we must never forget - that is the secret of our prosperity." I would also add that this is the antithesis of "trickle-down" economics.

This and many other aspects are detailed in the recent Henry Ford biography, "The People's Tycoon," by Steven Watts. Although it's not explicitly mentioned or implied, Ford's life reads as if he was a dyslexic with Asperger's Syndrome. He didn't read and likely couldn't. Given the opportunity to read during a court trial, he refused. His staff learned that he preferred to hear their ideas rather than read them. This aversion to reading extended to mechanical and architectural drawings, where the successful would present their boss with scale models.

While this theoretical dyslexia might have been a hindrance, the possible Asperger's, like that of many successful entrepreneurs, perhaps even the Republican front-runner in January 2011, allowed Ford to push forward his business with little regard for family, associates, and employees. For instance, the Ford Motor Company was his third automotive start-up. In all three cases, he advanced without considering his partners, who either lost their investment when the enterprise failed or were forced out when it was successful.

Undoubtedly a mechanical genius, outside the development labs, he managed his company in a state of chaos, pitting managers against each other, embarrassing and belittling his family members, and hiring thugs to terrorize everyone.

In his public life, he championed a wide variety of causes, including the promotion of 19th-century Victorian values and lifestyles. This was in sharp contrast to his own life, which included luxurious estates with all the modern conveniences, usually featuring a private power plant, and a long-term mistress living on a nearby estate. He also funded a cruise to Europe to prevent World War I and was involved in extensive antisemitic publications and activities.

On numerous occasions, the FMC went against public opinion. For example, Henry Ford refused to abandon the obsolete Model-T or join the war efforts. In these cases, the company eventually relented. In Ford's later years, the author attributes this independent behavior to oncoming dementia, but this pattern of ignoring people seems to have been a constant from the beginning.

I found the book to be comprehensive and fascinating. Although the author's intention was clearly to be positive, the undertone was undeniably dark and dangerous. The brief mentions of the emotional and physical pain caused by Ford's actions and inactions seemed to be just the tip of the iceberg of a darkness that was funded by his millions.

Overall, it is an excellent book that explains almost everything, except how this insensitive person became one of the richest and most influential people of the 20th century. Or perhaps that is the explanation...

http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2012/0...

I recently completed reading "The People’s Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century" by Steven Watts. It was a truly enlightening experience.

Henry Ford was a complex individual, a dichotomy in many ways. He single-handedly brought about a new American Industrial Revolution with his innovative ideas and the development of the assembly line for the Model T. This made automobiles accessible to the average family, transforming consumerism. However, he also held an old-fashioned outlook on life, often disdaining "book learning" while still recognizing the importance of education.

Ford was a progressive in some aspects, as he aimed to raise the standard of living of his employees, enabling them to partake in the new consumerist wave. Yet, he vehemently opposed unionization. He was a pacifist initially, but later allowed his company to contribute to the World War II war effort. He also did much to educate African Americans and help them pursue the American dream, but unfortunately, he was virulently Anti-Semitic and early on showed some sympathy for the Nazi movement and Hitler's Germany.

Moreover, he had more faith in others than in his own son, Edsel Ford, when it came to running the Ford Motor Company. As he aged, he became more autocratic and surrounded himself with sycophantic yes men. Despite his numerous weaknesses, Henry Ford was undoubtedly a great American and a 20th-century industrialist. This book offers a fascinating look into the life of this complex yet simple man, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in Henry Ford.

Henry Ford, one of the world's most successful industrialists and entrepreneurs, had a profound impact on the world.

He not only revolutionized the automobile industry but also transformed the entire manufacturing sector. His innovative mass production techniques and the dream of providing affordable transportation to the masses led to a significant transformation of the American economy.

In fact, his contributions changed society more dramatically than any other single invention in modern history.

Interestingly, I was surprised to discover his research and promotion of soybeans.

There is an irony in his love for history and the desire to preserve a simpler time, as his Model T actually contributed to the end of that era.

The author carefully shares insights into Henry Ford's character, highlighting his arrogance, ego, simplicity, prejudices, and ignorance.

However, these aspects are contrasted with his mechanical genius, business acumen, street smarts, drive, and perseverance, painting a complete and complex portrait of the man.

Overall, Henry Ford's life is a remarkable story of innovation, success, and contradiction.

I liked it very much.

However, it's a bit sad that in his later years Henry became a bit of an eccentric.

As time passed, Henry's behavior started to deviate from the norm.

He would do things that others found strange and hard to understand.

Maybe it was due to the experiences he had gone through or the changes in his life.

But whatever the reason, it was a pity to see him turn into such a character.

Despite his eccentricity, there were still some aspects of Henry that were endearing.

His unique perspective on things and his unwavering determination were qualities that some people admired.

Nevertheless, his eccentricity made it difficult for him to maintain close relationships with others.

In the end, Henry's story serves as a reminder that life can take unexpected turns, and even the most ordinary people can become extraordinary in their own ways.

This is a highly regarded and impartial biography of Henry Ford. Ford, an American icon, is demystified by Watts. However, he had a profound understanding of consumerism, mass culture, and populism. His focus was on manufacturing a car, the Model T, that the common people could afford. Throughout his life, Ford emphasized hard work, humility, integrity, temperance, and piety. After the triumph of the Model T, he introduced the $5 workday, yet there was a catch as he was as much interested in塑造 people as making cars. He established a “sociology department” that demanded the same values from his workers as he had grown up with, even sending agents to their homes to monitor their personal lives.

This is a story of two Fords. One was the inventor, businessman, and politician, while the other was the moralist and racist. Ford got himself into trouble when he crossed over from being a successful businessman into areas where he was ignorant. He believed in reincarnation, was a spiritualist, sponsored and led the “Peace Ship” fiasco to end WWI, opposed labor unions, and revealed himself as a bigot and racist through his anti-Semitic rants in his newspaper. He even had his own enforcers (thugs) at the River Rouge plant mainly to prevent union discussions. His moral and ideological character would always be in doubt.

Besides the automobile, Ford’s other legacies are Greenfield Village and the Ford Museum. He believed that real history was not taught in school but could be experienced in museums where people could touch the artifacts and antiques of a bygone era. He thought that the greatness of the country lay not in politicians, generals, or business executives but in the lives of ordinary people. He experimented with various uses for soybeans. Later in life, Ford became senile, was a crackpot regarding medical issues, and dabbled in small projects. In his later years, he was merely a figurehead at Ford Motor Co. To quote Will Rogers, he once said of Ford, “I don’t know if he helped us or hurt us, but one thing is for sure, we will never be the same.” It is a great read.

I ultimately did not manage to complete it.

It was supposed to be returned to the library, and I had already renewed it on two occasions.

However, it simply did not seem worthwhile to renew it yet again.

The task had become so burdensome and time-consuming that I felt it was better to cut my losses and move on.

Perhaps there were other more important things that required my attention and energy.

Although I did not finish it, I have learned from the experience and will be more careful in the future when taking on similar tasks.

I will make sure to manage my time more effectively and set realistic goals to avoid finding myself in a similar situation again.