
The People's Tycoon
Henry Ford and the American Century
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Narrated by:
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John H. Mayer
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By:
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Steven Watts
How a Michigan farm boy became the richest man in America is a classic, almost mythic tale, but never before has Henry Ford’s outsized genius been brought to life so vividly as it is in this engaging and superbly researched biography.
The real Henry Ford was a tangle of contradictions. He set off the consumer revolution by producing a car affordable to the masses, all the while lamenting the moral toll exacted by consumerism. He believed in giving his workers a living wage, though he was entirely opposed to union labor. He had a warm and loving relationship with his wife, but sired a son with another woman. A rabid anti-Semite, he nonetheless embraced African American workers in the era of Jim Crow.
Uncovering the man behind the myth, situating his achievements and their attendant controversies firmly within the context of early 20th century America, Watts has given us a comprehensive, illuminating, and fascinating biography of one of America’s first mass-culture celebrities.
©2006 Steven Watts (P)2008 Books on TapeListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
"The implicit claim of Watts's admirable book is almost inarguable that it's impossible to understand 20th-century America without knowing the story of Henry Ford." (The New York Times)
“Steven Watts attempts the most integrated understanding to date of Ford’s enormous influence and varied appeal...The fascinating result may change the way Henry Ford is remembered.” (San Francisco Chronicle)
"Ford has had many biographers...None, however, comes close to Steven Watts...He brilliantly reveals the nature of Ford's genius." (Chicago Tribune)
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Great listen!
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An authoritative portrait of an intricate man
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Great and consistent use of different voices for different characters.
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I was also surprised how often the author gave his interpretation of events and the use of what seem liked hearsay as fact.
I did enjoy the history of Ford overall but would probably steer clear of future works by this author.
Subjective and repetitive
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Well Done Gentlemen!!
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Great Biography
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Yes, worth it
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The book is not is chronological and is repetitive.
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The book does an excellent job pointing out Henry Ford's many contradictions and makes no effort to whitewash the unflattering elements of his life (his anti-semitism in particular).
John H. Mayer, the narrator does an effective job or leading you through the story.
50% Longer than it needed to be.
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GREAT Book!
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