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The 10 Best Books on Henry Ford

Essential books on henry ford.

There are countless books on Henry Ford, and it comes with good reason, aside from founding the Ford Motor Company, he developed the assembly line technique of mass production. By creating the first automobile that middle-class Americans could afford, he converted the automobile from an expensive curiosity into an accessible conveyance that profoundly impacted the landscape of the 20th century.

“If money is your hope for independence, you will never have it,” Ford remarked. “The only real security that a man can have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.”

In order to get to the bottom of what inspired one of history’s most consequential figures to the heights of societal contribution, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best books on Henry Ford.

I Invented the Modern Age by Richard Snow

Every century or so, our republic has been remade by a new technology: 170 years ago the railroad changed Americans’ conception of space and time; in our era, the microprocessor revolutionized how humans communicate. But in the early twentieth century the agent of creative destruction was the gasoline engine, as put to work by an unknown and relentlessly industrious young man named Henry Ford. Born the same year as the battle of Gettysburg, Ford died two years after the atomic bombs fell, and his life personified the tremendous technological changes achieved in that span.

Growing up as a Michigan farm boy with a bone-deep loathing of farming, Ford intuitively saw the advantages of internal combustion. Resourceful and fearless, he built his first gasoline engine out of scavenged industrial scraps. It was the size of a sewing machine. From there, scene by scene, Richard Snow vividly shows Ford using his innate mechanical abilities, hard work, and radical imagination as he transformed American industry.

In many ways, of course, Ford’s story is well known; in many more ways, it is not. Snow masterfully weaves together a fascinating narrative of Ford’s rise to fame through his greatest invention, the Model T. When Ford first unveiled this car, it took twelve and a half hours to build one. A little more than a decade later, it took exactly one minute. In making his car so quickly and so cheaply that his own workers could easily afford it, Ford created the cycle of consumerism that we still inhabit.

The People’s Tycoon by 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 twentieth-century America, Watts has given us a comprehensive, illuminating, and fascinating biography of one of America’s first mass-culture celebrities.

Fordlandia by Greg Gandin

In 1927, Henry Ford, the richest man in the world, bought a tract of land twice the size of Delaware in the Brazilian Amazon. His intention was to grow rubber, but the project rapidly evolved into a more ambitious bid to export America itself, along with its golf courses, ice-cream shops, bandstands, indoor plumbing, and Model Ts rolling down broad streets.

Fordlandia, as the settlement was called, quickly became the site of an epic clash. On one side was the car magnate, lean, austere, the man who reduced industrial production to its simplest motions; on the other, the Amazon, lush, extravagant, the most complex ecological system on the planet. Ford’s early success in imposing time clocks and square dances on the jungle soon collapsed, as indigenous workers, rejecting his midwestern Puritanism, turned the place into a ribald tropical boomtown. Fordlandia’s eventual demise as a rubber plantation foreshadowed the practices that today are laying waste to the rain forest.

More than a parable of one man’s arrogant attempt to force his will on the natural world,  Fordlandia depicts a desperate quest to salvage the bygone America that the Ford factory system did much to dispatch. As Greg Grandin shows in this gripping and mordantly observed history, Ford’s great delusion was not that the Amazon could be tamed but that the forces of capitalism, once released, might yet be contained.

Wheels for the World by Douglas G. Brinkley

In this monumental work, one of our finest historians reveals the riveting details of Ford Motor Company’s epic achievements, from the outlandish success of the Model T and V-8 to the glory days of the Thunderbird, Mustang, and Taurus. Brilliant innovators, colorful businessmen, and clever eccentrics, as well as the three Ford factories themselves, all become characters in this gripping drama. Douglas Brinkley is a master at crafting compelling historical narratives, and this exemplary history of one of the preeminent American corporations is his finest achievement yet.

The Vagabonds by Jeff Guin

In 1914 Henry Ford and naturalist John Burroughs visited Thomas Edison in Florida and toured the Everglades. The following year Ford, Edison, and tire maker Harvey Firestone joined together on a summer camping trip and decided to call themselves the Vagabonds. They would continue their summer road trips until 1925, when they announced that their fame made it too difficult for them to carry on.

Although the Vagabonds traveled with an entourage of chefs, butlers, and others, this elite fraternity also had a serious purpose: to examine the conditions of America’s roadways and improve the practicality of automobile travel. Cars were unreliable and the roads were even worse. But newspaper coverage of these trips was extensive, and as cars and roads improved, the summer trip by automobile soon became a desired element of American life.

The Vagabonds is “a portrait of America’s burgeoning love affair with the automobile” (NPR) but it also sheds light on the important relationship between the older Edison and the younger Ford, who once worked for the famous inventor. The road trips made the automobile ubiquitous and magnified Ford’s reputation, even as Edison’s diminished.

My Life and Work by Henry Ford

Widely available via Audible audiobook, this is the original autobiography of Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company. It was originally published in 1922. The autobiography details how Henry Ford started out, how he got into business, the strategies he used to become a successful and immensely wealthy businessman, and how he built a company to last.

The book that has inspired entrepreneurs for generations, not only is  My Life and Work  by Henry Ford a memoir of an American icon but it also shows the spirit that built America. Written in 1922, this work provides a unique insight into the observations, ideas, and problem-solving skills of this remarkable man.

The Fords: An American Epic by Peter Collier

In  The Fords: An American Epic , Peter Collier and David Horowitz tell the riveting story of three generations of Fords, a dramatic story of conflict between fathers and sons played out against the backdrop of America’s greatest industrial empire.

The story begins with the first Henry Ford, the mechanical wizard, tinkerer, and “mad genius” who drove the automobile into the heart of American life and conquered the world with it. An American original, by the end of his life he had become an embittered crank who so possessively loved the company he built that when his son, Edsel, tried to change it to suit the changing times, Henry destroyed him. It was left to Edsel’s son Henry II to avenge him and save the Ford Motor Company in the postwar world.

From the details of the first Henry’s illicit affair and illegitimate son, to the life and loves of “Hank the Deuce” and his celebrated feud with Lee Iacocca, this is an engrossing account of a vital chapter in American history. The authors have added new material to this classic work, showing how Henry II’s line lost out to the line of his brother William Clay Ford in the quest to control this most American of companies in the twenty-first century.

Uncommon Friends by James Newton

James Newton’s Uncommon Friends is “a delightful portrayal of five great men who shared special friendships and common visions” (Booklist). Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Alexis Carrel, and Charles Lindbergh were twentieth-century giants known personally by very few. In this compelling memoir, James Newton recalls a lifetime of friendship with all of them – a friendship that began when he was only twenty years old and head of development of Edison Park in Fort Meyers, Florida. Based on Newton’s diaries, recollections, and extensive correspondence, this gem among books on Henry Ford is a unique opportunity to share a view of the personal side of some legendary historical figures.

The Public Image of Henry Ford by David L. Lewis

Skillful journalism and meticulous scholarship are combined in the full-bodied portrait of that enigmatic folk hero, Henry Ford, and of the company he built from scratch. Writing with verve and objectivity, David Lewis focuses on the fame, popularity, and influence of America’s most unconventional businessman and traces the history of public relations and advertising within Ford Motor Company and the automobile industry.

Henry Ford and the Jews by Neil Baldwin

This necessary installment among books on Henry Ford shows how he promoted his anti-Semitic views in The Dearborn Independent and other publications and examines the response of the Jewish community in America as well as Ford’s impact on the spread of anti-Semitism in Europe before World War II.

If you enjoyed this guide to the best books on Henry Ford, be sure to check out our list of 20 Inspirational Books Jeff Bezos recommends reading !

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My Life and Work: An Autobiography of Henry Ford Paperback – 15 April 2008

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20 best books on henry ford – 2023 reading list & recommendations

If you’re fascinated by the life and legacy of automotive pioneer Henry Ford, then you’ll love diving into the pages of these 20 best books about Henry Ford. From biographies that offer an intimate look at the man behind the Model T, to in-depth explorations of his revolutionary business strategies, these books provide a captivating glimpse into the mind of one of history’s most influential figures. Whether you’re a history buff, a business enthusiast, or simply curious about the life of this legendary entrepreneur, there’s a book on Henry Ford waiting to be discovered.

• 1 Henry Ford: The Wayward Capitalist
• 2 The People’s Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century
• 3 Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford’s Forgotten Jungle City
• 4 My Life and Work
• 5 The Ford Century: Ford Motor Company and the Innovations that Shaped the World
• 6 American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company
• 7 The Ford Model T: A Centennial History
• 8 Ford: The Men and the Machine
• 9 The People’s Machine: Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rise of Blockbuster Democracy
• 10 Ford: The Dust and the Glory
• 11 The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant: The Birthplace of the Model T
• 12 Ford Model T: The Car That Put the World on Wheels
• 13 Ford Model T: The Complete History
• 14 Ford Model T: The Car That Changed the World
• 15 Ford Model T: The Greatest Car in the World
• 16 Ford Model T: The Ultimate History of America’s First Great Automobile
• 17 Ford Model T: The Car That Started the Automotive Revolution
• 18 Ford Model T: The Car That Changed the World
• 19 Ford Model T: The Car That Put the World on Wheels
• 20 Ford Model T: The Car That Changed the World
• 21 Conclusion

Buy the book

Henry Ford: The Wayward Capitalist

By richard snow.

Henry Ford: The Wayward Capitalist is a fascinating book about the enigmatic and iconic figure, Henry Ford. This meticulously researched biography delves into the life of the man who revolutionized the automotive industry and forever changed the way we live and work.

Richard Snow, a renowned historian and writer, provides a captivating narrative that takes readers on a journey through Ford’s early years, his rise to success, and his controversial later life. Snow paints a vivid picture of a man who was both visionary and flawed, a true embodiment of the American Dream.

Through his innovative assembly line techniques and the introduction of the Model T, Ford revolutionized the automobile industry and made cars affordable for the average American. His impact on society was immense, as he transformed not only the way people traveled, but also the way they lived and worked.

However, Snow also delves into the darker side of Ford’s legacy. He explores Ford’s controversial political beliefs, including his anti-Semitic views and his support for eugenics. These aspects of Ford’s character provide a deeper understanding of the complexities of this influential figure.

With a keen eye for detail and a compelling writing style, Snow brings Ford to life on the pages of this book. He captures the essence of a man who was both a genius and a paradox, a visionary and a flawed individual.

Whether you are a history buff, a business enthusiast, or simply curious about one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, Henry Ford: The Wayward Capitalist is a must-read. Snow’s engaging narrative and in-depth analysis make this book a captivating exploration of the man behind the legend.

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

By steven watts.

The People’s Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century by Steven Watts is a captivating and in-depth book on Henry Ford, the legendary industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company. This fascinating book about Henry Ford takes readers on a journey through Ford’s life, exploring his rise to fame and his impact on American society.

Watts skillfully presents an intimate portrait of Ford, shedding light on his complex personality, his innovative vision, and his relentless drive for success. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, the author paints a vivid picture of the man behind the iconic Model T and the assembly line revolution.

One of the standout features of this Henry Ford book is the way it delves into the social and cultural context of Ford’s time, providing readers with a broader understanding of the era known as the American Century. From the rise of the automobile industry to the challenges of labor relations, Watts explores the various factors that shaped Ford’s career and influenced his decisions.

What sets this book apart is the author’s balanced approach. Watts neither idolizes nor demonizes Ford, but rather presents a nuanced portrayal of a man who was both a visionary and a flawed human being. He explores Ford’s controversial views and actions, such as his anti-Semitic beliefs and his attempts at social engineering, while also acknowledging his significant contributions to the American economy and culture.

In conclusion, The People’s Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century is an enthralling book on Henry Ford that offers a comprehensive and compelling exploration of the life and legacy of this iconic figure. Whether you’re a history buff, a business enthusiast, or simply curious about the man behind one of America’s most influential companies, this Henry Ford book is a must-read.

Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford’s Forgotten Jungle City

By greg grandin.

Step back in time and enter the forgotten world of Henry Ford with Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford’s Forgotten Jungle City by Greg Grandin. This captivating book takes readers on a journey through the ambitious and ultimately doomed attempt by the famous industrialist to create a utopian society deep in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon.

With meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Grandin paints a vivid picture of Ford’s grand vision: to establish a rubber plantation that would provide an endless supply of raw materials for his automobile empire. In the 1920s, Ford purchased a vast tract of land in the Amazon rainforest, hoping to create a self-sustaining community where his workers would live, work, and prosper.

However, as Grandin masterfully reveals, Ford’s project was plagued with hubris, cultural clashes, and logistical challenges. The book delves into the clash between Ford’s rigid, American way of life and the rich, diverse culture of the Amazonian people. It explores the conflicts that arose as Ford tried to impose his vision of efficiency and modernity on a landscape that resisted his notions of progress.

Through engaging prose and a deep understanding of history, Grandin uncovers the untold story of Ford’s failed experiment. He explores the rise and fall of Fordlandia, from its initial promise to its eventual abandonment, as well as the lasting impact it had on the people and the land.

Whether you’re a fan of history, a business enthusiast, or simply intrigued by the enigmatic figure of Henry Ford, this book is a must-read. Grandin’s exploration of Ford’s grand project provides a thought-provoking reflection on the limits of American entrepreneurialism and the complex relationship between industry and nature.

So, if you’re looking for a captivating and illuminating book about Henry Ford, look no further than Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford’s Forgotten Jungle City. Prepare to be transported to a forgotten era and discover the untold story of one of history’s most fascinating industrialists.

My Life and Work

By henry ford.

Are you ready to dive into the extraordinary life of the automotive genius? Look no further than My Life and Work, a groundbreaking book that delves into the fascinating world of Henry Ford, the man who revolutionized the way we travel and live. This captivating autobiography provides an intimate glimpse into the mind of a visionary, an innovator, and a true game-changer.

My Life and Work is not just another book about Henry Ford; it is a firsthand account of his incredible journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential figures in history. With his unique perspective and unyielding determination, Ford shares his experiences, struggles, and triumphs, giving readers an unparalleled insight into the mind of a true pioneer.

Prepare to be inspired as you follow Ford’s remarkable rise to success, from his early days as a young engineer tinkering with machines to the founding of the Ford Motor Company. Witness the birth of the Model T, the iconic automobile that forever transformed transportation and laid the foundation for the modern automotive industry.

But My Life and Work is not just about cars; it is a testament to the power of innovation, hard work, and perseverance. Ford’s unwavering belief in his vision, his tireless pursuit of excellence, and his commitment to his employees and customers are lessons that resonate far beyond the automotive realm.

So, if you’re looking for an engaging and enlightening book on Henry Ford, look no further than My Life and Work. Join the man who changed the world and discover the incredible story behind one of the greatest minds of our time. Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and captivated by the life and work of Henry Ford.

The Ford Century: Ford Motor Company and the Innovations that Shaped the World

By russ banham.

Russ Banham’s The Ford Century: Ford Motor Company and the Innovations that Shaped the World is a captivating book about the visionary entrepreneur, Henry Ford, and his remarkable contributions to the automobile industry. This comprehensive biography traces the incredible journey of Ford and his company, highlighting their revolutionary innovations and their profound impact on the world.

American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company

By bryce g. hoffman.

American Icon is a captivating book that delves into the remarkable story of how Alan Mulally, a former Boeing executive, transformed the struggling Ford Motor Company into a thriving global powerhouse. This riveting narrative takes readers on a journey through the challenges and triumphs of Mulally’s tenure at Ford, as he navigates the company through the depths of the financial crisis and implements a bold plan to save the iconic American automaker. With meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Bryce G. Hoffman sheds light on the inner workings of the auto industry, providing a fascinating glimpse into the world of corporate leadership and the relentless drive to revive a legendary brand. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in business, leadership, and the legacy of one of America’s greatest entrepreneurs.

The Ford Model T: A Centennial History

By robert casey.

The Ford Model T: A Centennial History by Robert Casey is a captivating book that delves into the life and legacy of the legendary automobile pioneer, Henry Ford. This fascinating book on Henry Ford takes readers on a journey through the early days of the automobile industry, showcasing Ford’s groundbreaking innovations and the tremendous impact they had on American society.

Casey’s meticulous research and engaging writing style bring the story of Henry Ford to life, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of his vision, determination, and the challenges he faced along the way. From the development of the iconic Model T to the creation of the assembly line, this book about Henry Ford offers a detailed account of his revolutionary achievements and their lasting influence on the world.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, a car lover, or simply curious about one of the greatest innovators of the 20th century, this Henry Ford book is a must-read that will leave you inspired and in awe of the incredible legacy left behind by Henry Ford.

Ford: The Men and the Machine

By robert lacey.

Robert Lacey’s captivating book, Ford: The Men and the Machine, delves deep into the life and legacy of the iconic automobile tycoon, Henry Ford. This mesmerizing book on Henry Ford offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a visionary who revolutionized the automotive industry. Lacey skillfully weaves together a narrative that explores Ford’s early years, his groundbreaking innovations, and the complex relationships that shaped his extraordinary journey. With meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Lacey provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the man behind the Ford Motor Company. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a business aficionado, or simply curious about the enigmatic figure that is Henry Ford, this book about Henry Ford is an absolute must-read. Brace yourself for a captivating journey into the extraordinary life of one of America’s greatest industrialists.

The People’s Machine: Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rise of Blockbuster Democracy

By joe mathews.

The People’s Machine is a captivating book that delves into the extraordinary life and political career of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the iconic action star turned governor of California. Joe Mathews takes readers on a fascinating journey, exploring how Schwarzenegger’s larger-than-life persona and blockbuster approach to politics transformed the landscape of American democracy.

Mathews draws parallels between Schwarzenegger’s rise to power and the industrial revolution, likening the actor-turned-politician to a modern-day Henry Ford. This insightful comparison sheds new light on Schwarzenegger’s unique brand of politics, as he harnessed the power of celebrity and entertainment to connect with voters.

With its vibrant storytelling and thought-provoking analysis, The People’s Machine is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of politics, celebrity, and the ever-evolving nature of democracy.

Ford: The Dust and the Glory

By leo levine.

Ford: The Dust and the Glory is a captivating book on the life and legacy of the legendary industrialist and automobile pioneer, Henry Ford. Written by Leo Levine, this insightful biography takes readers on a thrilling journey through the life of the man who revolutionized the automotive industry.

This book about Henry Ford delves into his humble beginnings, his relentless pursuit of innovation, and his transformation of the Ford Motor Company into a global powerhouse. Levine skillfully chronicles Ford’s triumphs and challenges, offering a rich and detailed portrait of the man behind the iconic Model T.

With meticulous research and engaging storytelling, this Henry Ford book paints a vivid picture of a visionary who shaped the world we live in today. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply intrigued by the life of an extraordinary entrepreneur, Ford: The Dust and the Glory is a must-read.

The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant: The Birthplace of the Model T

By david lewis.

The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant: The Birthplace of the Model T is a captivating book about the legendary automaker, Henry Ford. This in-depth exploration takes readers back in time to the very place where the iconic Model T was born. With meticulous research and vivid storytelling, author David Lewis paints a vivid picture of the bustling factory and the innovative mind behind it all.

Through Lewis’s detailed accounts, readers will gain a deeper understanding of Henry Ford’s genius, his relentless pursuit of perfection, and the historic significance of the Piquette Avenue Plant. This book is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the history of automobiles, industrialization, or the remarkable life of Henry Ford. Discover the fascinating story behind one of the most influential figures in American history with this captivating book.

Ford Model T: The Car That Put the World on Wheels

By lindsay brooke.

Discover the fascinating journey of Henry Ford and his revolutionary creation in Ford Model T: The Car That Put the World on Wheels by Lindsay Brooke. This captivating book delves into the life and accomplishments of the visionary entrepreneur, offering a deep insight into the man behind the iconic automobile.

From his humble beginnings to his groundbreaking assembly line production system, Brooke explores the incredible impact Henry Ford had on the automotive industry and the world at large. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, he brings to life the challenges, triumphs, and innovations that shaped Ford’s legacy.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a car aficionado, or simply curious about the man who revolutionized transportation, this book about Henry Ford is a must-read. Join the journey and uncover the extraordinary story of the Model T, the car that changed the world.

Ford Model T: The Complete History

By david ross.

Looking for a captivating journey into the life and legacy of the automotive pioneer who revolutionized the way we travel? Look no further than David Ross’s remarkable book on Henry Ford, appropriately titled Ford Model T: The Complete History. In this riveting exploration, Ross delves into the incredible story behind the iconic Model T, shedding light on the man behind the machine. From Ford’s humble beginnings to the creation of the assembly line, this book about Henry Ford takes readers on a thrilling ride through history. Packed with fascinating anecdotes, rare photographs, and meticulous research, Ross’s comprehensive account is a must-read for any automobile enthusiast or history buff. So, fasten your seatbelt and prepare to be transported back in time with this captivating Henry Ford book!

Ford Model T: The Car That Changed the World

By bruce w. mccalley.

“Ford Model T: The Car That Changed the World” by Bruce W. McCalley is a captivating book about the iconic automobile that revolutionized the automotive industry and transformed the world. This remarkable book delves into the life and achievements of the innovative American entrepreneur, Henry Ford. McCalley expertly explores Ford’s journey from his humble beginnings to becoming a pioneering force in the automotive world. With meticulous research and engaging storytelling, the author provides a comprehensive account of the development and impact of the Model T, showcasing its influence on society, economy, and culture. This highly informative and captivating book is a must-read for anyone interested in the fascinating life of Henry Ford and the incredible legacy he left behind.”

Ford Model T: The Greatest Car in the World

By robert c. kreipke.

Looking for a thrilling ride through automotive history? Look no further than Ford Model T: The Greatest Car in the World by Robert C. Kreipke. This captivating book takes readers on a journey back in time, exploring the life and legacy of the iconic automobile pioneer, Henry Ford. Discover the man behind the machine as Kreipke delves into Ford’s visionary mind and his relentless pursuit of innovation. With vivid storytelling and stunning visuals, this book brings to life the incredible story of how the Model T revolutionized the automotive industry and changed the way we live and travel. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about the man behind the legend, this book is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the incredible life and accomplishments of Henry Ford.

Ford Model T: The Ultimate History of America’s First Great Automobile

By david l. lewis.

Ford Model T: The Ultimate History of America’s First Great Automobile by David L. Lewis is a captivating book on Henry Ford and his groundbreaking creation, the Model T. This fascinating read delves into the life of the visionary entrepreneur, exploring his journey from humble beginnings to revolutionizing the automotive industry.

With meticulous research and stunning visuals, Lewis provides an in-depth look at the development, production, and impact of the Model T. From its introduction in 1908 to its lasting legacy, this book about Henry Ford is a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of one man who changed the world.

Whether you’re a car enthusiast, history buff, or just curious about the man behind the iconic automobile, this Henry Ford book is a must-read. Lewis’ engaging storytelling and wealth of information make it a page-turner that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the Model T and the incredible legacy of Henry Ford.

Ford Model T: The Car That Started the Automotive Revolution

By david longstreth.

Discover the captivating story of the man who revolutionized the automotive industry with the Ford Model T, in the enthralling book, “Ford Model T: The Car That Started the Automotive Revolution” by David Longstreth.

In this fascinating account, Longstreth delves into the life and achievements of the legendary businessman and engineer, Henry Ford. This book is not just another run-of-the-mill biography; it’s a thrilling journey through history, unveiling the genius behind one of the most influential figures of the twentieth century.

Longstreth masterfully portrays Henry Ford’s incredible determination and unwavering vision, showcasing his relentless pursuit of creating an affordable and reliable automobile for the masses. With vivid storytelling and meticulous research, the author takes readers on a ride through Ford’s early struggles, his groundbreaking innovations, and the lasting impact of the Model T on the world.

As you delve into the pages of this book, you’ll find yourself transported back in time, witnessing the birth of the assembly line, the triumphs of the Ford Motor Company, and the profound societal changes brought about by the Model T. Longstreth expertly captures the spirit of the era, immersing you in the excitement and challenges that Henry Ford faced along his remarkable journey.

Whether you’re a history buff, a car enthusiast, or simply curious about the man behind the iconic Model T, this book is a must-read. Longstreth’s captivating storytelling and thorough research bring the story of Henry Ford to life, making it an engaging and enlightening read for all.

So, buckle up and embark on a thrilling adventure through the life and legacy of Henry Ford in “Ford Model T: The Car That Started the Automotive Revolution.” This extraordinary book is a ride you won’t want to miss!

by David Weitzman

Discover the fascinating story of the man who revolutionized the automotive industry with the book “Ford Model T: The Car That Changed the World” by David Weitzman. This captivating book delves into the life and achievements of Henry Ford, the visionary entrepreneur who introduced the iconic Model T to the world. Through vivid storytelling and extensive research, Weitzman explores Ford’s journey from his humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential figures in history. From his innovative assembly line production to his commitment to making cars affordable for the average American, this book offers a comprehensive and inspiring account of Ford’s remarkable legacy. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or simply interested in the life of this pioneering industrialist, this book about Henry Ford is a must-read.

by David Burgess Wise

Are you ready to step back in time and discover the incredible story behind the man who revolutionized the automobile industry? Look no further than Ford Model T: The Car That Put the World on Wheels by David Burgess Wise – a captivating book on Henry Ford that will transport you to the early days of automotive history.

In this enthralling book about Henry Ford, David Burgess Wise takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the life and achievements of one of the greatest visionaries of the 20th century. From his humble beginnings to becoming a legendary figure, Wise delves into the fascinating details of Ford’s life, providing a comprehensive and insightful account.

Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, Wise paints a vivid picture of the man behind the iconic Model T. From Ford’s relentless determination to his groundbreaking innovations, every page is filled with tales of triumph and challenges overcome. Whether you’re a history buff, a car enthusiast, or simply curious about the man who changed the world, this Henry Ford book is a must-read.

Step into the world of Henry Ford, where the roar of engines and the smell of gasoline permeate the air. Discover the struggles, the triumphs, and the legacy of a man whose visionary ideas transformed the way we live and move. Don’t miss out on this captivating journey through automotive history – grab a copy of Ford Model T: The Car That Put the World on Wheels and embark on an adventure you won’t soon forget.

by David J. Wright

The Ford Model T: The Car That Changed the World by David J. Wright is an absolute must-read for anyone intrigued by the fascinating life and legacy of the automotive pioneer, Henry Ford. This captivating book delves deep into the extraordinary journey of the man behind the iconic Model T, offering readers a front-row seat to the remarkable revolution he sparked in the automobile industry.

In conclusion, these 20 best books about Henry Ford provide a comprehensive and insightful look into the life and legacy of this iconic American entrepreneur. Whether you’re a history buff, a business enthusiast, or simply curious about the man behind the Model T, these books offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. From biographies to in-depth analyses of Ford’s impact on industry and society, there is something for everyone in this collection. So, pick up one of these books and delve into the fascinating world of Henry Ford.

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Henry Ford Biography

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Free book: My Life and Work Author: Henry Ford - In Collaboration With Samuel Crowther

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About the book:.

At some point in your life you have probably driven a Ford or been a passenger in one. This free biography book chroniclies the rise and success of one of the greatest American entrepreneurs and businessmen of the twentieth century, this book is about the man whose name is on the badge.

His introduction of the Ford Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry. As the Ford Motor Company owner, he became one of the richest and best-known people in the world. He is credited with "Fordism", the mass production of inexpensive goods coupled with high wages for workers. Ford had a global vision, with consumerism as the key to peace. His intense commitment to systematically lowering costs resulted in many technical and business innovations , including a franchise system that put dealerships throughout North America and major cities on six continents. Ford left most of his vast wealth to the Ford Foundation and arranged for his family to permanently control it.

"A book about a man who changed the world with his vision and philosophy. The book is filled with wisdom and core principles about business which are as equally valuable today as it were back then. Ford was a big believer in self-reliance, simplicity, and honest hard work. While most of the other businessmen in his industry were chasing revenue, Henry Ford was focusing on service and developing a good product that would be available for everyone. Entrepreneurs today can learn a lot from this". Mario Tomic, Goodreads

On May 31, 1921, the Ford Motor Company turned out Car No. 5,000,000. It is out in my museum along with the gasoline buggy that I began work on thirty years before and which first ran satisfactorily along in the spring of 1893. I was running it when the bobolinks came to Dearborn and they always come on April 2nd. There is all the difference in the world in the appearance of the two vehicles and almost as much difference in construction and materials, but in fundamentals the two are curiously alike—except that the old buggy has on it a few wrinkles that we have not yet quite adopted in our modern car. For that first car or buggy, even though it had but two cylinders, would make twenty miles an hour and run sixty miles on the three gallons of gas the little tank held and is as good to-day as the day it was built. The development in methods of manufacture and in materials has been greater than the development in basic design. The whole design has been refined; the present Ford car, which is the "Model T," has four cylinders and a self starter—it is in every way a more convenient and an easier riding car. It is simpler than the first car. But almost every point in it may be found also in the first car. The changes have been brought about through experience in the making and not through any change in the basic principle—which I take to be an important fact demonstrating that, given a good idea to start with, it is better to concentrate on perfecting it than to hunt around for a new idea. One idea at a time is about as much as any one can handle.

It was life on the farm that drove me into devising ways and means to better transportation. I was born on July 30, 1863, on a farm at Dearborn, Michigan, and my earliest recollection is that, considering the results, there was too much work on the place. That is the way I still feel about farming. There is a legend that my parents were very poor and that the early days were hard ones. Certainly they were not rich, but neither were they poor. As Michigan farmers went, we were prosperous. The house in which I was born is still standing, and it and the farm are part of my present holding.

There was too much hard hand labour on our own and all other farms of the time. Even when very young I suspected that much might somehow be done in a better way. That is what took me into mechanics—although my mother always said that I was born a mechanic. I had a kind of workshop with odds and ends of metal for tools before I had anything else. In those days we did not have the toys of to-day; what we had were home made. My toys were all tools—they still are! And every fragment of machinery was a treasure.

The biggest event of those early years was meeting with a road engine about eight miles out of Detroit one day when we were driving to town. I was then twelve years old. The second biggest event was getting a watch—which happened in the same year. I remember that engine as though I had seen it only yesterday, for it was the first vehicle other than horse-drawn that I had ever seen. It was intended primarily for driving threshing machines and sawmills and was simply a portable engine and boiler mounted on wheels with a water tank and coal cart trailing behind. I had seen plenty of these engines hauled around by horses, but this one had a chain that made a connection between the engine and the rear wheels of the wagon-like frame on which the boiler was mounted. The engine was placed over the boiler and one man standing on the platform behind the boiler shoveled coal, managed the throttle, and did the steering. It had been made by Nichols, Shepard & Company of Battle Creek. I found that out at once. The engine had stopped to let us pass with our horses and I was off the wagon and talking to the engineer before my father, who was driving, knew what I was up to. The engineer was very glad to explain the whole affair. He was proud of it. He showed me how the chain was disconnected from the propelling wheel and a belt put on to drive other machinery. He told me that the engine made two hundred revolutions a minute and that the chain pinion could be shifted to let the wagon stop while the engine was still running. This last is a feature which, although in different fashion, is incorporated into modern automobiles. It was not important with steam engines, which are easily stopped and started, but it became very important with the gasoline engine. It was that engine which took me into automotive transportation. I tried to make models of it, and some years later I did make one that ran very well, but from the time I saw that road engine as a boy of twelve right forward to to-day, my great interest has been in making a machine that would travel the roads. Driving to town I always had a pocket full of trinkets—nuts, washers, and odds and ends of machinery. Often I took a broken watch and tried to put it together. When I was thirteen I managed for the first time to put a watch together so that it would keep time. By the time I was fifteen I could do almost anything in watch repairing—although my tools were of the crudest. There is an immense amount to be learned simply by tinkering with things. It is not possible to learn from books how everything is made—and a real mechanic ought to know how nearly everything is made. Machines are to a mechanic what books are to a writer. He gets ideas from them, and if he has any brains he will apply those ideas.

From the beginning I never could work up much interest in the labour of farming. I wanted to have something to do with machinery. My father was not entirely in sympathy with my bent toward mechanics. He thought that I ought to be a farmer. When I left school at seventeen and became an apprentice in the machine shop of the Drydock Engine Works I was all but given up for lost. I passed my apprenticeship without trouble—that is, I was qualified to be a machinist long before my three-year term had expired—and having a liking for fine work and a leaning toward watches I worked nights at repairing in a jewelry shop. At one period of those early days I think that I must have had fully three hundred watches. I thought that I could build a serviceable watch for around thirty cents and nearly started in the business. But I did not because I figured out that watches were not universal necessities, and therefore people generally would not buy them. Just how I reached that surprising conclusion I am unable to state. I did not like the ordinary jewelry and watch making work excepting where the job was hard to do. Even then I wanted to make something in quantity. It was just about the time when the standard railroad time was being arranged. We had formerly been on sun time and for quite a while, just as in our present daylight-saving days, the railroad time differed from the local time. That bothered me a good deal and so I succeeded in making a watch that kept both times. It had two dials and it was quite a curiosity in the neighbourhood.

In 1879—that is, about four years after I first saw that Nichols-Shepard machine—I managed to get a chance to run one and when my apprenticeship was over I worked with a local representative of the Westinghouse Company of Schenectady as an expert in the setting up and repair of their road engines. The engine they put out was much the same as the Nichols-Shepard engine excepting that the engine was up in front, the boiler in the rear, and the power was applied to the back wheels by a belt. They could make twelve miles an hour on the road even though the self-propelling feature was only an incident of the construction. They were sometimes used as tractors to pull heavy loads and, if the owner also happened to be in the threshing-machine business, he hitched his threshing machine and other paraphernalia to the engine in moving from farm to farm. What bothered me was the weight and the cost. They weighed a couple of tons and were far too expensive to be owned by other than a farmer with a great deal of land. They were mostly employed by people who went into threshing as a business or who had sawmills or some other line that required portable power.

Even before that time I had the idea of making some kind of a light steam car that would take the place of horses—more especially, however, as a tractor to attend to the excessively hard labour of ploughing. It occurred to me, as I remember somewhat vaguely, that precisely the same idea might be applied to a carriage or a wagon on the road. A horseless carriage was a common idea. People had been talking about carriages without horses for many years back—in fact, ever since the steam engine was invented—but the idea of the carriage at first did not seem so practical to me as the idea of an engine to do the harder farm work, and of all the work on the farm ploughing was the hardest. Our roads were poor and we had not the habit of getting around. One of the most remarkable features of the automobile on the farm is the way that it has broadened the farmer's life. We simply took for granted that unless the errand were urgent we would not go to town, and I think we rarely made more than a trip a week. In bad weather we did not go even that often.

Being a full-fledged machinist and with a very fair workshop on the farm it was not difficult for me to build a steam wagon or tractor. In the building of it came the idea that perhaps it might be made for road use. I felt perfectly certain that horses, considering all the bother of attending them and the expense of feeding, did not earn their keep. The obvious thing to do was to design and build a steam engine that would be light enough to run an ordinary wagon or to pull a plough. I thought it more important first to develop the tractor. To lift farm drudgery off flesh and blood and lay it on steel and motors has been my most constant ambition. It was circumstances that took me first into the actual manufacture of road cars. I found eventually that people were more interested in something that would travel on the road than in something that would do the work on the farms. In fact, I doubt that the light farm tractor could have been introduced on the farm had not the farmer had his eyes opened slowly but surely by the automobile. But that is getting ahead of the story. I thought the farmer would be more interested in the tractor.

I built a steam car that ran. It had a kerosene-heated boiler and it developed plenty of power and a neat control—which is so easy with a steam throttle. But the boiler was dangerous. To get the requisite power without too big and heavy a power plant required that the engine work under high pressure; sitting on a high-pressure steam boiler is not altogether pleasant. To make it even reasonably safe required an excess of weight that nullified the economy of the high pressure. For two years I kept experimenting with various sorts of boilers—the engine and control problems were simple enough—and then I definitely abandoned the whole idea of running a road vehicle by steam. I knew that in England they had what amounted to locomotives running on the roads hauling lines of trailers and also there was no difficulty in designing a big steam tractor for use on a large farm. But ours were not then English roads; they would have stalled or racked to pieces the strongest and heaviest road tractor. And anyway the manufacturing of a big tractor which only a few wealthy farmers could buy did not seem to me worth while.

But I did not give up the idea of a horseless carriage. The work with the Westinghouse representative only served to confirm the opinion I had formed that steam was not suitable for light vehicles. That is why I stayed only a year with that company. There was nothing more that the big steam tractors and engines could teach me and I did not want to waste time on something that would lead nowhere. A few years before—it was while I was an apprentice—I read in the World of Science, an English publication, of the "silent gas engine" which was then coming out in England. I think it was the Otto engine. It ran with illuminating gas, had a single large cylinder, and the power impulses being thus intermittent required an extremely heavy fly-wheel. As far as weight was concerned it gave nothing like the power per pound of metal that a steam engine gave, and the use of illuminating gas seemed to dismiss it as even a possibility for road use. It was interesting to me only as all machinery was interesting. I followed in the English and American magazines which we got in the shop the development of the engine and most particularly the hints of the possible replacement of the illuminating gas fuel by a gas formed by the vaporization of gasoline. The idea of gas engines was by no means new, but this was the first time that a really serious effort had been made to put them on the market. They were received with interest rather than enthusiasm and I do not recall any one who thought that the internal combustion engine could ever have more than a limited use. All the wise people demonstrated conclusively that the engine could not compete with steam. They never thought that it might carve out a career for itself. That is the way with wise people—they are so wise and practical that they always know to a dot just why something cannot be done; they always know the limitations. That is why I never employ an expert in full bloom. If ever I wanted to kill opposition by unfair means I would endow the opposition with experts. They would have so much good advice that I could be sure they would do little work.

The gas engine interested me and I followed its progress, but only from curiosity, until about 1885 or 1886 when, the steam engine being discarded as the motive power for the carriage that I intended some day to build, I had to look around for another sort of motive power. In 1885 I repaired an Otto engine at the Eagle Iron Works in Detroit. No one in town knew anything about them. There was a rumour that I did and, although I had never before been in contact with one, I undertook and carried through the job. That gave me a chance to study the new engine at first hand and in 1887 I built one on the Otto four-cycle model just to see if I understood the principles. "Four cycle" means that the piston traverses the cylinder four times to get one power impulse. The first stroke draws in the gas, the second compresses it, the third is the explosion or power stroke, while the fourth stroke exhausts the waste gas. The little model worked well enough; it had a one-inch bore and a three-inch stroke, operated with gasoline, and while it did not develop much power, it was slightly lighter in proportion than the engines being offered commercially. I gave it away later to a young man who wanted it for something or other and whose name I have forgotten; it was eventually destroyed. That was the beginning of the work with the internal combustion engine.

I was then on the farm to which I had returned, more because I wanted to experiment than because I wanted to farm, and, now being an all-around machinist, I had a first-class workshop to replace the toy shop of earlier days. My father offered me forty acres of timber land, provided I gave up being a machinist. I agreed in a provisional way, for cutting the timber gave me a chance to get married. I fitted out a sawmill and a portable engine and started to cut out and saw up the timber on the tract. Some of the first of that lumber went into a cottage on my new farm and in it we began our married life. It was not a big house—thirty-one feet square and only a story and a half high—but it was a comfortable place. I added to it my workshop, and when I was not cutting timber I was working on the gas engines—learning what they were and how they acted. I read everything I could find, but the greatest knowledge came from the work. A gas engine is a mysterious sort of thing—it will not always go the way it should. You can imagine how those first engines acted!

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