Ford, The Men And The Machine (4)

Ford, The Men And The Machine
by Robert Lacey

This was an amazing book... He looks at the Fords from Henry Ford's birth until late in the life of Henry Ford II (1985). Detailing the rise of Henry Ford.. and the problems later in his life, the disarray of the company, and the torment of his son. I have read books on Ford before, and thought this one was accurate, although did not go into much detail about Edsel, other than his father was largely disappointed in him, and he was frustrated by his inability to get his father to make changes for the good of the company.
Nearly half the book deals with Henry Ford II and the company from 1945 until the late 1970's. It is a look at great new people, and old problems. Over all the book was not kind of Lee Iaccoca, dismissing him as a good car man who got caught up in his own ego. The book also explores the various personal problems of the third and fourth generations of the Ford family.
As well as talking about the Ford family the book also looks into the history and mood of Detroit as well. I know a great deal of history of Detroit, but learned a few new things in this book.
This book was well written and very readable.. it was also very long.. 650+ pages of the story, plus more on notes, bib, etc. The book was heavily referenced.. so I believe it to be reasonably accurate. Some items are up to the individuals memory or interpretation of an event, and I think Lacy did a good job of showing differnt views of the same situation. Especially with Iaccoca where his accounts, Henry II account and the board accounts differ.
I recommend the book to anyone interested in Ford, the auto industry or Detroit.