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

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  • List Price: $40.00
  • Studio: Artisan
  • Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 Stars
 

Product Details

Editorial Reviews

Product Description: No technological achievement has altered our world more than the introduction of the automobile into every element of our society, and no single company has been more influential in that achievement than Ford Motor Company. For the past one hundred years, we have used automobiles for our livelihood, for travel and recreation, for delivery and transport—thanks, in large part, to the vision of Henry Ford and the three successive generations of Ford leaders that have furthered his legacy.

This hundredth anniversary book is a fascinating, highly visual look into the history of an American icon—a company with a household name that has been a part of the fabric of our nation's history. Ford's story is one of inventions, personalities, legendary vehicles, setbacks, and successes, all intertwined with the most challenging and innovative century in American history.

The Ford Century represents the visual history of the man, the machine, and the company that changed the world. From the automotive assembly line to the V-8 engine; from the affordable everyman's car to the creation of a network of national highways, from the Arsenal of Democracy in World War II to today's global economy—it's all here in the most compelling and comprehensive book on Henry Ford and the Ford legacy.

With more than five hundred full-color and archival images, an unflinching, thoroughly researched text, and many special features, this book spans a complete century of goings-on at this archetypal corporation. The Ford Century covers all of the well-known subjects—the Model T, Edsel Ford, the famed Rouge Complex—plus exciting unreleased vehicles, compelling interviews, and surprising insights that are prossible only with the unparalleled access granted to the producers of this book.

Featuring a lively, personality-centered text and stunning images The Ford Century is a compelling read for car buffs, industry watchers, and connoisseurs of illustrated history alike.

Customer Reviews

 
This high-quality coffee table book has not just great pics but contains a real slice of Americana
Reviewer: Ricahrd A. Salzer (Chesapeake, Virginia, USA), Date of review: November 24, 2009
Avg. Customer Rating: 4 Stars
With over 500 photos, Author Russ Banham and
foreward(er) [the late Hungarian-American
Actor] Pual Newman, take the reader into
four different sections about the life of an
American inventor-genius. They don't go into
Ford's somewhat kooky views (was he a Mason
or just into the Occult?!, but stick strictly
to his wanting to make a car for the American
family and our love affair with it! Why, oh
why can't we have Corporations like this today?
Amazing photos and some good reading but a lot of fluff too
Reviewer: C. Etemad-Moghadam (Fallston, MD), Date of review: February 19, 2009
Avg. Customer Rating: 3 Stars
The book is worth it just for the photography. Content is sufficient though some of the reading is biased toward Ford (their hand is in the book) and the section covering important models shows cars that Ford had absolutely nothing to do with (Jaguar E Type, early Aston Martin, pre-Ford ownership Mazda three wheeler and Miata among others). These just don't belong there. In the end, a nice book to have but not a complete history of the car company or the man.
outstanding collection of products
Reviewer: Luis A. De Torre (Peru), Date of review: February 08, 2008
Avg. Customer Rating: 5 Stars

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

I bought this book as part of the materials of a history of innovation course, and it resulted a valuable piece. The history of Ford is well known in general terms but not in the details and the way their engineers broke thoundsands of paradigms and how they adapted to the market needs. The book of evidence of this effort. There is a nice introduction by Paul Newman. I recommend it for all lovers of engineering or product development.
official book of Ford Motor Company
Reviewer: Brunner Marc , Date of review: February 13, 2007
Avg. Customer Rating: 5 Stars

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

complete history of Ford Motor Company incl. sub-brands
Every employee of Ford Motor got one in 2003.
A beautiful and entertaining book
Reviewer: , Date of review: May 08, 2003
Avg. Customer Rating: 5 Stars

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

This book is fascinating, even for people like me who aren't especially interested in cars. I picked it up at my grandpa's house and couldn't put it down. More than a "car book," Ford Century brings in a lot of the history that Ford grew up in - from hula hoops to hot rods - and reminds its readers how Ford was there for it all. This is a beautiful book, as well, with great images and nostalgiac pictures. I highly recommend it.