Amazon.com
As a home repair columnist and a handyman myself, this book has been in my reference library since it was first published in 1995. Clear, well-organized, well-indexed, filled with useful illustrations and diagrams, this is a great book for anyone interested in learning about how to maintain their home, keep appliances running, and fix many things they might never have imagined they could. You will recoup the cost of this book the first time you don't have to call in a pro for a simple home repair!
Book Description
The biggest, best organized, and most complete collection of money-saving, time-saving home and workshop hints and tips ever assembled. More than 2,000 ingenious, truly useful tips and tricks for the home handyman.
Customer Reviews:
books.......2007-01-09
If you're AT ALL inclined to do your own work around the house, books of this type pay for themselves several times over. Just one repair you read about in this book and do yourself will pay for the entire cost of the purchase. Excellent investment, even for the novice. Instructions are clear and easy to follow.
Ten Thumbs Up!.......2001-09-06
When it comes to home repairs, I am all thumbs. I've had leaky faucets and toilets for years. Patching drywall, fixing locks, and replacing glass in windows used to require a call for professional help. Until I bought this book. It contains easy to follow, step by step directions with terrific pictures. I've saved hundreds of dollars since purchasing it. Simply terrific!
Get this book and never loan it out!.......2001-01-01
I'm on my fourth copy of this book. Mine tend to vanish like the morning dew juat as my neighbors begin their spring garage cleanup. . . My bro-in-law has one as well, but he insists that the fact that my name is written in indelible SHARPIE marker on the front is just a tribute to me and my helpful nature. . . This book has more helpful hints in introduction than most do in the first 5 chapters. And it just goes on and aon and on!
With actual real life applications for stuff you'll find lying around your garage (from old buckets to wire to old useless hose), this book is a true boon for anyone looking to clean up their act (and their garage) and make the time they have to spend on projects less of a fight to just keep the cords straight!
I highly recommend this book for anyone that knows they own at least 4 tape measures, but can't find one to save their lives!
Well worth the cost, and as well constructed as the book is, it will last a lifetime!
Readers Digest Helpful Hints.......2000-07-22
I recieved my first Readers Digest Helpful Hints five years ago.
I was so impressed, I got copies for my two sons and son-in-law.
It is something I would not want to be without.
It really does have helpful hints found nowhere else.
I thank you for Readers Digest Helpful Hints.
Sam Mallett
Book Description
A masterwork of history-restored to print and made available for the first time in trade paperback.In this massive, compellingly readable book, America's preeminent biographer/historian brings to life Europe's richest, most powerful family, a 400-year dynasty that developed the world's most technologically advanced weapons (from cannons to submarines to anti-aircraft guns); provided arms to generations of German leaders, including the Kaiser and Hitler; operated private concentration camps during the Nazi era; survived conviction at Nuremberg; and wielded enormous influence on the course of world events. William Manchester's account of the rise and fall of the Krupp dynasty is history as it should be written-alive with all its terrifying power.
Customer Reviews:
Krupp: the Epitome of the Military-Industrial Complex........2007-02-27
William Manchester's "The Arms of Krupp" is an epic look at the company, personalities, dynasty, and the nation that formed one of the world's most infamous armaments manufacturers.
From the earliest records of a Krupp in the late 16th century, the Krupp family profited off the suffering an misery of others when Arndt Krupp bought land in Essen for a bargain following an outbreak of bubonic plague. It was a pattern that played out again and again up to the Second World War; but the later tragedies the family profited off was human conflict rather than disease.
Throughout the narrative, the reader is introduced to a long list of eccentric and sometimes brutal 'Cannon Kings': from manure-loving Alfred whose genius launched die Firma into its infamous glory, the scandalous Fritz, the robotic Gustav, to the WWII-era slaveholder Alfried. At times, readers will envy the early Krupps for their dedication to die Firma, while in other instances the audience will be appalled by the Krupps' cold-blooded arms dealings that led to the deaths of so many of their own countrymen.
Manchester is keen on casting the house of Krupp as a symbol of modern Germany; as their trials and boons both seemed to coincide in recent history. Furthermore, "The Arms of Krupp" is an excellent source for insight on the pre-WWI arms race and the post-Versailles rearmament that other histories of the period overlook. Over all, it is a highly recommended book for anyone interested in the history of Germany and the barons of modern warfare.
Excellent book with annoying features.......2006-12-25
This book is excellent for all the reasons mentioned in the other reviews. What I found REALLY annoying was the author's use of German quotes. He provides quotes, in German, usually somewhat abbreviated as shown by the use of ellipses, and then provides the translation of the entire quote in English. Since most of his readers can't read German, and the entire quote is NOT in the German version, why include them? More frustrating are the German phrases that he quotes and doesn't translate, leaving us to guess at their meanings.
The Family That Armed Germany.......2006-10-16
William Manchester squeezes yet another masterpiece into just under a thousand pages (not counting index!) For four centuries one name was associated with the armaments that were utilized in four major wars, creating the richest family in Europe; Krupp. Each leader of the dynasty had peculiar quirks that Manchester delights over, some were involved in sex scandals, and another ran his day to the second with pure Prussian obsessive-compulsion. Krupp innovations included the steel cannon and railroad wheel; they designed the notorious 88mm of WW II, and the descendant of that gun, the 120mm hypervelocity cannon, may be seen on U.S. tanks to this day. The driving force behind the industrialization of the Ruhr, it would be legitimate to ask if Germany were responsible for the rise of Krupp, or Krupp responsible for the rise of Germany. Like so many others, Alfried Krupp fell under Hitler's spell, spurring him to run private concentration camps in order to produce more weapons. Intrafirm Krupp memoranda from this period begin to use terms such as Sklavenarbeiter (slave labor), Sklavenmarkt (the slave market), Sklavenhalter (the slave-holder, Alfried Krupps), and Judenmaterial (Jewish livestock.) The Nuremberg Trials follow, and Krupp walks away almost unscathed, to continue in business until the company foundered in the 1960s. German history and the Krupp lineage is inextricable, and there is no better writer to bring such a unique saga to life.
The Arms of Krupp.......2006-03-03
The ultimate story of the KanonenKonig. I highly recommend this book to anyone intersted in the industrial history of the Ruhr. The best work on the rise of Germany available.
war is good for business.......2005-12-29
This work is the cardinal profile of the rise of the `military-industrial complex' in 19-20C Germany. The Krupp legacy (family and firm) is skillfully traced in a lucid, comprehensive account equal to the finest modern history.
Without Krupp, Germany would never have been unified in 1871. Without war, Krupp would never have grown into the wealthiest concern in the world. Each served the other. And tens of millions died.
What price did Krupp pay for key instrumentality in aggressive war? Not much. Gustav (key Nazi donor, appointed `Leader of Industry' in 1933) was judged too infirm for trial in 1945. Alfried (who joined the SS in 1931) spent 3 years in jail (released to much applause in 1951). The firm self destructed 1967-8 (Arndt II, playboy degenerate, wasn't up to the task of renewing the symbiotic relationship).
Krupp armed regimes that killed civilians without remorse. It used slave labor to produce weapons, and operated camps that (given the regimen) supported extermination. All without apology.
Perhaps the most cynical salute to profit is Krupp's ultimate negotiation of a £40,000 settlement in 1926 for patent royalties from Vickers for 640,000 shells the Brits fired at Germans in WW1 (Gustav insisted 4,160,000 shells were fired -- killing 2,080,000 German soldiers -- and £260,000 was due). Thus Krupp, the preeminent German weapons firm, was paid for the death of German soldiers in a lost war.
Though I read it thirty years ago, this book remains important and memorable. Highly recommended.
Book Description
L. L. Bean is one of only a handful of American companies to have attained almost legendary status in the minds of its consumers. Thanks to the integrity of its product line, consistently strong brand association, and the ability to change with customers’ needs, L. L. Bean embodies the best qualities long associated with traditional American living: rugged individualism, stubborn determination, and simple ingenuity.
Written by Leon Gorman, grandson of founder L. L., this is the first authoritative, true-to-life account of the iconic retailer and its quirky history and culture. This engaging account candidly reveals Gorman’s behind-the-scenes struggles to preserve the identity that built Bean as he also opened the door to needed change. Woven throughout the narrative are themes that will resonate with managers and general readers alike: how to shape a powerhouse brand around bedrock beliefs and values, how to balance growth and tradition, and how to craft and preserve an authentic corporate identity.
Far from a tranquil journey, the story reveals the funny, poignant, and often engrossing details of managing the L. L.. bean legacy—during the best and worst of times.
Customer Reviews:
Not to be passed by...........2007-10-01
My Grandfather was an Adirondack Hunting/Fishing guide during the 1930s and 1940s. He had many items in his inventory that came from L.L. Bean. Being curious, I went to Freeport, Maine to visit the store. I was surprised to be there at a book signing. The signing was for "The Making of and American Icon" written by Leon Gorman. I was honored to meet this unbelievable person as well as his wife. Mr. Gorman signed my copy, listened to my short story and off I went. It was a great experience! This book is written very well with a great story to tell. If you're at all interested in L.L. Bean and the business' evolution, this is a book for you. Loads of great history and personal accounts from the people who actually worked and lived the history. Very well written. I'm keeping this one as an heirloom.
Business primer.......2007-08-17
Following military service, the author, grandson of L.L. Bean, (the company's founder), was advised by the placement office at his alma mater, Bowdoin College, to seek employment at L.L. Bean in Freeport. Leon Gorman noticed that in comparison to the catalogs of the thirties, where copy was written by L.L., the catalog in 1959 was a hodgepodge.
In 1960 L.L. Bean was about ninety and responsible for decisionmaking, but not capable of conducting the business. There were no systems of manufacture or sales. Work in the core business had virtually stopped in wartime when manufacturing was devoted to turning out goods for the government. Resumption of the core business had been feeble in execution. Response to customer orders was slow. There were arguments with customers. Employees were ill-paid, but the establishment was known as a good place to work. (There was a bonus plan.) There was no pension plan. Many people filling critical positions were elderly. The author's father had worked for the company.
Interestingly, during an era of vigorous leadership by the founder, the thirties, the company did well. By the 1960's his vision of the company was failing and there was no succession planning. Two secretaries oversaw order entry and mailing list tasks, in one instance, and advertising and catalog preparation, in the other instance. They consulted the founder and his demoralized son Carl only when necessary and then pushed and cajoled the men into making decisions in order to have things run smoothly. Wid Griffin, a third key employee, was particularly useful when sales increased during the Christmas season, (twenty-five percent of the annual business was done then in one month). Leon Gorman, the author, had a favorite competing company, Abercrombie and Fitch. It had high-quality credentials. A less desirable aspect was its elitism. Leon added items to the catalog by subterfuge, using the new items first in circulars. Following the deaths of his grandfather and uncle, Leon was named President of the company in 1967.
In the 1970's L.L. Bean mailed more catalogs than its competitors. Heavy inventories were maintained to support service levels. It was becoming a clothing-driven company. Leon's leadership training had been acquired from the Boy Scouts and the Navy. The challenge was to maintain old-fashioned values in a rapid growth environment. Leon Gorman's professional managers at Bean included John Findlay, Bill End, Norm Poole. L.L. Bean became fashionable for a time. The fashion wave crested in 1983. Growth stalled. Then the company grew by twenty percent in 1985! Specialty catalogs were added. In 1989 there was a fall-off in sales. The company was following a 'best' strategy which was costly in terms of return on investment. It was ringed by competitors copying its successes. There was a dichotomy between the active outdoor sphere, the area of the brand, and casual apparel, place of the greater number of sales. The managers sought to meet the conflicting demands articulated by the directors.
In the early 1990's some of the leaders resigned to be replaced by people up from the ranks or drawn from the outside. A scheme termed Total Quality was pursued for more than six years. In 1995 the L.L. Bean Japanese business collapsed, suddenly, and there was an actual over-all decline experienced from 1996 to 1998. Consultants discovered that within the company at the higher levels of management there existed self-censorship and conflict-avoidance behaviors. Chris McCormick became President of L.L. Bean in 2001.
This is a wonderful book, particularly for readers who would love to learn about a business compelled to be both traditional, unchanging, and up-to-date to maintain the interest of its loyal customers.
Fan of the L.L. Bean Store, but not this book.......2007-05-08
I bought this book during one of the several trips my family and I take each year to the the flagship store in Freeport, ME. We love the store, their products and the shopping experience at L.L. Bean so I was excited to read this book. I am disappointed to say the least and struggled to get through it. It is a book written by Leon Gorman about himself, which is fine had it been labeled an autobiography, but all I got out of it was him constantly telling me how smart he is and how he alienated several members of his senior management. It wasn't at all what I was expecting and am disappointed.
Good Read.......2007-03-23
Great overall american success story, not only about business stratigy but personal quest to be the best. LL did it his way and Leon did too, but achieved greatness by realizing the steps to operate succesfully, profitable, and seen the future and changed with the times. I guess you do not have to always concentrate on the bottom line to become an industy giant. Leon is a true inspiration!!!
For fans of Leon Gorman, not fans of L.L.Bean.......2007-01-31
Pay attention to the fact that this book is from the Harvard Business Review. It reads like a giant case study. This is not an entertaining history of consumer favorite L.L.Bean. Far from it. It's supposed to be a swashbuckling tale of the management career of Lean Gorman, grandson of L.L. Bean. A story of the company would start with LL himself. Instead this starts with the early career of Gorman (who cares?) and plods through every consultant he ever hired for the company.
Average customer rating:
- A hard look at not only fast food, but the beef industry
- Frightening Truths
- Fast Food Nation - Eye opening read
- Eye Opening
- Alarming!
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Fast Food Nation
Eric Schlosser
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0395977894 |
Amazon.com's Best of 2001
On any given day, one out of four Americans opts for a quick and cheap meal at a fast-food restaurant, without giving either its speed or its thriftiness a second thought. Fast food is so ubiquitous that it now seems as American, and harmless, as apple pie. But the industry's drive for consolidation, homogenization, and speed has radically transformed America's diet, landscape, economy, and workforce, often in insidiously destructive ways. Eric Schlosser, an award-winning journalist, opens his ambitious and ultimately devastating exposé with an introduction to the iconoclasts and high school dropouts, such as Harlan Sanders and the McDonald brothers, who first applied the principles of a factory assembly line to a commercial kitchen. Quickly, however, he moves behind the counter with the overworked and underpaid teenage workers, onto the factory farms where the potatoes and beef are grown, and into the slaughterhouses run by giant meatpacking corporations. Schlosser wants you to know why those French fries taste so good (with a visit to the world's largest flavor company) and "what really lurks between those sesame-seed buns." Eater beware: forget your concerns about cholesterol, there is--literally--feces in your meat.
Schlosser's investigation reaches its frightening peak in the meatpacking plants as he reveals the almost complete lack of federal oversight of a seemingly lawless industry. His searing portrayal of the industry is disturbingly similar to Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, written in 1906: nightmare working conditions, union busting, and unsanitary practices that introduce E. coli and other pathogens into restaurants, public schools, and homes. Almost as disturbing is his description of how the industry "both feeds and feeds off the young," insinuating itself into all aspects of children's lives, even the pages of their school books, while leaving them prone to obesity and disease. Fortunately, Schlosser offers some eminently practical remedies. "Eating in the United States should no longer be a form of high-risk behavior," he writes. Where to begin? Ask yourself, is the true cost of having it "your way" really worth it? --Lesley Reed
Book Description
Are we what we eat? To a degree both engrossing and alarming, the story of fast food is the story of postwar Amerca. Though created by a handful of mavericks, the fast food industry has triggered the homogenization of our society. Fast food has hastened the malling of our landscape, widened the chasm between rich and poor, fueled an epidemic of obesity, and propelled the juggernaut of American cultural imperialism abroad. That's a lengthy list of charges, but Eric Schlosser makes them stick with an artful mix of first-rate reportage, wry wit, and careful reasoning. Schlosser's myth-shattering survey stretches from the California subdivisions where the business was born to the industrial corridor along the New Jersey Turnpike where many of fast food's flavors are concocted. He hangs out with the teenagers who make the restaurants run and communes with those unlucky enough to hold America's most dangerous job -- meatpacker. He travels to Las Vegas for a giddily surreal franchisers' convention where Mikhail Gorbachev delivers the keynote address. He even ventures to England and Germany to clock the rate at which those countries are becoming fast food nations. Along the way, Schlosser unearths a trove of fascinating, unsettling truths -- from the unholy alliance between fast food and Hollywood to the seismic changes the industry has wrought in food production, popular culture, and even real estate. He also uncovers the fast food chains' efforts to reel in the youngest, most susceptible consumers even while they hone their institutionalized exploitation of teenagers and minorities. Schlosser then turns a critical eye toward the hot topic of globalization -- a phenomenon launched by fast food. FAST FOOD NATION is a groundbreaking work of investigation and cultural history that may change the way America thinks about the way it eats.
Customer Reviews:
A hard look at not only fast food, but the beef industry.......2007-10-10
WOW...
And I don't say that so much because of the things this books brings to light about the fast food industry. I actually say it because of all the horrifying things I've learned about the BEEF industry! I never would have imagined what goes into raising cattle (the disgusting things they are fed), killing them and then turning them into meat. The dangers that these processes bring upon us as consumers of this beef (mad cow etc.) And the fact that the government is barely, if at all, regulating this?! Because they are "all in bed" with the beef industry! WOW. I am seriously considering from now on buying organic beef. I hope that in the next ten years that this government will start putting in place some better protection for us as beef consumers, at the time this book was written they were not allowed to re-call beef, nor were they able to inspect the factories....definitely a book worth reading and hopefully it continues to get noticed, make waves and bring upon some change.
As for the reading, it was dry at times, but for the most part interesting. I think it was very well written. It was helpful how it was broken down into chapters dealing with different aspects- made it easy to follow the argument and then grasp the sum-up of it all at the end, and how each part ties together. From the chapters on how fastfood/McDonalds got it's start, to the look at "why the fries taste so good", or what's in the beef, to the look at the meat processing plants...the author certainly seemed to do his homework, because he was nothing if not thorough. If Schlosser were to write a follow up, years down the road, I'd definitely read and will certainly recommend this to friends!
Frightening Truths.......2007-10-09
Schlosser's exposé of the fast food industry makes for terrifying reading. Now that I am aware of the appalling corporate trade practices, I have been sure to avoid McDonald's (except in order to get hold of the complete Happy Meal collections of Hannah Montana and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles- the mantelpiece would have seemed bare without them). However, it is equally worrying to learn about the produce found in major supermarkets. Chicken is frequently known to contain as much as 40% additives. If you ask me, 'chicken' should be just that and it should NOT involve added protein. It is for this reason that I must politely decline Uncle Bruce's invitations to dinner. Since I caught a glimpse of him through the kitchen window (during the final throes of 'injecting' a chicken) I have felt little urge to join him for a Sunday dinner.
Fast Food Nation - Eye opening read.......2007-10-04
This is a very well researched and written tome that I would recommend to anyone interested in how big agribusiness works. Cynical by nature, I'm even more so after reading the book, especially when it comes to politics and big business. If you read nothing else, check out the chapter on the slaughterhouse. Egad.
I look forward to reading Schlosser's other book, Refer Madness.
Eye Opening.......2007-09-29
After reading the book, I became so appalled at the thought of eating fast food again. It's not just about health either. The sad and horrific stories about how factory workers were treated and their working conditions will wake you up. One often knows how bad fast food is, but until you read this, you won't really know just how BAD it is.
Alarming!.......2007-09-28
I could not put the book down. I found it so intriguing that I had to buy another copy to pass among my family and friends. I was, like the rest of the people who have read this, shocked to know exactly how the large agricultural companies operate and the feebleness with which the FDA and USDA operate.
Being a government employee myself I feel the massive budget cuts and have experienced the mounds of work displaced to employees already overwhelmed. There's no way to catch up or catch anything that is not a blatant violation. So, I'm not surprised to find out that the majority of the time the agricultural business is left to police itself.
I was skeptical by the amount of negative information in the book and wondered if this could indeed really be happening. The author, however, delivers facts and names which when investigated would have to be accurate for those details to be published -otherwise this book would have been shut down before publishing.
That said I feel the book must be on the mark. Knowing that I am more cautious, than ever, about where I purchase my food. I could not stand fast food before I read the book, which gave me relief that not eating junk food is sensible advice. Knowing what I know now I choose to cook more meals at home. I have banned the supermarket for most items that I can purchase locally -meats and vegetables. Trust in the man at Winn Dixie or Food Lion is gone.
My advice; educate yourself. Do not let this be the only source of information about the food industry. Buy locally if you can. Make a friend of your local butcher or farmer's market. Purchase in-season items -this reduces the miles your food has traveled which lessens the environmental impact of what you are eating. It'll guarantee a better quality product too. Know where your food is coming from.
Book Description
From the U.K. mega-bestselling author Louise Bagshawe comes a delicious story of a diamond heiress in Paris
Fabulously wealthy, internationally adored, the aristocratic Massot family owns one of the last great jewelry firms in Paris. But seven years have passed since the disappearance of the patriarch, Pierre Massot. With hope of his return all but extinguished, his beautiful young widow, Sophie, reluctantly declares her husband dead and takes control of the family business. But even as Sophie begins to look to the future, forces are conspiring to destroy the Massots—by unearthing the devastating secret from their past that Pierre may have died trying to protect.
Bagshawe's sweeping story takes readers from the murky diamond mines of Soviet Russia to the cultural whirl of modern-day Paris, unraveling the mystery of Pierre Massot's fate and the scandal and deceit that lies behind the Massot family fortune. Spanning continents and decades, Louise Bagshawe's Sparkles is an addictive tale of ambition, betrayal, and romance.
Customer Reviews:
Page Turner Until the End..........2007-08-24
If you enjoyed "The Devil You Know", you will probably be engrossed in Bagshawe's latest work. The characters are described so thoroughly, you could imagine which actors might be cast for a film version. However, the ending of the book gave such a twisted and bizarre surprise that was a bit much for me, as a reader, to be credible.
I adored this book! .......2007-08-08
I found this book in the common bookshelf of my hotel while on my honeymoon and all but ignorned by new husband for the duration of our trip so i could read! It is that engrossing! The story is exciting and the characters are all well defined and so much fun. I gave it to a friend to read and she ended up loving it just as much as me.
A definate page turner!!!!!.......2007-06-05
I actually looked forward to getting supper cleaned up, putting my pj's on and curling up on the sofa with this great read!!! I would have given it 5 stars had it not been for the repeated 'F' word used waaaaaayy too much! I know it was used for character development to make Peter Stockton look like the total pig of a slime ball that he was, but geez...come on. It was total overkill!! It was actually starting to hurt my eyes!!! Other than that it was very well written and enjoyable.
Louise Bagshawe does not disappoint.......2007-04-12
Having read all of Ms. Bagshawe's books, I see her as becoming the next Jackie Collins for her intricate and original tales. Her latest, Sparkles, was just as enjoyable as her first. I could not put it down and read it in about 3 hours. A true must read for saga literature with lots of twists and turns.
SPARKLES with delight.......2007-04-07
In Paris, jewelry tycoon Pierre Massot vanishes. His British wife Sophie remains in the city raising their son Tom in hopes that Pierre will return. However, she is very unhappy besides there is no closure as the millions spent on investigations proved fruitless. She also has to put up with the bullying tactics of Pierre's mother Katherine. Finally after seven years have passed since her husband disappeared; a fearful Sophie, over the objection of her martinet mother-in-law, has Pierre legally declared dead.
Sophie begins to look into the House Massot business. Company CEO Gregoire Lazard offers her lessons in the boardroom and bedroom. Pierre's former lover American expatriate head of public relations Judy Dean "befriends" the widow to insure Sophie does not interfere with her get rich schemes. As Sophie learns the business, some of Pierre's darkest secrets including the Russian connection, she meets fellow Brit Hugh Montfort, who offers her real comfort though he himself has suffered from personal tragedy.
When this thriller looks deep into the machinations of the missing Pierre, it is intoxicating as the audience wants more; when the story line focuses on the lifestyle especially the wardrobe of the rich and famous the plot suffers inertia as momentum is slowed. Still the cast is fully developed beyond the central lead character as the three females in Pierre's life and the four males (to include Pierre) in Sophie's life bring the plot alive. With a final plausible twist that will stun the audience, this book entertainingly SPARKLES with delight.
Harriet Klausner
Average customer rating:
- An honest book from a smart man
- Gene does dr.Phil??
- Sex Money Kiss
- Full of himself - what a character!
- Autographed edition, eh?
|
Sex Money Kiss (Gene Simmons Family Jewels)
Gene Simmons
Manufacturer: Phoenix Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1597775029 |
Book Description
"Let's face it, just because I stick out my tongue a lot and spit fire doesn't mean I have any qualifications to advise anyone on relationship, money or career issues. I don't. Yet I've lived with a beautiful woman for twenty years with never a cross word between us, in a relationship based on honesty and full disclosure. I've amassed a fortune--and "expert business people" work for me. And for three decades I've been in KISS--a band that has scaled the heights and broken every possible record, from album sales to touring to merchandising and licensing. What I have and have always had (thanks in full to my mother's wisdom) is an abiding faith in me. Call it a "life philosophy": a philosophy about money (mine!) and happiness (mine again). It works for me. It can work for you!
Customer Reviews:
An honest book from a smart man.......2007-07-09
This book is so honest, that at time it was painfull for me to listen to (I've got an audio version). The realization that I also sometimes want to escape the truth shocked me.
The book contains a lot of things you probably have heard - and not once, BUT Gene makes an old wisdom sound very convincing. He uses logic, facts, statistics and examples to make you re-think your beliefs.
He may sound cynical, but I think he really is a man who uses his brain.
I loved the audio-version - Gene is a charismatic narrator and I listend to the whole 4+ hours of audio in one sitting.
Is Gene sometimes wrong? Maybe. But everybody or almost everybody is.
But not everybody is as honest as Gene.
"If people tell you they don't want more money, they are a) lying, b) insane" - says Gene. It is true. But a lot of people lie about this even to themselves.
The book really made me look at life differently. I now see a "rebel" rock stars like Trent Reznor (a Kiss fan buy the way) or Marilyn Manson in different light - as businesspeople who spend their time earning money by selling their stuff to people, a lot of whom don't know how to spend their time.
It also made me really look at time and money and re-think the value of these resources.
I strongly recommend this book. And even you don't like some or all of Gene's OPINIONS, you still will probably find his ADVICE valid and useful. It works, baby.
Gene does dr.Phil??.......2007-05-25
No... this is not a politically 'correct' book. Its a bottom line type of book. It is refreshing in this era to have things like Money, Marriage, Sex and Business laid out as bluntly as Gene does here. even if you are familiar with these concepts, Gene's way of explaining is unique. Very cocky and very proud. Gotta love it..
There are some Kiss thoughts mixed in for balance and to get Kiss $$, but it is more or less just a mans view on life as we know it. There are good suggestions along with some ideas that you may have never thought of.. A good purchase for the modern man. I dig it.
Sex Money Kiss.......2007-01-03
Wonderful item. It was given to someone for a present and she loved it.
Full of himself - what a character!.......2007-01-02
What a fun character Gene Simmons is *g*, this book is definitely entertaining - he is so full of himself but maybe that's part of his success, he believes in himself at all times (and if he doesn't, he sure doesn't show it) - regardless, enjoy the amusing ride in Gene's world. You have to take him with a grain of salt though or he'll brush you the wrong way. Definitely not a book for narrow minded people, they might have a heart attack reading it ;p. He appears to be a natural in everything he does and when things don't work out, he takes it as "lesson learned" and moves on to the next quest, nothing seems to get him down. As for his "unmarried" state, the man is only brutally honest, this might be tough to swallow for some ladies out there. I don't know what the ladies see in him (unbelievable record there my boy) but he DOES have a good voice and I have the feeling that he can be a very smooth talker if he wants to be (listened to an interview I've found online on NPR). I would give this book 5 stars for the pure entertainment value of it but it IS to repetitious, that's my only complaint. He talks about things and then there are pages sandwiched in between with graphics and it's basically the same content again. Still, I do recommend reading it, it's highly amusing!
Autographed edition, eh?.......2006-12-03
I recently purchased his autographed "Sex Money Kiss" book and his signature looks different from other signatures he's done. Makes you wonder.
Book Description
A bold fantasy in the tradition of Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber, The Merchant Princes is a sweeping new series from the hottest new writer in science fiction!Miriam Beckstein is happy in her life. She's a successful reporter for a hi-tech magazine in Boston, making good money doing what she loves. When her researcher brings her iron-clad evidence of a money-laundering scheme, Miriam thinks she's found the story of the year. But when she takes it to her editor, she's fired on the spot and gets a death threat from the criminals she has uncovered.Before the day is over, she's received a locket left by the mother she never knew-the mother who was murdered when she was an infant. Within is a knotwork pattern, which has a hypnotic effect on her. Before she knows it, she's transported herself to a parallel Earth, a world where knights on horseback chase their prey with automatic weapons, and where world-skipping assassins lurk just on the other side of reality - a world where her true family runs things.The six families of the Clan rule the kingdom of Gruinmarkt from behind the scenes, a mixture of nobility and criminal conspirators whose power to walk between the worlds makes them rich in both. Braids of family loyalty and intermarriage provide a fragile guarantee of peace, but a recently-ended civil war has left the families shaken and suspicious.Taken in by her mother's people, she becomes the star of the story of the century-as Cinderella without a fairy godmother. As her mother's heir, Miriam is hailed as the prodigal countess Helge Thorold-Hjorth, and feted and feasted. Caught up in schemes and plots centuries in the making, Miriam is surrounded by unlikely allies, forbidden loves, lethal contraband, and, most dangerous of all, her family. Her unexpected return will supercede the claims of other clan members to her mother's fortune and power, and whoever killed her mother will be happy to see her dead, too.Behind all this lie deeper secrets still, which threaten everyone and everything she has ever known. Patterns of deception and interlocking lies, as intricate as the knotwork between the universes. But Miriam is no one's pawn, and is determined to conquer her new home on her own terms.Blending the creativity and humor of Roger Zelazny, the adventure of H. Beam Piper and Philip Jose Farmer, and the rigor and scope of a science-fiction writer on the grandest scale, Charles Stross has set a new standard for fantasy epics.
Customer Reviews:
Good characters and interesting setting........2007-09-13
This series reminds me a great deal of Doris Egan/Jane Emerson's "Gate of Ivory" books. Female heroine finds herself in dire straits in a world she is not familiar with and she has an unknown "magical" power.
This is the first book of the Merchant Clan series and sadly it is the best. Book 2 (The Hidden Family) is nearly as good, but Book 3 (The Clan Corporate) is almost so different that it seems to have been written by another author.
Overall, Stross is a readable writer. I use the term "readable" in many of my reviews because that is the first, and most important, thing that I look for in a book. I've read a ton of books, and I'm tired of forcing myself to trudge through a difficult-to-read book to find out how it ends. So I score highly on whether the book was entertaining and fun to read. Stross is readable in most cases, and that earns him points.
Next, I look for one of two things - a plot that forces me to finish the book because I want to see how it ends, or a character that is so good that I want to find out how things turn out for them.
Stross succeeds in both cases here. I'd give him four stars for the plot and five stars for the character. Miriam/Helge is an interesting character and I found myself enjoying her "take charge" attitude throughout the book. The plot is also interesting, once you get past the rather cliche premise. Without spoiling anything, I will say that you will just have to accept the first part of the book and move on, or you won't enjoy any of it. It is a fantasy genre, and it has a fantastic setup. Once past that, the plot is fairly interesting.
BE FOREWARNED THOUGH, this is NOT a complete book. It ends abruptly with little or no plot resolution. Book two (The Hidden Family) is simply the second half of this book. Buy them both, or you will be frustrated when you come to the end of this book.
I gave this book four stars, and would have given it four and 1/2 if I was able to do so. Overall, it is a very readable and enjoyable piece of fantasy-fiction and worth your time if you enjoy this sort of writing. Stross is a (mostly) solid and readable writer and I recommend most of what he has written to sci-fi and fantasy readers.
Time Travel Extraordinaire.......2007-09-04
I will admit that in the beginning, I was not sure if I would enjoy this book. However, the more I read - the more it captured my interest and it became a 'I can't put this down' type of book. I admire Stross for his innovative storyline of moving from one time line into another and back again. I have always known there were parallel timelines and parallel universes. In quantum physics all things are possible. I thoroughly enjoyed Stross' ability to be outrageous. His storyline reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. In one sense this is Through the Looking Glass. For those who want a new genre of science fiction, I recommend this book. Bettye Johnson, award-winning author, Secrets of the Magdalene Scrolls.
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
If Roger Zelazny's Amberites are Supermen, then Charlie Stross' Clan
members are on the level of street hood that Daredevil and Batman deal
with. No reality maniuplation, just the ability to travel between two
worlds, or dimensions, or something like that.
The protagonist, Miriam, is a journalist. She stumbles across something one day, and everything goes to hell.
This, is, of course associated with who her real parents are, and the ability to world walk.
The 'other world' is far more primitive, so, of course the
world-walking Clan has an advantage, with access to information,
technology, and money from 21st century America.
Miriam and the Clan are the target of guerilla assassins, and
probably traitors. There seems to be more than one group at work in all
these nefarious schemes.
This, of course, is a classic series set up. It doesn't annoy you,
the writing is good, and it leaves you wanting to find out what
happens.
So, if you want a fantasy that isn't Tolkien pastiche #6423, and
more of the urban variety, with gangsters, or you are an Amber fan,
quite likely you will enjoy this.
Initially slow going, then picks up..........2007-08-28
I came across this series as a recommendation on Amazon's plog. It sounded interesting so I decided to give the series a try via my public library. I won't go too much into the plot summary as that's been discussed in various reviews here and is on the book jacket.
As others have mentioned, the premise of parallel worlds is not new, but the way in which each series deals with such worlds and how they operate are certainly a continual source of creativity. Then, of course, there are the colorful characters and how they interact.
The Family Trade certainly brings an interesting variation to the alternate universe story. Rather than another world in which the technologic advances are far beyond present-day Earth and the protoganist has to catch up, it is Earth which has advanced much further than the other world, or world(s), as the case may be, and the inhabitants that need to catch up. Throw in one world that appears based on medieval society with uses for the modern world and a giant dash of Mafia politics, then another world in which history deviates from present Earth since the mid 1700s on, and you have the makings of an intriguing story verse indeed.
Unfortunately, in this first of Mr Stross's The Merchant Princes series, the book really doesn't hit its stride till midway, after which the story flow moves much more swiftly and smoothly. The first half deals essentially with Miriam trying to understand and absorb the new world she's discovered. Aside from Miriam's annoying tendency to talk to herself about almost every little thing, this part is serviceable, if a bit flat. There's a great deal of information for both Miriam and the reader to absorb as well.
The pace picks up once Miriam has gotten some of the basics of this new world down and then has to survive pretty much by the seat of her pants. She's intelligent and thwarts multiple assassination attempts without being some sort of superhero caricature. She uses her brains and what weapons she has available to her; these in themselves make Miriam stand out from many other books in the sci-fi/fantasy genre. On the other hand, I do have to cavil at the fact that though she is an investigative journalist, she clearly forgot that data should always be backed up, and if it's hot, as in life-threatening data, always have multiple copies stashed in various places.
The romance element of this story is weak. I think the story could have been made stronger by not including this element at this time or by making it more plausible at least. The author made an attempt to provide a rationale, essentially 2 outsiders who are lonely and understand their isolation come together, but there wasn't really much chemistry between them, for this reader at least, and their relationship went from nil to 60 in virtually no time.
I gave 3 stars for the slow first half, the weak romantic thread that would have been better served to be cut, and the very, very abrupt ending.
Not your typical Stross?.......2007-08-07
Charles Stross is one of the most prolific and diverse writers of SF at the moment, so it's not really fair to try to nail down what constitutes "typical Stross." But, most of his other books have left me a bit cold-- they were funny, smart, chock full of cool ideas, clever, and yet I never could quite connect with the books and particularly found the characters to be a little thinly drawn.
The Merchant Princes books (starting with this one) is quite different on all of these fronts. The Family Trade et al., is certainly frothier and not nearly as jampacked with crazy, cool ideas and analyses (though certainly the book isn't fully lacking in these), and the quasi-Fantasy motif was initially surprising (though really despite the packaging it is science fiction in the end), but the characters (particularly the protagonist) are so fun and engaging that I couldn't wait to dive into the next one. And the next one. These aren't the books Stross will be remembered for in decades to come (and he will be remembered) but they're the ones that I enjoyed the most.
Average customer rating:
- This book only tells part of the story!
- Fascinating Memoir
- Phenomenal book
- Very interesting book on several levels
- A fascinating memoir
|
Janet, My Mother, and Me: A Memoir of Growing Up with Janet Flanner and Natalia Danesi Murray
William Murray
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Authors | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0684809664 |
Amazon.com
William Murray, a staff writer at The New Yorker for more than 30 years and author of more than 20 books, had the good fortune to be raised by a couple who loved one another intensely and doted on him completely. That the couple was composed of two remarkable and remarkably independent women who happened to be lovers didn't faze Murray in the least, despite the prevailing social winds of the '40s and '50s. That those two women were Natalia Danesi Murray (his mother) and Janet Flanner, The New Yorker's celebrated author of the "Letter from Paris" column, added indescribable richness to his life and helped inspire him towards his own career as a writer.
In this winning memoir, Murray narrates the life story of his mother (born in Rome, she would develop a diverse career that included freelance writer, radio broadcaster, actress, and publishing big wheel--a woman he describes as "an explosive force of nature"); his maternal grandmother, Mammina Ester (who lived with them and had herself been a journalistic and literary firebrand in Italy, and during WWI was the first Italian female war correspondent to ever visit a front); and Janet Flanner, who wrote under the pseudonym Genêt and was lauded in Mary McCarthy's elegy as a "first citizen and patron of the arts, with some mythic quality in her like a splendid sacred bird."
Murray tells his life story as well, growing up in New York and Italy, his life imbued with the fine arts of two cultures and the three women who raised him and molded him. His memoir is at once a movingly personal story, a revelation into the persona of three historic women, and an insight into how lesbians navigated their professional worlds and a disapproving society while maintaining a family life and a passion for one another. It's also a pleasant, gentle read, a story told in a genial tone about an earlier time. The individuals Murray describes are luminous personalities, and the reader feels privileged to share in their glow through the pages of this touching memoir. --Stephanie Gold
Book Description
Janet, My Mother, and Me is a charming, captivating memoir about a boy growing up in a household of two extraordinary women. William Murray was devoted to his mother, Natalia Danesi Murray, and to his mother's longtime lover, writer Janet Flanner. Even as a teenager, he accepted their unconventional relationship. His portrait of the two most important people in his life is unforgettable.
Janet Flanner was already celebrated as the author of a new style of personal journalism for her "Letter from Paris" in The New Yorker when she met the Italian-born Natalia Murray on Fire Island, New York, in 1940. Their encounter, writes William Murray, was a "coup de foudre, a thunderbolt that instantly sent them rushing into each other's arms and forever altered their lives, as well as mine."
Murray was already growing up in two cultures on different continents, in New York and Rome, when his mother's life changed so dramatically. He quickly accepted Flanner and the unusual household in which he found himself. (Natalia's mother, Mammina Ester, also lived with them in New York.) His memories of the women and of his own boyhood and adolescence are touching and often hilarious.
Janet, My Mother, and Me offers a look at the world in which gay professional women moved in the decades before such relationships became more open and accepted. Murray's mother was a publishing executive and a broadcaster, and Murray, who originally hoped to become an opera singer and trained for that profession, eventually moved into the professions of both his mother and Flanner, becoming a novelist and then for many years an editor and writer at The New Yorker.
This is an exuberant, warm, and often poignant memoir with a memorable cast of characters. Beguiling and unusual, it will remain vivid in readers' minds for years to come.
Customer Reviews:
This book only tells part of the story!.......2005-05-29
I first got this book because I was curious about it from the obituary. I read it today in it's entirety. I think the author does deserve a superb job in allowing us to understand each of the real people with flaws and talents. I was led to believe that Natalia and Janet were always together but as I read. They were separated and torn apart for other reasons. Natalia never really comes out to acknowledge her sexual orientation. Bill never doubts his own. He reveals a lot about himself like losing his virginity to a prostitute. Bill's childhood was not entirely spent at home but at boarding schools in New England. I think Janet served as a father figure. When she was 83 years old, she had to retire to New York and live the last 3 years with Natalia. Why she kept coming and going to and from is puzzling to me? Janet was a complicated woman and these two women truly loved each other. Maybe the separations allowed them to love each other more apart. Will never really know? We weren't truly there ourselves. Bill allows us to see his childhood was normal. I was surprised that his mother would worry about his sexual orientation. I wondered what would have happened if he turned out gay himself. Would she blame herself? Who knows? I read about Alice, his second wife. I don't think Natalia understood their relationship. Now that all 3 members of that unique family is gone, I think Alice deserves some mention. Bill wasn't the best husband or father. They did live together for 5 years before their marriage. I say give Alice a break. They were together for 30 years. At the end of Natalia's life, she was unbearable probably because she was ill physically and medication often can contribute to a person's mental state. Bill and Alice stayed together for 30 years. I admire Alice and his first wife Doris who managed to deal with an overbearing mother-in-law. I also think Natalia had trouble letting go of Bill all his life and that's why there is so much trouble. Since Bill is gone, my condolences to Alice, Doris, Natalia, Julia, and Bill III over your more recent loss.
After reading this book, I became fascinated with Janet Flanner. I bought other books which educated me more about this situation. Sadly, this book is only a part of an amazing woman's story. I won't say that Janet didn't love Natalia but she had two other lovers, Solita Solano and Noel Haskins Murphy in France. Janet did not belong to anybody much less Natalia. Janet belonged to the world. She was larger than life. In fact, Noel and Solita did share a negative reception of Natalia's part of Janet's relationships. The reason that Natalia did not move to Paris was because Janet's partner Solita and Noel did not care too much for Natalia. They found her possessive and overbearing. Janet was not always happy in New York City with Natalia. She was happiest in Paris where she belonged. I won't say that they didn't love each other but it was not an ideal relationship. Natalia wanted Janet all to herself and Janet was torn between Noel, Solita, and Natalia. Janet was an amazing woman. This book only tells part of the story from Bill Murray's point of view. The book asks more questions than provides answers. I don't think Bill wanted to know about the true nature of Janet's relationships. She was not monogamous and she didn't belong to NAtalia but she did love her to spend time with her. Regardless, they're all in heaven having a ball.
Fascinating Memoir.......2002-08-01
I admit that my knowledge of Janet Flanner was hazy when I bought this book, my exposure to the "New Yorker" limited to a few issues per year only in the last ten years. That wasn't the selling point for me -- I had read good reviews that this was the memoir of a boy raised in a non-traditional home in the 1940s and that detail fascinated me.
This is a crisply written, completely fascinating account of William Murray's gypsy childhood in the literary circles of New York, Fire Island and Rome. It is a story of becoming a man, of weathering stormy relations with parents, and about his own struggles to make a life for himself as a writer.
There are two generations of literary lives detailed: I was fascinated to learn how much professional writers struggle even after achieving success. Janet Flanner lived in hotels across the world, constantly missing her deadlines; the author himself resorted throughout his 20s and 30s to gambling and part time jobs to scrape by. Even his first two years working as a writer for the New Yorker came and went without him getting an article published. This is the dark side of the artist's life, and one we hear too little of.
My only disappointment with this book -- and it's minor-- is that it is really the story of an artist's life, not the story of being the child of a lesbian. Janet Flanner's role in the author life could just as well be that of a step-father; the fact that she is a lesbian is superfluous. But, maybe that in and of itself makes a point.
A fascinating and well written memoir -- worth reading.
Phenomenal book.......2001-07-10
When I look back on the many books I've read over the past year (easily 50 or more), I can say emphatically that this was one of the best and most memorable. I can remember where I sat (by a fountain) when I began the book, and where I was (at a garden) when I closed its cover for the final time. Murray captured the essence of a very complex, yet loving relationship between two sophisticated, intelligent women. After I finished his book, I yearned to learn more about them, and read a biography of Flanner, Murray's mother's book of correspondence between herself and Flanner, and several of Flanner's New Yorker compilations. A heartfelt thanks, William Murray.
Very interesting book on several levels.......2001-01-24
I just finished this book and enjoyed it tremendously. This book appealed to me on several levels. As an American ex-patriate living outside Paris, I could relate to many of the comments Janet made. Although I love France, I will always be an outsider. This book is not so much an homosexual story as it is a love story among these people. It is a testament to how love can endure long distances, different cultures and social constraints. I recommend this book highly to anyone who enjoys reading historically based biographies with a love story intertwined. Besides, I can't resist buying a good book with good photographs.
A fascinating memoir.......2000-08-19
As a New Englander of mixed Italian and English ancestry, I feel I can relate easily to William Murray's experience, even though the Italian ladies in my background were houswives and factory workers, and not the brilliant and accomplished sort of person his mother was. Natalia's relationship with Janet Flanner is interesting and shows her (Natalia's) deep sense of humanity and commitment as well as her strong nurturing capacities. Italian mothers always think they are right, and my own opinion is that they always are right. Murray emphasizes Flanner's virtues and other good points, but I wonder about why she was so incapable of sacrificing a little of her time, her career, her work for the woman who loved her and whom she said she loved.
By the time I finished reading this book, which is a very lovely memoir, I had really taken a strong liking to Natalia with her patience, tenderness, humanity, character, and love.
Average customer rating:
|
Patsy Doll Family Encyclopedia, Vol. 2
Patricia N. Schoonmaker , and
Virginia Ann Heyerdahl
Manufacturer: Hobby House Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Dolls | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books | Applique | Baskets | Beadwork | Book Making & Binding | Candlemaking | Crafts for Children | Crocheting | Cross-Stitch | Decorating | Dollhouses | Dough | Dried Flowers | Dye | Embroidery | Fashion | Flower Arranging | Framing | Fun with Paper & Wood, Stones & Knives | General | Glass & Glassware | Jewelry | Knitting | Lace & Tatting | Lapidary | Leathercrafts | Metal Work | Miniatures | Mobiles | Model Trains | Models | Needlecrafts | Needlepoint | Needlework | Origami | Painting | Papercrafts | Patchwork | Potpourri | Pottery & Ceramics | Printmaking | Puppets & Puppetry | Quilts & Quilting | Radio Operation | Reference | Ribbons | Rubber Stamping | Rugs | Scrapbooking | Seasonal | Sewing | Soap Making | Spinning | Stenciling | Stuffed Animals | Textile Arts | Toymaking | Weaving | Wood Toys | Woodworking | Wreathmaking
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History of Technology | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0875885063 |
Book Description
See a multitude of Patsy and her doll companions in this all-new volume to the popular Patsy Doll Family Encyclopedia. These classic dolls are eagerly sought by collectors and students of 1920s-1940s childhood play and this is a necessity for identifying the classic composition Effanbee Patsy and her family of dolls. Features the Patsy Babykin, Babyette, Tinyette, Patsy Ruth, Wee Patsy, Patricia and others produced from 1932 through 1937. 426 photos, 117 in color! 176 pages.
Average customer rating:
- All you ever wanted to know about Henry Ford
- Sensational, Definitive and Entertaining! A Must Have!
- It's an auto industry history and a soap opera!
|
Ford: The Men and the Machine
Robert Lacey
Manufacturer: Little Brown & Co (T)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Ford, Henry | ( F ) | People, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Production & Operations | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Industry | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books | Aerospace | Automotive | Bioengineering | Chemical | Civil | Computer Technology | Design | Economics | Education | Electrical & Electronics | Energy | General | Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems | Management | Marine | Materials | Materials Science | Mechanical | Nuclear | Patents & Inventions | Petroleum, Mining & Geological | Power Systems | Reference | Research | Special Topics | Telecommunications | Welding
Engineering | Specialty Stores | Books | Aerospace | Automotive | Bioengineering | Chemical | Civil | Computer Technology | Design | Economics | Education | Electrical & Electronics | Energy | General | Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems | Management | Materials | Materials Science | Mechanical | Nuclear | Patents & Inventions | Petroleum, Mining & Geological | Power Systems | Reference | Research | Special Topics | Telecommunications | Welding
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Henry and Edsel: The Creation of the Ford Empire
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ASIN: 0316511668 |
Book Description
Master biographer Robert Lacey tells the fascinating, authoritative account of the ambitious men and glamorous women behind the world's largest family-controlled business empire. From Henry Ford -- the original in every sense of the word -- whose revolutionary standards created a new way of life for America and the world, to Henry Ford II, old Henry's grandson, who rose from a frivolous playboy to become an industrial giant in his own right, to the tragic figure of Edsel Ford, old Henry's son and young Henry's father, smothered by the one and overshadowed by the other, to brash Lee Iacocca, whose visionary plans for the company would put him in conflict with Henry Ford II.
"Richly anecdotal and wonderfully readable . . . irresistable." The Washington Post Book World
Customer Reviews:
All you ever wanted to know about Henry Ford.......2003-08-22
This book provides a comprehensive look at Henry Ford's life that is both entertaining and educational. It covers basically everything, his personal affairs, all the little side ventures he took part in in addition to his car company, even relationships with other notable people of his time, namely Thomas Edison, Dodge brothers, etc. It is overall an interesting read and at times I find it quite humorous. Highly recommended.
Sensational, Definitive and Entertaining! A Must Have!.......2001-07-31
"Ford: The Men and the Machine" is the most definitive and complete book about the life and happenings of automotive's greatest man, Henry Ford. His accomplishments as cited cannot compare to any other single figure in automobile history (or even business itself).
The book is nothing short of epic: over 800 pages and 36 chapters, plus appendices. It starts off with the author's assessment of Ford's total contribution to life, starting at Dearborn Michigan in 1831. The details are all-inclusive and mind boggling, right down to Henry's Sister's comments about his early days repairing watches. The book moves slowly and steadily through Part One, "The Rise of Henry Ford" to Parts Two and Three, "Glory Days" and "Grass-Roots Hero." Here the reader is given the unbiased account of even the thoughts of young Henry, and how he became so fascinated with what was then the latest thing: the gasoline engine, which he saw in 1877 from a trip to Machinery Hall in Philadelphia. We are given the full story behind Ford's rise to power over other prominent automotive men of his time, such as the Duryea and the Dodge Bros., and particularly Henry Selden. I found it exciting to read about how Ford didn't give in to a greedy, money-hungry individual like Selden who had no real engineering talent, but wanted only to rake in the royalties from his so-called gasoline engine that he patented in 1895 (it didn't even work as illustrated in his diagram, and Selden didn't even have a working model in an automobile until 1904--it went five yards and died!). Ford held out through more than 10 years of court battles over the legal implications of the Selden patent, and won. After that, there was no doubt that Ford had firmly established himself as a "man for the people." The victory over the Selden patent allowed ALL automobile manufacturers to keep their prices affordable.
Part Four, "Henry and Edsel" describes the business relationship with his firstborn son, and their occasional public disputes over company policies and overall business strategies. Henry bitterly opposed automoible financing, for example, but Edsel was all for it. Edsel was right, too, it was the only way to sell cars to lower-income buyers. Of course, the whole story behind the biggest flop in automotive history, the Edsel car itself, is revealed. What happened? How much money was lost? What were the shortcomings of the Edsel that ultimately was its demise? "...The Men and the Machine" will tell you, without room for doubts.
In fact, as part of the research I'm doing for an automotive book of my own, I noticed at least three other authors in my bibliography that referenced this same book, perhaps Lacey's greatest achievement.
Parts 5 and 6, "Henry II" and "Henry and Lee" gradually move more away from the business side of the Ford Machine--but not altogether away--and gradually reveal personal aspects of later Ford generations and their family relationships. Discussed are the development and marketing plans of the Mustang and Pinto which, ironically, were diametrically opposed to each other as complete success and utter failure.
This book is worth double the money. Sometimes I am amazed at the length Lacey went to get his sources, over 50 pages of specific and varied references. I feel fortunate to have a copy that is in good shape. Every time I open the pages, I learn something new. Each page informs, educates and increases depth of thinking, in that sometimes what appears to be a single invention is only a hub to other spokes of development. "...the men and the Machine" actually helps me to think better overall. I can then apply the underlying techniques to all situations in life; consider that one thing leads to another, and if this happens, then it will affect that and that, and so on. If you have even the slightest interest in automotive development, automobile history, American Culture or the person of Henry Ford himself, do not be without this book. Buy it today. My highest recommendation for all readers over 14 (reading level).
It's an auto industry history and a soap opera!.......1999-03-12
For those who want the dish on one of the most dominant yet dysfunctional American family businesses, Robert Lacey's profile of the Ford Motor Company is a must. It's plot is pure Movie-Of-The-Week - a country boy inspired to build a cheap car for the masses, accrues wealth and fame, then has to deal with the giant he created. His lone son, the second generation gives his life for the company, a casualty of the tug of war between a patriarch and his ego. Just as the company is about to crash in corruption and incompetence, the grandson, Henry II enters and saves the day, building the infrastructure of a modern corporation. But, eventually Henry's hat changes from white to shades of grey - the pitfalls of arrogance from never ending riches and successes. It's 650 pages of American history and soap opera, and it was so interesting it could have been longer. A great book for those who appreciate American motoring history. - Leila Dunbar, Mobilia.com
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