Ford Books

A very good book based on the thirty years or so Mr. Harry Bennett had immediate contact with the Great Henry Ford. Harry knew Mr. Ford like no other. When he says Mr. Ford was a supersticious man and would scarcely move on a Friday the 13th one has to believe it.

Footnote: Superstition is the irrational belief that future events are influenced by specific behaviors, without having a causal relationship. Thanks Wikipedia...he apparently had a great belief in re-incarnation also.

Harry's office was in the basement, but this was really Mr. Ford's Office also, as there was a secret door that they would both use. Henry Ford had a plush office on Mahagony Row but he was never there, he would be doing something like walking down the railroad tracks finding iron still in the railroad iron ore slag and ordering 700 men to pick it up by hand and re-cycle it because it still had iron in it.

The greatest shock in the book, to me, was the fact that Henry Ford's Father was an orphan and never knew his Mother and Father. Henry spent a great deal of time and money trying to determine who they were. With the DNA studies available, maybe the family can now determine who they really are.....

Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company in 1927, at the end of the Model T were rolling a finished Model T out of the Factory at a rate of 1.6 Fords a minute, made over 15 million of them at a gross of 7 Billion dollars, not including the sales of the Fordson Tractor.....

The book is one of those rare ones you can scarcely set aside, when you are away from it you wish you were there reading it.

Mr. Harry Bennett, you did a wonderful job writing this book and letting the world see some of the idiosyncracies of one of the greatest men in History........what Henry's Company acomplished is amazing by any standard. The iron ore could be in the ground on Monday and someone be driving a new car, made from it, on Thursday.

I received great pleasure from Mr. Bennetts efforts. EYE-OPENING

James Dixon Graves Jr.
Lone Star, Texas

Why hasn't anyone found me this book?

I read this book in the mid '50s. I agree that a Henry Ford buff will find this interesting reading. But this book is interesting to me for another reason. My grandfather worked for Ford Motor for years, and then for the Henry Ford Museum until he retired about 1952. From time to time he would see Mr. Ford. He told us that the Ford family had been offended by this book and had bought up as many copies as it could lay it's hands on.

If true, that could explain why it is so difficult to get copies of the original 1951 Gold Medal Book publication today.

After the pages of his original copy fell out of their binding , he stacked the leaves, drilled holes thru the margin cover-to-cover, and bound them all together with two pieces of string. When he died (1958), his copy passed into my mother's hands. About four years ago, it came into mine.

I was fortunate to stumble on another copy at a garage sale in the early '90s (for $.25). Also fortunately, it's binding is still pretty-much in tact. It's the only other copy that I've ever seen.

Harry Bennett's story of his life as Henry Ford's right hand man. Bennett served as Henry Ford's assistant for many years - almost running Ford Motor Company at times. Hated by the majority of the Ford family and even by many Ford employees; nevertheless, Bennett seemed to have unequalled power within the organization. This is his account of his role in the automobile manufacturer's interesting history and struggle's with the Ford family. Written years after his retirement from Ford Motor Company. Interesting reading but keep in mind that this is Bennett's story and could be considered one-sided.

No feedback yet from the actual owners.
I have found Frommer's to be the best in travel books.
LOVE them for where to go and all the information I need for a great visit.

This book gave us all the info we needed to plan our trip. The maps inside the cover were very helpful. Book has a lot on where to stay and eat, but only if you have lots of money. For the budget traveler, that info was too much considering how much everything they reviewed cost. Gave lots of info on where to go and what to see. Would recommend to anyone traveling.

Frommer's continues its tradition of excellence with the 2006 guide to D.C. Most helpful to us were the "Getting to Know Washington D.C" chapter, and the chapter on "Suggested Itineraries". The pullout map is invaluable. If you've never been to D.C., or have not toured the city, this book is a fabulous reference.

I rated the 2004 edition of this book at 5 stars, but this edition has slipped just a bit for containing outdated information and omissions of a few other things, so I would say it deserves a 4-and-a-half star rating.

The major thing missing is a mention of The Circulator. This is the bus that loops from Capitol Hill through the K-street corridor to Georgetown, and is $1 to ride, and runs until 10pm. It is cheaper and runs much more frequently than the blue bus that is mentioned in the guide. The Circulator started in early 2005, so it should have made it into this year's edition of the Frommers.

The guide lists a Smithsonian Museum Hotline, and when I called this month (August 2006), the number was out of service.

The Phillips Collection is listed as being free during the weekdays. Wrong. The Phillips Collection is donation-only during the weekdays, and the gal at the desk did watch us drop some money in the donation box. Not a huge deal, but the information was inaccurate. The Phillips has doubled in size since the renovations were completed, and "The Boating Party" is once again on display after its long absence in a traveling exhibition, as is my favorite, "Woman With Dog" painted by Pierre Bonnard.

In the 2004 edition, there was a restaurant that my wife and I loved named Olives. It was not in this edition, but it is still in business and was a fabulous experience when we went (as it was 2 years ago). We enjoyed Olives vastly better than La Tosca (don't order the chicken at La Tosca...blah).

Another place that should be mentioned in the guide is The Capitol City Brewing Company right near China Town (with another location on Capitol Hill). The variety of micro-brews was fantastic, the staff was very friendly (especially Benny!), and during weekdays from 4pm until 7pm, they have half-price beers and appetizers at the enormous bar section (the sesame-covered seared tuna and the Asian quesadillas were absolutely delightful). A great place to visit if you are on a budget.

Even with these minor errors and omissions, it is still a highly valuable guide.

I had read a shortened version of this book as an article in a magazine. I wanted to know and read more, so purchased the book. It was really nothing more than a slightly expanded version of the first. Didn't get anything new from it, and took me about an hour to read the entire thing. I was disappointed, not what I had hoped.

A very good book for anyone who has ever hunted or ever went back packing.

What an awesome story! I am so proud of you for following your dream, and for all the training, saving and preparing you did in order to make this life-long dream come true! I am SO PROUD OF YOU!! Way to keep in shape and accomplish such a feat at the awesome age of 70!! Thank you for wanting to share your story, and for writing this book!! You are remarkable and an excellent example to people of all ages!!!!!!
Love one of your biggest fans, Your Daughter Debbie :-)

This book might be small but it's mighty! I found it to be very interesting and enjoyed how you related the past to the future. Reading the detail account of your Alaskan hunt made me think this should be a movie! Just when you think things couldn't get tougher, it would. To think of all the challenges and accomphishments you and your guide went through and all the tough preparation you did has given me a new respect for an already awesome man. I ordered another book to give to my son, the emerging hunter. Maybe someday, you can autograph it for him. Thanks for sharing your story. Sandra

The Christianity and even more the Islam have abolished to idolize woman as a goddess. However this was the daily use in the Greek, Roman and Egyptian religion (sorry to remember, that the Aztecs tore the heart of young virgins out of the live body). Newton has reversed this development - he told us, to idolize women again. I visited the Helmut Newton exhibition A GUN FOR HIRE in the "Museum for Photography" in Berlin, near the Station ZOO, Jebens-Street 2. Sometimes I thought Newton is cynical, contemptuous against women, emphasizes the power struggle between the sexes too much. After the reading of his autobiography I thought: "What a humorous, witty person! " After having the pleasure to watch the film of his wife on his work, I thought, oh God, I get dizzy by this hand-held shaking camera. After the reading of the museum catalogue A GUN FOR HIRE I always get quiet again. Newton was skilful. He regarded himself as A GUN FOR HIRE self ironically, as an unfortunately rentable killer because of the kind money. But if he had carried out a banal "killer" order with the necessary simple, most childish aesthetics guidelines for any fashion magazine, showing the models in a predefined wardrobe sales beneficially - then he afterwards extended the dialog with a lady in most cases after completion of this obedient work for the capitalist system of the chewing fan heating - then he enlarged the dialog into the direction of more human, erotic, adult and no longer infantile situations, real and no more prudishly, running free experimenting for new emotion and aura. The growing picture collection from the vermiform appendix after that official work peeled out that image, that unique art form, which everyone connects now with the name Helmut Newton - a milestone in the history of photography. Before the visit of the exhibition A GUN FOR HIRE (in the long night of the museums in Berlin, January 2006) I went astray in that nightmare of holocaust stele field in Berlin. Newton had managed to escape from the insanity of the Third Reich. Newton's work could have never resulted under the thumb of any ideology. At first in the private, thereupon in a society, where is the liberty to make something new, it was possible for him, to make what could correctly be described as "making a woman to an idolized goddess" again. A GUN FOR HIRE is the reminding bequest which, shortly before his death, he bequeathed to that town which had dropped him 1938. I hope, that Berlin people (and many more) will awake and learn, what he wanted to show...

Highly recommended for anyone who knows Helmut Newton only by reputation. This doesn't show his most graphic work, but it has a nice range of his early editorial photos, fashion campaigns, absolut ads. This book is a great example of showcasing Newton's talent as a photographer. Instead of focusing on his sometimes intense sexual images, this book focuses on the composition, layout and colors his photography had. Don't worry, you Newton-lovers, the sexuality is still here for all to enjoy.
Newton is one of those photographers whose intense images and reputation can overshadow the actual brilliance of what's important...the photographs. If you are mostly familiar with his black and white photography, the colors in this book will take your breath away.
Don't be shy, this book will make you appreciate what a true talent Newton was without shocking you.

While i like HN work and always pick out his style even if i dont know a particular photograph, this book was downright disappointing. Its like someone assembled pictures which weren't good enough to be included in any of the other (previous) books just to sell it to suckers who will buy anything by HN. However, i absolutely adored the 4 or 5 pics of Monica Belucci and bought the book solely on account of them.

While I am always happy to grab a book full of naughty Newtons, it would have been even more wonderful to see the complete series of images that the undisputed master of kinky chic had created for the various euro fashion giants....some campaigns being a one season adventure, while others scandalized for years. The amount of advertising that he shot for french designer Yves Saint Laurent alone ,could easily fill a book. It was the perfect marriage of designer and imagist, followed very closely by Newton's ads for Thierry Mugler's erotically charged fashion fantasies. Sometimes it's hard to tell who came first, Newton or Mugler! In any case, Newton's unique imagry clearly remains unchallenged, even at their most commercial and subtle. The perfectly over groomed mannequins posed ever so precisely to convey roles of power, dominance , discipline, torture, fetishism and erotic menace...are all here. The acres of flawless,palest skin, highest heels, blood red lips, cold, smokey eyes often expressing a complete indifference to anyone looking on. The spectacularly graphic and bold compositions combined with the clever use of the blackest shadows as design devices instantly helps to define a Newton photograph. Many of the images showcasing his legendary wit and black humor, not to mention social and sexual comment.There's an amusing series shot for a calender with wickedly suggestive teenage lolitas posed at the ready in a desolate , dusty desertscape showing newton's playful and light hearted side.....very tongue and chic...and clearly inspired by one of his favorite themes, American Pop Culture. One missed opportunity for an amazing campaign would have been Helmut Newton for Tom Ford's Gucci....I can't imagine a more perfect union: A Newton "driving' a Ford to ecstasy....both men forever fascinated with drama, controversial lust and impossibly decadent glamour. If there was indeed some tests, it would be terrific fun if they ever surface. Paging mr. Ford....

Donn Werling writes about little-known aspects of Ford's life, especially his home life, so for "Fordophiles" the book is interesting. But it assumes a lot of knowledge about Ford, and often does not explain rather obscure references. The writing is inconsistent, sometimes rambling. If you are looking for a basic history of Ford's life, this is not the book for you. If you are an enthusiast who wants to know more interesting factoids, and are willing to wade through to find them, then get this book.

Donn Werling's book presents a different view of Henry Ford. This book presumes a working knowledge of Henry Ford and all of what he was about. It is a "thinking man's" perspective approach. Mr. Werling is the director of the Henry Ford Estate and takes his approach to Henry Ford as not just a job, but as a truly interested person. It is well worth the investment of your money in buying the book and of your time in reading it.
Rich Jonas-Schererville, IN

Wirling masterfully writes of a historic man whose life affected each of ours. Utilizing one of Ford's favorite places, the hearth, Wirling spins this industrialist's story around song and story recreating history in a simple, yet profound way.

Ford is ever the energetic industrialist, yet his agriarian roots constantly play out. Wirling's style of writing this book fits so well this orientation of Mr. Ford. Delightful read which displays the many interests of this man who was so prominent in many disciplines besides the auto sector that so prominently bears his influence. Delightful work.

I have just read a facinating book on Henry Ford. What makes this book unique is it's unusual social context, interpretative history, and experiential presentation. As Americans we have a picture of Henry Ford, his industrial accomplishments and short comings; however we have never been taught his social commitment to working people, his fellow workers, and communities.

This book allows you to visualize a camping trip with Henry Ford, an ardent conservation and preservationist, John Burroughs, America's esteemed naturalist, Harvey Firestone, a rubber industry magnate, and Thomas Alva Edison, America's true genius inventor. A social time-line technique is used which allows the reader the opportunity to easily follow such events as Ford's committment to education from industrial trade schools to Tuskegee Institute.

A unique facination of this work for this author-publisher was the perfect placement of text and corresponding photos. This layout allows for maximum visualization of the content. A family can read this work together and then choose to experience the working powerhouse on site at the Henry Ford Estate---Fair Lane, or visit the Upper Peninsula site of the Pequaming Mill and school on the shores of Lake Superior, or enjoy the Grand Ole Opry that Henry Ford helped establish.

This is experiential learning at its best. A blueprint to interpretive history of many unknown facts and stories and musical verse about Henry Ford. Once you read this work, you will want to share your experience with many others. Awards and recognition for creative style and historical context will be forth coming!

Karl W. Grube, Ph.D., Author-Publisher of gamesbygrube.com - Ann Arbor, Michigan

If one is searching for a biography of John Ford, this is not the book. (A suggestion--Scott Eyman's "Print the Legend" Another, with a slightly different emphasis but still with insightful observations--"John Wayne's America" by Garry Wills.) But as an analysis of specific Ford films as well as the themes he used throughout his career, this book is invaluable. Gallagher's style is a bit too academic at times, but he offers some interesting observations (His examination of the structure of "The Searchers" is particularly memorable).

This is a good book, even though not what I was looking for. The title says "The man and his films", but this book is mainly about the films. That means, if you are looking for the definitive Ford bio, this book isn't it.

That said, this book does has its advantages. It explores Ford's movies in depth, revealing new facts and a lot of insight. It also has a lot o photos.

If you want research on his movies, this is the book for you. If you want a biography, I suggest you read "Hollywood's Old Master" by Davis.

T. Gallagher has written an outstanding book on the films of John Ford from his primitive Westerns of the silent era through his last film "7 Women" in 1965.
Gallagher includes biographical information on the enigmatic Mr. Ford-tough guy; closet intellectual; painter of superb movie landscapes and all around genius!
Gallagher's main focus, however, is a close study of all the John Ford movies. His commentary is to be read slowly (a dictionary to look up the abstruse words he likes to use can also prove handy!). Gallagher's writing is often academic (using big words and jargon of film scholars), pedantic and obscure.
However, overall he does a good job at getting at the essence of a film's worth. Gallagher helps you to "read a Ford film" giving you new insights into the neglected genius of the fiery Irishman who made the best American movies of his time.
If you want a biography of John Ford turn to the excellent biographies by Joseph McBride or Scott Eyman among others. If you
want primarily a scholary study of the movies made by Ford then
Gallagher is for you.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it to fans of Ford or for anyone wishing to know more about this legendary director of such classics as "Rio Grande"; "Fort Apache" "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" "The Grapes of Wrath"; "Drums Along the Mohawk"; "Young
Mr. Lincoln"; "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence" and countless other classics! Well recommended.

I don't think customer Lee Kane is quite right when he says that Tag Gallagher's labour-of-love book is mainly about the films. Gallagher's writing is spare and lean but he gives at least as much biography as the purely biographical books.

I think this is a great book with lot of grreat information.

this book gives a lots of veterinary procedures and useful approac to symptom with many tables .

This book has been a big help for me in my practice

Thic book is adequate for emergency medical information, but is not a good quick reference in the midst of a true emergency. In most things, it is quite lacking, and other emergency "handbooks" seem to be more user and cost-friendly. Although this book is part of my library, I found little use for it when I worked as an emergency small animal veterinarian.

Back in the late 1970s, I restored a 1966 2+2 (Signal Flare Red, Pony interior, V-8, four-speed). This book was my bible, and it served me well. I'm sure that today, after thirty years, there are better references available. However, this is still an excellent primer on early Mustangs.

I was happy to see "Mustand Does It" by Ray Miller back in print. I was fortunate to have gotten a copy 20 years ago, and it is STILL the most comprehensive Mustang book that I have seen. There is not much more to say other than it is the best source for settling arguements such as "It is too a real 64 1/2!". There are many detail photos of the unique features of each year's production models. No details are overlooked.

Get this one while you can! If you love Mustangs, you gotta have it!

Very informative. Gives detailed year-by-year descriptions of 1964 1/2 to 1973 model years, including specialty cars such as the GT, T-5, Shelby, Boss, etc. Gives each model year specifications such as engine size (including bore and stroke,compression ratio, horse power, fuel requirements), vehicle dimensions (including length, width and height for all three body styles) exterior color codes, vehicle weight for all three body styles, and much more. Very heavily illustrated with both B/W and color photos. An incredible resource for anyone interested in early Mustangs.

Thumbnail version: 'Mustang Does It' is an OK choice if you want a book with large pages and lots of pretty pictures. Unfortunately, the original photos & text are seriously flawed in terms of their informational value. And even if you're merely looking for Mustang-themed entertainment, there are much better books available at lower cost.

I know, I know...this 1978 title was one of the first to celebrate the historic success of Ford's original 'pony car'. Who thought anyone would publish a 320pg. 'coffee table' book about cars that were then not even 15 years old? On this basis alone, anything less than breathless and enthusiastic praise must seem almost sacriligious to some folks.

So, I'm sorry to say that its not a very good book in general, much less in comparison to other Mustang titles. Yes, they crammed in something like 1300 photos. But the cars are from California, circa 1976, and have typical mods of that period: mag wheels, 'trick' paint-jobs and even sidepipes are everywhere. Many of them aren't even *clean*, for pity's sake.

This wouldn't be so bad had the author pointed out these flaws or downplayed them in his text. But most cars are presented with few comments to indicate they are anything but pristine examples. I've concluded it was merely a case of not knowing the facts; similar problems occur throughout, with even the color charts having several errors & omissions.

I suppose some of you might think me unfair. After all, its been 25 years and the art of Mustang restoration hasn't been standing pat. I've been involved with Mustang for most of that time, myself, learning all the while as I went from amateur dabbler to professional vendor & consultant. Have I learned so much that I now view the 1970s with a jaundiced eye?

Well, sure - haven't most of us? But 'Mustang Does It' is very much a product of its time. Or maybe 'frozen in time' is a better phrase. This re-issue of the original edition desperately wants some editing to make it more relevant for today's buyers. As-is, it is a time-capsule of flawed research...like an heirloom gem that turns out to be glass.

My husband is restoring a Model A and this book is a great reference for this project.

Nice addition to all what is out there but as stated before a lot of mistakes in accuracies.
I have other books from Jim but this one was a little bit of a disappointment.

I have owned Model A Fords for the past 30 years so the book sparked an obvious interest. I truely enjoy reading and re-reading this book. I enjoy sharing this book with my young son as the photography is magnificent. I have many technical manuals and "standards" guides that just don't do Henry Ford's "A" justice like this book does. Money well spent.

An excellent book...well structured with accurate color plates. I would not suggest the book as a source for all restoration information, but it is truly a great supplement. As with any book trying to recapture history, there are some possible inaccuracies, but it was obviously painstakingly done and the photos represent a pretty good depiction of what the Model A was originally like when it rolled off the showroom floor. When we restore a car, we try to achieve a close approximation of original. An example...try to find pyroxilyn (sp?) material. It just isn't available nor would you want to use it. Vinyl is the fabric replacement of choice. This book can be used with Schild's earlier Restorer's Guide, the Judging Standards of MARC/MAFCA, Shop Service Bulletins, Orig. Owner's Manual, the Dykes Manual, Henry's Lady, Color Chip Chart, etc. When you do a restoration, you refer to many sources of information and this is one of the best supplemental pieces. Printing and layout are excellent...a quality piece for those with a love for Model A Fords. An essential addition to any automotive library, especially one that focuses on the Model A Ford. Buy it and you won't be sorry. Don't expect it to be a panacea for all restoration work though. That was never the intent.

A great personal study of an all time favourite! This devotional really helps the reader to understand the symbolism of this classic story - and how it relates to Salvation and the Christian Life. Each daily devotional has a portion of the Pilgrims Progress with a comment about this section. There are also a few Bible passages to reinforce the "lesson" for the day followed by a prayer which carefully summarizes the personal application of the passage. A great way to read the "story" and then apply it to our daily lives! The language used in the comments is "adult" in style ... but still easy to read. My teenagers are enjoying this insightful devotional. Highly recommended

The Pilgrim's Progress is a wonderful Christian classic that the author John Bunyan wrote while in jail for his Christian faith. It is a wonderfully rich book which charts the ups and downs of the Christian faith, as the character Christian finds his way to the Gate where he will find relief for the burden on his back. Amid the fiery trials that comes his way, he meets people like Evangelist and Help who offer him sound advice, while others like Worldly Wise attempt to lead him off the narrow and straight path.

This commentary by Cheryl Ford does justice to this great classic. The author of this book dispenses scriptural lessons from the original classic. Each day's devotion is full of rich insights that is backed up by scripture verses. It offers sound theology that does not shy away from commenting on where Christians sometimes trip up on our walk. For example, there is a point where Christian falls into the Slough of Despond, because his awareness of his sin becomes overwhelming. But the message is that God's grace is greater than our feeling of condemnation. Each day's devotion also comes with a prayer that asks God to help us guard against these weaknesses. Definitely recommended.

Though it's a bother converting the julian date, and the quotes from Pilgrim's Progress seem a little small in comparison to the commentary, this book makes for great devotional reading with my 10 year old boy. He enjoys looking up the two or three scripture references at the bottom and the prayer after that is always appropriate to the story above. Each day brings a new lesson in the Christian graces.

It remains to be seen how many literary works of our day will survive even the minimum duration of popularity to reach classical status. Judging the current day classics against our modern day offerings, I suspect our number of contributions will be woefully lacking. Measured against the best selling book of all time (Bible), the structural basis of this book, Pilgrim's Progress, rates second. Why? Because as with the Bible, it deals with and addresses man's inherent needs to know who am I, where did I come from, what is my purpose in life and how do I achieve it?

Cheryl Ford did an outstanding job segmenting this complex work, dealing with the convoluted issues of life, to daily doses of spiritual meditations. Who should read this book? Only those who have the intellectual honesty to face the issue of who we truly are.....God's fallen creation and then, the courage to begin their own personal pilgrimage back to God.