Tags
Summary
Editor's review
In terms of reading value, the book offers insights in two dimensions: first, reflection on the nature of corporate innovation, and how Ford's obsession with standardization and scale simultaneously made and limited the company; second, reflection on the ethics of technology, and how the human dimension was systematically neglected when production efficiency became the sole creed. As an economic historian, the author Urik demonstrates professional competence in selecting historical materials, citing extensively from primary letters and meeting records in the Ford archives, making the narrative both academically rigorous and readable. Notably, the book's depiction of the transformation of Ford's later thought—from industrial titan to pastoral social experimenter—provides valuable insight for understanding the multiple facets of entrepreneurship.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in the industrial revolution and corporate history
- Thinkers who wish to understand the social impact of standardized production models
- Business researchers seeking cases of innovation and management
- Readers who enjoy in-depth biographies
Not a good fit for
- Readers expecting light, entertaining biographies
- Readers interested only in the evolution of automotive technology while ignoring the humanistic background
Reading tips
- Can be read comparatively with works such as City of Cars and Modern Times to understand the multidimensional impact of Fordism
- Pay attention to the book's analysis of the 'five-dollar workday' system and consider the complex relationship between corporate welfare and production efficiency
- Note the chronology and data charts in the appendix while reading, which help grasp the rise and fall of the Ford empire
About the publisher
China Society Press focuses on publishing books in the field of social development, covering categories such as social organizations, social assistance, social work, social welfare, elderly care services, and administrative division and place names. Judging from the books in the database, the press also publishes in history, inspirational growth, and biography. Representative titles include the two-volume Qingming Shanghe Tu: The Palace Museum Collection Edition, Letters from Rockefeller to His Children, biographies of Nietzsche, Leonardo da Vinci, Zhang Daqian, and Wernher von Braun, and How to Win Friends and Influence People. Representative authors include Duan Yongqiang, Wei Mingming, Li Dandan, Miao Jie, Jin Xia, Liu Mingshan, Li Jianxue, and Dale Carnegie. Public information is limited, and the 52 titles in the database are not enough to fully capture the press's entire publishing profile and product lines.
Contents
- 序言
- 第一章 胸怀大志的少年
- 第二章 艰苦的创业时代
- 第三章 缔造汽车王国
- 第四章 致力于全民事业
- 第五章 力挽狂澜振兴企业
- 第六章 回忆中度过晚年
- 附录
FAQ
What are the main differences between this book and other biographies of Ford?
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Does the book cover the contemporary transformation of the Ford Motor Company?
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About the author
Urik is an author about whom limited public information is available; his nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background are not clearly documented. What can be confirmed is that twelve of his works are held in the collection. Judging from their subject matter, his writing spans culture, medicine, and biography, with a particular focus on traditional Chinese culture. Centered on themes such as ancient cities, ancient capitals, classical gardens, ancient architecture, and traditional dwellings, his books form a series of popular introductions that trace the historical threads and cultural connotations behind ancient urban and architectural heritage. He has also written on the history and culture of traditional Chinese medicine and extended his reach to biographical subjects. Overall, his works tend toward informative, accessible cultural narrative, conveying traditional humanistic and technical knowledge to general readers in a plain, well-organized style that suits them as introductory cultural reading.
