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Uncommon Friends: Life with Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Alexis Carrel, and Charles Lindbergh
James Newton's Uncommon Friends is "a delightful portrayal of five great men who shared special friendships and common visions" (Booklist).Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Alexis Carrel, and Charles Lindbergh were twentieth century giants known personally by very few. In this compelling memoir, James Newton recalls a lifetime of friendship with all of them — a friendship that began when he was only twenty years old and head of development of Edison Park in Fort Meyers, Florida.Based on Newton's diaries, recollections, and extensive correspondence, Uncommon Friends is a unique opportunity to share a view of the personal side of some legendary historical figures.
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 28, 2014
I thought it was going to be a book about Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and other amazing people of the 20th century who either had homes or visited the luminaries at their homes in Fort Myers, FL. Turns out it was actually a book about the author sharing all of HIS stories about how all these amazing people thought he was even more amazing than they.
December 10, 2010
Love the moral conviction these very successful people had. Love how they were able to understand truth independently. They each based their life on true principles such as Honesty, purity, Unselfishness and love. They knew God was their maker and that they must answer to Him.
Favorite quotes:
This is from the Dr Carrel: Carrel went on to tell about the physical effect of mystical contemplation (Pondering, meditating) "Prayer," he said, "is not only worship, it is the most powerful form of energy that one can generate. The influence of prayer on the human body and mind is as demonstrable as that of secreting glands. Its results can be measured in terms of physical buoyancy, greater intellectual vigor, moral stamina, and deeper understanding of the realities underlying human relationships." pg 135
Favorite quotes:
This is from the Dr Carrel: Carrel went on to tell about the physical effect of mystical contemplation (Pondering, meditating) "Prayer," he said, "is not only worship, it is the most powerful form of energy that one can generate. The influence of prayer on the human body and mind is as demonstrable as that of secreting glands. Its results can be measured in terms of physical buoyancy, greater intellectual vigor, moral stamina, and deeper understanding of the realities underlying human relationships." pg 135
September 26, 2011
I had trouble putting this book down. Five fascinating movers and shakers in the realms of technology and science. I felt that the references to Christianity were a little overdone, probably because I am not a Christian, but they were important to the author and integral to parts of the book. A wonderful read about Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Alexis Carrel and Charles Lindbergh. I found it ironic that today I drive a Ford truck with Firestone tires, and use Edison's inventions. Anyone interested in history, science, technology and even philosophy should read this book. A keeper.
July 9, 2017
Interesting to learn about the five friends of the author however the second part of the book promotes his religious beliefs which was a turn-off. Easy read.
February 27, 2016
I think that it is unusual to find someone who has had personal friendships with five such interesting people as Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Alexis Carrel, and Charles Lindbergh. In his book, James Newton shares his experiences with each of these men.
I especially enjoyed hearing of experiences which give much insight into the real people behind the names. Not in the sense of many biographies which try to humanize our heroes by emphasizing their "warts", but just the opposite. These first-person accounts show their humor and their integrity, as well as being simply fun and interesting to read.
One anecdote I remember involved the elderly Mrs. Edison. Jim Newton was developing a housing subdivision across from the Edison home in Florida. Jim received a note that he was wanted urgently by Mina Edison, Thomas Edison's wife. She demanded that the statue of the Grecian woman planned for the entrance be eliminated, because it was unclothed and entirely inappropriate. When asked how she knew about the statue, which was kept under wraps in the artist's studio while it was being finished, she admitted that she and some of her women friends had crept into the artist's studio at night with flashlights and peeked at it underneath its covering. After much discussion with the angry artist, Mr. Newton convinced him to carefully spray the statue with a stone powder to add a "fabric" covering to the now modesty clothed statue. From then on Jim Newton became one of Mrs. Edison's closest friends.
A large portion of the book is devoted to Charles Lindbergh and his family. Although there is perhaps more detail than necessary, it shows very clearly the way Charles Lindbergh's feelings about life changed through the years. In his closing years, he became more aware of the need for reinstating moral strength in people of all countries. He felt strongly that we were heading for a time of great disruptions because the world had been "worshiping science and had gained power at the expense of the quality of life. Now modern man must allow the material power science had given him to be directed by moral and spiritual truths." "We have shown what man can make from science. Now it is a question of what our scientific environment will make of man. We must remember that it was not the outer grandeur of the Roman, but the inner simplicity of the Christian that lived on through the ages."
To me, these thoughts are even more timely today, sixty years after they were spoken by this wise man, Charles Lindbergh.
This is truly an uncommon book about uncommon friends. Worthwhile reading on many levels.
I especially enjoyed hearing of experiences which give much insight into the real people behind the names. Not in the sense of many biographies which try to humanize our heroes by emphasizing their "warts", but just the opposite. These first-person accounts show their humor and their integrity, as well as being simply fun and interesting to read.
One anecdote I remember involved the elderly Mrs. Edison. Jim Newton was developing a housing subdivision across from the Edison home in Florida. Jim received a note that he was wanted urgently by Mina Edison, Thomas Edison's wife. She demanded that the statue of the Grecian woman planned for the entrance be eliminated, because it was unclothed and entirely inappropriate. When asked how she knew about the statue, which was kept under wraps in the artist's studio while it was being finished, she admitted that she and some of her women friends had crept into the artist's studio at night with flashlights and peeked at it underneath its covering. After much discussion with the angry artist, Mr. Newton convinced him to carefully spray the statue with a stone powder to add a "fabric" covering to the now modesty clothed statue. From then on Jim Newton became one of Mrs. Edison's closest friends.
A large portion of the book is devoted to Charles Lindbergh and his family. Although there is perhaps more detail than necessary, it shows very clearly the way Charles Lindbergh's feelings about life changed through the years. In his closing years, he became more aware of the need for reinstating moral strength in people of all countries. He felt strongly that we were heading for a time of great disruptions because the world had been "worshiping science and had gained power at the expense of the quality of life. Now modern man must allow the material power science had given him to be directed by moral and spiritual truths." "We have shown what man can make from science. Now it is a question of what our scientific environment will make of man. We must remember that it was not the outer grandeur of the Roman, but the inner simplicity of the Christian that lived on through the ages."
To me, these thoughts are even more timely today, sixty years after they were spoken by this wise man, Charles Lindbergh.
This is truly an uncommon book about uncommon friends. Worthwhile reading on many levels.
January 31, 2012
This was an amazing memoir written by James Newton. In his early life he met Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. It is an amazing story of one man able to network and develop close friendships with so many influential people. He even worked for a few years for Firestone, despite not having much experience. He joined the Army and fought in WWII, but before that he met Alexis Carrel and Charles Lindbergh. He details stories of each of these great men and how they influenced his life for good and also how he was able to add to the lives of these great men through their mutual relationship. It was amazing to me how despite the success these men all achieved in this life, they knew there was more to life. They all relied on a Higher Power and tried to learn how to become better men morally.
In the final pages of the book, the author wraps knowing these 5 men as follows: "Knowing them did much to shape my life. Edison, who never gave up, but turned a thousand failures into a triumph; Ford, with his imagination constantly grappling with new ideas; Firestone, who maintained a rock-like integrity amidst the shifting sands of business expediency; Carrel, who could lift you in a single conversation from the street to the stars; and Lindbergh, never content to pursue one great purpose, but constantly reaching for ever more challenging goals."
I highly recommend this excellent book about friendships and how good friendships can help individuals be better people.
In the final pages of the book, the author wraps knowing these 5 men as follows: "Knowing them did much to shape my life. Edison, who never gave up, but turned a thousand failures into a triumph; Ford, with his imagination constantly grappling with new ideas; Firestone, who maintained a rock-like integrity amidst the shifting sands of business expediency; Carrel, who could lift you in a single conversation from the street to the stars; and Lindbergh, never content to pursue one great purpose, but constantly reaching for ever more challenging goals."
I highly recommend this excellent book about friendships and how good friendships can help individuals be better people.
February 4, 2015
I enjoyed reading the first 3/4 of this book. It was interesting to have one person provide insights into several famous people he knew. It was an interesting concept for a book that blended the lives and fortunes of several people, all known directly by the author. The last part of the book involving Charles Lindbergh tended to be too long and delved into areas beyond the topics and concerns of the first sections of the book. It was obvious that Lindbergh was especially dear to the author, James Newton. The writing style was excellent. The organization of information was very good. This book should interest a reader who wants more personal insights into the lives of those profiled in this book.
April 22, 2013
Un libro sin grandes pretensiones que relata las vidas de varios "Grandes hombres", cada uno en su rama de actividad, pero que para mí tiene la rara cualidad de enseñar, sin que el autor lo haya querido, y a poco sensible que sea, los rasgos indudables de rapacidad, egoismo y misantropía de estos individuos tan individuales. Sobre todo Edison y Firestone. El genial medico Alexis Carrel,prenio Nobel muy merecido, no se libra de ser un filo- nazi convencido así como su amigo el aviador Lindbergh.
Ya lo dijo Billi Wilder: "Nadie es perfecto"
Ya lo dijo Billi Wilder: "Nadie es perfecto"
June 28, 2014
This was of course a very interesting read because of the authors experiences with these very famous men. But I also enjoyed the unexpected angle the author shared on his own quest for meaning and purpose in life. He also spoke about the faith of the men in the book and the discussions he had with them in that regard.
March 22, 2016
Interesting insights into a few of the brilliant minds of the 20th century. Last third of book a little draggy. Loved the sections on Ford, Firestone, and Edison. I Had just visited their winter homes built side by side in Fort Meyers Florida & became intrigued by their relationships. Written by a close friend of all, it gave wonderful insights into their personalities.
September 9, 2016
I bought this book because I am interested in Henry Ford. I found it more deeply discussed Carrel and Lindbergh, which wasn't as interesting to me. You can tell his relationship with Lindbergh was the strongest, but less interesting to me. I did learn a lot about Firestone that I enjoyed.
December 21, 2016
Excellent portrayal of five extraordinary men of the 20th Century and how one man's relationship with them spanned the century. Illustrated is how each man's belief in God inspired them to become the change agents they became.
July 15, 2009
Ugh. Boring. I should know better than to accept books like this from grandparents.
Read
November 28, 2010excellent insight into the man, his minds and his friends!
April 27, 2011
Great book. Amazing how they made out history! A great statement on hard work and integrity.
March 6, 2011
read half. Pretty slanted.
August 18, 2013
Parts of this book were very interesting but I found myself struggling to finish it. I enjoyed the early stories about Edison, Firestone and Ford.
Read
August 29, 2014James Newton, king of all name-droppers
October 25, 2013
A very interesting historical perspective by James Newton on 5 very famous men and their influence on the 20th century and beyond.
January 1, 2014
Highs and lows, great historical details and descriptions of their personalities.
April 21, 2014
A really entertaining book that gives an inside glimpse into some of the most fascinating leaders of the 20th century.
September 1, 2014
To much spiritualism, mysticism, and god. Mind numbing.
February 2, 2017
هذا الكتاب غير حياتي
قرأته في آخر سنة في الدكتوراه
الكاتب بطريقة عرضه الشيقة يشعرك أنك صديق له يريد أن يعرفك على الأشخاص الخمسة بود وحميمية مميزة
قرأته في آخر سنة في الدكتوراه
الكاتب بطريقة عرضه الشيقة يشعرك أنك صديق له يريد أن يعرفك على الأشخاص الخمسة بود وحميمية مميزة
August 31, 2018
This book provided a great glimpse into the lives of numerous idols and giants of their time. These men, known as the fathers of the 20th century and projecting man-kind into the next era, are often times looked upon as more than men. Sometimes portrayed as clouded by greed or pointed to legend for one specific thing. What this work does is give life and depth into the personalities, relationships, thoughts, and lives of their families. It outlines actions taken and events throughout their lives, as well as their thoughts and sentiments of the times they lived in. It indicates that these men were just that, men. They looked to provide a service, push the boundaries of the frontier, and leave the world in a better place than they found it. They questioned purpose, philosophy, god, religion, and everything in between.
Edison, more than just the inventor of electricity, had his hands in so much more: from television to sound to rubber, he aspired to fill a void. Despite the conflictions with Tesla and what many attribute to greed and ruthlessness, this presents a whole other side to Edison in which one is often never exposed to.
Firestone was more than a tire salesman. He harnessed the epiphany of business ethics and integrity and genuinely wanted to help the common man.
Likewise, Ford was more than just a creator of automobiles. In researching and producing airplanes and equipment for the wartime effort, he thrust the US into a position to actually be able to fight the war - as the US was so far behind the German efforts.
Carrel brought the medical and research fields to the 20th century and his findings saved countless lives. The constant questioning of the philosophical and mystical forces which drive man are admirable and far surpass today's standards.
Lindbergh, rightly is more than a simple pilot who flew the length of the Atlantic. He created the modern airway system and provided countless consultations and research analysis to give birth to the modern study, creation, and usages of airplanes and air travel.
Aside from all 5 of these men's material accomplishments, the friendships created and conversations had, provide a context and depth into these great men. Like myself, these men question the realms of religion, philosophy, and the meaning of life. They look for answers into what the future might hold and how to better preserve the world and the goodwill and good sentiment of a people as a whole.
Edison, more than just the inventor of electricity, had his hands in so much more: from television to sound to rubber, he aspired to fill a void. Despite the conflictions with Tesla and what many attribute to greed and ruthlessness, this presents a whole other side to Edison in which one is often never exposed to.
Firestone was more than a tire salesman. He harnessed the epiphany of business ethics and integrity and genuinely wanted to help the common man.
Likewise, Ford was more than just a creator of automobiles. In researching and producing airplanes and equipment for the wartime effort, he thrust the US into a position to actually be able to fight the war - as the US was so far behind the German efforts.
Carrel brought the medical and research fields to the 20th century and his findings saved countless lives. The constant questioning of the philosophical and mystical forces which drive man are admirable and far surpass today's standards.
Lindbergh, rightly is more than a simple pilot who flew the length of the Atlantic. He created the modern airway system and provided countless consultations and research analysis to give birth to the modern study, creation, and usages of airplanes and air travel.
Aside from all 5 of these men's material accomplishments, the friendships created and conversations had, provide a context and depth into these great men. Like myself, these men question the realms of religion, philosophy, and the meaning of life. They look for answers into what the future might hold and how to better preserve the world and the goodwill and good sentiment of a people as a whole.
February 21, 2026
Most biographies of the Edison–Ford era treat Mina Edison as a supporting character — the domestic stabilizer orbiting a Great Man. This book accidentally reveals something far more interesting: Mina was the upstream mind the era had no vocabulary to recognize.
What struck me wasn’t her proximity to invention.
It was her architecture.
Mina thinks in:
• systems
• relationships
• ecological coherence
• anticipatory patterning
• emotional governance
The kind of intelligence that doesn’t announce itself — it orients everything around it.
You can see it in the way she:
• stabilized Edison’s chaos
• curated the social and political networks that made his work possible
• ran the household like a governance engine
• mediated conflict with surgical emotional precision
• held the long‑arc vision he couldn’t articulate
This isn’t “support.”
This is infrastructure.
And like most infrastructural geniuses, she was misclassified.
History recognizes the person holding the patent, not the person holding the system together. Mina’s cognition was too upstream, too relational, too quietly stabilizing for a culture that only validated visible output.
Reading this, you start to realize the tragedy:
Mina wasn’t forgotten because she was unimportant.
She was forgotten because she was unlabelable.
Her intelligence didn’t fit the 19th‑century template:
• not linear
• not performative
• not ego‑driven
• not externally validated
It was the kind of intelligence that modern systems theory would immediately recognize — but her own era couldn’t.
This book doesn’t intend to make that argument.
But the evidence is all there.
Mina Edison wasn’t the genius’s wife.
She was the genius the century couldn
What struck me wasn’t her proximity to invention.
It was her architecture.
Mina thinks in:
• systems
• relationships
• ecological coherence
• anticipatory patterning
• emotional governance
The kind of intelligence that doesn’t announce itself — it orients everything around it.
You can see it in the way she:
• stabilized Edison’s chaos
• curated the social and political networks that made his work possible
• ran the household like a governance engine
• mediated conflict with surgical emotional precision
• held the long‑arc vision he couldn’t articulate
This isn’t “support.”
This is infrastructure.
And like most infrastructural geniuses, she was misclassified.
History recognizes the person holding the patent, not the person holding the system together. Mina’s cognition was too upstream, too relational, too quietly stabilizing for a culture that only validated visible output.
Reading this, you start to realize the tragedy:
Mina wasn’t forgotten because she was unimportant.
She was forgotten because she was unlabelable.
Her intelligence didn’t fit the 19th‑century template:
• not linear
• not performative
• not ego‑driven
• not externally validated
It was the kind of intelligence that modern systems theory would immediately recognize — but her own era couldn’t.
This book doesn’t intend to make that argument.
But the evidence is all there.
Mina Edison wasn’t the genius’s wife.
She was the genius the century couldn
October 17, 2024
Uncommon Friends by James Newton
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A glimpse into the unbelievable relationships that one man, James Newton, was able to cultivate over a lifetime; Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, Henry Ford, Alexis Carrel and Charles Lindbergh. An absolute all star line up of history’s greatest thinkers and doers, all connected by one common man. Mr. Newton, in his story tells us about the greatness of each of these men without retelling the stories of their lifetime achievements, but rather focuses on them as individuals and looks at their core moral character and shines the spotlight on it in each of them. Edison: known as the father of electricity and the lightbulb, Ford: known as the invented of the assembly line, Firestone: the tire tycoon, Alexis Carrel: known for his work with modern medicine and treating infection during surgery, and Lindbergh: known for his solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927. All iconic men with so much more complexity behind these gigantic achievements than meets the eye. Learn about the inner workings of each men and their relationship with Jim Newton and their inner faiths revealed. A truly amazing and inspiring story for all.
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#read #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #book #bookreview #edison #ford #lindbergh #alexiscarrel #firestone #reading #faith
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A glimpse into the unbelievable relationships that one man, James Newton, was able to cultivate over a lifetime; Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, Henry Ford, Alexis Carrel and Charles Lindbergh. An absolute all star line up of history’s greatest thinkers and doers, all connected by one common man. Mr. Newton, in his story tells us about the greatness of each of these men without retelling the stories of their lifetime achievements, but rather focuses on them as individuals and looks at their core moral character and shines the spotlight on it in each of them. Edison: known as the father of electricity and the lightbulb, Ford: known as the invented of the assembly line, Firestone: the tire tycoon, Alexis Carrel: known for his work with modern medicine and treating infection during surgery, and Lindbergh: known for his solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927. All iconic men with so much more complexity behind these gigantic achievements than meets the eye. Learn about the inner workings of each men and their relationship with Jim Newton and their inner faiths revealed. A truly amazing and inspiring story for all.
.
.
#read #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #book #bookreview #edison #ford #lindbergh #alexiscarrel #firestone #reading #faith
January 7, 2020
I wish I could give this three and a half stars. It's good, but not great. That a man was lucky enough to be welcomed by so many legends of the 20th century is an incredible story, to be sure. But it seems to be more about the Rich White Guys' Club. It ignores a lot of the problematic issues we have learned about these men (e.g. Henry Ford's raging antisemitism). We don't learn much about James Newton, as his focus is more on the men and his friendship with them. I did wonder how a man who, at the time of this writing, doesn't even merit his own Wikipedia page, was able to afford to travel all around the world just to hang out with Charles Lindbergh.
That being said, it does give some personal insight to these famous men, and does seek to humanize them a little bit. They are a bit uneven...the latter half, focusing on his friendship with Lindbergh,could have been a small book by itself. It's a good read for history buffs but you probably won't find anything revelatory here.
That being said, it does give some personal insight to these famous men, and does seek to humanize them a little bit. They are a bit uneven...the latter half, focusing on his friendship with Lindbergh,could have been a small book by itself. It's a good read for history buffs but you probably won't find anything revelatory here.
August 25, 2020
Sort of a memoir / biography of a group of famous men whose lives crossed, somewhat centered around WWII. The book has a lot of details that made it cumbersome to read. My takeaway is that these friends had the luxury of having meaningful discussions about life and death with each other, which are the best kind of friends to have.
February 19, 2020
....as an accomplished American inventor/16 patents/5 trademarks/1,000 copyrights....I owe it mostly to this book.
I have personally met all 3 individuals as a guest to Menlo park.
Charles Weinacker American Inventor/Combat Navy Veteran.
I have personally met all 3 individuals as a guest to Menlo park.
Charles Weinacker American Inventor/Combat Navy Veteran.
May 3, 2018
Amazing men (and their wives!) in a fascinating time of North American history.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews