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Moving Forward
Blue cloth covers with some edge and corner wear. Soil on page edges. Binding tight. Dj is creased, darkened and some pieces missing along top edge. Brodart cover. 9.5 x 6.5 with 310 pp.
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1931
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About the author
Henry Ford
357 books349 followersHenry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. Although Ford did not invent the automobile or the assembly line, he developed and manufactured the first automobile that many middle class Americans could afford. In doing so, Ford converted the automobile from an expensive curiosity into a practical conveyance that would profoundly impact the landscape of the twentieth century. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry. As owner of the Ford Motor Company, he became one of the richest and best-known people in the world. He is credited with "Fordism": mass production of inexpensive goods coupled with high wages for workers. Ford had a global vision, with consumerism as the key to peace. His intense commitment to systematically lowering costs resulted in many technical and business innovations, including a franchise system that put dealerships throughout most of North America and in major cities on six continents. Ford left most of his vast wealth to the Ford Foundation and arranged for his family to control the company permanently.
Ford was also widely known for his pacifism during the first years of World War I, and also for being the publisher of anti semitic texts such as the book The International Jew.
His father gave him a pocket watch in his early teens. At 15, Ford dismantled and reassembled the timepieces of friends and neighbors dozens of times, gaining the reputation of a watch repairman.
Ford was devastated when his mother died in 1876. His father expected him to eventually take over the family farm, but he despised farm work. He later wrote, "I never had any particular love for the farm—it was the mother on the farm I loved."
In Aldous Huxley's Brave New World (1932), society is organized on "Fordist" lines, the years are dated A.F. or Anno Ford ("In the Year of our Ford"), and the expression "My Ford" is used instead of "My Lord".
Upton Sinclair created a fictional description of Ford in the 1937 novel The Flivver King.
Symphonic composer Ferde Grofe composed a tone poem in Henry Ford's honor (1938).
Ford is treated as a character in several historical novels, notably E. L. Doctorow's Ragtime (1975), and Richard Powers' novel Three Farmers on the Way to a Dance (1985).
Ford, his family, and his company were the subjects of a 1986 biography by Robert Lacey entitled Ford: The Men and the Machine. The book was adapted in 1987 into a film starring Cliff Robertson and Michael Ironside.
In the 2005 alternative history novel The Plot Against America, Philip Roth features Ford as Secretary of Interior in a fictional Charles Lindbergh presidential administration.
The British author Douglas Galbraith uses the event of the Ford Peace Ship as the center of his novel King Henry (2007).
Ford appears as a Great Builder in the 2008 strategy video game Civilization Revolution.
In December 1999, Ford was among 18 included in Gallup's List of Widely Admired People of the 20th Century, from a poll conducted of the American people.
In 1928, Ford was awarded the Franklin Institute's Elliott Cresson Medal.
In 1938, Ford was awarded Nazi Germany's Grand Cross of the German Eagle, a medal given to foreigners sympathetic to Nazism.
The United States Postal Service honored Ford with a Prominent Americans series (1965–1978) 12¢ postage stamp.
Ford was also widely known for his pacifism during the first years of World War I, and also for being the publisher of anti semitic texts such as the book The International Jew.
His father gave him a pocket watch in his early teens. At 15, Ford dismantled and reassembled the timepieces of friends and neighbors dozens of times, gaining the reputation of a watch repairman.
Ford was devastated when his mother died in 1876. His father expected him to eventually take over the family farm, but he despised farm work. He later wrote, "I never had any particular love for the farm—it was the mother on the farm I loved."
In Aldous Huxley's Brave New World (1932), society is organized on "Fordist" lines, the years are dated A.F. or Anno Ford ("In the Year of our Ford"), and the expression "My Ford" is used instead of "My Lord".
Upton Sinclair created a fictional description of Ford in the 1937 novel The Flivver King.
Symphonic composer Ferde Grofe composed a tone poem in Henry Ford's honor (1938).
Ford is treated as a character in several historical novels, notably E. L. Doctorow's Ragtime (1975), and Richard Powers' novel Three Farmers on the Way to a Dance (1985).
Ford, his family, and his company were the subjects of a 1986 biography by Robert Lacey entitled Ford: The Men and the Machine. The book was adapted in 1987 into a film starring Cliff Robertson and Michael Ironside.
In the 2005 alternative history novel The Plot Against America, Philip Roth features Ford as Secretary of Interior in a fictional Charles Lindbergh presidential administration.
The British author Douglas Galbraith uses the event of the Ford Peace Ship as the center of his novel King Henry (2007).
Ford appears as a Great Builder in the 2008 strategy video game Civilization Revolution.
In December 1999, Ford was among 18 included in Gallup's List of Widely Admired People of the 20th Century, from a poll conducted of the American people.
In 1928, Ford was awarded the Franklin Institute's Elliott Cresson Medal.
In 1938, Ford was awarded Nazi Germany's Grand Cross of the German Eagle, a medal given to foreigners sympathetic to Nazism.
The United States Postal Service honored Ford with a Prominent Americans series (1965–1978) 12¢ postage stamp.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 24, 2025
Moving Forward by Henry Ford (1931) is a book that collects 21 essays/shorter texts regarding various areas related to industry, manufacturing and work. A common thread is higher wages through higher productivity – often from mass production or elimination of waste. Economies of scale then enable lower prices and increased consumption. Which is predicated upon precision and quality. Interesting insights such as criticism of those who try to reduce the supply of raw materials. Interesting point that assembly of the final product that can be moved to other countries. Discussion regarding the age of workers, drinking habits and education or leisure. Much that is considered standard or established today. The T model with its 5275 parts is compared to the A model which had 5580 parts. About a third of the book is devoted to the circumstances surrounding 1931 (the Depression, moving to the new factory River Rouge, business opportunities in various countries such as Russia, Germany, England) – somewhat outdated today. At the same time, some ideas should be reintroduced or can be used by successful businessmen. Such as the idea that business owners should be interested in the business – like athletes interested in the sport. Speculation is looked down upon – should only be something for certain professional groups. In summary, the book is characterized by a positive spirit – everything is possible – industrialism has enormous possibilities. However, some chapters are considered repetitive. Also intersting how Ford would have handled the today’s society of high taxes and regulations. There is better business books out there - even a biography of Henry Ford's life which is very intersting - but still some interesting points from "Moving foward"
February 13, 2021
This is the last book produced by Henry Ford and Samuel Crowther.
It is infused with the voice of Mr. Ford. Among the most interesting chapters is one in which he describes the purchase of 199 surplus oceangoing ships. Fascinating to hear how these were disassembled and repurposed, as the original parts where possible.
There are also chapters with Ford's opinions on Prohibition and on the evils of looking to make only money while not being of service. An interesting read.
It is infused with the voice of Mr. Ford. Among the most interesting chapters is one in which he describes the purchase of 199 surplus oceangoing ships. Fascinating to hear how these were disassembled and repurposed, as the original parts where possible.
There are also chapters with Ford's opinions on Prohibition and on the evils of looking to make only money while not being of service. An interesting read.
January 2, 2020
Henry Ford is the greatest business writer I’ve come across by far. This book is no exception. Contrarian opinions, strongly held.
This book should be read and reread by everyone.
This book should be read and reread by everyone.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews