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Iacocca: An Autobiography
He's an American legend, a straight-shooting businessman who brought Chrysler back from the brink and in the process became a media celebrity, newsmaker, and a man many had urged to run for president.
The son of Italian immigrants, Lee Iacocca rose spectacularly through the ranks of Ford Motor Company to become its president, only to be toppled eight years later in a power play that should have shattered him. But Lee Iacocca didn't get mad, he got even. He led a battle for Chrysler's survival that made his name a symbol of integrity, know-how, and guts for millions of Americans.
In his classic hard-hitting style, he tells us how he changed the automobile industry in the 1960s by creating the phenomenal Mustang. He goes behind the scenes for a look at Henry Ford's reign of intimidation and manipulation. He recounts the miraculous rebirth of Chrysler from near bankruptcy to repayment of its $1.2 billion government loan so early that Washington didn't know how to cash the check.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
The son of Italian immigrants, Lee Iacocca rose spectacularly through the ranks of Ford Motor Company to become its president, only to be toppled eight years later in a power play that should have shattered him. But Lee Iacocca didn't get mad, he got even. He led a battle for Chrysler's survival that made his name a symbol of integrity, know-how, and guts for millions of Americans.
In his classic hard-hitting style, he tells us how he changed the automobile industry in the 1960s by creating the phenomenal Mustang. He goes behind the scenes for a look at Henry Ford's reign of intimidation and manipulation. He recounts the miraculous rebirth of Chrysler from near bankruptcy to repayment of its $1.2 billion government loan so early that Washington didn't know how to cash the check.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
366 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
429 people are currently reading
7458 people want to read
About the author
Lee Iacocca
32 books64 followersLee Iacocca was an American automobile executive best known for the development of Ford Mustang and Pinto cars. He served as President and CEO of Chrysler from 1978 and additionally as chairman from 1979, until his retirement at the end of 1992.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 411 reviews
July 27, 2022
"It'a a good thing God doesn't let you look a year or two into the future, or you might be tempted to shoot yourself. But He's a charitable Lord: He only lets you see a day at a time. When times get tough, there's no choice except to take a deep breath, carry on, and do the best you can." -- page 141
Straight-shooting autobiography / work memoir of the Pennsylvania native (woot-woot!) who became one of the rare executives to achieve household-name status for his decades of work in the American automotive industry. Iacocca served over thirty years with Ford - most notably helping to usher the beloved Mustang model into existence during the 60's, and then becoming the president of 'FoMoCo' from 1970 to 1978 - before being abruptly fired (personality conflicts with insecure and unpredictable CEO Henry Ford II, he of the "don't forget whose name is on the side of the building" type of attitude). As a second act Iacocca then became CEO of the floundering Chrysler Corporation in 1979 - steering them out of near financial destruction - and spearheaded the acceptance of safe, fuel-efficient compact cars and the introduction of minivans into the market and onto U.S. roadways. From my generation he's probably best remembered from his early-80's era TV commercials where, unusually for an executive, he became the actual spokesman for his vehicles with his point-blank but assured styled "If you can find a better car - buy it!" catchphrase. As for his book, Iacocca presents his life story in a direct and often self-deprecating style, and I much enjoyed the sections on growing up as an immigrant's son in Allentown and then his extensive years (1946-1978) at Ford. The final third of the book was sometimes a little too thick on the industry talk and details, but he occasionally offers up some well-placed exasperation or barbs on the strained relations between business and government in the U.S. It's no wonder some folks wanted him to run for the 'Oval Office.'
Straight-shooting autobiography / work memoir of the Pennsylvania native (woot-woot!) who became one of the rare executives to achieve household-name status for his decades of work in the American automotive industry. Iacocca served over thirty years with Ford - most notably helping to usher the beloved Mustang model into existence during the 60's, and then becoming the president of 'FoMoCo' from 1970 to 1978 - before being abruptly fired (personality conflicts with insecure and unpredictable CEO Henry Ford II, he of the "don't forget whose name is on the side of the building" type of attitude). As a second act Iacocca then became CEO of the floundering Chrysler Corporation in 1979 - steering them out of near financial destruction - and spearheaded the acceptance of safe, fuel-efficient compact cars and the introduction of minivans into the market and onto U.S. roadways. From my generation he's probably best remembered from his early-80's era TV commercials where, unusually for an executive, he became the actual spokesman for his vehicles with his point-blank but assured styled "If you can find a better car - buy it!" catchphrase. As for his book, Iacocca presents his life story in a direct and often self-deprecating style, and I much enjoyed the sections on growing up as an immigrant's son in Allentown and then his extensive years (1946-1978) at Ford. The final third of the book was sometimes a little too thick on the industry talk and details, but he occasionally offers up some well-placed exasperation or barbs on the strained relations between business and government in the U.S. It's no wonder some folks wanted him to run for the 'Oval Office.'
April 2, 2012
Having recently read Steve Jobs and of course having been mesmerised by it, I figured that it would be a tough act to read another corporate tale for quite some time. But having asked around a bit, I was recommended the autobiography of Lee Iacocca. As I am still in the mood to learn how great corporate guys have clicked and what makes them stand apart, I decided to get my hands on Iacocca. Lee Iacocca is not of my generation, nor do the American cars hold any great presence in my country... so while Ford and Chrysler are popular names, reading about Lee Iacocca and his exploits in these companies was never going to be something similar to reading about Steve Jobs and Apple, which is a much more global brand. And this is where Iacocca's manner of writing - simple and playful yet emotive - helped me to strike a bond with his story very quickly.
Iacocca's story starts with his father's arrival to USA (another tale reflecting the role immigrants have played in USA's success), his young days during the Great Depression era, his college days, and then his subsequent move to Ford that marked the beginning of his great career in the auto industry. The story before his arrival at Ford moves at a soothing rhythm - almost makes you feel like your grandpa talking to you over a nice family dinner, remembering the good old days. The real drama starts unfolding with Iacocca's arrival at Ford and his subsequent rise from a dealer to the President of Ford over a thirty-something year period. The pace of the story increases, and the passion along with the knowledge that the author holds for the auto industry is clearly on display.
And then comes the fall... Iacocca's sacking by Henry Ford II must have been the great corporate stories of that time, I assume. But as they say, it's never over until its over. Then comes the rise... Iacocca at the age of 54 takes over the reins of Chrysler, and brings about one of the most incredible turnaround stories in corporate history (at least few must be this popular). Being an autobiography, Iacocca takes the reader through his thought process while evaluating tough decisions at Chrysler, through the hardships and the subsequent successes, his ideologies which he sticks to right till the end; not for a single page does he become dispassionate or guarded in his opinions. His comments on Henry Ford II are really fun to read (it feels like two grandpas fighting!), his wit is never lost (catch the lovely smile on the cover page), and most importantly the lesson which he repeats over and over - of putting things in action, of doing what you have to do rather than sitting idle - is something that needs to be drilled at a very early age in this era where laziness in the society is simply so evident. As this is an autobiography, one has to take certain comments of the author with a pinch of salt, for those are solely his beliefs. But irrespective of that, Iacocca is yet another tale I have read that displays the importance of good old hardwork which when executed by a sharp mind yields unbelievable results. Recommend to all who aspire to become fruitful managers and leaders!
Iacocca's story starts with his father's arrival to USA (another tale reflecting the role immigrants have played in USA's success), his young days during the Great Depression era, his college days, and then his subsequent move to Ford that marked the beginning of his great career in the auto industry. The story before his arrival at Ford moves at a soothing rhythm - almost makes you feel like your grandpa talking to you over a nice family dinner, remembering the good old days. The real drama starts unfolding with Iacocca's arrival at Ford and his subsequent rise from a dealer to the President of Ford over a thirty-something year period. The pace of the story increases, and the passion along with the knowledge that the author holds for the auto industry is clearly on display.
And then comes the fall... Iacocca's sacking by Henry Ford II must have been the great corporate stories of that time, I assume. But as they say, it's never over until its over. Then comes the rise... Iacocca at the age of 54 takes over the reins of Chrysler, and brings about one of the most incredible turnaround stories in corporate history (at least few must be this popular). Being an autobiography, Iacocca takes the reader through his thought process while evaluating tough decisions at Chrysler, through the hardships and the subsequent successes, his ideologies which he sticks to right till the end; not for a single page does he become dispassionate or guarded in his opinions. His comments on Henry Ford II are really fun to read (it feels like two grandpas fighting!), his wit is never lost (catch the lovely smile on the cover page), and most importantly the lesson which he repeats over and over - of putting things in action, of doing what you have to do rather than sitting idle - is something that needs to be drilled at a very early age in this era where laziness in the society is simply so evident. As this is an autobiography, one has to take certain comments of the author with a pinch of salt, for those are solely his beliefs. But irrespective of that, Iacocca is yet another tale I have read that displays the importance of good old hardwork which when executed by a sharp mind yields unbelievable results. Recommend to all who aspire to become fruitful managers and leaders!
April 16, 2013
Занятное чтиво :( Но книга меня разочаровала. Очень долго жила в очереди на прочтение, но...
Содержание книги я бы определил так:
1) Процентов на 20 - ура-патриотические сентенции про "великую Америку", про то, как клёво быть американцем, про великое прошлое-настоящее-будущее этой страны и её экономики. Плюс всякие гениальные идеи автора про то, "как нам обустроить Америку" :)
IMHO. всё это мало интересно, т.к. и времена другие, и страна другая, и патриотизм во многом как был, так и остаётся последним прибежищем негодяев (с) С.Джонсон
2) Процентов на 10 - как бы про семью и личную жизнь. Иногда довольно трогательно, слезу выжимает... Особенно, про супругу, больную диабетом и т.п.
Я офигенно эмпатичен, но, увы, многолетний опыт участия в предвыборных компаниях донельзя обострил мой нюх на разного рода джинсу. Прям вот отчетливо представляю себе эту картинку, когда главный редактор морщит лоб и говорит: "Что-то книга скучноватой получается... Мы теряем аудиторию домохозяек! Надо срочно дописать что-то слезоточивое и сентиментальное".
Пассажи эти про семью какие-то инородные в тексте, искусственные :(
3) На 40% - однозначно про глобально раздутое Эго автора. Проще говоря - хвастовство про собственное величие. Даже несмотря на все объективные достижения, неустанное на протяжении всего текста самолюбование автора утомляет и раздражает.
Особенно не понравилось:
- очень однобокое описание Генри Форда - как бабника, алкоголика, тирана, самодура, и бестолкового управленца. Сначала было смешно, а потом дошло, что "великий" Якокка до сих пор обижен на своё увольнение Фордом, и просто с помощью книги сводит счёты. Мелко... :(
- много про свои успехи, мало про людей, которые помогли в достижении этих успехов. М.б. это лидерский стиль того времени, когда "герой должен быть один"? Но мудрый-то человек должен же понимать, что без поддержки окружающих он - ничто...
И ещё... Книга переполнена понтами :) Но читать про них было интересно (с антропологической точки зрения ;)))), т.к. это (понты) в полной мере роднит наших современных топ-манагеров с тогдашними (в лице Якокки).
4) Лишь на 10% книга - про менеджмент. Кое-что любопытное на уровне расхожих цитат-афоризмов присутствует... Эдакие изречения про "правильных лидеров". Но почему-то снова преследует ощущение, что это редакторская джинса :(
И в целом именно в плане понимания сути и принципов управления - книга почти бесполезна :( Да, автор довольно подробно описывает кейс с выведением Крайслера из кризиса; да, он подробно описывает сделанные шаги и совершенные действия.
Но он не описывает самого главного - логики принятия этих самых антикризисных решений! Красной нитью сквозь книгу проходит один довод: "Я сразу знал верное решение, потому что я такой великий". Угу, это очень полезные сведения для начинающих менеджеров: "Заболейте манией величия, и сможете вывести любую корпорацию из кризиса". :(
Короче, книга - не из разряда деловой литературы, а так - беллетристика. Немного мемуары, немного реклама, немного политиканства. Ну, в лучшем случае можно понимать книгу как некую мотивирующую литературу (прокачку понтов) для менеджеров-новичков. Разочарован :(
Содержание книги я бы определил так:
1) Процентов на 20 - ура-патриотические сентенции про "великую Америку", про то, как клёво быть американцем, про великое прошлое-настоящее-будущее этой страны и её экономики. Плюс всякие гениальные идеи автора про то, "как нам обустроить Америку" :)
IMHO. всё это мало интересно, т.к. и времена другие, и страна другая, и патриотизм во многом как был, так и остаётся последним прибежищем негодяев (с) С.Джонсон
2) Процентов на 10 - как бы про семью и личную жизнь. Иногда довольно трогательно, слезу выжимает... Особенно, про супругу, больную диабетом и т.п.
Я офигенно эмпатичен, но, увы, многолетний опыт участия в предвыборных компаниях донельзя обострил мой нюх на разного рода джинсу. Прям вот отчетливо представляю себе эту картинку, когда главный редактор морщит лоб и говорит: "Что-то книга скучноватой получается... Мы теряем аудиторию домохозяек! Надо срочно дописать что-то слезоточивое и сентиментальное".
Пассажи эти про семью какие-то инородные в тексте, искусственные :(
3) На 40% - однозначно про глобально раздутое Эго автора. Проще говоря - хвастовство про собственное величие. Даже несмотря на все объективные достижения, неустанное на протяжении всего текста самолюбование автора утомляет и раздражает.
Особенно не понравилось:
- очень однобокое описание Генри Форда - как бабника, алкоголика, тирана, самодура, и бестолкового управленца. Сначала было смешно, а потом дошло, что "великий" Якокка до сих пор обижен на своё увольнение Фордом, и просто с помощью книги сводит счёты. Мелко... :(
- много про свои успехи, мало про людей, которые помогли в достижении этих успехов. М.б. это лидерский стиль того времени, когда "герой должен быть один"? Но мудрый-то человек должен же понимать, что без поддержки окружающих он - ничто...
И ещё... Книга переполнена понтами :) Но читать про них было интересно (с антропологической точки зрения ;)))), т.к. это (понты) в полной мере роднит наших современных топ-манагеров с тогдашними (в лице Якокки).
4) Лишь на 10% книга - про менеджмент. Кое-что любопытное на уровне расхожих цитат-афоризмов присутствует... Эдакие изречения про "правильных лидеров". Но почему-то снова преследует ощущение, что это редакторская джинса :(
И в целом именно в плане понимания сути и принципов управления - книга почти бесполезна :( Да, автор довольно подробно описывает кейс с выведением Крайслера из кризиса; да, он подробно описывает сделанные шаги и совершенные действия.
Но он не описывает самого главного - логики принятия этих самых антикризисных решений! Красной нитью сквозь книгу проходит один довод: "Я сразу знал верное решение, потому что я такой великий". Угу, это очень полезные сведения для начинающих менеджеров: "Заболейте манией величия, и сможете вывести любую корпорацию из кризиса". :(
Короче, книга - не из разряда деловой литературы, а так - беллетристика. Немного мемуары, немного реклама, немного политиканства. Ну, в лучшем случае можно понимать книгу как некую мотивирующую литературу (прокачку понтов) для менеджеров-новичков. Разочарован :(
January 6, 2017
This book is a gold mine. Labor relations, change management, marketing, Govt. relations, cost reduction, & the recent Trump rhetoric – I get to know all about it in this 370 page paperback, which was written way back in 1984. More than that it teaches you about persistence, about having a greed for ambition, about confronting petty egos, not falling in the paralysis of analysis and doing something, and about having guts to do what might be unpopular now but right in the long term.
Many of the concepts that I have learnt in the management education, finds a way in this book. I also got to see first-hand how change management functioned when a new Dean was brought in to SPJIMR; I could easily correlate it with ‘Building the team’. As a marketing student, I got a kick out of ‘The Mustang’. As a greedy, ambitious person by demeanor, the first half of the book taught me to be greedier and more ambitious still. The latter-half told me not to plug my head in the ground when trouble starts knocking on the door. ‘Straight talk’ told me the turmoil America was going through and why they elected Donald Trump as its President.
More than that, it gives me a glimpse in the world of the auto industry. It gives me a peek into the head of the man whom the world calls a marketing genius. This book is as relevant in 2017, as it was in 1984. 'Iacocca' is highly recommended.
Many of the concepts that I have learnt in the management education, finds a way in this book. I also got to see first-hand how change management functioned when a new Dean was brought in to SPJIMR; I could easily correlate it with ‘Building the team’. As a marketing student, I got a kick out of ‘The Mustang’. As a greedy, ambitious person by demeanor, the first half of the book taught me to be greedier and more ambitious still. The latter-half told me not to plug my head in the ground when trouble starts knocking on the door. ‘Straight talk’ told me the turmoil America was going through and why they elected Donald Trump as its President.
More than that, it gives me a glimpse in the world of the auto industry. It gives me a peek into the head of the man whom the world calls a marketing genius. This book is as relevant in 2017, as it was in 1984. 'Iacocca' is highly recommended.
April 6, 2018
February 2018, I completed 20 years of my driving career :) and I realized that as my first drivers license finally expired. Even after driving a plethora of cars in last 20 odd years, I still haven't laid my hands on my dream car which happens to be a Ford Mustang (without any doubts). A couple of years back as soon as it was launched in India, I had a very light tinkle in my eyes and I end up buying the "Autobiography" of Mustang's Dad - Lee Iacocca, the guy who made it possible. It has been my favorite for last three decades, loved Mustang in so many western movies that I must have seen in last as many years. Unfortunately it is so steeply priced in India that it happens to be way more expensive than the price of the house I live in currently. So there goes my dream out of the window, I haven't yet touched one, let alone sitting in one or driving it. This book also reminded me of my first job back in Delhi in the mid 90's when I joined my cousin, who had a four year old son back then. Throughout the day, the only thing we did was talk about Cars, Bikes and Movies. We spoke so much about Cars (mostly Mustang) and after they moved to US of A, we totally lost contact for a decade or more. But, one fine day I got a call from my Sister in Law on the first day of his college, she asked me a simple question to guess which car he picked up for his big day :) and I replied without blinking an eye within a fraction of a second "Mustang?" and she was like "How do you know?". Heck! Even the main character from the last book I read owned and cherished a Mustang (Amir's dad from "The Kite Runner").
Lee Iacocca's Dad moved from Italy to United States in the year 1902 and this is their story from rags to riches. A simple migrant who lived a hand to mouth life, yet had big dreams. How they make it big and fail again because of the first world war for the first time and then again because of the great depression. Before he finally makes it big by landing a job in Ford Motor company and works under Henry Ford (II) for as good as 32 years. During his tenure with the company, Ford actually witnessed the best profitable years in the history of their car manufacturing, yet Henry Ford fired him just because of his own whims and fancies. You've got to read the book to know the details of the unbelievable turn of events when the Chairman of an empire feels threatened by his own President of all of eight years in the company. On top of that, how Henry Ford actually ran the company like a private business, even after having five hundred thousand employees at one point of time. I loved the way the whole book is narrated in first person, it actually feels like you are hearing Lee's life story from his own mouth, sitting right in front of you. William Novak has done a commendable job, usually Biographies are full of information yet they are pretty boring but this one is totally class apart. I must add that an Autobiography like this, can only be written in America which has so much truth, facts and name calling that in any other country they must have got sued and book debarred from selling. On top of that this was a best seller to even Icocca's surprise.
Ford Mustang chapter, the history and the making of the Car is the high point of the book. I anyways love that car so much and this book has upped it further couple of notches in my eyes. The way he has written the Mustang story, his excitement is pretty visible in the writing especially the way he has narrated the little episodes that he himself could never forget. Like the story of a Fan of Mustang, who bought the sample car in an auction done by a super excited dealer to make more money before its officially launched. The guy not only out-bid all his competitors but as it was late in the night when he finally won it. He proposed to the dealer to spend the night in the showroom so he can take the car home next morning as soon as his check gets cleared by the bank :). He not only spent the night in the showroom but slept inside the car, making sure that no one else gets it. Now you see? that is the following this car had back then and even today as I am about to buy my next car, which could probably be a Ford (now), I am looking for a dealer who has a Mustang on display before finalizing my booking with them :). That ways at least I get to touch one, sit inside one and at least get to feel it once in my life time. No ways, I am looking forward to a test drive as you see my DL has already expired :D and in India, it still is way beyond my league.
Lee Iacocca has not only Mustang to his credit, but Ford Mark (III) and Fiesta too as more accomplished brands famous all over the world. After working and taking Ford to greater heights and after getting kicked out by Henry Ford, he took Chrysler from Bankruptcy to superb heights. The guy was a magician, no doubt on that. The story of Chrysler from shutting shop to profitable in only three years and paying back all the loans to the Govt funding, was one unbelievable story. While reading the book and after finishing it, I was actually thinking that he had everything that USA needed in a man, who should have very well become their next President. Especially the last 3-4 chapters, where he talks about why and what they should do to make America a great country again and that too when this book was written in the year 1984. His knowledge of not only economy, defense, education, social security, heath-care and so much more was totally commendable.
I bought my first iPhone after I read Steve Job's excellent biography by Walter Isacsson and looks like I am going to buy my first Ford after this one :), unless I lay my hands on Ratan Tata's biography to save some bucks. Which is your favorite Biography / Autobiography? And have you read this one? if not, you've got to read it, just shouldn't be missed by anyone.
Lee Iacocca's Dad moved from Italy to United States in the year 1902 and this is their story from rags to riches. A simple migrant who lived a hand to mouth life, yet had big dreams. How they make it big and fail again because of the first world war for the first time and then again because of the great depression. Before he finally makes it big by landing a job in Ford Motor company and works under Henry Ford (II) for as good as 32 years. During his tenure with the company, Ford actually witnessed the best profitable years in the history of their car manufacturing, yet Henry Ford fired him just because of his own whims and fancies. You've got to read the book to know the details of the unbelievable turn of events when the Chairman of an empire feels threatened by his own President of all of eight years in the company. On top of that, how Henry Ford actually ran the company like a private business, even after having five hundred thousand employees at one point of time. I loved the way the whole book is narrated in first person, it actually feels like you are hearing Lee's life story from his own mouth, sitting right in front of you. William Novak has done a commendable job, usually Biographies are full of information yet they are pretty boring but this one is totally class apart. I must add that an Autobiography like this, can only be written in America which has so much truth, facts and name calling that in any other country they must have got sued and book debarred from selling. On top of that this was a best seller to even Icocca's surprise.
Ford Mustang chapter, the history and the making of the Car is the high point of the book. I anyways love that car so much and this book has upped it further couple of notches in my eyes. The way he has written the Mustang story, his excitement is pretty visible in the writing especially the way he has narrated the little episodes that he himself could never forget. Like the story of a Fan of Mustang, who bought the sample car in an auction done by a super excited dealer to make more money before its officially launched. The guy not only out-bid all his competitors but as it was late in the night when he finally won it. He proposed to the dealer to spend the night in the showroom so he can take the car home next morning as soon as his check gets cleared by the bank :). He not only spent the night in the showroom but slept inside the car, making sure that no one else gets it. Now you see? that is the following this car had back then and even today as I am about to buy my next car, which could probably be a Ford (now), I am looking for a dealer who has a Mustang on display before finalizing my booking with them :). That ways at least I get to touch one, sit inside one and at least get to feel it once in my life time. No ways, I am looking forward to a test drive as you see my DL has already expired :D and in India, it still is way beyond my league.
Lee Iacocca has not only Mustang to his credit, but Ford Mark (III) and Fiesta too as more accomplished brands famous all over the world. After working and taking Ford to greater heights and after getting kicked out by Henry Ford, he took Chrysler from Bankruptcy to superb heights. The guy was a magician, no doubt on that. The story of Chrysler from shutting shop to profitable in only three years and paying back all the loans to the Govt funding, was one unbelievable story. While reading the book and after finishing it, I was actually thinking that he had everything that USA needed in a man, who should have very well become their next President. Especially the last 3-4 chapters, where he talks about why and what they should do to make America a great country again and that too when this book was written in the year 1984. His knowledge of not only economy, defense, education, social security, heath-care and so much more was totally commendable.
I bought my first iPhone after I read Steve Job's excellent biography by Walter Isacsson and looks like I am going to buy my first Ford after this one :), unless I lay my hands on Ratan Tata's biography to save some bucks. Which is your favorite Biography / Autobiography? And have you read this one? if not, you've got to read it, just shouldn't be missed by anyone.
November 16, 2017
I have a hard time believing Lee Iacocca can handle criticism. Throughout the book, he either derides his detractors or vehemently defends his decisions. Early on, when he keeps disparaging Henry Ford Jr, he comes across as resentful and deeply hurt. I can empathize with a disgruntled employee, but I have a hard time believing that Henry Ford Jr was that incompetent. Our memories always tend to paint us in a positive light. But looking at Lee Iacocca's autobiography, I feel like my memories are way more realistic. I mean throughout the book, there's not one instance where he questions his judgments or atleast critical of himself. He's always right and screw the detractors!
To his credit, the book gets much more interesting once he describes his stint at Chrysler. It also gives you a clear idea about his time and the American mindset. You can understand how deeply reinforced the individualism and free market economy philosophies are in the minds of the American businessman.
He comes from a working class immigrant family with strong values. Throughout, the book there's a strong emphasis about working well with people and investing to create value. Politically, I'd think he leans slightly left, but mostly moderate. But his ideologies seem to be self-serving though. I could be wrong, but it looked like he changed his ideology the moment it stopped serving him.
When I looked at a chapter titles "Making America Great Again!", it sounded eerily prophetic. Given that the book was published in 1986, it's funny how it resonates with the Trump campaign slogan. I honestly do not understand the American obsession with blowing their own trumpet. Just when I though Iacocca started to make sense, he threw me off with this line:
"I'm convinced that this country can once again be that bright and shining symbol of power and freedom-challenged by none and envied by all..."
I think that quite succinctly sums up the stereotypical American mindset. First of all, one should strive for greatness because it'd push his/her limits, taking pride in your work or any other reason that'd make you happy. Striving for greatness to make others envious is one of the the most idiotic reasons to do so. Secondly, I'd like to know when was America the greatest country in the world? It still sounds like a bunch of nincompoops claiming to be the best when no one around them gives a shit.
Quoting Tywin Lannister - "Any man who must say, 'I am the king' is no true king. I'll make sure you understand that when I've won your war for you.". Replace king with great and you'd get the idea.
Let me get off my high horse and give a grounded opinion - it's a decent book with some interesting portions. As with most autobiographies, it suffers from the bias of its author. Power through the portions where he talks about how great he was and you'd find it alright.
To his credit, the book gets much more interesting once he describes his stint at Chrysler. It also gives you a clear idea about his time and the American mindset. You can understand how deeply reinforced the individualism and free market economy philosophies are in the minds of the American businessman.
He comes from a working class immigrant family with strong values. Throughout, the book there's a strong emphasis about working well with people and investing to create value. Politically, I'd think he leans slightly left, but mostly moderate. But his ideologies seem to be self-serving though. I could be wrong, but it looked like he changed his ideology the moment it stopped serving him.
When I looked at a chapter titles "Making America Great Again!", it sounded eerily prophetic. Given that the book was published in 1986, it's funny how it resonates with the Trump campaign slogan. I honestly do not understand the American obsession with blowing their own trumpet. Just when I though Iacocca started to make sense, he threw me off with this line:
"I'm convinced that this country can once again be that bright and shining symbol of power and freedom-challenged by none and envied by all..."
I think that quite succinctly sums up the stereotypical American mindset. First of all, one should strive for greatness because it'd push his/her limits, taking pride in your work or any other reason that'd make you happy. Striving for greatness to make others envious is one of the the most idiotic reasons to do so. Secondly, I'd like to know when was America the greatest country in the world? It still sounds like a bunch of nincompoops claiming to be the best when no one around them gives a shit.
Quoting Tywin Lannister - "Any man who must say, 'I am the king' is no true king. I'll make sure you understand that when I've won your war for you.". Replace king with great and you'd get the idea.
Let me get off my high horse and give a grounded opinion - it's a decent book with some interesting portions. As with most autobiographies, it suffers from the bias of its author. Power through the portions where he talks about how great he was and you'd find it alright.
December 9, 2020
If Akio Morita talks about the Japanese style of management in his seminal book, "Made in Japan", Iacocca typifies the American school of management. The principles are by an large the same except that Morita treats employees as a part of the family, true to Japanese tradition, the focus of Iacocca is on individuality. However, both are practical down to the core. Both are keen on making-it-happen through a variety of instruments available with the leader.
According to Lee, decisiveness is the key ,"If I had to sum up in one word the qualities that make a good manager, I'd say that it all comes down to decisiveness". He doesn't want to just rest on ideas, "You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get then across, your brains wont get you anywhere"
According to Lee, decisiveness is the key ,"If I had to sum up in one word the qualities that make a good manager, I'd say that it all comes down to decisiveness". He doesn't want to just rest on ideas, "You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get then across, your brains wont get you anywhere"
September 4, 2019
Много добър учител по мениджмънт и управленски решения! Популярен, четивен и оригинален стил на писане. Спомням си, че Якока има и друга издадена на български книга, но тази е добрата. Всъщност той разказва за себе си. За времето, когато след пенсионирането му като един от водещите мениджери на "Форд" , събира екип от "пенсионери" като него и изправят на крака почти фалиралия "Крайслер". Намерете тази книга, хора! Няма аналог!
May 15, 2018
так давно начала читать эту книгу, что уже с трудом помню, что там было!
но ок, если серьезно, есть две любопытные темы в этой автобиографии - история поднятия "крайслера" из руин, и бесконечная ненависть ли якокки к генри форду второму (это не ТОТ генри форд, а его внук)
про "крайслер": якокке пришлось уволить 33 топ-менеджера за 3 года, потому что они были не в состоянии поменяться и работать по-нормальному, а также тянули за собой целые команды таких же долбоебов, как и они сами. это жестоко, конечно, но кое-какой личный опыт мне подсказывает, что правильно. возможно, один человек в новой среде и способен измениться, если у него есть мозг, но менеджерская команда не может, и они будут тянуть всех к себе в болото, пока их не разогнать и не заменить новыми. якокка, что интересно, заменил уволенных пенсионерами - в смысле, теми людьми, которых отправили на пенсию из "форда" по достижении 65-летнего возраста. пенсионеры вернулись с полей для гольфа и сделали "крайслер" грейт эгейн
про генри форда: баттхерт у якокки по этому поводу так силен, что скорее всего книжку он написал именно поэтому - надо было выговориться и рассказать миру свою версию событий. надеюсь, ему после этого полегчало :)
но ок, если серьезно, есть две любопытные темы в этой автобиографии - история поднятия "крайслера" из руин, и бесконечная ненависть ли якокки к генри форду второму (это не ТОТ генри форд, а его внук)
про "крайслер": якокке пришлось уволить 33 топ-менеджера за 3 года, потому что они были не в состоянии поменяться и работать по-нормальному, а также тянули за собой целые команды таких же долбоебов, как и они сами. это жестоко, конечно, но кое-какой личный опыт мне подсказывает, что правильно. возможно, один человек в новой среде и способен измениться, если у него есть мозг, но менеджерская команда не может, и они будут тянуть всех к себе в болото, пока их не разогнать и не заменить новыми. якокка, что интересно, заменил уволенных пенсионерами - в смысле, теми людьми, которых отправили на пенсию из "форда" по достижении 65-летнего возраста. пенсионеры вернулись с полей для гольфа и сделали "крайслер" грейт эгейн
про генри форда: баттхерт у якокки по этому поводу так силен, что скорее всего книжку он написал именно поэтому - надо было выговориться и рассказать миру свою версию событий. надеюсь, ему после этого полегчало :)
August 15, 2012
My absolute favorite book of all time! I have read this book over and over again, throughout the years. Although I'm usually into more spiritual/science type books, this one has always moved me because it's about business, cars, family, and a true super-hero. In short; it's got it all! I've read many books on business management, but nothing has taught me more about hard work, discipline, and even faith, than Lee's autobiography. If I were stranded on a desert island and could only have one book; this would be the book!
Beyond the greatness of this man and his book, 100% of all profits from this book's sales went, and goes, to diabetes research...All this before millionaires did this sort of thing as a marketing tool.
Beyond the greatness of this man and his book, 100% of all profits from this book's sales went, and goes, to diabetes research...All this before millionaires did this sort of thing as a marketing tool.
April 7, 2019
This is an excellent and insightful autobiography by Lee Iacocca, the man who was a president at Ford Motor Company and, later, at Chrysler Motors. The book describes the workings of the auto industry, covering its advantages and disadvantages. It details the politics and external influences that affect the industry.
In addition, Lee Iacocca is a charismatic, business-savvy leader who cuts through the office nonsense and prioritises his family above all else. His lessons and decisions that helped Ford and Chrysler to flourish under his leadership provide a foundation... (if you like to read my full review please visit my blog https://leadersarereaders.blog/iacocc...)
In addition, Lee Iacocca is a charismatic, business-savvy leader who cuts through the office nonsense and prioritises his family above all else. His lessons and decisions that helped Ford and Chrysler to flourish under his leadership provide a foundation... (if you like to read my full review please visit my blog https://leadersarereaders.blog/iacocc...)
May 28, 2022
Great insight into the world of mid 20th century American Industry (especially the Auto sector) and labour/industry interplay
April 4, 2024
Ondanks de droge materie over de economische, politieke en sociale invloeden binnen de autoindustrie heerste er toch een constante spanning doorheen het verhaal van Iacocca. Een levensverhaal waarbij Iacocca in sneltempo van student naar president bij Ford groeit om daarna tegen alle verwachting in ontslagen te worden door de CEO van Ford en ten slotte na deze enorme tegenslag beslist om als nieuwe CEO Chrysler te redden van faillissement zorgt tijdens het lezen voor de ene verbazing na de andere. De les die Iacocca met zijn biografie wou duidelijk maken en ook mooi wordt samenvat in zijn epiloog is deze: “work hard, seize the opportunities, you can become as great as you want to be”. Als dat geen mooie motivatie is :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2019
An American automotive icon
As both a former owner of a classic Mustang (1967) and the current owner of a Chrysler 300 (2007), I have plenty of reason to respect and appreciate Mr. Iacocca, and it was with considerable sadness that I heard of his passing earlier this year. And after reading this bestselling autobiography of his, I respect and admire Lee just that much more. Being a 25 year-old book, a good bit of the material is now outdated (especially the alarmism about then-seemingly omnipotent Japan), and I don’t agree with all the political views espoused within (especially the praise of FDR, blecchh), but nonetheless, I found the book to be thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking.
R.I.P. and God bless, Lee Iacocca, gone but definitely not forgotten.
RANDOM STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS:
—“The chapter ‘Making America Great Again’ drew more comments than any other because it touched a raw nerve.” Oh, the irony...
“Wherever I go, people always ask me the same questions. How did you get to be successful? Why did Henry Ford fire you? How did you turn Chrysler around? I’ve never had a good quick answer to these questions, so I’ve slipped into the habit of saying: “l’When I write my book, you’ll find out.’ Over the years, I’ve repeated that phrase so often that I’ve come to believe my own words. In the end, I had no choice but to write the book I’ve been talking about for so long.” Haha, reminds me of the folks who encouraged both me and my Dad to write our memoirs.
“Henry Ford made my kids suffer, and for that I’ll never forgive him.” Ouch!
“Being fired at Ford was bad enough. But going down with the ship at Chrysler was more than I deserved. Fortunately, Chrysler recovered from its brush with death. Today I’m a hero. But strangely enough, it’s all because of that moment of truth at the warehouse. With determination, with luck, and with help from lots of good people, I was able to rise up from the ashes. Now let me tell you my story.”
“It took me a number of years to fully understand why I had to make a good confession to a priest before I went to Holy Communion, but in my teens I began to appreciate the importance of this most misunderstood rite of the Catholic Church.” [emphasis added] Dominus Vobiscum, Lee!
“Even at age nine I was allowed to swig a little—as long as I did it at home under strict supervision. Maybe that’s why I never got pig-drunk in high school and college. In our house alcohol (usually homemade red wine) was accepted as part of life—but always in moderation.” Good on Lee’s parents, they raised him right!
But to think that someday you’ll be a trendsetter is no comfort for a nine-year-old kid.” Ain’t that the frickin’ truth!
“I’m constantly amazed by the number of people who can’t seem to control their own schedules. Over the years, I’ve had many executives come to me and say with pride: ‘Boy, last year I worked so hard that I didn’t take any vacation.’ It’s actually nothing to be proud of. I always feel like responding: ‘You dummy. You mean to tell me that you can take responsibility for an $ 80 million project and you can’t plan two weeks out of the year to go off with your family and have some fun?’” Amen! You gotta know how to manage your time to find that proper work-life balance!
—p. 44: “Robert McNamara was noticeably different from the other Whiz Kids and also from his fellow executives at Ford. Many people thought he lacked warmth, and I guess he did project a degree of coolness.” That explains a lot about that Vietnam War-mismanaging A-hole, I reckon.
—p. 45: “It was a valuable lesson, and I’ve followed his lead ever since. Whenever one of my people has an idea, I ask him to lay it out in writing. I don’t want anybody to sell me on a plan just by the melodiousness of his voice or force of personality. You really can’t afford that.”
—p. 46: “McNamara was the quintessential bean counter, and he epitomized both the strengths and weaknesses of the breed.”
—p. 50: “a few basic questions: ‘What are your objectives for the next ninety days? What are your plans, your priorities, your hopes? And how do you intend to go about achieving them?’”
—p. 52: “Every company has lost good people who have simply been in the wrong job and who might have found more satisfaction as well as greater success if they could have been moved to another area instead of being fired.”
As both a former owner of a classic Mustang (1967) and the current owner of a Chrysler 300 (2007), I have plenty of reason to respect and appreciate Mr. Iacocca, and it was with considerable sadness that I heard of his passing earlier this year. And after reading this bestselling autobiography of his, I respect and admire Lee just that much more. Being a 25 year-old book, a good bit of the material is now outdated (especially the alarmism about then-seemingly omnipotent Japan), and I don’t agree with all the political views espoused within (especially the praise of FDR, blecchh), but nonetheless, I found the book to be thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking.
R.I.P. and God bless, Lee Iacocca, gone but definitely not forgotten.
RANDOM STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS:
—“The chapter ‘Making America Great Again’ drew more comments than any other because it touched a raw nerve.” Oh, the irony...
“Wherever I go, people always ask me the same questions. How did you get to be successful? Why did Henry Ford fire you? How did you turn Chrysler around? I’ve never had a good quick answer to these questions, so I’ve slipped into the habit of saying: “l’When I write my book, you’ll find out.’ Over the years, I’ve repeated that phrase so often that I’ve come to believe my own words. In the end, I had no choice but to write the book I’ve been talking about for so long.” Haha, reminds me of the folks who encouraged both me and my Dad to write our memoirs.
“Henry Ford made my kids suffer, and for that I’ll never forgive him.” Ouch!
“Being fired at Ford was bad enough. But going down with the ship at Chrysler was more than I deserved. Fortunately, Chrysler recovered from its brush with death. Today I’m a hero. But strangely enough, it’s all because of that moment of truth at the warehouse. With determination, with luck, and with help from lots of good people, I was able to rise up from the ashes. Now let me tell you my story.”
“It took me a number of years to fully understand why I had to make a good confession to a priest before I went to Holy Communion, but in my teens I began to appreciate the importance of this most misunderstood rite of the Catholic Church.” [emphasis added] Dominus Vobiscum, Lee!
“Even at age nine I was allowed to swig a little—as long as I did it at home under strict supervision. Maybe that’s why I never got pig-drunk in high school and college. In our house alcohol (usually homemade red wine) was accepted as part of life—but always in moderation.” Good on Lee’s parents, they raised him right!
But to think that someday you’ll be a trendsetter is no comfort for a nine-year-old kid.” Ain’t that the frickin’ truth!
“I’m constantly amazed by the number of people who can’t seem to control their own schedules. Over the years, I’ve had many executives come to me and say with pride: ‘Boy, last year I worked so hard that I didn’t take any vacation.’ It’s actually nothing to be proud of. I always feel like responding: ‘You dummy. You mean to tell me that you can take responsibility for an $ 80 million project and you can’t plan two weeks out of the year to go off with your family and have some fun?’” Amen! You gotta know how to manage your time to find that proper work-life balance!
—p. 44: “Robert McNamara was noticeably different from the other Whiz Kids and also from his fellow executives at Ford. Many people thought he lacked warmth, and I guess he did project a degree of coolness.” That explains a lot about that Vietnam War-mismanaging A-hole, I reckon.
—p. 45: “It was a valuable lesson, and I’ve followed his lead ever since. Whenever one of my people has an idea, I ask him to lay it out in writing. I don’t want anybody to sell me on a plan just by the melodiousness of his voice or force of personality. You really can’t afford that.”
—p. 46: “McNamara was the quintessential bean counter, and he epitomized both the strengths and weaknesses of the breed.”
—p. 50: “a few basic questions: ‘What are your objectives for the next ninety days? What are your plans, your priorities, your hopes? And how do you intend to go about achieving them?’”
—p. 52: “Every company has lost good people who have simply been in the wrong job and who might have found more satisfaction as well as greater success if they could have been moved to another area instead of being fired.”
July 26, 2020
Well deserving of its mantle as a management classic! Iacocca goes through the whirlwinds of success and blowdowns he endured over his careers at Ford and Chrysler, intertwining his personal experiences with management mantras. He goes into various aspects of what it took to make business at Ford function and the very little that it took to break it all down. He then repeats the exact same theme with Chrysler but in vice versa. These pieces of Gyan feel so common sense that it's easy to breeze through them without internalizing it. My dad did mention to me that this would happen so I did consciously stop and dream a little about hard it was to do what Iacocca did back them.
This book was definitely written for the previous generation in material but not manner. Politics in management, impact fluctuating oil prices, federal bailouts, union problems, etc. all while being referred to in the industrial boom of the 90's seem slightly anachronistic. But the implications on business and the psychology of it all are so gripping making the Iacocca story feel as real as he makes it sound.
An inspiring read!
This book was definitely written for the previous generation in material but not manner. Politics in management, impact fluctuating oil prices, federal bailouts, union problems, etc. all while being referred to in the industrial boom of the 90's seem slightly anachronistic. But the implications on business and the psychology of it all are so gripping making the Iacocca story feel as real as he makes it sound.
An inspiring read!
July 3, 2011
Lee Iacocca wrote this book while he was still seen as one of the most successful managers in American automotive history, after he had switched from working for Ford to become CEO of the ailing Chrysler, and had managed to rescue it (temporarily, as it turned out) from foreign takeover. In some ways, now that his light has faded a bit, it may be easier to see this book as being useful for its advice on management from a flawed but gung-ho manager, rather than as an ego document of one man’s life. One thing that will always stay with me from this book is Iacocca’s “kiss of death” line (page 61): “Now there’s one phrase that I hate to see on any executive’s evaluation… ‘He has trouble getting along with other people.’ …I always think ‘He can’t get along with people? Then he has a real problem, because that’s all we’ve got around here. No dogs, no apes – only people.’” Throughout the book, Iacocca emphasizes the importance of working with people, of looking at their strengths, of giving them the opportunity to live up to their potential. This is what he saw as the secret to his success, his ability to put people in the positions where they could do the most satisfying work for themselves, and thus strengthen the organization, and this is the most valuable lesson of the book.
Where the book is weaker, is Iacocca's many efforts to justify himself and deride his detractors. Hesounds like a disgruntled ex-employee whenever he talks about Henry Ford, Jr. He does convey the sense of having felt deeply hurt and betrayed by Ford and other Ford Motors execs when he was fired - and that's a legitimate reflection on his own experience, but when he describes Ford's character and actions, he comes out sounding distinctly bitter and biased. A bit better, although also biased, is some of his discussion of economics. Iacocca was somewhat rare in the business world for being in favor of government regulation and bailouts (Chrysler wouldn't have survived the 80s without one). He comes from a working-class immigrant family, and, while far from a radical, trends a bit more to the Left than others of his profession. He makes some good points about ideological libertarianism and its weaknesses, but one can't help seeing some of his interpretations here as also self-serving. Overall, the book is far from perfect, but not a waste of time either.
Where the book is weaker, is Iacocca's many efforts to justify himself and deride his detractors. Hesounds like a disgruntled ex-employee whenever he talks about Henry Ford, Jr. He does convey the sense of having felt deeply hurt and betrayed by Ford and other Ford Motors execs when he was fired - and that's a legitimate reflection on his own experience, but when he describes Ford's character and actions, he comes out sounding distinctly bitter and biased. A bit better, although also biased, is some of his discussion of economics. Iacocca was somewhat rare in the business world for being in favor of government regulation and bailouts (Chrysler wouldn't have survived the 80s without one). He comes from a working-class immigrant family, and, while far from a radical, trends a bit more to the Left than others of his profession. He makes some good points about ideological libertarianism and its weaknesses, but one can't help seeing some of his interpretations here as also self-serving. Overall, the book is far from perfect, but not a waste of time either.
October 15, 2015
Книга входит в список 99 книг рекомендованных Personal MBA, поэтому я решил ее прочитать.
Книга рассказывает о биографии одного из выдающихся деятелей в автомобильной индустрии Ли Якокка, по руководством которого было выпущено много успешных моделей: Мустанг, Фиеста у Форд, а также нескольких популярных моделей у Крайслера.
В книге описывается период обучения автора, приход в компанию Форд стажем инженера, перевод в отдел сбыта и далее его карьерный рост и "приключения". В книге очень подробно освещён процесс предоставления гарантированных займов компании крайслер правительством США. А конце книги приведены мысли автора по важным темам в автомобильной индустрии в 80-х годах.
Моё отношение:Следует сразу отметить, что у меня были высокие ожидания, мне казалось, что книга откроет какую то тайну успешных менеджеров. В итоге я не получил чего хотел. это просто биография без намека на глубокое осмысление процессов. Просто все случалось. Просто назначили на должность. Просто выпустили новую модель и т.д.
Для меня самые интересные моменты в книге-цитаты отца и описание как Ли пришёл к высокому посту.
интересующимся менеджментом могу рекомендовать только первую половину книги.
Книга рассказывает о биографии одного из выдающихся деятелей в автомобильной индустрии Ли Якокка, по руководством которого было выпущено много успешных моделей: Мустанг, Фиеста у Форд, а также нескольких популярных моделей у Крайслера.
В книге описывается период обучения автора, приход в компанию Форд стажем инженера, перевод в отдел сбыта и далее его карьерный рост и "приключения". В книге очень подробно освещён процесс предоставления гарантированных займов компании крайслер правительством США. А конце книги приведены мысли автора по важным темам в автомобильной индустрии в 80-х годах.
Моё отношение:Следует сразу отметить, что у меня были высокие ожидания, мне казалось, что книга откроет какую то тайну успешных менеджеров. В итоге я не получил чего хотел. это просто биография без намека на глубокое осмысление процессов. Просто все случалось. Просто назначили на должность. Просто выпустили новую модель и т.д.
Для меня самые интересные моменты в книге-цитаты отца и описание как Ли пришёл к высокому посту.
интересующимся менеджментом могу рекомендовать только первую половину книги.
May 2, 2020
Lee Iacocca's autobiography was excellent. His discussion of making Ford and Chrysler successful is just one part. Mr. Iacocca is truly a visionary who see the silver lining on each dark cloud and who is an eternal optimist.
What is most striking about the book and really hits you hard is the chapter "Making America Great Again". Honestly this book could have been co-authored by Donald Trump. But more to the point you are seeing great Americans who love their country sorting things out so that they progeny can live a better life than they had. This view is the future of America and is ingrained in our DNA.
I believe the real message of the book is this: America is truly the land of opportunity so don't waste it, just get out there and do something that makes a difference.
What is most striking about the book and really hits you hard is the chapter "Making America Great Again". Honestly this book could have been co-authored by Donald Trump. But more to the point you are seeing great Americans who love their country sorting things out so that they progeny can live a better life than they had. This view is the future of America and is ingrained in our DNA.
I believe the real message of the book is this: America is truly the land of opportunity so don't waste it, just get out there and do something that makes a difference.
September 30, 2015
Lee Iacocca is a compelling and an easy to read book.Even though this was written almost 30 years back,this provides a window to the auto industry in a manner which is relevant even today.Fired at the age of 54 by Henry Ford,after serving the presidency for 8 years,Iacocca doesn't sit back and play golf.He joins Chrysler,revives it and brings it back from the brink of bankruptcy.The father of Mustang and one of the greatest CEO of all times is a man who believes in working hard and being straight forward.No wonder he is considered an American legend :)
December 30, 2020
This very successful autobiography written by Lee Iacocca with William Novak and published in 1984 was the best-selling non-fiction hardcover book of 1984 and 1985. In it Iacocca looks back on his life and his career in the automobile industry in the seventies and eighties, first at Ford Motors and then later at the Chrysler Corporation.
The book is divided into three parts.
In the first he writes about his life growing up as a member of an Italian immigrant family, his experiences at school and college and his first job in the auto industry with The Ford Motor Company beginning his time there in the training program.
In the second section, he describes his time at Ford, beginning in the sales division and working his way through the ranks to become head of sales in 1960. He describes his role with the team developing the Ford Mustang one of the most popular cars of all time, his rise through the ranks of the organization helping make Ford become the number two US auto maker and his relationships with Henry Ford II and Robert McNamara. When his relationship with Ford soured, Iacocca resigned (or was fired) from the company and moved on quickly to the Chrysler Corporation to become President and CEO within a year. The company was in huge trouble and all eyes were on him to see what he would do. Complicating matters further was the energy crisis and the recession that followed which pushed Chrysler further to the brink of collapse.
In the third section, Iacocca focuses on the onerous task he inherited trying to save Chrysler from bankruptcy. He totally reorganized the company, rooted out waste and incompetence and made it more efficient, a process which led to hundreds of layoffs. He then lobbied the government to secure a US 1.2 billion-dollar loan guarantee to keep the company going. There was a public outcry against the proposal, with many unhappy the government was propping up a profit-making corporation with tax paid dollars. They felt strongly that corporations should be left to rise and fall on their own merits, not bailed out by government. But Iacocca put forth a number convincing arguments to sell his plan, describing it as low risk and in the government’s best interest. The government agreed on the condition Iacocca transformed the company to be profitable and increase the fuel economy of its cars. In the end, Iacocca was proved right. By 1983 Chrysler was profitable again and the loan was paid back in full, earlier than expected, with the government making a considerable amount on the interest. For those opposed to the deal, the arguments Iacocca put forth to secure the loan are fascinating reading and many who were initially against it, may find themselves on the other side of the argument.
In the final section titled “Straight Talk", Iacocca shares his views on a number of subjects including the use of seat belts, the high cost of labour, free versus fair trade, currency manipulation (his focus is on Japan), the challenge the Japanese pose to the automobile market and the need for other countries to increase their defense spending to ensure a free world.
In this forthright and candid account of his career, Iacocca also includes his views on leadership and his opinion on what makes a good leader. It is a book about business but not written in the style of most business books which lay out a series of steps to take and principles to follow. Instead, Iacocca has integrated it all into his life story, adapting a format which makes it a much easier and enjoyable to read.
The book is divided into three parts.
In the first he writes about his life growing up as a member of an Italian immigrant family, his experiences at school and college and his first job in the auto industry with The Ford Motor Company beginning his time there in the training program.
In the second section, he describes his time at Ford, beginning in the sales division and working his way through the ranks to become head of sales in 1960. He describes his role with the team developing the Ford Mustang one of the most popular cars of all time, his rise through the ranks of the organization helping make Ford become the number two US auto maker and his relationships with Henry Ford II and Robert McNamara. When his relationship with Ford soured, Iacocca resigned (or was fired) from the company and moved on quickly to the Chrysler Corporation to become President and CEO within a year. The company was in huge trouble and all eyes were on him to see what he would do. Complicating matters further was the energy crisis and the recession that followed which pushed Chrysler further to the brink of collapse.
In the third section, Iacocca focuses on the onerous task he inherited trying to save Chrysler from bankruptcy. He totally reorganized the company, rooted out waste and incompetence and made it more efficient, a process which led to hundreds of layoffs. He then lobbied the government to secure a US 1.2 billion-dollar loan guarantee to keep the company going. There was a public outcry against the proposal, with many unhappy the government was propping up a profit-making corporation with tax paid dollars. They felt strongly that corporations should be left to rise and fall on their own merits, not bailed out by government. But Iacocca put forth a number convincing arguments to sell his plan, describing it as low risk and in the government’s best interest. The government agreed on the condition Iacocca transformed the company to be profitable and increase the fuel economy of its cars. In the end, Iacocca was proved right. By 1983 Chrysler was profitable again and the loan was paid back in full, earlier than expected, with the government making a considerable amount on the interest. For those opposed to the deal, the arguments Iacocca put forth to secure the loan are fascinating reading and many who were initially against it, may find themselves on the other side of the argument.
In the final section titled “Straight Talk", Iacocca shares his views on a number of subjects including the use of seat belts, the high cost of labour, free versus fair trade, currency manipulation (his focus is on Japan), the challenge the Japanese pose to the automobile market and the need for other countries to increase their defense spending to ensure a free world.
In this forthright and candid account of his career, Iacocca also includes his views on leadership and his opinion on what makes a good leader. It is a book about business but not written in the style of most business books which lay out a series of steps to take and principles to follow. Instead, Iacocca has integrated it all into his life story, adapting a format which makes it a much easier and enjoyable to read.
August 2, 2017
I picked up this book because it was referred to on several episodes of the show The Office. So I was intrigued. Lee Iacocca's life and successes were amazing. His success story is so full of great advice and common sense approach that you can't help but try and find a way to incorporate them into your life.
He is known as the father of the Mustang and the savior of Chrysler. Though having been a great president at both companies, he was famously fired from Ford. What was most fascinating was how into detail he went into his firing and the corporate world that was the Ford Motor Company in the late 70's under Henry Ford Jr. I couldn't help but think that a book like this couldn't be written today due to all the confidentiality clauses that today's companies push on their workers.
Most of the book was awesome, but the last three chapters seemed a little superfluous and dated. He pretty much predicted the demise of the middle class and he rants about it for those two chapters.
I recommend this book because his straight talk is very refreshing and his success as a businessman is inspiring. Any supervisor/manager will find his managerial advise worth the read.
He is known as the father of the Mustang and the savior of Chrysler. Though having been a great president at both companies, he was famously fired from Ford. What was most fascinating was how into detail he went into his firing and the corporate world that was the Ford Motor Company in the late 70's under Henry Ford Jr. I couldn't help but think that a book like this couldn't be written today due to all the confidentiality clauses that today's companies push on their workers.
Most of the book was awesome, but the last three chapters seemed a little superfluous and dated. He pretty much predicted the demise of the middle class and he rants about it for those two chapters.
I recommend this book because his straight talk is very refreshing and his success as a businessman is inspiring. Any supervisor/manager will find his managerial advise worth the read.
November 5, 2025
First autobiography I’ve ever read? It was a good read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Interesting, I only read this book because it is mentioned in NBC’s The Office..
The story of a salesman who rose through the ranks to become the president of Ford, was fired by Henry Ford II, and then became the president of Chrysler (bringing it back from the brink). The book could do without the last few chapters though where he gets away from autobiography and goes into his views on a variety of things.
The story of a salesman who rose through the ranks to become the president of Ford, was fired by Henry Ford II, and then became the president of Chrysler (bringing it back from the brink). The book could do without the last few chapters though where he gets away from autobiography and goes into his views on a variety of things.
April 4, 2025
I typically do not enjoy autobiographies from business leaders, but this one is definitely an exception. The main reason is how direct Lee is, no BS, just facts shaped in fun stories (especially Chrysler part) and his life principles shaped in actual decisions he made and rationale to highlight why he did what he did. I enjoyed the full ride:)
February 7, 2018
Great read! A great leader for sure!
April 2, 2020
very inspirational
September 8, 2021
Great book with some very interesting facts and brilliant management thoughts.
April 3, 2024
A good book in that good books make you feel a lot. Unfortunately, my lasting feeling is that I am not a fan of Lee Iacocca
March 5, 2019
Wonderful book about the legendary, the Man behind those classic stories of epic cars and their birth. So many lessons can be learned from this man’s life.
November 19, 2024
Quotes
Like many native Italians, my parents were very open with their feelings and their love—not only at home, but also in public. Most of my friends would never hug their fathers. I guess they were afraid of not appearing strong and independent. But I hugged and kissed my dad at every opportunity—nothing could have felt more natural.
Bad times are indelible—they stay with you forever.
No matter how I’m doing financially, the Depression has never disappeared from my consciousness. To this day, I hate waste. When neckties went from narrow to wide, I kept all my old ones until the style went back to narrow.
They say that people vote with their pocketbooks, and certainly my father’s political views shifted along with his income. When we were poor, we were Democrats. The Democrats, as everybody knew, were the party of the common man. They believed that if you were willing to work hard and not be a deadbeat, you should be able to feed your family and educate your kids.
But when times were good—before the Depression and then again when it was finally over—we were Republicans. After all, we had worked hard for our money and we deserved to hold on to it.
“You’ve got to accept a little sorrow in life,”
“Pop, slow down. Golf is a game of walking!”
But that was my father for you. He always preached: “Why walk when you can run?”
But I always kept in mind my father’s warning: “If he’s bigger than you are, don’t fight back. Use your head instead of your fists.”
To sum up: nothing stands still in this world. I like to go duck hunting, where constant movement and change are facts of life. You can aim at a duck and get it in your sights, but the duck is always moving. In order to hit the duck, you have to move your gun. But a committee faced with a major decision can’t always move as quickly as the events it’s trying to respond to. By the time the committee is ready to shoot, the duck has flown away.
Or, as Charlie Beacham used to say, “If you want to give a man credit, put it in writing. If you want to give him hell, do it on the phone.”
In the first two years alone, the Mustang generated net profits of $1.1 billion. And that’s in 1964 dollars!
“Henry Ford [the first] once said that history is bunk. But today, Bunkie is history.”
When I became president, the Ford Motor Company had approximately 432,000 employees. Our total payroll came to more than $3.5 billion. In North America alone, we were building close to 2.5 million cars a year and 750,000 trucks.
But Henry’s standard meal was a hamburger.
One day Henry ordered me to fire a certain executive who was, in his judgment, “a fag.”
“Don’t be silly,” I said. “The guy’s a good pal of mine. He’s married and has a kid. We have dinner together.”
“Get rid of him,” Henry repeated. “He’s a fag.”
“What are you talking about?” I said.
“Look at him. His pants are too tight.”
“Henry,” I said calmly, “what the hell do the guy’s pants have to do with anything?”
“He’s queer,” said Henry. “He’s got an effeminate bearing. Get rid of him.”
Early in my presidency, Henry told me his management philosophy. “If a guy works for you,” he said, “don’t let him get too comfortable. Don’t let him get cozy or set in his ways. Always do the opposite of what he expects. Keep your people anxious and off-balance.”
Maybe that’s why he seemed to feel so threatened. And why he was always on the lookout for palace revolts. He’d see two guys talking together in the hall, and right away—they must be planning a conspiracy!
I don’t want to play psychiatrist here, but I had a theory about where his fears came from. When Henry was young, his grandfather was fanatically frightened of kidnappers. Those kids grew up with locked gates and bodyguards, wary of everyone who wasn’t part of their immediate family.
He lived by his grandfather’s motto: “History is bunk.” It became an obsession with him. His attitude was: destroy everything you can.
“I don’t know about that,” said Henry. “He’s got a limousine company. Limousine and trucking companies are always Mafia fronts.”
“Are you kidding?” I said. “If he’s involved with the Mafia, why is he losing so much money?” That line didn’t seem to register, so I took another tack. I reminded Henry that it was Bill Fugazy who had arranged for Pope Paul to ride in a Lincoln instead of a Cadillac when the Pope came to New York.
justice will prevail
I’ll take the rap.
What the public hasn’t always realized was that Ford didn’t make his offer to the workers out of any great generosity or compassion. It wasn’t their standard of living he cared about. Henry Ford never hid his real reason for the $5.00 day: he wanted his workers to earn enough so that they could eventually buy their own cars. In other words, Henry Ford was creating a middle class. He realized that the industry—and therefore the Ford Motor Company—could only be truly successful if its cars appealed to the workingman as well as the wealthy.
On November 2, 1978, the Detroit Free Press carried two headlines: CHRYSLER LOSSES ARE WORST EVER, and LEE IACOCCA JOINS CHRYSLER. Great timing! The day I came aboard, the company had announced a third-quarter loss of almost $160 million, the worst deficit in its history. “Oh, well,” I thought, “from here things can only get better.” Despite the huge losses, Chrysler’s stock closed up three eighths that day, which I took as a vote of confidence in my new administration. Ha, ha!
Industrial spying in the auto business is something that the press enjoys talking about—and occasionally indulging in. Spying had sometimes been a problem at Ford. One day in the early 1970s, a friend of mine from Chrysler showed me a packet of confidential materials from Ford that one of his people had purchased from one of ours. I showed the papers to Henry, who got very upset. He tried to put in a system to see how deep this spying and industrial espionage really went and to determine what, if anything, we could do about it.
Building cars had become a gigantic guessing game. It had nothing to do with a customer ordering what he wanted on the car, or a dealer ordering what the customer was likely to ask for. Instead, it was some guy in the zone office saying: “I’ll put power steering on this one and automatic transmission on that one. I’ll make a thousand blues and a thousand greens.” If a customer wanted red, too bad!
In the end, all business operations can be reduced to three words: people, product, and profits. People come first. Unless you’ve got a good team, you can’t do much with the other two.
Cars are very complex machines, more so each year. Take air conditioning, for example. If you’re paying an extra $700 to keep cool in the summer, you want your money’s worth. Whoever designs the air-conditioning system has to remember: it’s no good if it takes 30 minutes to cool down the car, because most trips are over by then. So you need to install high-speed blowers. But they can’t be too noisy, because the guy driving the car wants to listen to his $300 stereo while the air conditioning is on. The air-conditioning guy can’t say: “That’s not my problem. I just want to cool him down.” He’s got to integrate his part into the total system of the car.
Once I had my team in place, I was confident that Chrysler’s recovery would only be a matter of time. But then I hadn’t counted on the economy to fall apart. And I certainly hadn’t counted on Iran. As it turned out, neither had Jimmy Carter.
We’d suspended all merit pay increases.
And he knew we weren’t crying wolf.
If everybody is suffering equally, you can move a mountain. But
fox into the henhouse.
That’s obsolete thinking. I want labor to understand the inner workings of the company. The old days are gone for good. Some people don’t believe it, but they’ll find out soon enough. America’s economic future depends upon increased cooperation among government, union, and management. Only by working together can we take on the world market.
At Chrysler, the K-car was the last train in the station. If we failed here, it was all over.
The way things are going, by the year 2000 there will be only two fighters in the ring anyway: GM and Japan, Inc. A merger between Ford and Chrysler is probably the single most dramatic action that could be taken to strengthen the American automotive industry vis-à-vis the Japanese.
At Chrysler we generally spend about $50 million a day. To be down to our last $1 million was absurd. It was like having a buck and a half in your checking account. In the car business, $1 million is like the spare change you keep in your top drawer.
“If you can find a better Bourbon, drink it,” or a letter that said: “If you can find a better lemon, suck it!”
After the firing, Mary was really a tower of strength. She knew I wanted to stay in the auto business, and she encouraged me to go to Chrysler—if that was what I wanted. “The Lord makes everything turn out for the best,” she said. “Maybe being fired from Ford is the best thing that ever happened to you.”
On the whole, we Americans are good drivers. And compared to drivers in other countries, we’re terrific. Although far too many people are killed each year on roads and highways, our traffic-death rate of 3.15 per 100 million vehicle miles is the lowest in the world.
I don’t pretend to be an expert on driving. But I do know a few things about cars. And I want to explain why seat belts—and not air bags—are the key to reducing traffic fatalities in the United States.
In this respect, at least, the cynics were right: if you stress safety, the customer starts to think about having an accident, which is the last thing in the world he wants to consider. He instinctively says: “Forget it. I’ll never be in an accident. My neighbor might, but not me.”
Back in 1914 the first Henry Ford decided to pay his workers $5.00 a day and created a middle class in the process. He had the right idea, for unless the working people of this country are making a good living, we’ll be wishing away our middle class. The cement in our whole democracy today is the worker who makes $15 an hour. He’s the guy who will buy a house and a car and a refrigerator. He’s the oil in the engine.
The mass media tend to focus on the very rich and the very poor, but it’s the middle class that gives us stability and keeps the economy rolling. As long as a guy is making enough money to meet his mortgage payments, eat fairly well, drive a car, send his kid to college, and go out with his wife once a week for dinner and a show, he’s satisfied. And if the middle class is content, we’ll never have a civil war or a revolution.
Another Japanese advantage is that their taxes are the lowest of any industrial country in the world. And one reason they can afford such low taxes is that they don’t spend very much on defense. Ever since the end of World War II, we’ve taken care of that burden for them. After they surrendered, we said to them, “Listen, you guys, stop making arms. You can see where that got you. Don’t worry, we’ll defend your country for you. We want you to start making some nice, peaceful things for a change—like cars. We’ll even show you how. The people in Detroit will give you a hand!”
But how do you compete with a country that is spending only $80 annually per citizen on defense when we’re spending more than ten times as much? While we’re busy protecting both countries, the Japanese are free to spend theirmoney on research and development.
Question: What do you call a country that exports raw materials and imports finished goods?
Answer: A colony.
MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN
I guess my attitude toward an industrial policy is the same as Abraham Lincoln’s when somebody told him that Ulysses S. Grant got drunk a lot. Lincoln said: “Find out what kind of whiskey he drinks and send it to my other generals.”
Of the ten largest corporate mergers in U.S. history, nine have taken place during the Reagan administration. One of the biggest involved U.S. Steel. While protected by trigger prices (which cost us $100 more per car to buy American steel), U.S. Steel paid $4.3 billion to buy Marathon Oil. Most of that money was borrowed. It should have been used to buy modern basic oxygen furnaces and continuous casters to compete with the Japanese.
Above all, he was pragmatic. When he was confronted by big problems, he did something—and that always takes more courage than doing nothing. Roosevelt did not attack the problems of the Depression with charts and graphs, with Laffer curves, or with Harvard Business School theories. He took concrete action. He was always willing to try something new. And if that didn’t work, he was willing to try something else.
We are, after all, a resourceful people in a nation that has been blessed with abundance. With direction, leadership, and the support of the American people, we can’t miss. I’m convinced that this country can once again be that bright and shining symbol of power and freedom—challenged by none and envied by all.
September 30, 2018
I read this in the 1980's when Iacocca was at the height of his power, having rescued Chrysler from the brink of bankruptcy. I reread it within the last decade when Chrysler had to be bailed out by the government, yet again. Iacocca isn't braggadocios about his miraculous rise in Ford, having invented the Mustang, and his crash in an ugly power struggle in the late 70's. He didn't get mad, he got even, going to work for weak competitor Chrysler and putting them back on top. It's part historical look at what it was like to come up under ruthless Henry Ford, part management strategy on how to run a major corporation, and part the story of the modern labor union, the high cost of business, and the legislation behind seatbelts, gas mileage, and foreign competitors. It is good, not great, maybe because I remember watching the story unfold on the nightly news. Worth a look if you are into autobiographies.
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