High and Mighty: SUVs--The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way

by Keith Bradsher

The Detroit bureau chief of "The New York Times" exposes the dangers posed to the people who drive SUVs and the drivers who must share the road with them, tracing the vehicle's history, environmental impact, and crashworthiness.

Genres: Nonfiction, Urbanism, Politics, Sociology, Environment, Transport, Business

464 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Dasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Bradsher presents a lot of great information in this book. However, it is hindered by a highly repetitive writing style (his introduction repeats his main argument so many times my eyes started glazing over) and an overly detailed writing style at time that draws out an already incredibly long book.

[Chase DuBois · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful and engaging exposition of how political and economic factors — not changing American tastes or needs — were the driving forces behind the rise of the SUV. A particularly good read if you want to know more about how environmental regulations are resisted by corporate interests. Of course, the information is a little old now, but it remains instructive for similar debates that are happening today.

[matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent exposé about the rise of SUVs in America and how policymakers failed to charge consumers for the negative externalities caused by driving them. Perhaps the most interesting takeaway was that, at one point, SUVs were so unique they weren’t even considered to be “cars” at all, they were a category of their own (the author repeatedly wrote “cars and SUVs”). Now, in common parlance, it feels like SUVs have become a subset of “cars” — perhaps an unfavorable change, as it dilutes the definition of cars, which are built entirely differently (on unibody frames versus body-on-frame construction) yielding cars to be far more efficient and safer than larger alternatives.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once more relevant, High and Mighty is still an excellent history of SUVs and their safety (or lack thereof). I'd love to see an update, now that the market is more dominated by unibody models and crossovers.

[Anusha Datar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work of journalism covers the political, economic, and social forces that lead to the rise of the SUV in the United States and more broadly. Bradsher focuses heavily on the regulatory environment that lead to the creation and marketing of SUVs in the first place, and he's careful and thoughtful not to overtly blame consumers for choosing "the wrong vehicle." The book has a strong thesis and Bradsher is unapologetically opinionated, but he mainly lets the stories he tells speak for themselves.

One thing I have to give the author a ton of credit for is how prescient this book is given that he wrote it back in 2002. That being said, his prediction about gas prices staying low was not the case, and we've seen slight variations from the trends he noticed twenty years ago. I'd love to get his perspective now on future trends in the vehicle industry and what political and economic forces are driving them.

The experience of reading this book was kind of a slog - it's quite repetitive and a bit pedantic. Regardless, rounding up to four stars for a nicely-argued thesis and a nice first-principles breakdown of how we got here.

[Charles Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only Bradsher were to write a sequel to this even handed yet all-too accurate book. High and Mighty is a genius book that implicates the auto industry for knowingly and intentionally endangering the lives of virtually every American for the sake of profit. Its data is outdated now, but the problem has only gotten worse. I recommend anyone regardless of their personal opinions about cars to read this book. Bradsher is a convincing and entertaining historian, social critic, and journalist.

[Nat Zorach · Rating 5 out of 5]

A critique of the auto industry that looks oddly prescient in retrospect.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too long, cheesily biased at points, but informative.

[Arden Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read. F*** SUVs and the federal regulations that let them thrive.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I'm in the market for a car, and reading this book was sort-of an eye opener. Bradsher indicts SUV's for a host of crimes, but I can't imagine his case converting many who didn't agree with his charges prior to reading this book. You might want to file "High and Mighty" in the "preaching to the choir" section with "Fast Food Nation" and "Earth in the Balance".
That being said, it is a well researched, informative book. Bradsher isn't afraid to criticize the environmental movement, which he believes was co-opted by the sophisticated marketing of the auto industry. His chapters on the history and development of the SUV are first rate. Also interesting was his thorough documentation of the POSITIVE effect the SUV has had on communities in the United States where these behemoths are built. These descriptions, coupled with a tendency for Bradsher to assert harms in the future tense, combine to diminish the strength of his over all argument: that SUV's are baaaaaaaaad.

One thing is for certain: SUV's benefited from a series of regulatory loopholes designed to benefit "light trucks". The very existence of these loopholes are detrimental to the safety and health of American drivers, and action should be take to amend them forthwith.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned a lot about cars, suv's, etc. I learned about crumple zones, the origin of SUV's-which was interesting.

However, a lot of the book seemed to just self-aggradize the author on his supposid ethics-vs lawmakers, the auto makers, etc. Plus, the author wrote under the assumption that the economy would keep rolling along and gas prices would stay low forever, causing consumers not to worry about the cost of fuel-(which time would prove both wrong). The author didn't seem to study historic, economic trends which disproved this theory. He also seemed to hate the automakers, almost disregarding or paying scant attention to the fact they we're not only providing American jobs, but we're making their vehicles safer and more efficient.

[Bob Belanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a scary book about the auto industry. A few ago a massive tire recall took place because tire's were being blown out on SUV'S. This book covers that recall & myths about large vehicles. Most folks think bigger & better vehicles are safer. Suv's are more dangerous to passagers & other motorist due to size,weight and center of gravity.

Before you buy your next vehicle read this book!!!!

[Meg]

Listen - I'm generally more annoyed at the huge trucks but damn, I'm surrounded by SUVs. I don't know how the last 20 years that followed this book went wrt fuel efficiency and safety but somehow I don't imagine too much is better.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reporter really did his homework. Very readable and tells you a lot about the auto industry. Highly recommended.

[Robert J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book not only explains how SUVs waste precious resources, but are the most dangerous vehicles on the road, yet are the most profitable for Detroit to build

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son recommended this. It was a shock to me learn how dangerous SUVs are to everyone else on the road, and even to their own passengers and drivers.

[Barb Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sounds so dry and was so interesting. Really changes the way you see not only SUVS but family cars and safety features.

[Ryan Salchert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, too bad it didn't get more coverage on first release.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative if a bit repetitive. Full of fascinating history