Iacocca

by David Abodaher

Lee Iacocca embodies the American spirit. He's the straight-talking, wise-cracking businessman who's captured the public imagination with his integrity, courage, and old-fashioned American guts.

As president of Ford and father of the Mustang, Iacocca's been a force to be reckoned with in the car industry for two decades. But it was due to his inexplicable fall from grace with Henry Ford that Iacocca took on the Chrysler challenge. By turning that dying corporation around through sheer will power and pulling in the biggest profits in Chrysler's history, the respected business leader became a modern-day folk hero.

Now David Abodaher, formerly of Kenyou & Eckhardt—Chyrsler's advertising agency—reveals the real story behind a remarkable man. Including material from personal interviews with Iacocca's wife, mother, and sister, and an in-depth account of Henry Ford's own background, this is a fascinating appraisal of the most admired man in America—one whom a great many people would like to see in the White House.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Business

421 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wrote a long review of this book and then lost it. . . argggh!

Definitely enjoyed Abodaher's biography of this man Lee Iacocca whom I've heard lots, but know little, about. His autobiography, or memoirs, have been recommended to me on numerous occasions but for one reason or another I've always passed it by. Now it's on my need to read list!

In painting a portrait of the man who helped bring Ford to life and Chrysler back to life, it necessitates presenting at least a short history of the American automotive industry, which is exactly what Abodaher does. Beginning with the invention of the internal combustion engine and the development of Ford Motor Company, Iacocca's story begins long before young Lido is even born.

What I enjoyed most about this book was not so much learning about Iacocca, though there is obviously heaps to be taken from his leadership style and approach to organizational management, but rather the history of the automotive industry that is so intricately intertwined with Iacocca's life.

A great deal of time is spent explaining, inadvertently, the intimate relationships that were maintained between the Big Three as Detroit came to rise as the Motor City. Competition amongst American automotive companies was fierce but then again so to was the battle against imports. This seems remarkably relevant in today's time as the current bailouts seem to echo the problems faced by Iacocca and the Chrysler Corp only a couple decades ago.

This man's story is truly inspiring and I will certainly enjoying learning more about the man behind the name despite disposing of this mildew filled text!

Long live the American Dream!

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest I have no idea why I own this book, I don't particularly enjoy biographies and I have never had any interest in the car industry. However, while this is not a book I would have generally picked I am glad that I read it. Who would have guessed that one man could have made so many decisions that affected the car industry and how the business is still run. After learning so much about his life I'm actually ashamed that I haven't heard of him before. If I was interested in this line of work I would probably read a few more books about this incredibly successful man.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoy learning something about the past.