Featuring three hundred archival color and black-and-white photographs, the companion volume to the PBS documentary chronicles the development of the American automobile, with contributions by past and present pioneers in the industry. TV tie-in.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Beautiful, Entertaining Book, Unmatched Appeal!,
By
This review is from: America on Wheels : The First 100 Years: 1896-1996 : The Companion to the Pbs Special (Hardcover)
"America on Wheels: The First 100 Years: 1896-1996" is my favorite automobile book, and also is the companion to the PBS special. Skillfully written by Frank Coffey and Joseph Layden, it has the most beautiful, full color photographs in a single work that I have seen in the last 12 months of my research. From the early days of the automobile in the 1890's and prior to 1996 and beyond, it adeptly covers automotive development decade-by-decade.The wonderful hardcover version is large, 8-1/2" x 11", covering 11 chapters over three parts. Part I, "Driving Force" solidly reveals the growth of the automobile from the horseless carriage up through Chapter 4, "Labor Pains," which narrates the beginning and early history of automobile labor unions. At first, both sides were bitterly opposed. Fighting occurred. Bloodied and bruised, the workers and the unions gradually united and worked out their differences--for the time being. After all, World War II was approaching. "Social Mobility," Part II, starts at Chapter 5, "The War Machine" and describes how automobile production all but ceased after Pearl Harbor. Automobile manufacturing became manufacturing for vehicles of war. Chapter 6, "The Post War Room" and Chapter 7, "The Open Road" take you through this difficult and trying period so well with the photographs that you can almost smell the factory smoke and rubber tires, and hear the wrenches clinking. Part III, "Car Wars" details the post-war priorities of Detroit: retool the factories, design new automobile bodies--with chrome and fins--and develop new engines and conveniences to welcome the new age of freedom. Without a doubt, this is the best and most complete source of information about automotive development in America. It is a virtual pool of American Culture, brimming with helpful anecdotes and interviews of personalities who were there as they happened. I cannot imagine anyone interested in Americana or cars in general who would not be fascinated and impressed by this monumental and definitive pictorial of automobility. "America on Wheels" should be required reading by all students of sociology and American History, or for anyone who appreciates the art of quality bookmaking. It is well worth the money, a book you'll want to keep as long as you live. Inset quotes in old-time black and white frames are the chocolate syrup on the ice cream. In this sense, you'll eat it up! Highly recommended for all readers over 8 (exceptional reading level). Buy it today!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
From Duryea To Dodge, here's the American auto history.,
By A Customer
This review is from: America on Wheels: The First 100 Years : 1896-1996 (Paperback)
This book, the companion to the 1996 PBS series of the same name, gives a straightfoward accounting of the evolution of the automobile in this country. From the first baby steps of the Duryea Auto Wagon to the giant tracks of the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee, America on Wheels chronicles America's tempestuous love affair with their cars and the effects on US society. Everything from mating rituals to education to commerce have been affected by the advent of the auto and the authors chronologically link all together in an easy to understand but not oversimplistic text. If you liked your father's Oldsmobile or your own Mustang, read America On Wheels. - Leila Dunbar, Writer, Mobilia.com
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
the television show,
By
This review is from: America on Wheels : The First 100 Years: 1896-1996 : The Companion to the Pbs Special (Hardcover)
I still want the DVD of this exceptional show made and released!! I have been trying to acquire it for years!!!!! The book is complemented most fully by the show. One can only hope......
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Listmania!
|
|
