Customer Reviews

The Critical Path: Inventing an Automobile and Reinventing a Corporation

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

We've owned four Caravan / Voyagers, so I had a distinct curiosity about the book's subject. The book was interesting when describing the design issues involved with "the vehicle that saved Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge". The book gives a good feel for the business end of the big bucks car industry, trying to guess what world economy and whim of the American buyer will sell cars five years down the road.
Brock Yates' writing style lends itself better to one page editorial writing or brief commentary within specifications laden car articles. He KNOWS the subject but has a boring style. Overall, though the subject to me was worth finishing the book.
John Row

As you will find out if you read this book, Iacocca was not a car guy - he was a businessman, a "mogul" in the business of cars.

This book provides a counterpoint to the Iacocca books, from a different viewpoint: from within the engineering and production "trenches".

No only does Yates chronicle the development of the third generation minivan; he chronicles with it the transformation of the Chrysler Corporation.

Adequately written, very insightful. Incredible access to what transpired at Chrysler during this time.

Recommended. Especially for minivan owners or prospective buyers.

Judging by Brock Yates' work as an "Editor at large" for Car and Driver magazine, one would expect witty, to-the-point writing in this book-- especially when one considers that discussing automobiles (more specifically, the gestation and development of a particularly important one) is what he excells at.

However, after trudging through the seemingly endless reworded repetitions of previously mentioned facts, poorly formed sentences, and numerous instances of completely unfactual statements, I was left with a lessened view of the man's talents.

There is a smattering of interesting information here, though, so those with an interest in the automobile industry would do themselves a favor to pick this up and slog through the poor stuff to get to the nuggets.

Yates has spent a lot of his outstanding career bemoaning, justifiably, the lack of quality in various automobiles. His effort in the book, however, makes him seem as a bit of a hypocrite, unfortunately, and my previously high opinion of the man's work has lessened.

I felt used after reading this. Shame on you, Yates.

Poorly written and edited, lacking factually, and aggravatingly repetitive. Very disappointing, given Mr. Yates' considerable writing skill evidenced in his Car & Driver editorials.

Not as interesting to read as the "The Reckoning", but more current in subject matter. Yates is repetitious at times, and it seems some chapters contain material rewritten from an earlier chapter, just to fill up pages. Despite this, topics are brought up and never resolved -- how was the problem of the radio antenna finally settled anyway? I thought the book was kind of cheap with the photos, also -- the creation of an automobile deserves more pictures than the few thrown in, in this book! Dispite all of these complaints, this is still a very readable book, and if you haven't read "The Reckoning" or "The Machine That Changed the World", then you might as well start with this one, if you are interested in cars. Also if you are thinking of buying a new Chrysler minivan (as we were, and did) then this book is highly recommended, you will buy with confidence, knowing that some of the best and brightest and most dedicated automotive engineers spent thousands of hours of their lives to put together a truely impressive machine.

Brock captures the sole of the Chrysler Corporation through his book. The book reads like a Grisham novel but displays the hard facts of designing and developing a successful vehicle such as the Chrysler NS. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the "Platform Strategy" that Chrysler has undertaken. Chrysler certainly is the one to model your corporation after.

As the owner of a 2000 Dodge Caravan I feel it is a special treat to learn the story of my car's design and creation, from conception to labor and delivery. The book is well written, and the story is told in such a way that it riveted my attention from beginning to end. Mr. Yates is highly qualified having spent an entire career as an automotive journalist, and in my opinion it shows. In cases where I was familiar with the facts being discussed, his story agrees with the facts I was familiar with. This book is top notch in my opinion - 5 stars.

I really enjoyed reading this book. An interesting look into the automobile industry, although slightly repetative at times and with some lax editing. Unfortunately, Yates takes pot shots at liberals, Clinton, Gore, etc instead of sticking to the subject. If I want political commentary I'll read P.J. O'Rourke. Also incredible is his dismisal of the problem with Chrysler rear latches as if it's the no-good liberals sticking their nose where it doesn't belong. I really thought it was a very good book when Yates ccould keep his political views to himself and come down off his highhorse.