Customer Reviews

River Rouge: Ford's Industrial Colossus

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The book chronicles the history of the River Rouge plant beginning over 80 years ago to the present. A highlight is the large number of historical photographs, showing buildings, machinery, and workers over the years. As written the book functions more as a general history of Ford with the Rouge as the backdrop, especially the first half of the book. The second half of the book, dealing with the 1960's forward, has more of a focus on the Rouge itself.

The author does particularly well with certain topics, including union organization activities of the 1930's-1940's and the opening of the new Dearborn Truck Plant. Also the author employs many one to two-page sidebars on specific subtopics, such as "Sailing Aboard the Ford Fleet", "Bomber Plant Captivates America", "Last Ford Train to Nowhere", and "Death of the Rotunda". Several of these subtopics cover obscure subject matter and I found them particularly interesting.

Other books do a better job with the history of Ford (for example Brinkley's "Wheels for the World"), and I was perhaps expecting more focus on the plant per se (how the machines function, workers' experiences). Still the book is a worthy addition to the collection of any Ford or industrial history fan.

The history is excellent but the reading is difficult due to some pages not being in sequential order. Once you get the hang as to where the story continues, you're fine but it is frustrating. The photos are super some of which I have not seen before. Histoically sound. However, I did notice an error or two but certain they were clerical in nature. Overall a good buy for a Ford Nut.

My father is an employee at this facility so I purchased the book in order to get a sense of the history and environment he works in. After reviewing the book with him (a fascinating experience), it appears very little has changed around many parts of the facility. It also made me realize just how much isn't explained in the book so having an `expert' review the historical pictures is advantageous.

While many won't be able to identify with my personal connection to the factory; anybody interested in automotive or industrial history will find this book a fascinating look into a remarkable industrial colossus that has remained in operation for almost 90 years.

My only gripe with the book is that it does not provide a detailed overview of the facility. I would like to see a map or something that illustrates the functions of each building in the complex.

I bought this book for my husband, who is an avid Ford fan. He absolutely loves the book. He found it to be very informative and he learned alot about the Rouge plant that he did not know. He has shared it with all of his Mustang club buddies and they have all commented on what a great book it is. It is so full of information and the pictures are incredible!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone with and interest in the Ford Motor Co. and its history.

Although this book was used, it looks almost new. The description by the seller was accurate.

Excellent and beautiful book on maybe the most influential plant in Ford history.

Eduardo Roma Burgos.

I ordered this book as a gift for my husband after a trip to Michigan and Ford Museum. He really enjoyed it. Nice pictures.

Is exactly the book I was looking for. I am a Ford Fan, and to see how the Ford Motor Company began brings new appreciation for the automobiles of yesterday and today. Learned many new facts about Henry Ford and his business sense of development, it is very inspiring.

This is my first purchase from Amazon and I will definitely use you again. The book was well packed and arrived ahead of your estimate.
The book is all I expected and has been read twice already.
Regards Alan Wilson.