Customer Reviews

Setting the Pace: Oldsmobile's First 100 Years

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

 

 

This is not just a book about cars. It's about people, corporate culture, and a company town. Helen Earley was an Oldsmobile employee for many years. Yes, she discusses the cars and the ups and downs of Oldsmobile. However, the reader also gets background on what it was like to work and live in Lansing, MI, the home of Oldsmobile. Thus, readers see the interweaving of corporate cuture and community that make up a company town. Because of that, this is not just a book for Oldsmobile fans. It is also a very interesting piece of business and social history.

This book gives you the history of Oldsmobile. Lots of black and white and color pictures. It covers more than just the cars. It shows what was going on during that time period 1970-79 ect. I gave it a 4 star because I would have liked even more pictures of their cars. If youi are an Olds fan you will like the book. I would look for a deal on it if you can.

Excellent information about Oldsmobile's cars and people.

It is sad that an Organization Such as Oldsmobile was dropped from General Motors,It is even sadder what business The current admin and GM have together(basically Nationalized)as of this writing, As for the book it is a great big hardcover and Great look at Key figures from Ransom Eli Olds to the 1990's(time the book was published)My favorite is Covered Even if briefly 4-4-2 and Hurst Olds, the 80's Hurst Olds and 442,the Olds Aerotech ST Speed record Concept Car ,How olds built The Buick Reatta, three pictures of oldsmobile Road Racers from the 90's,alot of Archival stuff of the plants.It covers up to The Oldsmobile Aurora and Intrigue but Not the Alero(mentions it,this book came out before alero came out).
I am disappointed the Authors Forgot to Mention that The so-called Recession of the 80's was brought on by one-time Carter Admin NOT Reagan and apparently there is a pro-Union blame the Japanese Market(to some extent yes)slant,as well as FDR slant(alot of people to this day are stubborn to the Harm FDR and Progressives have done)other than that,It is perhaps the only OLDS Official history and sadly the Last perhaps. My Father had a 79' Cutlass Supreme,and family had a pair of Olds Cutlass Sierra and a 87' Buick Century.Once GM diversify itself of government intervention,get rid of unions and stick to building Great Performance cars not Hybrids for tree huggers then it will be a Great Corporation Again.Would be nice to bring Back Pontiac,the Firebird/Trans Am and Oldsmobile.I guess I am a dreamer.