Studebaker: The Life and Death of an American Corporation (Midwestern History & Culture) [Hardcover]

Donald T. Critchlow (Author)

Book Description

Series: Midwestern History & Culture | Publication Date: January 1997

While the Big Three automobile companies came to dominate the industry, its early U.S. history was characterized by an array of competing companies. "Studebaker's" story is the chronicle of the life and death of an American automobile company where management's concept of "tradition" played a fundamental role in modeling corporate culture, rhetoric, and strategy. "Studebaker" may have failed in the long run, but its corporate life spanned more than a century, during which the company made a commitment to the community of South Bend, accepted unions when other automobile manufacturers bitterly fought collective bargaining, and produced distinguished cars that still enjoy a loyal following. "Studebaker" explores managerial choice, corporate tradition, and the importance of ideas - not simply "market forces" - in shaping institutions in 20th-century America.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253330653
• ISBN-13: 978-0253330659
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,609,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, November 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Studebaker: The Life and Death of an American Corporation (Midwestern History & Culture) (Hardcover)

Explores the nature of the company rather than just the products. The insights are revealing and the style is engaging. The lessons from this study can be applied to the success and failures of the other American automotive manufacturers. It is valuable for both the automotive enthusiast as well as the student of management and business.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All but forgotten, April 6, 2002

By 

inland sailor "inlandsailor" (Wooster, OH USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Studebaker: The Life and Death of an American Corporation (Midwestern History & Culture) (Hardcover)

My dad was a Studebaker dealer and I grew up reading everything I could about the company. Following them through the early to mid fifties was agony. This is a very detailed description of their rise, near demise, and eventual failure. Excellent history and nostalgia. Actually a bit sad but I could not put it down.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for Car Nuts, March 18, 2009

By 

F. P. Domohoski "Renaissance Man" (Boston, Mass., USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Studebaker: The Life and Death of an American Corporation (Midwestern History & Culture) (Hardcover)

Before purchasing this book, I knew it dealt more with the business end of Studebaker Corp., but being a Studebaker aficionado, I wanted the book anyway in case there was some new info on its life and death. Well, there was not and the cars were ignored to the point that the book may as well have been about widgets. With fewer than two hundred pages and a paucity of pictures, none in color and not one of the famous 1953 coupe, the book at its high price does not seem a good value. It must have been written for some scholarly reason; there are lots of footnotes, but not placed on the bottom of the pages. I was not impressed with the author's appearance on Cspan's "Booktv," which is how I discovered the book. I should have stuck to my first impression.