Ultimate John Deere (Town Square Book) [Hardcover]

Ralph Sanders (Author)

Book Description

Series: Town Square Book | Publication Date: May 4, 2001

Since 1837, John Deere farm implements and then tractors have earned an international reputation for performance and reliability, resulting in a favored status among farmers, restorers, and collectors. Here, well-known tractor authority Ralph Sanders tells the story of John Deere tractors, and of the company’s founder and other key personnel involved in their development. This comprehensive volume also covers the development of the Corn Belt, as well as the competition among tractor makers and Deere sales methods. The easy-to-read text is enhanced by Sanders’ striking full-color images of more than 50 John Deere tractors including some very rare models. Also shown are period ads, brochures, schematic diagrams, paintings by Walter Haskell Hinton, and historic photographs from the Deere & Company Archives and other sources for a complete look at this innovative player in the farming industry.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ralph W. Sanders is a well-known tractor writer and freelance photographer. He is the author/photographer of Voyageur Press' "Vintage Farm Tractors," "Vintage International Harvester Tractors," "Historic Farm Tractors Calendar," and "John Deere Tractors Calendar." He was a farm reporter for the Decatur, Illinois "Herald & Review;" Illinois field editor for "Prairie Farmer" magazine; and an associate editor of "Successful Farming" magazine.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press (May 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896584062
• ISBN-13: 978-0896584068
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,736,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for antique tractor enthusiasts!, July 16, 2001

By 

Daryl Rober (Ames, IA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate John Deere (Town Square Book) (Hardcover)

Mr. Sanders has created a book that needs to be part of anyone's collection of books documenting antique tractor power. Each of the 150+ photographs of restored John Deere tractors are absolutely superb and demonstrate the author's skills as a photographer. The original ads and brochures included throughout the pages are a nice addition, although the text is often too small to read in some of them. Aside from the grahics, the text is well written and the chapters are logically arranged according to the stages of John Deere tractor development. I particulary enjoyed how the book included both the history of the Deere organization and the history of the general agricultural trends that helped shape the company's decisions. The author has even set aside pages devoted specifically to address certain special topics, such as the arrival of the early motor cultivators, and the partnership with Deere and the Dreyfuss organization to add styling to the original "A" and "B" models. For those enthusiasts interested in detailed documentation of serial number records and such, other resources may be more appropriate, but for those of us who enjoy a readable history with excellent photos along the way, this book is excellent.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exhaustive Summary of Product Development and Photos, August 25, 2003

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 109,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Ultimate John Deere (Town Square Book) (Hardcover)

I knew very little about the history of the Deere & Company until I read this book. I was interested in learning more because my parents each grew up on farms, and often refer to their early experiences with plows and tractors. Now, I can discuss their experiences in a reasonable fashion.

I'm also interested in how companies innovate, this book is a fine source of information on the revolutionary and evolutionary changes in the Deere product line.

The book also details the organizational development of Deere & Company and its CEOs. That was also valuable information for me.

As rich as the text is, the photographs are even better. I especially enjoyed seeing how changes in various functional and aesthetic characteristics occurred. The streamlining and adding of comfortable seats with back supports are particularly striking. I also enjoyed how the engine design was improved.

There were only two weaknesses in the book. First, there could have been a little more information about how competitors were doing at the same time. Those references that are included are fascinating. Second, many of the advertisements are reproduced in such a small size that you cannot read the copy.

I would encourage you to also look for books that connect to your family's heritage that can make the past come alive as this fine book does!