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Engines of Change: A History of the American Dream in Fifteen Cars Audiobook
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(3.14) - 139 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
America was made manifest by its cars. From the assembly lines of Henry Ford to the open roads of Route 66 and Jack Kerouac, America's history is a vehicular history—an idea brought brilliantly to life in this major work by the acclaimed author of Crash Course: The American Automobile Industry's Road from Glory to Disaster.
One of the nation's most eloquent and impassioned car nuts, Paul Ingrassia offers a wondrous epic in fifteen automobiles, including the VW Beetle, the Chevy Corvair, Robert McNamara and Lee Iacocca's Mustang, the Pontiac GTO, Honda's Accord, the BMW 3 Series, and the Jeep, among others. Through them, the author shows us much more than the car's ability to exhibit the particularly American tension between the lure of freedom and the obligations of utility; he takes us through the rise of American manufacturing, the suburbanization of the country, the birth of the Hippy and the Yuppy, the emancipation of women, and so much more, including the car's unintended consequences: trial lawyers, energy crises, and pollution. Narrative history of the highest caliber, Engines of Change is an entirely edifying new way to look at the American story.
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"This book (like the title suggests) is the American dream in fifteen cars. Some of the facts about those cars, the history behind their existence, and the history they represent were very surprising. I didn't know that the Corvette almost wasn't made and the war of the great tail fins happened. Nor did I know the story behind the Prius and the Beetle. This book showed me what the American Dream is all about through the lens of a subject I love; cars. It changed my view of how we the people have evolved and adapted to overcome the obstacles placed before us and it proved to me that we make great cars. Each chapter is the story and relevance for another car. There weren't really and debatable subjects except maybe which car is the best. I would recommend this book to people who care about the history of the American Dream and who care about cars. I loved this book because I care about both."
— Tim (5 out of 5 stars)
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A thoughtful, propulsive assay of the machine that changed a nation, a world.
— The Wall Street Journal
Engines of Change Listener Reviews
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" Great read for those interested in cars- especially YA that might just try the chapters about the cars they love. "
— Barry, 2/12/2014 -
" ...good read over all...certainly for car-guys and gals but interesting in it's historical presentation and interpretations...the chapter on pick-up trucks was probably the most humourous and the Prius the most educational...didn't know much about the genesis of the alternate fuel auto...and, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche also showed up there...turns out he too had one on the drawing board and even made it into producing a one-off model...man before his time...again...the writer has some chops (won a Pulitzer Prize for writing so that should be a given) and uses some dry, almost biting wit in his delivery...worth a read for sure... "
— Rey, 1/23/2014 -
" Easily the best book I have ever read about cars. Paul Ingrassia with his background covering the the Detroit beat for the Wall Street Journal really understands "Car Guys" "
— Bob, 1/21/2014 -
" Really interesting, and the history aspect was really fascinating. I could have skipped the pickup truck chapter, because it was STUPID, superfluous, and unnecessary. That chapter read like an 8th grade essay that got BSed the night before the due date. "
— Alexandra, 1/18/2014 -
" Loved it! Even if you're not into cars, you'll enjoy this book. Ingrassia avoids getting too techy and focuses on how each car reflected the culture of its time. "
— Sarah, 1/5/2014 -
" Entertaining and a quick read, but not nearly as insightful as I was hoping for. "
— Marcin, 1/4/2014 -
" Very good book, enjoyable read on a subject I now want to read about a little more "
— Bob, 1/2/2014 -
" Shows a different side of the auto industry, aligned to the current events at many times in our history. "
— Scott, 12/31/2013 -
" You don't need to know anything about cars to thoroughly enjoy this book. This is going on my re-read shelf. "
— Peregrina651, 12/25/2013 -
" Great easy read for anyone looking to learn something about American cultural history. "
— Jeffrey, 12/13/2013 -
" Fascinating link between cars, people and events in our history; I liked it very much! "
— Rick, 12/9/2013 -
" This is a great book for car lovers. Being from Michigan, it also has a certain appeal to me. I know guys I can recommend it to. "
— Kayne, 10/23/2013 -
" each chapter is a profile of an iconic car in the history of motors on wheels - great gift idea for car-loving friends "
— Linda, 8/25/2013 -
" Ingrassia believes certain cars represent a conflict in American culture between the practical and the decadent. The research and writing are first-rate. "
— Jeremy, 3/23/2013 -
" good thus far... wishing there were more images to accompany history "
— Brieahn, 12/6/2012 -
" The fundamental framework of the book distinguishes cars, drivers, and readers as pretentious or practical. I am so fond of both styles that I continue to read. "
— Mary, 11/2/2012 -
" Some of this book is very interesting. Some is too focused on insider politics in the various auto companies. I enjoyed the chapter on the VW most so far. I'm glad he included a few photos both of people and of the cars. "
— Lucy, 9/13/2012 -
" Very good! made me understand the history of cars more. "
— Nola, 8/22/2012
About Paul Ingrassia
Paul Ingrassia, the former Detroit bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal, speaks with authority and confidence about the automotive industry. In 1993 he won the Pulitzer Prize for his reporting on the management crisis and boardroom revolt at General Motors. Ingrassia has chronicled the car industry’s successes and epic failures over the past twenty-five years, and as a former executive of Dow Jones, he is one of few authors who has been trained as a journalist and has direct experience in running a business. His is in demand on many media programs, including NPR’s Morning Edition and The Diane Rehm Show; CNBC’s Squawk Box; ABC World News with Charles Gibson; and Good Morning America.
About Sean Runnette
Sean Runnette, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, has also directed and produced more than two hundred audiobooks, including several Audie Award winners. He is a member of the American Repertory Theater company and has toured the United States and internationally with ART and Mabou Mines. His television and film appearances include Two If by Sea, Cop Land, Sex and the City, Law & Order, the award-winning film Easter, and numerous commercials.