Reviews

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ingrassia (formerly Detroit bureau chief, Wall Street Journal) here chronicles the invention, evolution, and near demise of the U.S. auto industry, from United Auto Workers demands vs. labor/engineering excellence to Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards vs. $4-per-gallon gasoline. Actor/Audie Award nominee Patrick Lawlor adds verbal color to the decades of numerous successes and ongoing excesses of the industry that have resulted in today's crippled Big Three. Fans of muscle cars especially will enjoy the trip down memory lane. Highly recommended for any student of corporate culture or the auto industry. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 9/1/09.-Ed.]-M. Gail Preslar, Eastman Chemical Co. Business Lib., Kingsport, TN Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.

"A fascinating inside look at how ego and hubris destroyed an industry . . . a gripping and riveting must-read."--James B. Stewart, author of "Den of Thieves" and "Disneywar"

""Crash Course" has the feel of a definitive account. . . . It's hard to imagine anyone better than Paul Ingrassia to 'ride shotgun' on a journey through the sometimes triumphant, often turbulent, history of U.S. automaking. . . . [A] wealth of amusing, astonishing and enlightening nuggets."--"Pittsburgh Tribune-Review"
"In order to understand just how much of a mess it was--not to mention how it got that way and how, if at all, it can be cleaned up--you really need to read "Crash Course.""--"The Washington Post"
"Ingrassia tells Detroit's story with economy, vigour and restrained fury."--"The Economist"
"A delightful mix of history and first-person reporting . . . Employing superb storytelling skills, Ingrassia explains in head-shaking detail the elements of a wholly avoidable