Driven: A Photobiography of Henry Ford (Photobiographies) - Hardcover

Don Mitchell’s father spent his career in the automotive industry. Mitchell has worked as a public servant in the U.S. Senate and in the White House on the staff of the National Security Council. He has written one previous National Geographic title Liftoff: A Photobiography of John Glenn. He lives in Arlington, VA.

Starred Review. Grade 5–8—Starting with a foreword by Lee Iacocca, Mitchell introduces readers to the founder of the auto company. As evidenced by the abundant period photographs, Ford cut a dapper figure. This biography covers his entire life, career, vision, ideals, character flaws, and lasting achievements. Thoughts, feelings, and quotes abound, and they are well sourced. Obviously the pictures are a huge draw here. Ford is portrayed as a complex individual—a mostly decent man, a pacifist, someone with an interest in education who wanted to help the less fortunate. Yet his hatred of Jews is evident, and he turned a blind eye to violence against those who attempted to form unions. Finally, he destroyed his relationship with his only son, Edsel. The writing is clear, and the organization is chronological. Pat McCarthy's Henry Ford: Building Cars for Everyone (Enslow, 2002) covers similar ground, but has far fewer illustrations. Driven combines fine photography and an inviting text to depict Ford's life and his impact on the world.—Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.