Fordlandia (Exra book)

And yet another extra book to read, this time by a former RA whom I met walking down the street. Marc was an RA in Brittany Hall and is the twin of Jack Black!  When I saw him he noted, “hey, you need to read Fordlandia by Greg Grandin.”  The book chronicles the history of the Brazilian industrialized town that Henry Ford built to try and cut costs for building his automobile empire.  The town was a collaborative project between the Brazilian government, who provided the land, and Ford who was eager to work around the unionized labor force of the US.  Ford was intrigued with the idea of exporting rubber, for the creation of tires. The project was criticized as it became the re-making of an American city in South America, with ice cream stands, golf courses, flower gardens, and other “All-American dream” items.  Interwoven throughout the story is the life and times of Henry Ford, who the reader learns was a very eccentric solitary man who was not above pitting his son against key leaders whom Ford appointed throughout his organization.  Additionally, the reader learns a good deal about the billionaire mogul who spends money on himself and eccentric things.  The model T and A and his friendship with Mr. Edsel are extra tidbits worth learning about.  Overall for the history buff of the early twentieth century, it is a no-brainer good read.  I learned a lot and enjoyed having a better understanding of how the man made his money, and led a very eccentric life.   Amazing how fast technology and the industrial age has changed the world as it was.  Good book.