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Iacocca: An Autobiography

3.84 of 5 stars 3.84 · rating details · 2,168 ratings · 118 reviews

He’s an American legend, a straight-shooting businessman who brought Chrysler back from the brink and in the process became a media celebrity, newsmaker, and a man many had urged to run for president.

The son of Italian immigrants, Lee Iacocca rose spectacularly through the ranks of Ford Motor Company to become its president, only to be toppled eight years later in a power...more

Paperback, 357 pages

Published June 1st 1986 by Bantam (first published January 1st 1984)

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Jul 03, 2011 Michael rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Managers, Libertarians, Liberals

Recommended to Michael by: Serendipity

Shelves: memoirs, self-help

Lee Iacocca wrote this book while he was still seen as one of the most successful managers in American automotive history, after he had switched from working for Ford to become CEO of the ailing Chrysler, and had managed to rescue it (temporarily, as it turned out) from foreign takeover. In some ways, now that his light has faded a bit, it may be easier to see this book as being useful for its advice on management from a flawed but gung-ho manager, rather than as an ego document of one man’s lif...more Lee Iacocca wrote this book while he was still seen as one of the most successful managers in American automotive history, after he had switched from working for Ford to become CEO of the ailing Chrysler, and had managed to rescue it (temporarily, as it turned out) from foreign takeover. In some ways, now that his light has faded a bit, it may be easier to see this book as being useful for its advice on management from a flawed but gung-ho manager, rather than as an ego document of one man’s life. One thing that will always stay with me from this book is Iacocca’s “kiss of death” line (page 61): “Now there’s one phrase that I hate to see on any executive’s evaluation… ‘He has trouble getting along with other people.’ …I always think ‘He can’t get along with people? Then he has a real problem, because that’s all we’ve got around here. No dogs, no apes – only people.’” Throughout the book, Iacocca emphasizes the importance of working with people, of looking at their strengths, of giving them the opportunity to live up to their potential. This is what he saw as the secret to his success, his ability to put people in the positions where they could do the most satisfying work for themselves, and thus strengthen the organization, and this is the most valuable lesson of the book.
Where the book is weaker, is Iacocca's many efforts to justify himself and deride his detractors. Hesounds like a disgruntled ex-employee whenever he talks about Henry Ford, Jr. He does convey the sense of having felt deeply hurt and betrayed by Ford and other Ford Motors execs when he was fired - and that's a legitimate reflection on his own experience, but when he describes Ford's character and actions, he comes out sounding distinctly bitter and biased. A bit better, although also biased, is some of his discussion of economics. Iacocca was somewhat rare in the business world for being in favor of government regulation and bailouts (Chrysler wouldn't have survived the 80s without one). He comes from a working-class immigrant family, and, while far from a radical, trends a bit more to the Left than others of his profession. He makes some good points about ideological libertarianism and its weaknesses, but one can't help seeing some of his interpretations here as also self-serving. Overall, the book is far from perfect, but not a waste of time either.(less)

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Apr 13, 2013 Gita rated it 5 of 5 stars

It has been a while since I have read this book - probably the first of the Autobiographies - if Mahatma Gandhi's "The Stories of my Experiments with truth" is not considered since I never finished the book. Not that the book is boring but I have never managed to finish it since it is a book I own.

I give this book a good rating because I don't think I could ever rate a well written autobiography lower than a 4. (I have a right to change mind) Also this book was a fast read and I remember a sense...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Lisa Eirene rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was lent to me and it sat on my desk for months because I had no idea who Iacocca was and had no interest in it. I finally gave it a try, without expecting much, and was blown away. The book was compelling and interesting and also really easy to read.

Iacocca was the president of Ford for decades. He goes into detail how he turned the company around and shared his innovative management style. I liked his management style a lot and agreed with everything. He also wrote a lot about how cr...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Abhishek rated it 4 of 5 stars

Having recently read Steve Jobs and of course having been mesmerised by it, I figured that it would be a tough act to read another corporate tale for quite some time. But having asked around a bit, I was recommended the autobiography of Lee Iacocca. As I am still in the mood to learn how great corporate guys have clicked and what makes them stand apart, I decided to get my hands on Iacocca. Lee Iacocca is not of my generation, nor do the American cars hold any great presence in my country... so...more Having recently read Steve Jobs and of course having been mesmerised by it, I figured that it would be a tough act to read another corporate tale for quite some time. But having asked around a bit, I was recommended the autobiography of Lee Iacocca. As I am still in the mood to learn how great corporate guys have clicked and what makes them stand apart, I decided to get my hands on Iacocca. Lee Iacocca is not of my generation, nor do the American cars hold any great presence in my country... so while Ford and Chrysler are popular names, reading about Lee Iacocca and his exploits in these companies was never going to be something similar to reading about Steve Jobs and Apple, which is a much more global brand. And this is where Iacocca's manner of writing - simple and playful yet emotive - helped me to strike a bond with his story very quickly.

Iacocca's story starts with his father's arrival to USA (another tale reflecting the role immigrants have played in USA's success), his young days during the Great Depression era, his college days, and then his subsequent move to Ford that marked the beginning of his great career in the auto industry. The story before his arrival at Ford moves at a soothing rhythm - almost makes you feel like your grandpa talking to you over a nice family dinner, remembering the good old days. The real drama starts unfolding with Iacocca's arrival at Ford and his subsequent rise from a dealer to the President of Ford over a thirty-something year period. The pace of the story increases, and the passion along with the knowledge that the author holds for the auto industry is clearly on display.

And then comes the fall... Iacocca's sacking by Henry Ford II must have been the great corporate stories of that time, I assume. But as they say, it's never over until its over. Then comes the rise... Iacocca at the age of 54 takes over the reins of Chrysler, and brings about one of the most incredible turnaround stories in corporate history (at least few must be this popular). Being an autobiography, Iacocca takes the reader through his thought process while evaluating tough decisions at Chrysler, through the hardships and the subsequent successes, his ideologies which he sticks to right till the end; not for a single page does he become dispassionate or guarded in his opinions. His comments on Henry Ford II are really fun to read (it feels like two grandpas fighting!), his wit is never lost (catch the lovely smile on the cover page), and most importantly the lesson which he repeats over and over - of putting things in action, of doing what you have to do rather than sitting idle - is something that needs to be drilled at a very early age in this era where laziness in the society is simply so evident. As this is an autobiography, one has to take certain comments of the author with a pinch of salt, for those are solely his beliefs. But irrespective of that, Iacocca is yet another tale I have read that displays the importance of good old hardwork which when executed by a sharp mind yields unbelievable results. Recommend to all who aspire to become fruitful managers and leaders!(less)

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Dec 10, 2011 David McClendon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Iacocca takes us on an interesting journey through his time at Ford and then later at Chrysler. At the time it was written, he was still at Chrysler and Chrysler was still a great company.

Reading this book provides the reader with a little insight as to what made Iacocca tick. The book has some amusing stories and it takes an opportunity to take a jab at Henry Ford II.

History proves that what Iacocca accomplished wasn't actually great management. It was really a charismatic leader in the right...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Claude Vertu rated it 5 of 5 stars

My absolute favorite book of all time! I have read this book over and over again, throughout the years. Although I'm usually into more spiritual/science type books, this one has always moved me because it's about business, cars, family, and a true super-hero. In short; it's got it all! I've read many books on business management, but nothing has taught me more about hard work, discipline, and even faith, than Lee's autobiography. If I were stranded on a desert island and could only have one book...more

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Dec 23, 2011 David McClendon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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Oct 11, 2011 Joe rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love this book, I still have the copy I bought over 20 years ago. I used to hear his name in the news just about every night on his struggles with saving Chrysler and how he turned that company around. I'm a Mopar-head so naturally he became my hero. The book is insightful, he predicted some of the problems our economy is having today. Some chapters, to me, seem to be great helpful advise for a person that wants to be more disciplined and successful in the business world. His life story is fas...more

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Dec 19, 2008 Rudy Sihombing rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Rudy by: Ir. Ropinus Sihombing

Buku ini jadi inspirasi ku, Lee Iacocca adalah seorang CEO yang handal, di pernah menduduki bangku jabatan Ford, dan beberapa perusahaan lain sebelumnya.

Yang membuat saya juga tertarik akan biografi beliau adalah beliau juga lulusan teknik materials subjur teknik metalurgi. Beliau berkarir mulai dari bawah, dengan title jurusan teknik metalurginya dan kemudian berkarir hingga ke level management.

Disini, beliau tidak lagi menggunakan ilmu teknik nya, karena beliau sudah mempunyai orang2 khusus u...more

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Nov 12, 2009 Rahul Seshadri rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mr Iacocca's passion for his work and his confidence leaps out of the pages. Besides being a corporate story, this is also a story about an immigrant italian kid coming from small town america making it big through hard work. An inspiring book illustrating the american dream.
I found Mr Iacoccas writing gritty and exhorting and also liked it for its witty moments. The only thing that kept coming back to my mind was how could someone like Lee Iacocca put up with the injustice and insults meted ou...more

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Jun 08, 2012 TarasProkopyuk rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio, biographical

Он был одним из лучших президентов "Форд Моторз" и тем, кто спас от банкротства и привёл к процветанию компанию "Крайслер". До этого времени часто слышал в основном плохие отзывы о Ли Якокке. Но когда дошло время к его книге я понял о чем идёт речь...

Жизненный и карьерный путь автора действительно вдохновляет. Не совсем разделяю ценности Якокки, но мне нравиться его прямота и умеренная дерзость. Его профессионализм сложно оспорить или же поодать сомнению. В книге достаточно много моментов в кото...more

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Jul 02, 2012 Vijai Narayanan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Having always been a distant admirer of the auto industry, Iacocca provides a window into one of its most fascinating sagas while also providing sage leadership advice that transcends that era and continues to remain relevant today.

As a story-teller, Iacocca comes into his own when describing his relationship with Henry Ford II and the struggles he faced during the mid-70s working for an increasingly paranoid and overbearing boss who could not bear to have his image eclipsed by the President of...more Having always been a distant admirer of the auto industry, Iacocca provides a window into one of its most fascinating sagas while also providing sage leadership advice that transcends that era and continues to remain relevant today.

As a story-teller, Iacocca comes into his own when describing his relationship with Henry Ford II and the struggles he faced during the mid-70s working for an increasingly paranoid and overbearing boss who could not bear to have his image eclipsed by the President of his grandfather's company. Having never been a great fan of the Mustang, I found his recollection of its development interesting, but the former was far more entertaining (even though Iacocca's statements regarding Henry Ford II are completely biased and in some cases petty).

Without a doubt, his account of the Chrysler turnaround was a thrilling read. His impression of the congressional proceedings, the history of loan-guarantees, how he marketed the K-car and improving quality to showcase Chrysler's strong engineering fundamentals was brilliant. I couldn't help but keep turning the pages when reading these chapters. Having spent a summer in Detroit and worked in the auto industry, I was able to relate to many of the challenges faced by the engineering team.

I was impressed with Iacocca's ability to describe the highs and lows of his tenure at Ford and Chrysler, I was also struck by his ability to step back and distill what it meant for the industry and America as a whole. What makes this more impressive is the fact that he was able to do so just a few years after the repayment of the loan-guarantee from the federal government , and while still actively involved in running the Chrysler corporation. His plea for fair trade laws with the Japanese, creating a national industrial policy, need to renegotiate union contracts (affecting the future of manufacturing in America), stringent fuel standards, etc. have proved to be highly prescient in the nearly three decades since the book was first published.

The refreshing candor with which Iacocca describes his management style includes a discussion about human nature and what motivates people from all walks of life to do great work. In addition, his prescription for what makes managers great was far more engaging than countless leadership books I've previously read. No wonder it was one of the most widely read books in business schools across the country.

Lastly, I can't recommend this book enough due to it's writing style. While I haven't read many autobiographies and can only guess at the advantages provided by that style of presentation over others, I can certainly say that while reading this book, I didn't feel like I was reading an account of Iacocca's life or the auto industry. I felt as though I were having a conversation with the man himself.

Although I have just finished reading this book, I have a strong feeling that Iacocca: An Autobiography will be among the few that stay on my bookshelf for a long time. (less)

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Apr 19, 2012 Siby rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction-biographies, non-fiction

Lee Iacocca is credited with raising Chrysler back from the dead after he was fired from Ford. When I started this book, I was hoping to read about something radical and different that helped him work his miracle, but what he did was poach a lot of people from Ford, cut costs at Chrysler, take a loan from the bank and get the US government to underwrite it and negotiated with the worker’s union for better terms. I am sure he did a brilliant job executing this, but if there was something more, th...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Pravin Jagtap Deshamukh rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: biographies

It's been few years since when I was planning to read this book but was not dong so.Main reason for not ding so was the -ve review of this book by few of my friends. I did heard good review of this book but some how those aren't huge enough for me to read it. One of the major criticism that I heard about this book was that Iacocca had explain his struggle and success very well but he had not told the actual reason of why he was actually fired but after reading this book I can very well say he ha...more

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Apr 18, 2008 Stephen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Billy, you may like this book. A friend at work lent it to me.
I found it quite interesting, as I have been in management in a small company. The book is long, and all about the BIG business world. Iacocca was the son of Italian Immigrants. He went to work for Ford Motor Company, and was very successful, and tells how he kept moving up in the company, and became president of Ford. Then he was fired by Ford, and became bitter.
Quote from the book: "As you go through life there are thousands of lit...more

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Jan 25, 2010 Luis Perez rated it 4 of 5 stars

I bought this at a used bookstore for 50 cents. I believe it's an original copy, printed in 1984. In any case, well worth reading. An interesting story of one of America's legendary business leaders, from his childhood growing up as an Italian immigrant's son to his rise in the automotive industry. The book includes a fascinating look at the neurotic and mean-spirited Henry Ford. And of course, the book details Iacocca's celebrated turnaround of Chrysler. A little preachy at times, but a great r...more

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Sep 19, 2010 Adam rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: busy_ness_and_fine_antz, rusty_economics

Great Biography of one of the most influential men of the US automotive industry. An Italian immigrant whose family came to Ellis Island and raised a man who would be such an influence on two of the Detroit 3. Unfortunatley, from a management standpoint, many of his tactics are exactly what NOT to do when trying to turn around a failing auto manufacturer. Nevertheless, impossible to ignore this one that is so much a part of what we are dealing with today in the rust belt.

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Dec 23, 2009 Phillip rated it 3 of 5 stars

Read this one while the economy crashed and Detroit went begging to the government. He did it first in the early 80's to great ridicule and saved Chrysler in the process (for better or worse). I've been wanting to read it for years and finally did at just the right moment. Interesting if you like cars as well as a rather machismo how to make it in business manual. He has a pretty good story, the invention of the mustang a highlight, I enjoyed reading it.

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Mar 14, 2013 Miguel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Great autobiography of Lee Iacocca, the leader of Ford when the classic Mustang came out. After a long stay at Ford, he was ousted and went to Chrysler and saved it from bankruptcy into a thriving competitor against GM and Ford.

I was especially entertained by his stories of Henry Ford II, the details of how he saved/turned-around Chrysler, and his step-by-step recollection of how cars are conceptualized, researched, designed, manufactured and sold. Great read and I'm thankful to Lee for making...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Gurmal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I came to know of this book while I was watching a TV program about failures and making come backs . This book gives you an insight into how deal with spat with your boss in work place. How to develop good products (like mustang). How innovation and people sense are important for businesses to succeed. I think this book is just worth a read.

The crux of the book is where Lee ( Lido Antony) Iacocca gets fired from Ford Motor Company. I really liked the part where it says " once he was the head...more

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Aug 05, 2009 Victor Claar rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Read this one along with everyone else in the mid-eighties (about the same time I read Lake Wobegon for the same reason). No question about it: Iacocca had a rich, interesting life. Whether designing the Mustang while at Ford, or managing the recovery of Chrysler, Iacocca is an icon. It would be interesting to read again in light of the woeful current condition of all of the Detroit car companies.

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Jul 07, 2010 Luckngrace rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography

Read in 1985, I remember wondering how this brilliant businessman could so screw up his responsibility for planning the 1976 bicentennial ceremonies. Instead of inviting great Americans with great stories of courage and American ingenuity to speak, he presented us with Patty LaBelle screaming out Voulez Vous songs. His life at Ford was moderately interesting; he should have stopped there.

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Jul 31, 2012 Arpit Sood rated it 4 of 5 stars

Also if people are fond of reading there is an autobiography IACOCCA by lee Iacocca. He is a person who was the president of Ford Motors at one point of time and was later on fired by Henry Ford .. Then he Joined Chrysler and changed a lot of things around...Very interesting book which gives us valuable insight about the top management in a automobile company..!!

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May 11, 2009 Alexander rated it 5 of 5 stars

Iacocca explains the times in his generation with a clear (though often biased) voice.

I've also been personally intrigued by why the Japanese auto industry is so powerful, even today, and this book finally sheds some insight into how the auto industry developed in the 70s and 80s.

Iacocca also explains some of his philosophies and beliefs, though you may/may not be interested in his political expoundings.

Great read! I'm glad I came across this book.

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Dec 03, 2012 Vijai rated it 3 of 5 stars

Donated by an ex-boss who believed I may learn a thing or two from his idol. I did and bitching was one of the lessons. Man, this books reeks of Iacocca's hate of Mr. Ford and you will be reminded of it in almost everything Mr. Iacocca did at Chrysler.

The very explicit hire-and-fire methodology justified is at the least very disappointing.

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Mar 31, 2009 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was an interesting read, especially in light of the current economic crisis. The first 3/4 of the book, which is presented chronologically, is a great read. The last few chapters seem like they are tacked on almost as an afterthought, so the author could make sure to get a few topics in that wouldn't have fit otherwise.

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Dec 20, 2008 Terry rated it 3 of 5 stars

Read this way back when it came out. By the end, I liked Iacocca the man, respected his contribution to the auto industry, and appreciated his involvement with Ellis Island's restoration. I also remember that he felt that air bags were a bad, even dangerous mandate - Iacocca feared a small percentage would deploy at random, leading to high-speed accidents on freeways - so it is worth remembering that people who are right about some things can be absolutely wrong about others. Now (2008)we face a...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Nick rated it 4 of 5 stars

A fascinating book about a fascinating man. Of course we all know that memoirs cannot match up to biography in terms of honesty or completeness, but Lee Iacocca's account of his relationship with Henry Ford, followed by his remarkable efforts in pulling Chrysler back from the brink, is nonetheless gripping.
Great read.

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Mar 15, 2011 Jeffrey Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: economics-business

I was 12 years old when Iacocca came out with his biography, and it is still among my favorites for business executives. He discusses his rise inside the Ford Motor Company to where he almost became the Chairman, to ditching Ford for Chrysler and rebuilding the brand. This is still one of my favorite reads.

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Jan 13, 2013 Roy Huff rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was great insight into auto leader great. It had me briefly flirting with supporting trade protectionism with respect to US fiscal and monetary policy when I was a novice on the subject. The concepts are not completely sound, but the book is an excellent autobiography on Lee Iacocca.

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