He's an American legend, a straight-shooting businessman who brought Chrysler back from the brink and in the process became a media celebrity, news...
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May 18, 2010
Bird Brian
rated it: 
Autobiography of the successful businessman who supposedly "turned Chrysler around" (on the public dime). Naturally it loses some of its lustre now, knowing that the famed "turnaround" ultimately failed. Chrysler was swollowed by German behemouth Daimler-Benz, and even they are showing signs they can't make a go of it. I think a lot of these very successful corporate types have an indominable optimism. They probably need it to lead big organizations and undertake ambitious pr
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Jul 03, 2011
Michael
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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
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Dec 10, 2011
David
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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 charisma More...
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 charisma More...
Dec 23, 2011
David
rated it:
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 l More...
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 l More...
Oct 11, 2011
Joe
rated it: 
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
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Dec 19, 2008
Rudy
rated it:
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 m More...
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 m More...
Nov 12, 2009
Rahul
rated it:
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 me More...
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 me More...
Apr 18, 2008
Stephen
rated it:
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 th More...
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 th More...
Jan 25, 2010
Luis
rated it:
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
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Sep 19, 2010
Adam
rated it:
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.
Dec 23, 2009
Phillip
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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.
Jan 23, 2012
Gurmal
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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 More...
Aug 05, 2009
Victor
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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.
Jul 07, 2010
Luckngrace
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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.
May 11, 2009
Alexander
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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.
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.
Mar 31, 2009
Laura
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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.
Dec 20, 2008
Terry
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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 fac
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Feb 07, 2012
Nick
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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.
Great read.
Mar 15, 2011
Jeffrey
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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.
Jan 08, 2011
Jim
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Lee is a genuis, he brought Chrysler back from the verge of bankrupcy. Great automobile manufacturing, great motivational person for his employees, and an awesome spokesman for the Company. (He was the first "Bail Out" kind of, sort of. Except he accepted only a $1.00 per year salary!)
Oct 25, 2010
David
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I enjoyed his life's story. Of course, we always look through colored glasses. But I hope I can learn from their misteaks rather than my own. His reporting of the government RED TAPE should be read by every child in grade school. By adulthood it's probly to late.
Aug 17, 2011
Priya
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Very inspirational and very life like - No lectures no HOW TO MANAGE YOUR LIFE - Lee sets an example in his own life - His reaction/ response to each situation in life is truly commendable - Loved it!
Feb 16, 2011
Lee was a charismatic leader...every professional must go through this book to understand the struggle of an employee to go to top and his tussle with top management and internal politics.
Feb 02, 2009
Aleycat54
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Who would think that a book about the auto industry could be such a good read. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the man "behind the steering wheel".
Sep 20, 2011
I found this book similar to Nandan Nilekani's Imagining India. Both have been successful businessmen in their respective countries.However, Iacocca is very brash towards his adversaries. His vendetta against Henry Ford is quite apparent and makes American Government look like a dumb a**
Aug 10, 2010
Debbie
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This man had many practical ways to save a business. He would make a great person to evaluate & give the government ideas for balancing the budget.
Jan 21, 2012
Shalini
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It is an amazing book, you feel like you are racing a car while reading the book, honest straightforward breathtaking autobiography
Sep 18, 2007
Melissa
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If you think reading a nonfiction, autobiographical book is boring, then think again. This autobiography of one of america's best-known CEO lets you look at the ups and downs of being at the top of a multi-million dollar company and how, even at the top, office politics gets rolling like a wheel. Iacocca has not only the skills to make a failing company succeed in just a couple of years, he also has the ability to capture any reader's attention. This autobiography not only shows an inside of a
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Apr 07, 2010
John
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This is an excellent book aobut determination, and it gives a personal insight into the BIG CEO people at the top.
Dec 09, 2008
Drew
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Very interesting story about then head of Chrysler. Pretty much tells the life story of this legend.
