Andrea Hoitt tracks the long, sometimes troubled, yet nevertheless interesting history of one of the most iconic cars in the world. While never known for top of the line luxury the VW bug was a revolutionary car that spurred transportation in every country it went to. From its cheap and affordable frame to its unheard of gas mileage at the time to the ease of repair that left many owners able to fix the car themselves the Bug would make its iconic mark on the world. Thinking Small tells the story from a multitude of angles but focuses on the cars turbulent beginning as a pet project of Adolf Hitler under the direction of the legendary Ferdinand Porsche. The Peoples Car developed in the town of Wolfsburg Germany was a dream of many men but became a reality when the British occupied the area following World War II and began to revitalize the plant with American techniques. The influence of Henry Ford has been felt throughout the history of the Beatle and would serve as in the inspiration when the Beatle surpassed the Model T in sales.
The author has done exhaustive research into the history of this car and does not just cover the technical and business details but paints the story in a social context looking at how the Bug influenced cultures wherever it went. There is a lot of time spent looking at the advertising campaign which redesigned Madison Avenue for its simplicity, honesty, and modern feel. The Think Small Campaign which launched the Bug into stardom in America would win multiple advertising awards and was done by a small upstart firm that had huge talent from the industry. Overall it is a very quick read packed full of information, interesting stories and tidbits about this iconic car. Well worth it for anyone interested in the Bug or just looking for an interesting story put together well.