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Jeep: The History of America's Greatest Vehicle
Jeep is the definitive, fully illustrated celebration of an auto manufacturer that paved its own way by going off-road.
Few American vehicles, or vehicles made anywhere else in the world for that matter, are as universally iconic as the Jeep. From olive drab WWII military relics to the beloved Wrangler with its rear-mounted spare tire, open-air design, and telltale roll cage, the Jeep is a true classic.
In The History of America's Greatest Vehicle, automotive writer Patrick R Foster chronicles over 70 years of Jeep vehicle design and production. Beginning with the Jeep as a crucial component of the American World War II fleet , Foster expertly recounts the corporate shifts , financial struggles and successes , close calls, and, above all, the enduring machines that have carried Jeep from the early 1940s to its triumphant role as a modern-day embodiment of American perseverance.
Three hundred color and black-and-white historical photos complement his expertly written narrative of Jeep's entire history , reminding us that sometimes, the road less traveled was just waiting for the right truck.
Few American vehicles, or vehicles made anywhere else in the world for that matter, are as universally iconic as the Jeep. From olive drab WWII military relics to the beloved Wrangler with its rear-mounted spare tire, open-air design, and telltale roll cage, the Jeep is a true classic.
In The History of America's Greatest Vehicle, automotive writer Patrick R Foster chronicles over 70 years of Jeep vehicle design and production. Beginning with the Jeep as a crucial component of the American World War II fleet , Foster expertly recounts the corporate shifts , financial struggles and successes , close calls, and, above all, the enduring machines that have carried Jeep from the early 1940s to its triumphant role as a modern-day embodiment of American perseverance.
Three hundred color and black-and-white historical photos complement his expertly written narrative of Jeep's entire history , reminding us that sometimes, the road less traveled was just waiting for the right truck.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 25, 2019
Very specific but the hardcore fan of this brand/company might enjoy. It is a brand that definitely has some history and that change the automobile portrait. Well done if you are interest!
September 4, 2020
This is an excellent resource for Jeep enthusiasts. It’s a great book, but it ends on kind of a low note. I considered myself somewhat knowledgeable about Jeep before I read the book, but I soon realized how little I knew about the iconic brand.
I really enjoyed the first two thirds of the book. The history of the brand and the dramatic early years are treated well and in great detail. The photos are informative and follow the text. It was interesting to follow the growth of the company in the 50s, 60s, and 70s after the amazing start in WW2.
Unfortunately, the book ends with quite a bit less interest. The last few chapters are less about the inner workings - and people - of a great company, and more about the features added to certain models. I became increasingly bored, and actually rolled my eyes when the author thought it important enough to tell me when Jeep added a coin holder to the console in their cars.
Also, as the book advanced, the photos became more generic. In the later chapters I found myself relying on Google to show me the models that the book was describing. This is because instead of using appropriate photos that matched the text, the later chapters use generic and standard photos of random Jeeps from any decade. I had to Google images often enough in the last few chapters that it became annoying.
If the entire book had been like the first two thirds, I’d have given it five stars. But the last third of the book seemed like the author forgot his photos and lost interest. And then, unfortunately, so did I.
I really enjoyed the first two thirds of the book. The history of the brand and the dramatic early years are treated well and in great detail. The photos are informative and follow the text. It was interesting to follow the growth of the company in the 50s, 60s, and 70s after the amazing start in WW2.
Unfortunately, the book ends with quite a bit less interest. The last few chapters are less about the inner workings - and people - of a great company, and more about the features added to certain models. I became increasingly bored, and actually rolled my eyes when the author thought it important enough to tell me when Jeep added a coin holder to the console in their cars.
Also, as the book advanced, the photos became more generic. In the later chapters I found myself relying on Google to show me the models that the book was describing. This is because instead of using appropriate photos that matched the text, the later chapters use generic and standard photos of random Jeeps from any decade. I had to Google images often enough in the last few chapters that it became annoying.
If the entire book had been like the first two thirds, I’d have given it five stars. But the last third of the book seemed like the author forgot his photos and lost interest. And then, unfortunately, so did I.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2017
I would never call myself a “car guy," i.e. the type who can talk at length about various makes and models. Then, I bought myself a 2008 Jeep Patriot and fell in love with it. Perhaps it’s the sign of a mid-life crisis (I did just turn fifty.), but that’s a topic for another venue. Really, I’m just here to review this book.
JEEP: THE HISTORY OF AMERICA'S GREATEST VEHICLE is a nice, handsome coffee table hardcover, printed on glossy paper and chocked with colorful photos of Jeeps. That description pretty much tells you what you’re “in for,” but since I’m not a hardcore automotive aficionado, this suited me fine. In truth, I got what I wanted: Some general history, combined with a survey of Jeep models through the years.
As a lifelong history buff (and with a history degree to boot!), I naturally found Jeep’s history interesting. Jeeps were designed for the military by the short-lived American Bantam company, which then subsequently lost its U.S. military contract to Willys-Overland. Willys-Overland produced the beloved vehicles throughout World War II and introduced civilian versions after the war. Since then, Jeep has had a succession of parent companies, from Willys-Overland to Kaiser to the American Motors Corporation (aka AMC) to Chrysler. My main criticism here is that I would have liked to have known more about the personalities involved – the key engineers, automotive designers, company executives or even union leaders that helped form the company’s identity and forged its path. These people are not ignored, mind you, and author Patrick R. Foster does name several and gives them their due nods, but the reader doesn’t get a real sense of who they were as individuals. This simply wasn’t Foster’s focus, though, and I probably shouldn’t judge him for writing a different kind of book. Rather, Foster’s focus is more on the different types of Jeep models and how they evolved over the years.
I confess that I’m not sure how many model specifics I’ll remember in the long term. For individual vehicles, Foster typically includes details about engines, interiors, paint, heating, control panels, cooling systems, etc., etc. In other words, this is definitely a book for those “car guys” of whom I am not one. I wondered if people actually committed some of this information to memory, and I’m sure that some do, but really, I suspect that this book is intended as a reference source. A true Jeep aficionado can pull it out again and again, looking at the photos and jogging the memory about what past individual models had to offer.
If you’re sensing that I would have preferred a more general, people-focused (as opposed to model-focused) history, than you’re essentially correct. One wasn’t available, though, and since this promised a general historical overview, I gave it a shot. Interestingly, I can’t say that I was disappointed. I may not remember minute model details, but I do remember more general information about model names and types. I can tell you, for example, that a Wagoneer was a station wagon, a Commanche was a pick up and a Grand Cherokee is a modern SUV. I know that a Jeepster was an odd looking sporty car and that a Compass was a more modern model targeted at female buyers.
In fact, the book has, in some ways, opened me to a new world. When I drive around now, I look at other Jeeps and note whether I'm seeing a Liberty, a Grand Cherokee or even a newer Renegade or old Cherokee model. I mentally compare and contrast them all and ask myself which ones I'd ideally like to drive or own. Who knows? I just may turn in to one of those "car guys" yet!
JEEP: THE HISTORY OF AMERICA'S GREATEST VEHICLE is a nice, handsome coffee table hardcover, printed on glossy paper and chocked with colorful photos of Jeeps. That description pretty much tells you what you’re “in for,” but since I’m not a hardcore automotive aficionado, this suited me fine. In truth, I got what I wanted: Some general history, combined with a survey of Jeep models through the years.
As a lifelong history buff (and with a history degree to boot!), I naturally found Jeep’s history interesting. Jeeps were designed for the military by the short-lived American Bantam company, which then subsequently lost its U.S. military contract to Willys-Overland. Willys-Overland produced the beloved vehicles throughout World War II and introduced civilian versions after the war. Since then, Jeep has had a succession of parent companies, from Willys-Overland to Kaiser to the American Motors Corporation (aka AMC) to Chrysler. My main criticism here is that I would have liked to have known more about the personalities involved – the key engineers, automotive designers, company executives or even union leaders that helped form the company’s identity and forged its path. These people are not ignored, mind you, and author Patrick R. Foster does name several and gives them their due nods, but the reader doesn’t get a real sense of who they were as individuals. This simply wasn’t Foster’s focus, though, and I probably shouldn’t judge him for writing a different kind of book. Rather, Foster’s focus is more on the different types of Jeep models and how they evolved over the years.
I confess that I’m not sure how many model specifics I’ll remember in the long term. For individual vehicles, Foster typically includes details about engines, interiors, paint, heating, control panels, cooling systems, etc., etc. In other words, this is definitely a book for those “car guys” of whom I am not one. I wondered if people actually committed some of this information to memory, and I’m sure that some do, but really, I suspect that this book is intended as a reference source. A true Jeep aficionado can pull it out again and again, looking at the photos and jogging the memory about what past individual models had to offer.
If you’re sensing that I would have preferred a more general, people-focused (as opposed to model-focused) history, than you’re essentially correct. One wasn’t available, though, and since this promised a general historical overview, I gave it a shot. Interestingly, I can’t say that I was disappointed. I may not remember minute model details, but I do remember more general information about model names and types. I can tell you, for example, that a Wagoneer was a station wagon, a Commanche was a pick up and a Grand Cherokee is a modern SUV. I know that a Jeepster was an odd looking sporty car and that a Compass was a more modern model targeted at female buyers.
In fact, the book has, in some ways, opened me to a new world. When I drive around now, I look at other Jeeps and note whether I'm seeing a Liberty, a Grand Cherokee or even a newer Renegade or old Cherokee model. I mentally compare and contrast them all and ask myself which ones I'd ideally like to drive or own. Who knows? I just may turn in to one of those "car guys" yet!
January 3, 2020
This was a fun reference book to read and look at all the pictures of Jeeps over the decades. Any Jeep enthusiast would enjoy this coffee table style book.
December 27, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Jeep: The History of America's Greatest Vehicle is an updated edition of the history and models of the iconic brand. Originally released in 2014, this reformat and re-release due out 14th Jan 2020 from Quarto on their Motorbooks imprint is 192 pages and will be available in paperback format.
Author Pat Foster is an automotive journalist and one of the foremost authorities on Jeep, AMC, and related brands. In other words, he knows what he's talking about. His engagement with the subject shines through in the prose. The story begins with a number of exciting tales from WW2 and continues through the next 80 years of developmental history.
The chapters are arranged chronologically from WW2 to 2019. There's a cross referenced index and the book is peppered throughout with sidebar info and annotations for further reading. I was maybe most impressed with the scope of this book. This is a comprehensive history and retrospective full of information and trivia and lavishly illustrated.
Five stars. This would make a superlative gift for car enthusiasts and especially for fans of the brand.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Jeep: The History of America's Greatest Vehicle is an updated edition of the history and models of the iconic brand. Originally released in 2014, this reformat and re-release due out 14th Jan 2020 from Quarto on their Motorbooks imprint is 192 pages and will be available in paperback format.
Author Pat Foster is an automotive journalist and one of the foremost authorities on Jeep, AMC, and related brands. In other words, he knows what he's talking about. His engagement with the subject shines through in the prose. The story begins with a number of exciting tales from WW2 and continues through the next 80 years of developmental history.
The chapters are arranged chronologically from WW2 to 2019. There's a cross referenced index and the book is peppered throughout with sidebar info and annotations for further reading. I was maybe most impressed with the scope of this book. This is a comprehensive history and retrospective full of information and trivia and lavishly illustrated.
Five stars. This would make a superlative gift for car enthusiasts and especially for fans of the brand.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
January 10, 2020
Pat Foster does an outstanding job on the books that he authors such as the jeep and Packard plus Studebaker , international harvestor,ford tough 100 years of ford trucks and AMC however my favorite is the different Jeep books and titles that pat puts out like the new book Jeep : Eight Decades Of Willys And Wranglers were he talks about the history of the jeep from the earlie days when it was the primary vehicle for military use to the newer jeep vehicles such as the new 2019 jeep gladiator pickup with a rugged and powerful presence . I am a jeep fan and enthuist and love anything written about jeep wether it be a reference book or an enthuist book like this it is the ideal book for most jeep fans and enthuists . My father has owned two jeeps a 2000 wrangler se in solar yellow with black fenders and black hardtop and the second wich he still owns a 2012 jeep wrangler sahara in dark green I hope to see him get the new 2019-20 jeep gladiator pickup in red like the one on the cover of pats new book . Jeep has come a long way since the days of building military jeeps though I would like to get an orginal MB military jeep in the olive drab though if you look up pats book of youtube there is a youtube video of a 75 th anniversary jeep based off the 1941 orgnial called MB done up in the olive drab and it is shown at the jeep wrangler factory .
August 12, 2017
Very thorough history of the Jeep all the way down to the details,at times exhausting yet informative nontheless for Both Jeep fans,Casual fans and Transportation buffs.Personally,I am not a avid Jeep enthusiast but I have them in my family and want a LS powered Willys Jeep or Scrambler,or Renegade CJ7.I like the fact that Buick V6 were sourced for awhile,and as pointed out in the book a "Iron Duke."was planned with a GM(Buick)4cynlinder sadly was still born.A lot of one offs and rare archives,only thing That bothers me is in the beginning of the book of the author's biased(ProFDR)View regarding the Best President,but later on he makes up for it by blaming where blame lies on the militant unions for some of the problems(Legacy costs)With AMC.This Book ishighly recommended for anyone Jeep fan or not.
June 10, 2014
If you like both the automotive industry & history, them you should enjoy this book.
The juxtiposition of relative photographs timely to the story throughout the book is most impressive.
The juxtiposition of relative photographs timely to the story throughout the book is most impressive.
July 10, 2014
Free book....lots of great infor. and pics of the 1st jeeps till now....try it if u love jeeps
August 25, 2019
Jeeps, Jeeps Jeeps
July 7, 2021
If you love Jeeps and history you'll love the back story of this awesome vehicle.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews