The people who "changed the face of the earth..." 
From the Prologue... 
"In 1913, The New York Times declared, 'the coming of the automobile has literally changed the face of the earth.' Given that assessment, it is interesting that the invention was so long in arriving. Its roots dated back to the American Revolution, but for more than a century, inventors faced ridicule and contempt ... The transition of America from horse-drawn to horse-less society boasts an epic cast of characters - from stalwart heros to dastardly scoundrels, from social grandees to street toughs, from wise men to wise guys." 
This "cast of characters" provides the lens through which award-winning author Beverly Rae Kimes focuses on the early years of the American automobile industry. While some names - Ford, Dodge, Buick, and more - are easily recognized, this book also introduces snapshots of lesser known, but vitally important actors in this dramatic saga. The famous, the infamous, and the unknown are brought together by their common dedication to this great invention - and united by the fascinating stories that characterize each person. 
This book presents a unique and engagingly written portrait of the American automobile industry's early years, focusing on the individuals who dreamed, schemed, innovated, succeeded and failed in their quests for fame, fortune, glory, and knowledge. This is a book that tells a story like no other - a history of America, Americans, and their love affair with the "horse-less carriage." 
Did you know? 
The first company to build automobiles was organized by Oliver Evans in 1804. In 1900 the gasoline car was third in popularity, behind steamer and electric models. In 1909 Henry Ford briefly considered becoming part of General Motors. In 1916 Lt. George S. Patton led the first motorized charge in U.S. Army history with 14 men and 3 Dodges in a surprise raid on Pancho Villa¿s hideout. In 1911 the top five automobile manufacturing states were Michigan (75 companies), Ohio (63), Indiana (61), Illinois (54) and New York (54). In 1912 the U.S. exported 23,720 cars and imported just 868. 
Learn the stories you haven't heard. Meet the people you haven't known.

Pioneers, Engineers, And Scoundrels: The Dawn Of The Automobile In America

Travel

Kimes, Beverly R.

Food, Lodging & Transportation

Society of Automotive Engineers

This new revised and updated edition is the ultimate buyer's/seller's/user's guide for American automobiles manufactured from 1805 to 1942. With more than 5,000 photos and histories of cars and their companies written by one of America's most respected automotive historians, this is the most extensive automobile reference available.

Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942

Clark, Henry Austin

Dunwoodie, Ralph

Marvin, Keith

History

Krause Pubns Inc

Book by Dreyfus, Rene, Kimes, Beverly R.

My Two Lives: Race Driver to Restauranteur

Dreyfus, Rene

Biographies & Memoirs

Aztex Corp

You can order with confidence from Good Friday Tornado Victims. We are retired booksellers with 20+ years as dealers of new, used and collectible books; music; and video. Items are accurately and honestly described. Your order will be carefully packaged and shipped promptly from Missouri.

The Cars That Henry Ford Built (An Automobile Quarterly Library Series Book)

Engineering & Transportation

Automotive

Automobile Quarterly

From the Preface: It was in late 1972 when thoughts at Automobile Quarterly turned to Packard. To Packard as a book, that is. Packard had been on our minds for a long time before that. On July 2nd of 1962 by official decree of the Studebaker-Packard board of directors the name Packard died because, as a company spokesman said, it no longer held magic...Ten years later the "proud name of Packard" remained no less compelling to us. And to virtually everyone else who cared about superb automobiles; the passage of time had utterly negated the contention that the name held no magic. But remaining, too, were the "many and varied suppositions as to why the Packard motorcar is no longer with and the unanswered questions" which we noted in 1962 would "keep Packard mourners busy for years." We hope this book will answer them. But it is equally the intention of this volume to celebrate the life of Packard as to examine the reasons for its death. For Packard seems to use to be much more than an automobile. There has always been an intangibility about it, as once intriguing yet definable. For nearly a half century the motorcars from East Grand Boulevard provided a metaphor for that strata of the contemporary social scene which reflected the finest that was America.

Packard: A History of the Motorcar and Company

From Beverly Rae Kimes and the staff of Automobile Quarterly comes this beautifully illustrated history of Chevrolet from 1911 to 1980. Remarkable for its high quality text, photography and production, this book is a must for all Chevy buffs.

Chevrolet: A History from 1911 (Automobile Quarterly Marque History Book)

Science & Math

Ackerson, Robert C.

Technology

The Star and the Laurel: The Centennial History of Daimler, Mercedes, and Benz, 1886-1986

Business & Money

Mercedes Benz of North Amer

Only the legendary Packard could command a book of such scope and expense. This monumental work has required ten years of research, documentation and photography. It represents many more decades of collecting Packard automobiles, facts, photographs, technical data and information to record for all time every aspect, every model, every achievement of the Packard motor car and the men who made its name an emblem and international byword for taste and refinement in automotive design and engineering. Over three years were spent in intensive writing, checking, cross-checking, rewriting, coordinating, editing, and winnowing thousands of rare and unpublished historic photographs. This volume represents the scholarly efforts of sixteen contributors and was written by ten highly qualified authorities on Packard lore.Winner of a Cugnot Award.

Packard: A History of the Motor Car And the Company

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Books by Kimes, Beverly R.