Freedom's Forge

How American Business Built the Arsenal of Democracy That Won World War II

By: Arthur Herman

Narrated by: John McDonough

Length: 16 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Arthur Herman pens this fascinating look at how two businessmen turned the U.S. into a military powerhouse during World War II. In 1940, FDR asked General Motors CEO William Knudsen to oversee the production of guns, tanks, and planes needed for the war. Meanwhile, industrialist Henry J. Kaiser presided over the building of “Liberty ships” - vessels that came to symbolize America’s great wartime output.

©2012 Arthur Herman (P)2012 Recorded Books

Amazing history and Exceptionally told

An amazing telling of the history of the Auto industry of the behind the scenes of the production of weapons for world war 2. Worth everyone's time.

Great look at the "Arsenal of Democracy".

Although heavy with statics, a great look into the American titans that supplied the tools to win WWII. Being a Manufacturing guy, I enjoyed it.

Industrial Power of the USA is defined here

I had always wondered how the USA achieved such massive amounts of war materials in such a short time. Well this book describes in great details the men who started the transition, to the many Americans who put everything together in record time. What I found amazing is before the war, we were the 18th ranked army in the world and in a handful of years became a world superpower. The numbers of war materials produced is staggering and in such a short time!!! This book will listened be listened to again

Magnificent!

I can't imagine the amount of research required to write this book so well and so thorough. I learned a lot and also really enjoyed the narration. Lots of lessons to be learned here, especially for business owners and politicians.

Great Story and Performance

Really well done. It's a great look into a somewhat untold part of WWII history. Narration is great. It isn't distracting from the story but dynamic enough to keep you from zoning out. would definitely recommend

Fascinating History!

Great, detailed history of our commercial and industrial involvement in WWII. The cost was enormous, but this highlights the hard work required to get our industrial engine moving to fight and win the war. Interesting accounts of the politicians doing what they do: empire making and trying to change the narrative.

Love this book! Fantastic narration!

Excellent book

I learned so much, it was amazing to find out how much I did not know about the greatest generation. And the people behind the victories in Germany and Japan. What an amazing historical book

Superb history

This is a great as well overdue book on the mobilization for World War II. The usual narrative is FDR and the new dealers created the Arsenal democracy through centralized planning. Nothing could be further from the cruise. This book tells the story provides the citations And is a needed addition to understand the efforts leading up to an end to World War II

Enlightening. Amazing, Great Narration

Would you listen to Freedom's Forge again? Why?

I have been waiting for this book to come out on audio since I saw the author's on TV promoting it.

WWII has always fascinated me and I have always wondered how quickly after the attack on Pearl Harbor the U.S. was able to convert its factories to producing the materials needed for war. The surprising fact I learned from this book was planes, ships, tanks, and guns were already being produced and production was on the upswing.

Yes I will be listening to this book several times. Today we have no clue how primitive our factories were and how long it took to retool machines. It took the foresight of a few political leaders to start early to save Britain by getting the best individuals (regardless of party affiliations) and ask them to serve (for no salary).

This book is great for WWII enthusiasts and business historians. It illustrates what can be done when there is a will to do it.

A fascinating miss link in the annals of WWII literature.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Which character – as performed by John McDonough – was your favorite?

It is a straight read for the most part but the narrator is outstanding.

Brilliant defense of capitalism

A fascinating story of the conversion of the American economy post Great Depression to WWII Arsenal of Democracy. I know some of this history but it's still staggering to hear the numbers.