Engines of Change

A History of the American Dream in Fifteen Cars

By: Paul Ingrassia

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

America was made manifest by its cars. From the assembly lines of Henry Ford to the open roads of Route 66 and Jack Kerouac, America's history is a vehicular history-an idea brought brilliantly to life in this major work by the acclaimed author of Crash Course: The American Automobile Industry's Road from Glory to Disaster.

One of the nation's most eloquent and impassioned car nuts, Paul Ingrassia offers a wondrous epic in fifteen automobiles, including the VW Beetle, the Chevy Corvair, Robert McNamara and Lee Iacocca's Mustang, the Pontiac GTO, Honda's Accord, the BMW 3 Series, and the Jeep, among others. Through them, the author shows us much more than the car's ability to exhibit the particularly American tension between the lure of freedom and the obligations of utility; he takes us through the rise of American manufacturing, the suburbanization of the country, the birth of the Hippy and the Yuppy, the emancipation of women, and so much more, including the car's unintended consequences: trial lawyers, energy crises, and pollution. Narrative history of the highest caliber, Engines of Change is an entirely edifying new way to look at the American story.

©2012 Paul Ingrassia (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A thoughtful, propulsive assay of the machine that changed a nation, a world." ( The Wall Street Journal)

very good story lots of great information

loved the story line easy to stay on track and history of the automotive lines. I learned a lot about the different manufacturers.

Not just for car lovers

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Much like Six Glasses that Changed the World and other historical specific books, this one is a fun cruize through history in 15 cars.

What did you like best about this story?

The background story on how cars are developed.

Which scene was your favorite?

spoiler - but it was good :)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it was fine to listen to back and forth to work. I enjoyed it.

Any additional comments?

Design, Engineering, Speed, Safety, Fuel and the Presidency of the United States all in one well read package.

a great ride

Paul Ingrassia does a terrific job taking us on an American journey through 15 or so cars. In addition to filling us in on the story behind the development of the cars, he also gives us a good sense of the cultures they reflected or even helped create. Little did I know that the same two car guys were behind the Mustang and the Mini-Van. Super narration.

Terrific book, revved up my love for cas

Would you listen to Engines of Change again? Why?

If you're a car fan or a history fan--and especially a fan of car history--this is your book. Well written, nicely researched without ever being tedious, Ingrassa does a great job of connecting memorable automobiles and how they affected mankind and so many cultures. Sean Runnette is a great narrator, too, so it's a pleasure to listen to.

What did you like best about this story?

the weaving together of history, cars and their impact on cultures

Great book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Anyone interested in the development of the automobile or travel, in general. should enjoy this book. Lots of examples of how cars changed our society.

Engines of Change

Excellent stories and excellent narration. It was well detailed. Answered many questions about some great cars.

engines

good book I learned stuff
it was enjoyable
went by quickly could have been longer it was a lesson in coolness
and practicality

Highly entertaining

Most of my reading is history of some sort. This book caught my attention both for its historical/cultural content and because I have a moderate interest in cars. My first car was a 1970 Camaro. I found this book to be very enjoyable, a nice change of pace from my usual reading. Ford enthusiasts will especially appreciate the book as the author seems to me to lean a bit in Ford's favor. Perhaps that's just a reflection of my Chevy bias. I now drive a Silverado and an Impala. Foreign car makers are included as well. The section on the Honda success story was quite good as was that on the Beetle. Even the chapter on the Prius was tolerable (just barely). Highly recommended for a relaxing summer listen on a trip down memory lane, in the car of your choice.

A telling tale of American culture and it's cars.

Not just for car buffs and automotive enthusiasts. Give it a go... no disappointment here.

Excellent!

I was hoping this would not be some boring car geek book filled with too much data and minutae. It was not! There are plenty of car engineering facts and figures but they are presented as part of the total story & picture. Loved hearing the background on his choices.
Loved the narration too.