Factory Man

How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local - and Helped Save an American Town

De: Beth Macy

Narrado por: Kristin Kalbli

The instant New York Times bestseller about one man's battle to save hundreds of jobs by demonstrating the greatness of American business.

The Bassett Furniture Company was once the world's biggest wood furniture manufacturer. Run by the same powerful Virginia family for generations, it was also the center of life in Bassett, Virginia. But beginning in the 1980s, the first waves of Asian competition hit, and ultimately Bassett was forced to send its production overseas.

One man fought back: John Bassett III, a shrewd and determined third-generation factory man, now chairman of Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co, which employs more than 700 Virginians and has sales of more than $90 million. In Factory Man, Beth Macy brings to life Bassett's deeply personal furniture and family story, along with a host of characters from an industry that was as cutthroat as it was colorful. As she shows how he uses legal maneuvers, factory efficiencies, and sheer grit and cunning to save hundreds of jobs, she also reveals the truth about modern industry in America.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"In a class with other runaway debuts like Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit" and Katherine Boo's "Behind the Beautiful Forevers": These nonfiction narratives are more stirring and dramatic than most novels. And Ms. Macy writes so vigorously that she hooks you instantly. You won't be putting this book down."—Janet Maslin, New York Times

"In a world of blue-collar victims, where logging chains seal forever the doors of mills and factories from the Rust Belt to the Deep South, Beth Macy's award-winning look at one furniture maker's refusal to give in is a breath of hope-and a damn fine story to read. The book tracks John Bassett's fight to keep American jobs on this side of borders and oceans, and keeps one American town from becoming a place of empty storefronts and FOR SALE signs."—Rick Bragg, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Most They Ever Had

"Beth Macy has done a masterful job in personalizing the biggest American economic story of our time--how to save American jobs in the 21st Century. John Bassett III is a cinematic figure and quintessential American, battling for his company, his town and his country."—Jonathan Alter, author of The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies

"The author's brightly written, richly detailed narrative not only illuminates globalization and the issue of offshoring, but succeeds brilliantly in conveying the human costs borne by low-income people displaced from a way of life.... A masterly feat of reporting."—Kirkus (starred review)

"Macy's down-to-earth writing style and abundance of personal stories from manufacturing's beleaguered front lines make her work a stirring critique of globalization."—Carl Hays, Booklist

"Macy's riveting narrative is rich in local color.... Vivid reporting."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"The unlikely hero of Factory Man is a determined, ornery, and absolutely indomitable...business man. He's the head of a family furniture company and damned if he's going to be pushed around. Beth Macy has given us an inspiring and engaging tale for our times, but not the expected one."—Alex Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Losing the News: The Future of the News that Feeds Democracy, Director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy and Laurence M. Lombard Lecturer in the Press and Public Policy

An Inspirational American Story

First and foremost, Beth Macy does a wonderful job of making what appears on the surface to be a relatively boring topic, furniture production, into an engaging and personal story which you can become emotionally invested in. In my opinion, Beth Macy does a masterful job of toeing the line between objective journalist and compassionate story teller, which gives this book all the more credibility. The narration is very well done and fitting for the tone of the book. I was able to listen to this comfortably at 1.5x speed.

What a story!

An amazing story that is very detail and precisely written. John Bassett III was in a driven man and I enjoyed learning about him in this book.

Interesting History

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

I would recommend this audiobook to a friend. It is both interesting and educational. All Americans should understand how we lost our manufacturing sector and what can be done. Factory Man gives insight into this timely topic.

Inspirational

What a story to listen! I personally met Mr. John Bassett and his sons. They are down to earth people and enjoyed meeting them. We need to continue to work together (all employers) in Galax for the stronger and healthier-community, which attracts all the age group to come and live and enjoy the natural beauty of Galax.

I Am A supplier to the furniture ind. good read

I Am A supplier to the furniture industry based in High Point, this was a wonderful insight into the industry and where it is today and how it got there. The Glory Days of furniture manufacturing in the United States are over but not gone. there are many manufacturers who have figured out the right mix of importing and domestic production to supply the world's needs. the story of Bassett Furniture is an interesting one, filled with infighting and family competition. having grown up in North Carolina, I appreciate the way the Author doesn't try to paint us as all Backwoods Hillbillies, but rather shrewd business people who made the best of what they had and grew an Industry. overall this was a good read even for people not involved in the furniture industry.