Fordlandia
Fordlandia
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2009
Book Brief
432
Biography • Nonfiction
Amazon Rainforest • 1920s-1930s
2009
Adult
18+ years
1440L
Super Short Summary
Fordlandia by Greg Grandin centers on Henry Ford's ambitious 1926 project to create a massive rubber plantation and model American town in the Brazilian Amazon. Fordlandia ultimately failed due to environmental challenges, planting errors, labor disputes, and Ford's attempts to impose American culture on his Brazilian employees, leading to its abandonment by 1945. The book explores themes of capitalism, imperialism, and commercialism as they relate to Fordlandia’s rise and fall.
Informative
Mysterious
Challenging
Melancholic
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
4,465 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Greg Grandin's Fordlandia presents a captivating exploration of Henry Ford's ambitious yet flawed attempt to build a utopian industrial town in the Amazon. Reviewers praise Grandin's meticulous research and engaging narrative style. However, some criticize the book for occasional repetitive details. Overall, it offers a rich, informative blend of history and biography.
Who Should Read Fordlandia?
Readers who relish historical narratives infused with economic intrigue and industrial ambition will be captivated by Fordlandia by Greg Grandin. Comparable to The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson and The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, it attracts those fascinated by corporate utopias and the intersection of industry and environment.
4,465 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
432
Biography • Nonfiction
Amazon Rainforest • 1920s-1930s
2009
Adult
18+ years
1440L
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