"My father-in-law worked for Ford for over 25 years in Service, and he was awarded a Ford franchise and became a successful dealer until he sold in 1978. He is now in his early 80’s, and struggles with Parkinson’s, however, whenever we discuss the automobile business and in particular the trials and tribulations of Ford, his eyes sparkle, and he shares with me his love and passion for Ford, and his obvious pride of what a great company Ford was during his lifetime… he bleeds blue, and frankly, I think he expects that he will know he’s in heaven because the gate will be marked by the Oval. Over the years, I have continuously needled him about the success of Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, and after reading your book, I became more and more ashamed of my harassment, and I have a significantly better understanding of why he feels so passionately about Ford. Thank you, I found your insights applicable to my business, and very much on point.

"By the way, your book (autographed) was given to me by a 25 year Ford employee on my plane ride back from NADA. I will proudly give this copy to my father-in-law, and will purchase my own copy."

- Steve Klees


"Dear Mr. Mulally,

"Confidence and a restored faith in the American Dream is what I needed and found in this fantastic book, Ford and the American Dream.

"As a grand son to one of Ford Motor Company's first automotive dealers within the Detroit area in 1918. At times I have questioned where this country and our industry was headed, but after reading Ford and the American Dream, I now have a restored sense of confidence in Ford and the industry thru the leadership you and Jim Farley are providing. Your vision and Leadership will clear the path for a renewed hope not just for the Ford Motor Company, but the American automobile industry as a whole. Henry Ford, the car man was a pioneer who industrialized the automobile industry. Since his time, new challenges have been defined. Your ability to overcome those challenges will define the true "automotive Pioneer" for the future. You clearly have an opportunity too accomplish something very special.

"I have recommended this book to many family members, automotive professionals and dealer friends. All have responded saying that this book should be required reading for anyone who has touched our industry.

"Good luck to you and Jim and thanks for keeping the American Dream Alive."

Sincerely,
Jon S. Greiner


"The entire time I was reading the book I saw very similar examples in my company, Associated Spring and continued to say to myself, we do that and we do that too. I think business in general is all caught up in the "New Way" to do business but it's not the way it was intended to be.

"I hope that your new CEO really does believes in the story of "Ford and the American Dream" for a lot of peoples sake. Lives and peoples future depends on fixing the business and getting back to what you guys know and that is building cars.

"As a large supplier to Ford it is my plan to send this book up to our management group and see if they can see any parallels within our company. I have my doubts but I have nothing to loose and much to gain. I see the problems internally from my 26 years with the company and being closer to the customers and little people in the plants. I think I'm in touch a bit more that the ones in the corner room.

"Good luck to you and Ford as you move forward."

Regards,
Dann Brissenden
Account Manager


"Mr. Lambreth, I believe I had a prayer answered today. I have been praying for Christian leadership within Ford Motor Company with the courage to tell the truth since the whole A.F.A. thing got started. You see, I am a Christian first, and then Ford dealer. For the past few years it has been incredibly difficult to see this great company deteriorate to the point of near extinction. It is also scary when your whole career has been connected to a company that has lost its direction. Today I was informed of your book and web site. After reading your bio, and seeing your prayer requests, it appears God is using you for a time such as this. I am assuming you are a follower of Christ, right?

"As I approach 2008 God has planted a feeling of excitement in me about what we will see happen by His mighty hands this year. What are the chances on 01/02/08, my first day of work for 2008, I learn about you and your book? Just circumstances or a gentle reminder from God saying "don't worry, I am with you". I choose the latter.

"Mr. Lambreth, if you can spare the time, would you contact me. I would like to discuss your book and what we as Ford dealers can do to help turn this ship around."

In Christ,
Doug Erickson
Hastings Ford, Lincoln, Mercury


"Dear Mr. Mulally,

"My career has been connected to the Ford Motor Company either directly or indirectly for the past twenty-seven years. From starting my career as a Service Zone Manager with the Company in 1981 to becoming a Ford Dealer in 1989, the Ford Motor Company has been the foundation of my working life. In that time it has been incredibly difficult to see this great company deteriorate to the point of near extinction. It is also scary when your whole career has been connected to a company that has lost its direction.

"Recently I came across a book, written by a Ford employee, called “Ford and the American Dream”. In the book the writer reveals many of the reasons that Ford Motor Company is in its current condition. The book also offers hope for the future with a leadership team that embraces the core values that the Company was founded on. The author suggests you are the one who was called to LEAD for “a time such as this”. Based on what I have seen in you, I agree.

"I have enclosed a copy of the book for you. If you haven’t read it already, please read the book and then, if you can spare the time, let me know what you think. As far as I am concerned “Ford and the American Dream” should be a must read for anyone associated with the Company.

"In your first speech as Ford’s Chairman you said something like “I can’t wait to get to the bottom because the ride back up is so great!” I believe if everyone who makes their living from Ford Motor Company read this book and embraced its message, the journey to the bottom would be much shorter and the ride to the top will be the kind legends are made of. Are you ready for that kind of ride?

"I pray that God will bless, guide, and protect you during this time."

- Doug Erickson


"My name is Chris Giffen, I was the Service Manager at Beasley Ford back about ten years ago. I enjoyed your book, and even bought a few copies for the employees and managers that now work for me. I hope for Ford's sake you get to write the follow up book on how they turned it around..."

- Chris Giffen


"Ginger Cooper showed me the book you wrote about Ford and I read it this past summer. I thought it was great! I'm a car fan, so it was a good read for me. I just wanted to let you know that I thought it was a good book. I also read a recent Motor Trend article and it looks as if Ford is trying to turn things around and do some of the things you wrote about."

Rich Lin
Campus Crusade for Christ


"I just wanted you to know that I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished!!! I have just ordered your book and I can't wait to read it. It's so good to see a "hometown" guy succeed."

Kim Cecil
General Manager
Thomasville Ford, Inc.


"I've finally had an opportunity to read your book and was pleasantly surprised. I had not realized it was written in third person and used a fictional character who turned out to be Henry Ford. Made the reading enjoyable.

"Having gone through similar experiences as yourself in my 25 years at Ford I have to agree with you on a great deal of the subject matter. Particularly the chapter on Diversity. Why should my personal beliefs, or anyone else's, have to do with my objectives and or performance at work.

"The other subject that was near and dear to me was Engineering. Being at the end of the line for so many years I can tell you first hand that complexity has made my job extremely difficult."

"Don't find fault, find a remedy" -- Henry Ford

Drew Fennema
Field Service Engineer
Philadelphia Region


"Congratulations! I just ordered the book and can't wait to read it. Some of the "old-timers" just got together for breakfast and Drew Fennema had a copy and said it was terrific. Although retired, I can only hope the "powers-to-be" read it and maybe, just maybe learn something.

"Regards to the family and good luck in your future endeavors."

Greg Karas
Administrator - Fire Dist. No. 2


"Cover to cover last night! Wow.

"Loved the concept, had me guessing who the next "guest for lunch" would be. Makes me want to eat lunch at Fairlane Manor.

"Here is my take-This book is an amazing discovery of the obvious. The problems with big business in general are detailed on the pages. If small businesses were run this way, none of us would be here. Ford as a company has been out in the front yard watering the flowers while the house burned down behind them.

"Henry has to be spinning in his grave.

"Great work CL. I am giving this book to my brother in law (25 years @ Ford Glass, retired)

"Proud of you!"

nwp
Partin & Associates