Book Description

Legendary auto executive Lee Iacocca has a question for every American: Where have all the leaders gone?

The most widely recognized business executive of all time asks the tough questions that America's leaders must address:

• What is each of us giving back to our country?

• Do we truly love democracy?

• Are we too fat and satisfied for our own good?

• Why is America addicted to oil?

• Do we really care about our children's futures?

• Who will save the middle class?

A self-made man who many Americans once wished would run for president, Iacocca saved the Chrysler Corporation from financial ruin, masterminded the creation of the minivan, and oversaw the renovation of Ellis Island. Since then he has created the Iacocca Institute for leadership at Lehigh University and the Iacocca Foundation, which funds research for a cure for diabetes. Lee Iacocca believes that leaders are made in times of crisis -- such as today. He has known more leaders than almost anyone else -- among them nine U.S. presidents, many heads of state, and the CEOs of the nation's top corporations -- and is uniquely suited to share his wisdom, knowledge, and wit about the leadership of America.

Author of the gigantic number one bestsellers Iacocca: An Autobiography and Talking Straight, Lee Iacocca famously doesn't mince words and offers his no-nonsense, straight-up assessments of the American politicians most likely to run for president in 2008, including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, Mitt Romney, and John Edwards.

Confessing that he has "flunked retirement," Iacocca calls on citizens of all ages to vote, get involved, and choose our leaders carefully. Along the way, he shares stories about the prominent people he's met and known, including the time he smoked cigars with Fidel Castro, what Bob Hope told him about how to live a long life, what Lady Sarah Ferguson said to him as they danced, why Bill Clinton woke him up in Italy, what Robert McNamara taught him about success, how Frank Sinatra sang for him personally, and whom Pope John Paul II asked him to pray for. We learn what he discussed with Warren Buffett, DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche, Ronald Reagan, Senator John Kerry, Congressman John Murtha, Prince Charles and Camilla, former Saudi ambassador Prince Bandar, rapper Snoop Dogg, financier Kirk Kerkorian, Ted Turner, Bob Dole, and many more.

Knowing that the times are urgent, the iconic leader shares his lessons learned and issues a call to action to summon Americans back to their roots of hard work, common sense, integrity, generosity, and optimism.

Where have all the leaders gone?

Lee Iacocca has the answer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (175)

Can we clone Lee Iacocca?
I have to say one thing--Lee Iacocca "tells it like it is" in this book.Once I started reading this book, I could hardly put it down!His guidelines for choosing a leader are excellent.After reading this book, for the first time in my life I wanted to get involved in some kind of 'National Movement' that could work to REALLY CHANGE some of the things that have gone sour within our political system.

Real Leaders Chased Off
This book was a real disappointment.Mr Iacocca demonstrated a complete lack of objectivity.His main thrust was to bash Bush while extolling the virtues of Clinton and Gore and any other that will take a far left wing stance.A criticism of a president is ok but we do not live in a world where all of one group are right and all of the other are wrong.Where Have All The Leaders Gone?has nothing to do with seeking real leaders but instituting an ideology.Sorry, this book has little redeeming value.

Harangue, not an analysis.
I was impressed by the jacket "bullets" and ordered this book expecting to find a business-like approach answering the question posed in the title.Unfortunately, the author's continuous diatribe against President Bush left me cold.Certainly he has every right to criticize the policies of an administration, but I question the value of a shrill harangue against any individual and especially the President of the United States.It certainly detracted from the value of the book to me.

Publisher Please Allow Viewers To Look Inside
That's it. That look inside feature is the best thing since sliced bread ... therefore ... wise publishers should use it, use it, use it.

Where Have All The Leaders Gone
This is an interesting book with much to say about the lack of sufficient current leadership for the Country.It asks many hard questions but doesn't ask enough about the Congress and it's poor performance.
... Read more

Book Description
He’s an American legend, a straight-shooting businessman who brought Chrysler back from the brink and in the process became a media celebrity, newsmaker, and a man many had urged to run for president.

The son of Italian immigrants, Lee Iacocca rose spectacularly through the ranks of Ford Motor Company to become its president, only to be toppled eight years later in a power play that should have shattered him. But Lee Iacocca didn’t get mad, he got even. He led a battle for Chrysler’s survival that made his name a symbol of integrity, know-how, and guts for millions of Americans.

In his classic hard-hitting style, he tells us how he changed the automobile industry in the 1960s by creating the phenomenal Mustang. He goes behind the scenes for a look at Henry Ford’s reign of intimidation and manipulation. He recounts the miraculous rebirth of Chrysler from near bankruptcy to repayment of its $1.2 billion government loan so early that Washington didn’t know how to cash the check. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

Rags to riches story
This is the difinative biography of the man who turned aroud Chrysler (with a little help from Ford and the Federal Government). It tells the story of his childhood in Pennsylvania of immergrent parrents to his rise to fame and fortune in the Detroit Auto mines. This is an honest history of his life starting with his childhood, then to his schooling and college days, his jobs at Ford and the development of the Mustang (my favorte car), and finally to Chrysler and it's turn around. The Suprising fact is Henry Ford fired him and a few others and they all went to Chrysler to help them out make great cars. A classic lesson for all employer don't you think.

He gives information not only on his life, but the car industry, Business and Leadership, skills for success, and the roubles of modern business.

Iacocca's tireless advice is still relevent to day though he has not been at Chrysler for many years.

This is a great book for everyone because of the lessons to be learned from this great figure. A must read for people seeking Success in life and work.

A must read Biography
This is the difinative biography of the man who turned aroud Chrysler (with a little help from Ford and the Federal Government).It tells the story of his childhood in Pennsylvania of immergrent parrents to his rise to fame and fortune in the Detroit Auto mines.This is an honest history of his life starting with his childhood, then to his schooling and college days, his jobs at Ford and the development of the Mustang (my favorte car), and finally to Chrysler and it's turn around.The Suprising fact is Henry Ford fired him and a few others and they all went to Chrysler to help them out make great cars.A classic lesson for all employer don't you think.

He give information not only on his life, but the car industry, Business and Leadership, skills for success, and the roubles of modern business.

Iacocca's tireless advice is still relevent to day though he has not been at Chrysler for many years.

This is a great book for everyone because of the lessons to be learned from this great figure.

One of the best biographies out there
Lee Iacocca is a genius (a little biased as I attend his alma mater).This book tells about the inside story of Ford and his work there. The turn around of Chrysler was a great story and one that bears further study.The downfall of the American automobile industry can be seen here. His extra chapters on how the US should handle foreign debt are practical and it is a shame no one listened when they first came out. While I feel we are in too deep to use them today this is a great book for any business/economics student.It is a great read and very well done.

A regular autobiography.
I read this book translated to portuguese, here in Brazil.Mr. Lee Iacocca tells his autobiography.There's many fun and usefull parts of this book, but there's many failures also.I'll show some of them:
1-He claims that health's spending are auto's companies enemies.He tells us that health is more than steel expending to auto's factories in USA.All correct, but Iacocca doesn't tells the answer for this problem.
2-He never tells us, why he never wrote about racist view from Henry Ford III, before he was out of Ford Motor Company.Well, he wanted the money(salary),at that time,but he doesn't tells us this reality.
3-He is against air bags, in this book.In some expensive cars air bags are now normal equipment today.
4-Steel is more expensive in USA than in Brazil, China, etc. Iacocca doesn't tell nothing about this basic fact to auto's industries in USA.

1965 Mustang
August 1946, Iacocca goes to work at Ford as a student engineer.A group of students were assigned too the River Rouge plant, the largest manufacturing complex in the world.Iacocca loses interest in Engineering and fails to complete his 18-month training.Iacocca switches to Sales and marketing and makes a connection with Frank Zimmerman.In 1949, Iacocca becomes a zone manager in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvannia and trains eighteen dealers.1953, Iacocca becomes assistant sales manager of the Philadelphia district and he promotes padded dashboards as a safety feature.In 1956, Iacocca buys his first new car and creates the idea "56 for 56" meaning $56 a month for 56 monthes.McNamara takes notice and uses the idea to sale an additional 75,000 cars.Sept 29,1956, Iacocca marries Mary McCleary at St Robert's Catholic Church.1960, Charlie Beacham bring Iacocca to Dearborn as his national truck marketing manager.Dec 1960, Iacocca becomes head of the Ford division.

Manager Qualities:The qualities that make a good manager are decisiveness."You have to bring all the information together, setup a time table, and act.""Life is about timing.""When you speak to a group have a prepared text" and deviate from the prepared text whenever you feel the need.The best way to develop ideas is through interacting with your fellow managers."I'm a believer in executives spending time together talking - not always in formal meeting but simply shooting the breeze, helping each other out, and solving problems." "The biggest problem facing American business today is that most managers have too much information.It dazzles them, and they don't know what to do with it all.The key too success is not information.It's people."

Mustang:Jan 1964, the decision was made to hold the price of the Mustang under $2,500.The Mustang sold for $2,368.The price was reasonable. The first quarter of 1964 hit the highest sales in Ford history.The Mustang was a hit and during the first week, four million visited Ford dealerships.The Mustang resembled the European racing that American car buffs found appealing with its Ferrari flair and openmouthed air scoop."When the product is right, you don't have to be a great marketer."The Mustang sold 75,000 units in the first year.Customers were spending a $1,000 additional on options: white sidewall tires, radios, eight-cylinder engines, and automatic transmissions.In the first two years the Mustang had generated $1.1 billion in profits.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Priorities were Work ,Family
10/24/04Iaococca's book which included much regarding his feeling toward his family, also gave no dissappointment to one like myself who purchased the book based not only due to curiosity about a book by a CEO legend but its index which contained many names with pertainent info when used 'for trivia'instead of being read like 'a fictious novel' which has a "plot".

A good read
Lee Iacocca is obviously successful and also a touch more arrogant in this second book of his. He is full of advice on how to live and writes about political and economic issues of the world with firm convictions to back his theories.

However the best thing about his book is that he is consistent in his outlook and is rock-solid in endorsing the basic values which are as timeless as they are true.

One sore point that sticks out is his constant complaining against the Japanese who, in his opinion, flooded the US markets with cheaply produced products (that's way back in time in the 1980s).

A lot of no-nonsense talk and a whole lot more about values
What impressed me most about Iacocca is his incredible frankness. He doesn't beat about the bush. Also, the book clearly depicts his clinging on to crucial values which allowed him to be successful in both fields: at work AND at home. How many businessmen working or even overworking manage to achieve what he has accomplished in the commercial world and yet keep a designated amount of time for his wife and kids consistently? Goes a long way to show how important it is set your priorities right.

As for the style of the book itself, it is fluent and comfortable to read.

True that the book is written in 1987 and the background is two decades old but it still provides interesting insight into both corporate and political America since he's one of those who has 'been there, done that!'. Try it out, it's much fun. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

very good book to read because it is true to life
It seems to me that if you are good in managing your life it will carry the idea to be good managers in the company. I think that it is very true. ... Read more

Book Description
Martin Iannelli was president of Cole Motors, one of the world’s largest and grandest corporations. Above him, the top floor of the office tower, were the private quarters of the company’s chairman, William Alistair Cole—known to many as King Cole.

Book Description
Liberty for All celebrates America's most beloved symbol- the Statue of Liberty- through the eyes of photographer Peter B. Kaplan, and the words of Lee Iacocca. This handsome volume, resplendent with magnificent photographs and lively text, brings to life the world-famous monument, from its humble birth in France, where it was conceived as a gift to America, to its role as a welcoming beacon for immigrants and as a symbol of freedom for people everywhere. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Liberty for All -- A book for all who love liberty
In a time when patriotic feelings run deep, the Statue of Liberty represents our history and hopes for the future. This book blends the past and present into a work that creates a connection between you and Lady Liberty. The photography is exceptional. The photographer uses vistas and angles that few have ever seen. His use of color and light paint the Statue in unique combinations.

While the photography alone makes the book a treasure, the story of the restoration is captivating. The personal perspectives and dedication of those involved in the restoration, give the reader a whole new appreciaiton for this massive undertaking.

I'm proud to keep this book on my coffee table. Friends who pick it up, don't just comment about the incredible photography, they sit and read the stories and history. I've developed a great new respect for the Great Lady Liberty. ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from Winnipeg Free Press, published by Thomson Gale on April 7, 2007. The length of the article is 1119 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Lee Iacocca; Unlike many others, this marketing genius had one hit after another, from the first Ford Mustang to the modern minivan to Chrysler's "Cab Forward" cars.(Autos - Articles)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: Winnipeg Free Press (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 7, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: h13

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description
Word count: 2812. ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from Directors & Boards, published by Directors and Boards on September 22, 2004. The length of the article is 842 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: To split or not to split: Roger, Henry, Bunkie, and Lee ... in boardroom blackjack.(QUIDDITIES)(Roger M. Blough, Henry Ford II, Semon E. Knudsen, Lee Iacocca)
Author: Hoffer Kaback
Publication: Directors & Boards (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 22, 2004
Publisher: Directors and Boards
Volume: 29Issue: 1Page: 8(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more