Fordlandia book discussion group

The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten jungle city greg grandin isbn. Was he an idealist, an autocrat, an elitist or friend of the working man. Uncovering the new world columbus created, by charles c. Ive found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are openended and that get people to share their personal opinions.

Until recently, fordlandia remained a mere footnote to the henry ford story. It was established by american industrialist henry ford in the amazon. Ford realized that when visitors came to the detroit area via ford airport in dearborn, michigan, they did so without a place to stay so mr. As greg grandin shows in this gripping and mordantly observed history, fords great delusion was not that the amazon could be tamed but that the forces of capitalism, once released, might yet be contained. The goal of setting up the ford motor company of brazil was twofold. This informal group gathers to converse about a specific reading. The 6th installment of the francobelgian comic series marsupilami by yann and batem, published in 1991, is titled fordlandia and takes place there. Share stories in the comments below and follow guardian cities on twitter and facebook to join the discussion. The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten jungle city grandin, greg on. Henry ford except that this book totally celebtates the poilitics surrounding fordlandia and completely ignores the people who lived there. Ford motor company began worrying about rubber during the 1920s, when it found itself relying on plantations located in europes southeast asian colonies. I read somewhere that he set out to write a nonfiction account, but that the craziness of it all led him to fictionalize the story. The science fiction book discussion is focusing on classic works from the genre. Grandin is one of blessedly expanding group of gifted american historians who assume that whatever moral the story of the past may yield, it must be a story well told.

If you are the publisher or author of this book and. More than a parable of one mans arrogant attempt to force his will on the natural world, fordlandia depicts a desperate quest to salvage the bygone america that the ford factory system did much to dispatch. Feb 06, 2015 the following questions are for our discussion fordlandia on wednesday, february 18, 2015 how can we square henry fords many contradictions. Grandin is one of blessedly expanding group of gifted american historians who assume that. Bungalows with modern plumbing and screened windows. Grandin is one of blessedly expanding group of gifted american historians. Argentinian writer eduardo sguiglia wrote a novel entitled fordlandia. Ford rubber plantations in brazil from 19281945, the ford motor company built the fordlandia and belterra plantations in an attempt to establish a permanent rubber plantation presence in brazil.

Jul 05, 2011 topics this book will bring up for discussion include. He began shipping machinery and supplies to the amazon in 1928. Any history book that celebrates guns and speeches but ignores the harrows and the rest of daily life is bunk. The lessons that could be learned from the history of fordlandiaand whether or not group members think they could be applied to our globalized economy. With sales of his modelt booming, the automotive tycoon saw an opportunity to expand his reach further by exploiting a downtrodden brazilian rubber. John rogge and one year old rubber tree, fordlandia, brazil, 1931. Written, directed and produced by marcos colon, beyond fordlandia 2017, 75 min presents an environmental account of henry fords amazon experience decades after its failure. Fordlandia s eventual demise as a rubber plantation foreshadowed the practices that today are laying waste to the rain forest. Extra copies will be held at the readers services desk. Fordlandia henry fords forgotten jungle city failure. The inn wikipedia entry here was also the brainchild of henry ford. He thought he could perfect society by building model. Hyde park entertainment group has picked up the rights to greg grandins nonfiction book fordlandia, and has set filmmaker werner herzog aguirre, the wrath of god to direct a tv adaptation.

The book discussion group currently meets the second wednesday of each month, at 10. The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten jungle city by greg grandin kevin rushby enjoys the cautionary tale of one mans plans for a workers paradise. Fordlandia is the sixth fulllength studio album by icelandic musician johann johannsson. Library book discussion groups greenfield public library. Fordlandia discussion questions history book discussion. When barbara and wayne zurl moved to maryville in 1994, barbara looked in vain for a book discussion group. As starbucks enters the international market will have to deal with the experience the going pains and tensions of entering an unknown territory where the public atmosphere is going to be different. The chicago comic book meetup group 804 comics loving geeks city lit books in logan square. Ive been in a lot of book clubs, and i know its not always easy to get a conversation going on a book. The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten jungle city by greg. Fordlandia was a failure, but the dearborn inn was a success. Does this call to mind other history youve read, in this book group fordlandia. The timeframe is a little after new years after the ratification of the land grant. Fordlandia was born of ford motor companys need for vast amounts of rubbernot just for the model ts tires but for gaskets, hoses, wires, and other parts.

In 1927, henry ford, the richest man in the world, bought a tract of land twice the size of delaware in the brazilian amazon. The history of america wasnt written in washington, it was written in the grass roots. The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten jungle city, by greg grandin, picador 2009, cover design by rodrigo corral. Its such an engrossing story that one wonders why it has never been told before in booklength form. Fordlandia quotes by greg grandin goodreads share book. What is gained or lost by telling history through a single commodity rather than more conventional methods, which might focus on a country, a region, a war, or an individual. Fordlandia part two chapters 9 23 flashcards quizlet. The failure of fords jungle utopia henry ford didnt just want to be a maker of cars he wanted to be a maker of men. The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten city in 1927, henry ford, the richest man in the world, bought a tract of land twice the size of delaware in the brazilian amazon. The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten jungle city paperback apr 27 2010. The following questions are for our discussion fordlandia on wednesday, february 18, 2015. Proving that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction, fordlandia is the story of henry fords illadvised attempt to transform raw brazilian rainforest into homespun slices of americana.

Please ask for the book of the month at the circulation desk. Groups receive enough copies of their selected title to allow everyone in the group to read the same book at the same time. The story addressed by the film begins in 1927, when the ford motor company attempted to establish rubber plantations on the tapajos river, a primary tributary of. Book discussion group facilitated by judith palarz sponsored by the friends of the beverly hills public library tuesday, february 6, 10. Fordlandia by national book award finalist greg grandin tells the enthralling tale of henry fords failed attempts to transform a connecticutsized chunk of brazilian rainforest into a homespun slice of american utopia.

Topics this book will bring up for discussion include. Singersongwriter kate campbell has a track entitled fordlandia on her 2008 album save the day. The following questions are for our discussion fordlandia on wednesday, february 18, 2015 how can we square henry fords many contradictions. Fordlandia discussion questions history book discussion group. Few people are aware that henry ford tried to build the worlds largest rubber plantation on the banks of the amazon river. The second installment in johann johannssons trilogy of albums about technology and iconic american brand names, fordlandia expands on ibm 1401, a users manual by chronicling, among other things, the failure of henry fords brazilian rubber plant with the power of a 50piece string orchestra. These groups can be organized in a variety of ways. Quarterly meetings are open to anyone who enjoys the genre. Nov, 2008 the second installment of a planned trilogy introduced by ibm, fordlandia shifts johannssons technological narrative to more abstract sources. In 1929, henry ford, presiding in divine authority over his automobile empire, grew tired of the british monopoly on brazilian rubber. The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten jungle city by greg grandin. Governor bentes ordered the lake ormoc, a decommissioned ship purchased in 1925 by ford which was sent to the river rouge factory to be rebuilt with a diesel motor, a machine shop, and a water distillation plant this ship ran as the new base ship until fordlandia became up and running to ship supplies.

Fordlandia did eventually produce rubber, but not cheaply enough. It was named among the best books of the year by some of the most popular newspapers and magazines in the country. His intention was to grow rubber, but the project rapidly evolved into a more ambitious bid to export america itself, along with its golf courses, icecream shops, bandstands, indoor plumbing, and model ts rolling down broad streets. The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten jungle city is a fascinating story of an extraordinary attempt to impose a vision of the american way of life in the amazon jungle, written by a professor of latin american history at new york university. So, with signature hubris, ford decided he would produce his own rubber and set about colonizing the amazon, ultimately investing millions and founding an. Fordlandia was, ultimately, the classic american parable of a failed utopia, of soft dreams running aground on a hard worldwhich tends to make the most compelling tale of all. Horacio is one man among many who comes to fordlandia, the brazilian rubber plantation that henry ford established in 1929, in order to be rid of past mistakes in. So until now there hasnt been a booklength treatment.

Anyone who loves to read and talk about books is welcome to join in. How to discuss a book helpful discussion tips generic discussion questionsfiction and nonfiction readthinktalk a guided reading chart also consider these litlovers talking points to help get a discussion started for fordlandia 1. The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten city greg grandin, 2009 henry holt 432 pp. The industrialists conviction that he could make the world conform to his will was founded on a faith that success in economic matters should, by extension, allow capitalists to try their hands with equal success at every other occupation. On henry fords 150th birthday, a look inside his failed utopia. It was, instead, capitalism itself the relentless competition unleashed by the very fordism that once promised prosperity to all. The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten jungle city ebook. The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten jungle city by greg grandin kevin rushby enjoys the cautionary tale of one mans plans. There are adult groups, studentled groups, motherdaughter groups, fatherson groups, and parentchild groups, to name just a few. Meeting the first wednesday, october through may, except january, our group is open to anyone who enjoys reading and discussing books. The book discussion group, organized by the friends of the st. Readers of greg grandins fordlandia, which was a finalist for the. The journalist walter lippmann identified in henry ford, for all his peculiarity, a common strain of primitive americanism. Call 847 4488620 to place a hold, or do so using our catalog.

He celebrated the industrial production that made him the richest man on earth, but also the pastoral. The album was released on 3 november 2008 via 4ad, his second new release for the record label following 2006s ibm 1401, a users manual. A book discussion group is a forum where readers can come together and talk about books and the reading experience. Leadership of each monthly discussion passes among group members willing to do so. Jun 21, 2009 so until now there hasnt been a booklength treatment. However, there was a novel written about fordlandia fordlandia.

Are you looking for good conversation about science and health. Fordlandia is a haunting, evocative novel at whose core lies a nugget of fact. Case study 11 starbucks 1 identify the controllable and uncontrollable elements that starbucks has encountered in entering global markets. Apr 27, 2010 as greg grandin shows in this gripping and mordantly observed history, fords great delusion was not that the amazon could be tamed but that the forces of capitalism, once released, might yet be contained. But the most profound irony is currently on display at the very site of fords most ambitious attempt to realize his pastoralist vision. Fordlandia is a 2009 national book award finalist for nonfiction.

Fordlandia remains grandins most famous and acclaimed book, and was a finalist for multiple awards, including the pulitzer prize for history, the national book award, and the national book critics circle award. Fordlandias eventual demise as a rubber plantation foreshadowed the practices that today are laying waste to the rain forest. Empire of cotton discussion questions history book. Clearing logs from fordlandia, brazil, 1929 the henry ford. The nonfiction book discussion group will meet at the middlebury public library on tuesday, august th at 6. Ford paid the indigenous workers good wages and supplied various amenities he also imposed foreign work traditions and behavioral restrictions which the workers resented. Discussion questions use our litlovers book club resources. Fordlandia by greg grandin and jonathan davis audiobook. Fordlandia by greg grandin book read online scribd. Read fordlandia by greg grandin for free with a 30 day free trial.

Grandin tells us, a wily group of brazilian businessmen and bureaucrats, in cahoots with americans in the u. It is a significant contribution that is grossly enjoyable. Were a nationwide nonprofit organisation with a 46year track record. The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten jungle city. We speak with nyu professor greg grandin about his new book, fordlandia.

The group members can share their opinions of henry ford. The book tells the story of henry ford, the richest man in the. The rise and fall of henry fords forgotten jungle city metropolitan books, promises to make its existence known to a wide audience. Fordlandia is precisely thata genuinely readable history recounted with a novelists sense of pace and an eye for character. The stunning, never before told story of the quixotic attempt to recreate smalltown america in the heart of the amazonin 1927, henry ford, the richest man in the world, bought a tract of land twice the size of delaware in the brazilian amazon. Henry ford established fordlandia and belterra in the brazilian rainforest to supply rubber for automobile production. He was committed to a vision of individualism, but also to a paternalist model of the workplace. How sandra day oconnor and ruth bader ginsburg went to the supreme court and changed the world. Governor bentes ordered the lake ormoc, a decommissioned ship purchased in 1925 by ford which was sent to the river rouge factory to be rebuilt with a diesel motor, a machine shop, and a water distillation plant this ship ran as the new base ship until fordlandia became up and running.