Freedom's Forge

How American Business Built the Arsenal of Democracy That Won World War II

De: Arthur Herman

Narrado por: John McDonough

New York Times best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Arthur Herman pens this fascinating look at how two businessmen turned the U.S. into a military powerhouse during World War II. In 1940, FDR asked General Motors CEO William Knudsen to oversee the production of guns, tanks, and planes needed for the war. Meanwhile, industrialist Henry J. Kaiser presided over the building of “Liberty ships” - vessels that came to symbolize America’s great wartime output.

©2012 Arthur Herman (P)2012 Recorded Books

Amazing history and Exceptionally told

An amazing telling of the history of the Auto industry of the behind the scenes of the production of weapons for world war 2. Worth everyone's time.

Great look at the "Arsenal of Democracy".

Although heavy with statics, a great look into the American titans that supplied the tools to win WWII. Being a Manufacturing guy, I enjoyed it.

Industrial Power of the USA is defined here

I had always wondered how the USA achieved such massive amounts of war materials in such a short time. Well this book describes in great details the men who started the transition, to the many Americans who put everything together in record time. What I found amazing is before the war, we were the 18th ranked army in the world and in a handful of years became a world superpower. The numbers of war materials produced is staggering and in such a short time!!! This book will listened be listened to again

One of the best!

America industrial home front during World War II changed us forever! Knudsen was the man!

Fascinating

I'm still not sure why I enjoyed this book so much. I was fascinated by it, while at the same time wondered if I were the only person in the world who was. The premise of this book is a review of all the events that helped ready America to enter WWII with the power that would soon end it. In the meantime, so many new inventions, technologies and ideas were put into play that America emerged from the war as the world leader it was for so many years. This part was compelling to me, but so were the people who happened to "be at the right place at the right time" that brought it all to pass. These things could only have taken place in a country where freedom allowed it. It is freedom that fosters forward, productive thinking and doing. Without it, we stifle ourselves. Here is a prayer for the future, that we don't let go of the precious little freedom remaining to us.

untold story of capitalism

good history that should not be forgotten. narratoration was spot on easy listen worth your time.

Amazing untold story!

Couldn't improve on the backbone of America. Great to read during Covid. See how these people made it happen.

Exciting homefront view of the history of WW2

There were no movies produced about the important contributions and sacrifices made by the leaders of industry and how essential to the amazing victory their part was. Despite the bureaucratic machinations of FDR's government, men like Kaiser and Knudsen were still able to activate and guide the power of American industry to produce the tools required to stop the forces of evil. This book is an excellent and exciting recounting of this often overlooked history.

Great!

Great book. History that too many people forgot, or will never learn. I’m a history buff and read a lot but I still learned a number of things I didn’t know. Should be required reading in today’s high schools.

Knudsen is my new hero!

Favorite book of the year. America is truly amazing. This book will make you appreciate the awesome undertaking on the home front during WWII.