What Did Jesus Drive

Crisis PR in Cars, Computers and Christianity

By: Jason Vines

Narrated by: Matthew Curtis

Jason Vines takes listeners on a graphic, sometimes sad and often hilarious behind-the-scenes romp through some of the most publicized and studied crises in recent history. Vines cautions the reader up-front: "Relax, this is not a book about Jesus. However, he does appear in two chapters: first as a Hispanic grandfather from Waterford, Michigan, and later as the real Prince of Peace. No, this is a book about my life in the public relations blast furnace in the automotive industry; a quickly-derailed attempt to help a friend rebuild Detroit's tattered image, thwarted by the sex, lies and corruption of former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick; and, finally, trying to avoid another crisis with the number one selling book of all time. No, not Harry Potter; the Bible." The crises Vines helped navigate through made headlines the world over: Jeep vehicles accused of deadly sudden unintended acceleration, Nissan's near-death experience until it regained its MOJO, the Ford/Firestone tire mega-debacle, a jihad against SUVs by the "What Would Jesus Drive?" nuts, Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick's drive to prison and finally avoiding a boycott of the most popular Bible in the world by evangelical Christian leaders. In his epilogue, titled "Government Motors on Fire," Vines tackles the fake Chevy Volt fire crisis and General Motors' 2014 nightmare with its faulty ignition switches that led to at least 13 deaths and may lead to criminal indictments. Vines shares lessons learned and mistakes made. He notes that if he can impart anything in this book, it is the guiding principles he believes useful for any organization (not just the auto industry) or individual to avoid, mitigate or survive the inevitable crisis. As he puts it: "If you think you are immune to a crisis, you've already failed an overarching guiding principle."

©2014 Waldorf Publishing (P)2014 Waldorf Publishing

A Fun Read That is Educational Too!

Would you consider the audio edition of What Did Jesus Drive to be better than the print version?

I've not read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of What Did Jesus Drive?

The most memorable moments were when Jason's sharp humour came through - there were many of those instances.

Would you be willing to try another one of Matthew Curtis’s performances?

Yes, but I'm not a fan of performers that try to sound like the author, which is what Matthew tried to do here.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It was reassuring to hear telling the truth is usually the best way to deal with a crisis.

Any additional comments?

The fact that the book turned out to be a good lesson for how to deal with public relations issues was a bonus. I would have rated the book highly regardless.

MATTHEW CURTIS HAS THE MOST ANNOYING VOICE!!!

What made the experience of listening to What Did Jesus Drive the most enjoyable?

The narrator is the worst voice actor ever! Matthew Curtis has the most annoying and overly dramatic phoney voice. The worst is Matthew Curtis repeatedly changing his already annoying voice to make sarcastic quotes. I can't believe all of the mispronunciations. The audio version of this interesting tale is mostly ruined by narrator Matthew Curtis!

Has What Did Jesus Drive turned you off from other books in this genre?

no

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Matthew Curtis?

Jason Vines

Any additional comments?

I wish I could have given the narator negative -500 stars!

Great Audible listen!

Enjoyed this from beginning to end. Left me feeling good about much of my my own career experience & a wish I would have had Jason's experience as a resource. Also timely listen during recent current experience with family members clearly self poisoned with their own bitterness. Great endorsement of the value of being able to be and make life long pals along the way.

Fun listen

This book is what I call a driveway book unable to turn off the book when I reach my destination, the narrator was awesome
.

Good book, fun read, poor narration

If you could sum up What Did Jesus Drive in three words, what would they be?

A Chrysler 300

Who was your favorite character and why?

Snoop Dogg for the whimsy
Jacques Nasser Is presented in an especially favorable manner.
However, I rooted for Jason throughout the book

What didn’t you like about Matthew Curtis’s performance?

Matthew Curtiss never met a word he couldn't mangle. I did not find his voice all that annoying but he is certainly not a great narrator. Frankly, it is obvious that the producer and editor were far removed from the production. Though frustrating, the narration did not mar the story.

A fascinating look into marketing & PR

Any additional comments?

I really liked the story, but was frustrated by how often the narrator mispronounced names and cities. "La Jolla, California (a spanish name) was pronounced phonetically instead of "La Hoya", He once called Lee Iacocca, "Ioka" The company Delphi was pronounced "Delfee." There were about a dozen names that were incorrectly pronounced. Vines is a brilliant wordsmith, but he clearly did not listen to this audiobook before it was published.

Very interesting story --- bad narration.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jason Vines - Very interesting career path.

What didn’t you like about Matthew Curtis’s performance?

A lot. There were many mispronounced names of both people and companinies. Does anyone proof listen to these things before they are published? Tempo was strange too.
it was just overall weird.

Any additional comments?

narration was not good.