Uncommon Friends: Life with Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Alexis Carrel, and Charles Lindbergh

An amazing look into true friendships, the beginning of industrialism in America and so much more!

Read this book for book club, and felt very in tune with the time of the book and loved the people involved due to the author's friendship and respect for all the people he talks about. This book is not on Kindle and should be, although there is a lot of photographs which do not always download well on Kindle. With prime shipping, I received it in 2 days, and Amazon always sends everything to me in excellent condition.

This should be mandatory reading for all. I just bought another copy to give to a friend

As a resident of SW Florida, I was interested in learning more about Edison and Ford, whose friendship is reflected in their side by side winter homes in Fort Myers. I enjoyed this book immensely. James Newton is a wonderful story teller that brings to life the complex social and business relationships of titans like Ford, his friend Firestone, and his older "mentor" Edison.... among many others like Charles Lindburgh. What sets this book apart is the historical context and behind the scenes felling of hearing it from someone who was really there. I learned a great deal about the business environment in their day as well. I'm in my 30s and could not put this book down.

I bought this after visiting the Edison-Ford Museum in Fort Myers, FL. The personalities of Edison and Ford are huge in Florida. The first half of Newton's book was very insightful, but the second half featured Charles Lindberg, and was less engaging, at least for me. The author knew them all well and shares many private encounters. Published in 1987, more recent disclosures (like Lindberg's multiple families) are absent. A new edition with an updated introduction would be nice. Recommended.

The firat half of the book is better than the second part. There is a considerable amount of attention given to the authors ethics and morale standards.

I don't recall learning any of this history in school, and to hear it from author's perspective and direct experience is interesting. Definitely men before their time, and we are a better world for having them in it. If you like history, its a great book to check out.

I discovered this book by accident. It is just so very interesting/intriguing, that this one seemingly common man named James Newton, while living an ordinary life, became friends with 5 famous people, 4 of which are American icons! An absolutely unique fate and American experience. Published in 1987, it only took me 26 years to discover this book...................I am glad I did.Dr. Stanley E. Toompas, Optometrist& Author of, "I'm the One the Other Isn't"

Interesting book of these uncommon friends with lots information I did not know about them.Ford and Edison although so different formed a long friendship.... Their views on the world are similar to some of the American leaders and interesting to see how so many years ago, these same views were held.Also, particularly withFord, who was such an entrepeur in the beginning then stayed stuck in his ways and views over time.... This seems to happen a lot.

A great history on business and science

FANTASTIC read!!!

I bought this as a present.