The Sack of Detroit

General Motors and the End of American Enterprise

By: Kenneth Whyte

Narrated by: Charles Constant

"Vigorous, provocative... The Sack of Detroit is compelling, bold and stylishly written."
—Barbara Spindel, The Wall Street Journal


A provocative, revelatory history of the epic rise—and unnecessary fall—of the U.S. automotive industry, uncovering the vivid story of innovation, politics, and business that led to a sudden, seismic shift in American priorities that is still felt today, from the acclaimed author of Hoover


In the 1950s, America enjoyed massive growth and affluence, and no companies contributed more to its success than automakers. They were the biggest and best businesses in the world, their leadership revered, their methods imitated, and their brands synonymous with the nation's aspirations. But by the end of the 1960s, Detroit's profits had evaporated and its famed executives had become symbols of greed, arrogance, and incompetence. And no company suffered this reversal more than General Motors, which found itself the main target of a Senate hearing on auto safety that publicly humiliated its leadership and shattered its reputation.

In The Sack of Detroit, Kenneth Whyte recounts the epic rise and unnecessary fall of America's most important industry. At the center of his absorbing narrative are the titans of the automotive world but also the crusaders of safety, including Ralph Nader and a group of senators including Bobby Kennedy. Their collision left Detroit in a ditch, launched a new era of consumer advocacy and government regulation, and contributed significantly to the decline of American enterprise. This is a vivid story of politics, business, and a sudden, seismic shift in American priorities that is still felt today.

Critic reviews

"An adroit, thoroughly researched history... An authoritative contribution to business and automotive history."
—Kirkus

"Whyte... add[s] depth and welcome nuance to this significant American business story."
—Booklist

Clear Summary of Nihilist Damage to Industry

Kenneth Whyte has done an impressive job thoroughly researching and clearly articulating the damage done by Ralph Nader not only to General Motors but also to American automobile manufacturing, in general. Particularly compelling is his epilogue in which he posits that a country that demonizes those who produce is bound to fail. The narration by Charles Constant is crisp. Thank you both!

Insightful

I appreciate this thoughtful history of mid-century Detroit. The author provides an interesting perspective on the motivation of the auto manufacturers, the regulators, and industry reformers. I recommended to anyone interested in understanding the decline of American automotive manufacturing or you better understand current events in the various investment strategies on elect vehicles undertaken by the domestic manufacturers.

GM Propaganda

This book is so incredibly wrong, it’s as if the 1965 General Motors PR department fell through a time warp so they could rewrite history now. The book is a perfect example of well written conservative/right wing propaganda. A lot of you out there might be dead or never been born if this “Sack of Detroit“ hadn’t happened.

Disjointed & Pointless

Some interesting facts about the auto industry in the beginning but it mostly hops to and fro to different non sensical anecdotes (there's literally a mini biography of Ralph Nader in here) which ends on a full throated NGO shill "for the better good".

don't waste your time.