Michele Albion

Henry Ford is done, done, DONE!

michele — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:26:49 +0000

Today I sent the manuscript for The Quotable Henry Ford off to the publisher. It’s a huge relief. Ford contributed a great deal to American history and culture. The Model T brought transportation to all classes. It is because of him that there were national highways, drive-ins and suburbia. His five dollar week and eight hour day resulted in revolutionary changes in the workplace. But, on a human level, Ford is not a likable guy.

“I don’t like to read books. They muss up my mind,” he famously said. He also cheated on his wife. The word “cruel” does not begin to describe the way he treated his son, Edsel. And anti-Semitism? As far as Henry Ford was concerned, Jews were responsible for every ill from the existence of war, to the degeneracy of Jazz music. (Egad!)

Still, I walk away from the quote book–at least until the next round of editing and indexing–feeling like the quotations represent the full man. They are the good, the bad, and the ugly of Henry Ford. And did I mention that I’m done, done, DONE!?” (I think I did, eh?)

The Quotable Henry Ford Almost Done

michele — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 13:11:20 +0000

I’ve been sweating bullets about making my September 1 deadline for THE QUOTABLE HENRY FORD. It’s been a long haul. What started as a 700 page draft is now down–admittedly, not to the page requirement–but down to a more reasonable number. This book was more challenging in many ways than THE QUOTABLE THOMAS EDISON. First, was the anti-Semitism issue. As discussed before, instead of listing hundreds of offensive quotes which sound eerily like what Hitler and Goebbels would say in the 1930s, the section on Jews is written in prose and speaks to Henry Ford’s inexplicable prejudice, actions, and their affect.

Another hurdle was the sheer number of quotes on every subject under the sun. Henry Ford lived a long life–84 years–and was famous for nearly fifty years of that time. At times it seems, his every comment, every musing was recorded in local, national, and international sources. The sheer number of Ford quotes became overwhelming. I’ve been cutting for weeks and still have 450 pages of quotes. Further, I have about 40 pages of interesting comments that don’t fit into any particular category and have been cut.

With only a few weeks until the deadline I’m still trimming and checking sources, but I feel like I will make it now. Three cheers to those who have helped me–Marjorie Marcotte, Pamela Oberg and Beth Tykodi!

FREE book to 300th Facebook Fan

michele — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:23:48 +0000

Three cheers to the loyal following The Florida Life of Thomas Edison has received on Facebook. The University Press of Florida is going to give a FREE copy to the book’s 300th Facebook fan. (US fans only due to shipping costs.)

Southwest Florida Reading Festival

michele — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:29:08 +0000

It’s hard to believe, but it’s time to begin setting up dates for March book tour to Southwest Florida. I’ll be in the region between March 15 and 22nd. I’m scheduled to be one of the authors at the Southwest Florida Reading Festival, which takes place in Fort Myers on March 19. In addition to The Florida Life of Thomas Edison, I’ll also be bringing along my new book, The Quotable Thomas Edison. It will be great to see old friends and make some new ones!

FREE Book for the 200th Fan on Facebook (US only)

michele — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:04:58 +0000

Become the 200th fan of THE FLORIDA LIFE OF THOMAS EDISON on Facebook and you will win a FREE copy of the book (Courtesy of the University Press of Florida). So go to THE FLORIDA LIFE OF THOMAS EDISON on Facebook and sign up as a friend/fan.

**Sorry, U.S. Fans only due to postage costs.

The Quotable Thomas Edison Coming Soon!

michele — Mon, 31 May 2010 20:43:08 +0000

THE QUOTABLE THOMAS EDISON is back from the copy editors and is due to come out this winter through The University Press of Florida. Please check back for pre-order information.

Editing Henry Ford

michele — Wed, 12 May 2010 15:51:44 +0000

I’m struggling through editing the draft manuscript of The Quotable Henry Ford. It’s not so much the work that’s getting to me, but the guy. Face, it Henry Ford is not all warm and fuzzy. His flagrant anti-semitism aside for the moment, I think the guy might have been bipolar. While there are a good many opinions he sticks by, he also does a lot of flip-flopping. This morning I came across this quote: “I am a farmer. I want to see every acre of the earth’s surface covered with little farms, with happy, contented people living on them.” Is this the same man who hated growing up on the farm, wanted all livestock abolished, predicted agribusiness and oh, year, built factories all over the world? One thing can be said for Henry. He keeps me entertained.

On Twitter

michele — Tue, 04 May 2010 12:55:50 +0000

If you want to follow me on Twitter, I go by MAlbion.

The Florida Life… on Facebook

michele — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:58:53 +0000

We’re doing a promotion on Facebook where the 100th fan receives a free copy of THE FLORIDA LIFE OF THOMAS EDISON. Congratulations to Aaron Ludin, who was that 100th fan! We’ll be awarding another book for the 200th fan! So become a fan and suggest it to your family and friends.

Free book to 100th Facebook Fan

michele — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:49:29 +0000

Become the 100th fan/friend of THE FLORIDA LIFE OF THOMAS EDISON and you will receive a free copy of the book. (Sorry, US fans only due to postage costs.) As of 5 minutes ago, the fan page had 92 fans, so it’s getting close. It could be you!