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bookanonjeff's review against another edition
5.0
Those That Do Not Know History... The time period is (basically) a century ago. Most of the action is taking place within about 3 years either side of 1920. And you have a nationally popular and very rich business tycoon running in an election that ends with allegations of fraud and demands for recounts. Sound familiar? This is only *part* of the story of a piece of American history that despite having a tangential connection to (my step-grandfather - the only second grandfather I ever knew - was from the Muscle Shoals region and was born there during the period discussed in this text), I had never heard about before seeing this book. I've known of the TVA, I've even considering applying for jobs there in my professional career. But this story of how they began - really nearly a decade *before* the Great Depression and FDR's New Deal - is quite fascinating on so many levels. Hager does a tremendous job of showing the breadth of what was happening and why as it relates to his central thesis, and people would do well to learn the lessons of this particular episode of American history. While the Bibliography was a bit lacking (at roughly 9% of this text vs a more common 20-30% or so), the author explains that much of his research was from original records and correspondences not captured in any previous volume, so that makes a fair amount of sense. On the whole, this seems well done and well balanced, and is very much recommended.
beataf's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.5
I don't think the historical analysis (especially early in the book when discussing WW1 and the rushed conclusion on the public/private divide and the postwar legacy of the TVA without giving actual numbers) is very strong, but this book gives a good, accessible introduction to hydro and electrification in the Tennessee valley. I'm personally much more interested in the TVA part than the Ford plans part, and I think the Congressional analysis of Ford's fight is also not quite good enough. But it was a good introduction and illustration of the time, and I look forward to reading more on Senator Norris and the TVA itself.
missmis99's review against another edition
3.0
A good story about Ford’s failed attempt to buy a dam in Alabama and the political fight that followed. It was a good story but could have been told in less pages as it seemed to drag itself out.
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