Auto Mania: Cars, Consumers, and the Environment - Softcover

"McCarthy explores consumers' attachments to automobiles—their sense of status in relation to the larger society—that have had important repercussions for the environment."—Sally H. Clarke, University of Texas at Austin
(Sally H. Clarke)

“This engaging and well-researched book takes on the product life cycle of the automobile in the twentieth century. A very interesting project.”—Martin Melosi, University of Houston
(Martin Melosi)

“McCarthy looks at the environment broadly and constructs an interesting mixture of social, economic, political, and environmental history of the car not found elsewhere.”—J. Brooks Flippen, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
(J. Brooks Flippen)

“Auto Mania is a high speed, insightful and fascinating cruise through important and fascinating eras in the auto industry. From the early years of the horseless carriage, through the explosion of affordable transportation spawned by Henry Ford to the modern era of regulation of emissions and fuel economy. Tom McCarthy’s description of the early days of government regulation through the eyes of key players is unique and dramatically contributes to our understanding of a transformational period of importance to all of us.”—David E. Cole, Center for Automotive Research
(David E. Cole)

". . . superb snapshots of paths taken and missed in the history of auto manufacturing . . . with a[n] . . . emphasis on [its] environmental impact. . . . Scholars and students of business and economic history, as well as the history of technology, will find insights . . . "—Brian Black, Enterprise & Society (Brian Black Enterprise & Society)

“. . . a history of twentieth-century American automobile culture for a new generation. . . . traces the complex relationship among cars, consumerism, politics, and the environment in a way sure to be useful. . . . A must read . . .”—Kevin L. Borg, Technology and Culture (Kevin L. Borg Technology and Culture 2009-01-15)