| Author Reveals Experience Working at Chrysler Corporation in Collection of Short Stories Author Evan Boberg dispels the myths surrounding the automobile industry and the employees who work there. "With very few exceptions, books about the automobile industry are written by members of the press and by high level executives. The car companies hide the problems and embarrassments from the press … and the executives are self-aggrandizing. Though these stories are most often very interesting, they do not tell the whole truth. As a low-level engineer, I was a true insider," says Boberg. In Common Sense Not Required, Boberg uses humor to expose some of the less intelligent moves made behind the walls of Chrysler. He sets up several "Common Sense Principles" and illustrates with anecdotes from his 12 years at the corporation how these principles were ignored, resulting in increased costs to the corporation. Common Sense Not Required blends autobiography with a light-hearted exposé and includes tips on commonly asked questions about the industry and cars in general. Readers will learn how to find a good mechanic, why certain things aren’t covered under a new car warranty, what happened to the 100 mpg carburetor and whether or not to buy a hybrid vehicle. With wit and wisdom, Boberg offers a humorous collection of true stories that will appeal to anyone interested in cars and hybrid vehicles or anyone curious to know what it takes to work in the industry. According to Boberg, "It doesn’t take a genius to design cars, it doesn’t even require common sense!" |
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 Unpopular Ideas |
| Review Date: June 13, 2004 |
| Reviewer: , |
| A few months ago, I stumbled upon this book while surfing the net for information about hybrid cars. Despite my regard for Mr. Boberg as a complete a$$hole, I read the entire book. I was extremely interested in purchasing a hybrid vehicle; the author seems to think anyone that would consider buying one is an "idiot." Several news stories have popped up recently where hybrid owners have been complaining about the fuel economy of their cars. Combined with the information in CSNR, I found myself thinking "sucker" when I observed a hybrid car. I read the book again and realized that it is only Mr. Boberg's intent to educate people about what hybrids are really all about. It is not a popular notion for someone to criticize new technology. The author predicts that hybrids will never become mainstream. Thinking back in automotive history, the wankel was the future, but it never caught on, though it did survive in the Mazda RX. I hope he his wrong, but I have to give him credit for making a credible argument to the contrary. I was expecting more inside "secrets" to be revealed. But the biggest secret he reveals is that there just aren't that many secrets. The book is more focused on the bumbling of some of the management and the success Chrysler experienced despite this. I highly recommend reading Common Sense Not Required. Despite my initial irritation with the author and his unpopular views, I couldn't put it down. The humor is sarcastic, but effective. I really enjoyed reading it twice. |
Not just for car junkies!
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| Review Date: March 10, 2004 |
| Reviewer: Gina B., Arizona |
| Having read "Common Sense Not Required," I am most impressed with the author's thorough knowledge of the industry, and his skill in explaining even complex mechanical situations. I have a sufficient knowledge about cars, but was concerned that I might be overwhelmed by the technical jargon. Not so! I laughed out loud at some of the antics of the Chrysler employees. The author's voice and humor make it a very readable book. There's a lot of practical information as well as numerous interesting stories that keep the reader turning pages. Even though I don't work in the car industry, I drive one, and the stories contained herein will appeal to most people. The information on hybrid vehicles is very timely and informative. This is a book you will want to OWN! |
Living in the shadow....
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| Review Date: March 4, 2004 |
| Reviewer: , |
| Mr. Boberg has hit upon the crux of the American automotive industry, that being, "idiots" tend to be examples of THE PETER PRINCIPLE, personified. Management at Chrysler has never been responsibly described by the mainstream press, never utilizing anything less than glowing terms in the early to latter 1990's. Newspapers and magazines all seemed to fawn over the executives regardless of capability, based solely on those executives' adeptness at public relations. Several of the minions described in this book cost AMC and Chrysler millions of dollars, due to their ineptitude, in my opinion, and now, the facts surrounding their "accomplishments" are out in the open, for all to see the heretofore hidden warts on the programs hailed as successes by the media, such as the Detroit Free Press. Technical expertise is not required to understand the terminology used in this book, as Mr. Boberg is very adept at explaining concepts in lay terms. Overall, any true enthusiast of this industry, including those employed therein, should place this book on the top of their "Franklin Planner" to-do list. |
Wow! Rare glimpse
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| Review Date: March 1, 2004 |
| Reviewer: Wayne Paterson, Teaneck, NJ United States |
| Our views of the inside of the auto industry have been limited to PR-saturated praise in business magazines, self-loving autobiographies, and exposes written by famous people (most notably John DeLorean). This book is written by a very talented and reputable suspension engineer, and covers his time at AMC and Chrysler. A co-worker told me that Chrysler manages to get by for the same reason as any large, badly run company (e.g. most of the rest of the industry): the dedicated people work hard to triumph over the dimwits and egomaniacs...but this book will tell you a lot about the industry. Unusual in this book is a large section on hybrid-electric cars, telling where they are practical, and where they are hype; being written by an engineer, these chapters use actual facts and figures. I don't agree with most of the author's political opinions, but fortunately these are largely confined to the last chapter. You really have to buy this book. |
Great read
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| Review Date: September 10, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Lance Hocking, Adelaide, AUS |
| If you are a true car buff, particularly if you are interested in the technical side then this is a must read. |
Close, but no cigar.
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| Review Date: January 27, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Thomas H. Cotner, Martha, OK, USA |
I bought the book because I was looking for ideas with regard to converting a gasoline powered vehicle to electric power. If this is your purpose, then this book has absolutely no value for you.
On the other hand, if you are simply interested in the grotesque manner in which large corporations lurch along, then you will find this amusing - and possibly even worth while. Having spent a goodly number of years within the corporate world, I can empathize with this man. His main problem, however, is that he did not have the good sense to get out early. |
Unreadable, but not a complete waste of time.
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| Review Date: January 13, 2005 |
| Reviewer: morgandp, Amsterdam, Netherlands |
'A reader' sums it all up in his/her May 16, 2004 review.
However, considering it was only a $4 download I didn't feel too cheated at reading this very amateurish, unedited, and unproofed piece of work.
Mr. Boberg certainly has some useful experiences to share with people interested in the auto industry generally and Chrysler's mixed fortunes specifically. However, only his analysis of the costs and benefits of hybrid autos is worth the trouble here. In fact, anyone who believes a hybrid is a magic solution to the problems of fuel consumption and pollution might do well to acquaint themselves with some of the facts here. |
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