Hummer: How the Little Truck Company Hit the Big Time, Thanks to Saddam, Schwarzenegger, and GM

This is a fantastic recounting of all the twists and turns it took to bring Hummers to the public market. I believe Padgett Jr. succeeds in putting those forces in the U.S. historical context of the 90's into the early 2000's and how they interact with each other. It's actually a history book of sorts, not only about AM General, the Hummvee, the state of GM in that era, but also about a certain segment of the U.S. car market at the time, the steady rise of SUV's and how they became poster children of the environmental movement. This could actually be a study guide of sorts for students too young at the time to understand how all these played together. This is mostly heady text and not a picture book (though there are a 'few' pictures), with more of a historical focus, and interviews of top GM and AM General brass at the time about Hummers, than facts and figures of the Hummvee. There are other books out there on that topic.The only thing missing in this boo, is closure. Martin Padgette, if you are reading this .....this fine bit of writing deserves a second edition to continue (and finish) the story of what ultimately happened to Hummer, Schwartzeneger, SUV's, the run-away housing market and subprime loans, GM's road to bankrupcy, the jump in gas prices, the effects of China's incredible consumption of resources in the early 2000's, the economic crash of 2008, Bear Stearns, Crash of the housing market, GM's cancellation of Hummer (no it wasn't ultimately sold off), and people's refocus on cars ...all the way to this period's plummet in oil prices.

Super informative book on the history of the company, written just as the H3 was launched and there was still great hope for the brand. H3 only gets and honorable mention at the very end. Enjoyable and well researched.

Hummer:How the Little Truck Company Hit the Big Time,Thanks To Saddam,Schwarzengger,and GM: Good Book.This is A great book,A little sad Hummer is Gone(Being Brought By A Chinese Co from GM as of this Writing) that way we can have a vehicle that makes Liberals Cringe, I never been a Big fan Of Hummer,Humvees YES. This book is short yet insightful, More of a History Than A Pictorial(has a few color,some B&W ,small hardcover) so it's a good Reader,The Writer Is funny and An Admitted Log Cabin Republican. I like the book, and Whether your A Hummer Fan,(I do like them not love them) or Your A GM Fan*At least when it wasn't Gov't Owned. * This Book is for you.

Bought this as a gift for a friend who is a Hummer enthusiast. He stated it was the most comprehensive book he’d seen on the vehicle. Made his birthday extra enjoyable.

Great condition and good read.

This book is a must for all those infatuated with the Hummer craze!! Incredible book dedicated to an incredible truck!!Billy Wannyn

A former Car & Driver editor, Martin Padgett takes his clever and informative style and applies it to the Hummer. He deftly addresses the sociological causes leading to the Hummer's success, as well as the resulting phenomenon that surrounds the Hummer today. And he does so with humor, making this a fun page-turner.

I fell in love with Marty Padgett's writing style in his reviews in "Stuff" magazine. Never before had I heard a yard gnome so lovingly referred to. I almost wept. Now he is taking that same passion and applying to Hummer's! A must read for any lover of a Hummer!