Mr. Kaiser Goes to Washington - (The Luther H. Hodges Jr. and Luther H. Hodges Sr. Business, Entrepreneurship, and Public P) by Stephen B Adams

About the Book

Mr. Kaiser Goes to Washington: The Rise of a Government Entrepreneur

Book Synopsis

In the 1940s, the name Henry J. Kaiser was magic. Based on the success of his shipyards, Kaiser was hailed by the national media as the force behind a 'can-do' production miracle and credited by the American public with doing more to help President Roosevelt win World War II than any other civilian. Kaiser also built an empire in construction, cement, magnesium, steel, and aluminum -- all based on government contracts, government loans, and changes in government regulations. In this book, Stephen Adams offers Kaiser's story as the first detailed case study of 'government entrepreneurship.' Taking a fresh look at the birth of modern business-government relations, he explores the symbiotic connection forged between FDR and Kaiser. Adams shows that while Kaiser capitalized on opportunities provided by the growth of the federal government, FDR found in Kaiser an industrial partner whose enterprises embodied New Deal goals. The result of a confluence of administration policy and entrepreneurial zeal, Kaiser's dramatic rise illustrates the important role of governmental relations in American entrepreneurial success.

Originally published in 1997.

A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

Review Quotes

"[Adams] approaches Kaiser from a fresh angle. . . . Where capitalism, entrepreneurialism, war, economic depression, and governmental power (specifically during the administration of Franklin Roosevelt) converge."--Technology & Culture

"A case study of government entrepreneurship, this fascinating book provides an excellent introduction to government-business relations at that point in time when the federal government became a major purchaser of goods and services."--CHOICE

"Adams focuses on the relationship between the government and Henry Kaiser, noted shipbuilder during World War II. . . . Adams argues that Kaiser took advantage of the situation to become a government entrepreneur during the period. . . . Recommended."--Library Journal

"Adams has written an important book. He probed in depth issues that others, myself included, passed over lightly. He presents his arguments clearly and convincingly. Adams's research is impressive; he has consulted the important manuscript collections, and he interviewed virtually every available key player. Equally important, he consulted all relevant secondary source literature, providing a useful, sophisticated conceptual framework. Finally, the book is logically organized and well written, mercifully free of jargon."--Journal of American History