High and Mighty: SUVs--The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way

Book Description

The longtime Detroit bureau chief for The New York Times lays bare the dangers posed by the most popular type of American family car: the sport utility vehicle.

SUVs have taken over America's roads. Ad campaigns promote them as safer and "greener" than ordinary cars and easy to handle in bad weather. But very little about the SUV's image is accurate. They poorly protect occupants and inflict horrific damage in crashes, they guzzle gasoline, and they are hard to control.

Keith Bradsher has been at the forefront in reporting the calamitous safety and environmental record of SUVs, including the notorious Ford-Firestone rollover controversy. In High and Mighty, he traces the checkered history of SUVs, showing how they came to be classified not as passenger cars but as light trucks, which are subject to less strict regulations on safety, gas mileage, and air pollution. He makes a powerful case that these vehicles are even worse than we suspect--for their occupants, for other motorists, for pedestrians and for the planet itself. In the tradition of Unsafe at Any Speed and Fast Food Nation, Bradsher's book is a damning exposé of an industry that puts us all at risk, whether we recognize it or not.

Customer Reviews:

Hits it right on the mark...........2006-12-12

Ironically, on Fri. Dec 8, 2006, my wife and I have had the unpleasant experience of a black Toyota 4 Runner tailgating us literally what was less than a few inches as the driver exited the 101 freeway at Johnson drive in Ventura, CA. The driver first almost rear ended us and when we were at the first light stopped the driver was still on our bumper. The traffic was too dense to move over to let the idiot pass and so my wife being a nervous wreck had to endure this SUV driver's idiocy. My wife is a very safe driver and never speeds but she was opting to do so in this situation on the narrow portion of Johnson Rd near Bristol Dr. I had to scream at her to slow down and just hope the driver doesn't hit us as it was far more dangerous to speed and us cause an accident. Ironically a Ventura PD motorcycle officer passed us opposite going southbound and I knew he saw the situation as I was ready to dial 911. The officer never turned around and the SUV driver suddenly backed off a little and here's the funny part, the dolt signals left to turn into the Boys and Girl's club to pick up a child at around 4:30 PM. This is a story that neatly fits within the mindset of SUV drivers mentioned in this book. What I experienced and my wife experienced was a belligerent jerk who has no regard for other people's safety. It was so bad at the time that other traffic was backing off to avoid being in a collision and it really is perhaps a sign of the times that insurance companies need to rethink the rates for SUV owners. These vehicles are simply too dangerous in the hands of so many unthoughtful and careless drivers. Cars are bad as it is, but SUVs and Monster Trucks have made the roadways more unsafe than ever.

Tell this guy to go back to Europe. .......2006-08-06

Ridiculous

This book truly sucks, if people want to buy SUV'S then that's their right. If people in Europe and Asia are happy with driving sub compact cars where their knees are up to their chin then that's fine.

These vehicles are no more hazardous than any other vehicle. It all depends on how you drive. What I really love about this book is how this author makes personal attacks on people who own SUV'S it's like he has a personal vendetta again SUV drivers. He has no right to do that like I said its people's right to drive what they want to drive.

What's everyone's (The anti SUV people) solution to SUV'S?? Let's all trade in our Ford's and GM's for a Toyota. So great we save the environment and at the same time we put the American vehicle makers out of business and destroy our economy. Some people think the domestic auto makers are worthless but they are very important. So many jobs are linked with them and they helped to make this country as great and powerful as it is today.

Don't get me wrong I own a Honda Accord which is a great vehicle and I will probably always own a Honda but I will also always have an American vehicle next to it. This book just angers me and sickens me so much because it's like he wants to restrict people's rights to drive what they want.

I know many SUV's get terrible gas mileage and I will support anyone who can improve the gas mileage. At the same time I will support the right to own a SUV no matter what gas mileage it gets. This is America I don't want to be told by a no body what I have to drive.

What I am all for is a SUV which gets good gas mileage and doesn't pollute the environment. I fully support alternative fuels like E85 and hydrogen fuel cells. GM is starting to get the message they are coming out with a Two Mode Hybrid on large SUV'S like the Chevy Tahoe which will allow it to get 25 MPG which is amazing for a vehicle of that size.

Very convincing, but EXTREMELY LONG AND BLOATED!.......2006-01-06

Pros: Many good arguments, good history. Managed to convince me (a big one, for someone as stubborn as me).

Cons:
Riddled with too many weak arguments. Doesn't push the 'inside vehicle vs. outside vehicle' death rate argument enough.

EXTREMELY LONG AND BLOATED! Very redundant.

Not Worth Your Time: ** UNPUBLISHABLE **.......2005-04-03

...as would so be marked if I was the publisher of this mishmashed mangled monstrosity of banal reading, I would have redlined the whole thing after the first few paragraphs. I am still amazed at how this thing ever got past the senior editor. And it continually amazes me how profound some authors want to sound, instead of writing something truly useful, like they're blowing the whistle on something. They only want to make money. Consistently quoting boring statistics make this one of the most unenjoyable books I've come across. I was relieved to know that I didn't have to finish it. It serves no useful purpose except to foster an unfounded guilt upon a citizen for excercising his or her right to choose the vehicle that fits their lifestyle.

Does anyone with the smallest amount of intelligence need to read a book that says SUV's are built differently than a Ford Escort, a Kia Rio, or a Toyota Camry? Put an unskilled, selfish, impatient driver into one of those vehicles, and it doesn't matter what he's driving, THAT is the world's most dangerous vehicle. I simply cannot stand it when people mark the facts as unhelpful, perhaps blinded by their own ignorance--so I have to come in and sweep away the garbage. That's what I do. I make the public more aware of what is worth their reading time, and what is worth casting aside as no benefit to the common good.

Okay, take everything I've said and throw it away. Don't judge a book by what I say, since it is only my opinion. Take a look at the number of available copies for less than a dollar. This book retailed for $24.95 hardcover. To take more than a 2000% drop in price, well that should give you an accurate gauge of the content's worth.

If you still won't believe that, then take USA Today's report of 10/13/2006 (it's a critical review; no copyright infringement; it's called 'Fair Use'):

"...Gasoline pump prices fell 13% during the month, which accounted for the big drop in service station sales. But excluding gasoline stations, retail sales rose a solid 0.6% as cooler fall weather and lower gasoline prices put shoppers in the mood to buy clothes and other items.

...Consumer spending slowed sharply earlier this year as Americans were battered by gasoline prices topping $3 a gallon, high interest rates and a cooling housing market. This slowdown trimmed overall economic growth to a rate of just 2.6% in the spring...many economists had worried that if the housing slowdown became severe enough it could push the country into a full-blown recession. But those fears have eased in recent weeks as gasoline pump prices have fallen significantly, putting consumers in a mood to spend on other items...Auto sales were flat in September following a 0.4% drop in August. The nation's automakers have struggled this year with a glut of sport-utility vehicles and other low-mpg cars...[NOT BECAUSE MR BRADSHAW SAYS THEY ARE DANGEROUS! *** HELLO!]...Excluding auto sales, retail sales were down 0.5%, reflecting the big drop in the amount drivers were spending at service stations.."

Why do some people ignore the truth when they hear it? Is it the author with multiple email aliases? Could be.

Lays out the case against SUVs........2005-03-25

What is an SUV ? The author defines one as , having Four wheel drive standard or on demand , an enclosed rear cargo bay , high ground clearance , decended from a pickup truck underbody and designed for urban consumers with cushy suspension. The real question this book trys to answer is why so many people who dont need such a vehicle would buy one. Part of the answer comes from the complex regulatory enviroment which ends up promoting such vehicles. Being classified as light trucks leaves SUVs exempt from all sorts of environmental and safety regulations that raise the price of cars. An entire chapter is devoted to the SUV insurance subsidy which leaves other drivers paying more than thier share of the cost of others poor vehicle choice.

The phsycology of the purchaser is examined. Some SUVs are designed to look meanacing like a jungle animal complete with muscles and teeth. Sales of Dodge RAM pickup trucks rose after the vehicle was designed to look more intimidating. SUVs may be part of a highway arms race with some buyers motivated by a reptilian desire to intimidate others on the road. Auto industry research that characterises SUV buyers as 'self centered' and 'unsure of thier own driving skills' may explain why SUV adds often imply that the vehicles are safer than cars.

All of this would be nothing more than an academic exercise in marketing if it were not for the tragic concenquences of the SUV boom. Prone to rollover , SUVs have led to many cases of paralysis. Lacking crumple zones or side Airbags , SUV occupants are actually slightly more likely to die in a crash than car occupants. SUVs put other drivers and pedestrians at risk as well. Then there are the environmental concequences of the SUV. The SUV is not going away any time soon the US auto industry and its 800,000 workers have become dependent on the profits from SUVs. One ford plant that makes SUVs accounts for 1/3 of the automakers profits. SUVs are cheaper to design and manufacture than cars. As they age the problem of high risk drivers driving old SUVs with poor brakes will become larger and the accident rates for SUVs is likely to increase.

This book is longer than it needs to be and sometimes makes the same point repeatedly. Also the chapter on the firestone tire - ford explorer debacle seems misplaced. It lays out the case against the SUV nicely. These vehicles simply dont belong in the affluent suburban neighborhoods they have invaded. They offer nothing to the average commuter and are inferior to cars. More than that they put others at risk and damage the environment for all.

High and Mighty. (Bookshelf).(SUVs: The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way)(Book Review): An article from: OnEarth

Average customer rating:

High and Mighty. (Bookshelf).(SUVs: The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way)(Book Review): An article from: OnEarth
Gillian Ashley
Manufacturer: Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B0008FQ97K
Release Date: 2005-06-01

Book Description

This digital document is an article from OnEarth, published by Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. on January 1, 2003. The length of the article is 403 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: High and Mighty. (Bookshelf).(SUVs: The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way)(Book Review)
Author: Gillian Ashley
Publication: OnEarth (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2003
Publisher: Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.
Volume: 24 Issue: 4 Page: 39(1)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, the United States was embroiled in competitive inter-state politics. Although it did not directly involve itself in European affairs, the United States did engage regularly in dangerous struggles with other states and with colonial powers with territory on the American periphery. Aside from the War of 1812, the Oregon Crisis, and the Mexican War, other "near misses" included here—disputes of 1807 and 1809 with Britain, with Spain over East Florida in 1811-13, with Mexico in 1853, and disputes with Spain over Cuba in 1853-55 and with Mexico in 1858-1860—have been ignored in the democratic peace literature. Scott A. Silverstone finds these cases particularly useful for testing alternative explanations of constraints on armed conflict, because the United States backed down each time, allowing each crisis to pass short of its full potential for violence.

Silverstone builds on a nascent theory of institutional constraints on the use of force presented in the Federalist Papers to explain American attitudes toward participation in conflicts. He argues that the federal character of American democracy that emerged from the founding and the large size of the new American republic provide the keys to understanding its decision-making processes. Divided Union shows how the institutional features of federal union and the diverse social, economic, and security interests within this geographically extended republic created political conditions that impeded the use of force by the United States before the Civil War.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent history and political science.......2005-04-20

The other reviewer didn't adequately explain what this book is all about. Silverstone is a scholar in International Relations, exploring why it is that states go to war with each other. He theorizes that one reason democracies do not go to war with each other involves their internal domestic politics. Specifically he examines the U.S. pre-Civil War to prove his thesis.

He considers regional divisions within the U.S. to be primary in explaining why the U.S. often backed down from using force at times when it seemed like a reasonable course of action, such as in 1807 against the British, or in the 1850's against Mexico. Sectional divisions between north, south, and the northwest prevented many wars that benefited some sections more than others. The northwest, for example, strongly supported war against Great Britain in 1807, while east coast politicians worried that it would hurt their state's economies too much.

If I could make any criticism of this book, it would be that Silverstone does not pay adequate attention to the institutional transformations within the U.S. occurring during the era he speaks of, such as the gradual strengthening of the presidency. But overall this book is well-written, with a good sense of history and well-developed theories.

Destroys John Gaddis's thesis.......2004-10-06

Siliverstone has completely destroyed John Gaddis's thesis that unilateral and preemptive attacks were part of nineteenth century American foreign policy. Silverstone writes that the American presidency was handicapped in implementing agressive foreign policy designs due to a decentralized party system. Silverstone writes that from 1800-1812, the American government was relunctant to declare war against Great Britain due to oppostion from Northeastern polticians. In the 1840s Polk was forced to concede to the British over Oregon due to opposition in his own party from politicians in the Northeast and the Southern Coastal regions. Although Polk was able to declare war against the Mexicans, Northeasterners were able to limit the amount of Mexican land annexed by the Americans. These internal divisions prevented the United States from taking over Cuba in the 1850s. The only weakness of Silverstone's book is that he ignores the case of Andrew Jackson unilaterally taking over Florida and skims over how Polk pressured the Congress into declaring war with Mexico. But overall Silverstone has managed to discredit Gaddis's thesis that there was a set plan of preemption in American foreign policy during the nineteenth century.

Growing Old in the Early Republic: Spiritual, Social, and Economic Issues, 1790-1830 (Garland Studies on the Elderly in America)

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Growing Old in the Early Republic: Spiritual, Social, and Economic Issues, 1790-1830 (Garland Studies on the Elderly in America)
Paula A. Scott
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Gerontology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Scott: General of the Early American Republic (Brassey's Military Profiles)

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Scott: General of the Early American Republic (Brassey's Military Profiles)
Samuel Watson
Manufacturer: Potomac Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Military & Spies | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Life & Institutions | Military | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1574887475

Book Description

The European Economic Community has undertaken a complex task of integration that is made difficult by the intricacies of a modern political economy. The Economic Principles of European Integration is a timely and comprehensive analysis of the integration process of the EEC, emphasizing the importance of historical and political influences in addition to economic ones.

Customer Reviews:

Overturf hits the nail on the head.......1999-10-29

Once again Dr. Overturf looks at the principles of European integration under a microscope. A great book focusing on the issues concerning Europe after the signing of the Maastricht treaty. A book for the future of Europe. Insights to seriously consider.

The Principle of Mutual Recognition in the European Integration Process

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The Principle of Mutual Recognition in the European Integration Process

Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

International | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Globalization | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1403934894
Release Date: 2005-08-11

Book Description

Mutual Recognition (MR) implies that each Member State is free to use the standards for production it prefers but cannot inhibit the import from other Member States lawfully using other standards, unless justified by emergency reasons. The home country rule then prevails on the host country. Barriers to entry diminish, competition rises in the internal market. This collection looks at a number of aspects of MR, including why its importance cannot be understood outside the general practice of free movement and how some elements of MR already emerge in the skilled labour market of professionals.

The Economic Principles of European Integration

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The Economic Principles of European Integration
Stephen Frank Overturf
Manufacturer: Praeger Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQK3AM

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The Economic Principles of European Integration.
Stephen Frank. Overturf
Manufacturer: Praeger Paperback
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQN4YO

Book Description

From the howl of the timber wolf to the chatter of cicadas, the natural world is alive with sound. In this newest audio guide from Lang Elliott and NatureSound Studio, the songs, calls, buzzes, rattles, and other sounds of one hundred species are brought together to form a vivid aural portrait of animal life east of the Great Plains. Lavishly illustrated with full-color photographs, it's quite simply a must-have for nature lovers. Includes an hour-long audio compact disc, full-color photographs for each species, and information on range, habitat, and behavior.

Customer Reviews:

Lang Elliot Does Good Work.......2007-07-19

We have several Lang Elliot CD's, and we and the children enjoy listening to them as we drive as a change of pace from music. I use them, surprisingly to most, to keep awake when driving at night, especially "Voices of the Swamp".

Delighted,

Peter Gareis

25 year terror mystery sound resolved.......2006-07-26

There we were, 3 1/2 miles from our vehicle, snug in our geodesic dome tent having backpacked into Monongahela National Forest in WV in August 1981. The setting was idyllic, on the bank of bubbling, scenic Seneca Creek.

In the wee hours of the night, we were awoken by a loud, repeated bellowing. This was no cow. Nor was it a wolf or a coyote. What type of animal could have made that disturbing, haunting noise? Our imaginations ran wild. Was it a sasquatch?

Absolutely beside ourselves, we frantically scanned the edge of the forest with our flashlight for any signs of our nemesis. Fortunately, nothing was seen. I lit our Coleman lantern and left it aglow. Our hope was that it might serve as a deterrent to our erstwhile attacker.

25 years on, I ordered Lang Elliott's Guide to Wildlife Sounds, half wondering if somehow we could bring closure to that terrifying experience. I put the disc into our CD player. Five seconds into track 16, there it was! Mystery solved! And, yes, we had reason to be concerned...

In August 1983, we were confronted with a lesser mystery. We'd arrived at Thompson Falls in northwest Montana long after dark. After pitching our tent and securing our camp for the night, a mysterious sound came from the woods above. What was it? Sixteen seconds into track 29, we now know it to be a barred owl.

This is a great disc. You'll hear a lot of familiar sounds that will give you that, "A ha! Now I know what it is," feeling. Each track is thirtysome seconds long. And, the pictures in the accompanying book are exquisite.

Wildlife Sounds: Britain & Ireland (Collins Field Guide)

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Wildlife Sounds: Britain & Ireland (Collins Field Guide)
Geoff Sample
Manufacturer: HarperCollins UK
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 0007209061

Book Description

Have you ever wondered what animal is making that noise in your garden? Or what a pine marten sounds like in the wild? Wildlife Sounds, by expert Geoff Sample, features a CD containing all the major songs and calls of Britain. The CD is accompanied by an informative companion book that allows you to match a song or call with a species with the greatest of ease. Covering everything from common seals and otters to grasshoppers and frogs, this book also looks at the different sounds that animals may make according to the situations they are in e.g. under threat or at play.

Natural History of Digges Sound/Cat No Cw68-8-46E (Canadian Wildlife Service Report Series, No 46)

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Natural History of Digges Sound/Cat No Cw68-8-46E (Canadian Wildlife Service Report Series, No 46)

Manufacturer: Canada Wildlife Service
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General & Anthologies | Hunting & Fishing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
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White Silk and Black Tar: A Journal of the Alaska Oil Spill

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White Silk and Black Tar: A Journal of the Alaska Oil Spill
Pat Spencer
Manufacturer: Bergamot Books
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A guide to wildlife seen from boats and ferries in Puget Sound, Washington

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A guide to wildlife seen from boats and ferries in Puget Sound, Washington
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Manufacturer: Washington State Dept. of Game. Nongame Program
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Valdez oil spill research guide
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Manufacturer: Division of State Libraries and Archives, Dept. of Education, State of Alaska
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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