Fifty Years Ahead of the News, by John Sattler

Fifty Years Ahead of the News, by John Sattler. Motor Books, £14.95.

Public relations is a big time thing in the modern world, and this reflects the origin of the profession, defending its integrity and covering a lifetime of practical experience. For many years Sattler publicised the Ford Motor Company, so there are many stories about Henry Ford 11 and this powerful organisation.

Selling the ill-timed Ford Edsel makes interesting reading the author recalls how it was undermined by jokes about its ‘horse-collar’ grille. by Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Milton Bearle and others. The lavish expenditure and apartments of the Ford Company are touched on though you have to read Walter Hayes for the full Henry Ford 11 story.

It is also surprising to learn of Ford generosity, such as a first Christmas bonus of 2400 dollars for Sattler, and of employees retiring as millionaires. Incidentally, his 903 Ford was used for PR purposes and a gold and silver replica of the twocylinder Model A runabout was commissioned for Ford’s 75th anniversary.

The book contains 44 pictures and the author, born in 1919, figures in 35 of these but he is a PR man . . Model-Ts of 1909 and 1913, the VW-like 1934 Ford Futuristic. 1947 Sportsman’s convertible, the Lincoln Futura Dream Car, the 1957 Retractable Hardtop Ford’s first and the full-size replica of Linburgh’s Spirit of St Louis monoplane also feature.

No Ford buff should be without this book, and one also learns much about PR for Walt Disney, Julie Andews, Sammy Davis Inr, Eleanor Roosevelt, Irving Berlin, Princess Grace of Monaco. Sophie Tucker, King Juan Carlos, Ed Sullivan, Babe Ruth, Muhammed Ali and Betty Grable!