Dodge Dynasty: The Car and the Family That Rocked Detroit

Skilled and esteemed mechanics in Detroit at the turn of the century, John and Horace Dodge were uniquely situated to take advantage of the burgeoning automobile industry. First they made engines for Oldsmobile and then for Ford, who in due course eased them out. The brothers became immensely wealthy, but they made no provision for their heirs to carry on the auto manufacturing firm they built into an industry leader. Both died in 1920. The subsequent history of the family, carefully researched and dramatically related by Latham ( Life with Rose Kennedy ) and Dodge ``intimate'' Agresta, is one of squandered opportunities, failed marriages and general unhappiness. As the authors aptly put it, the tragedy of the family was that it realized the American dream. Illustrations not seen by PW. (Mar.)