A Forgotten Dream of Power and Progress

Most people know Henry Ford and Thomas Edison as titans of industry, men whose innovations changed how we live, work, and move. But what if I told you they also dreamed of creating an experimental utopia—a city powered by electricity, efficiency, and their own visions of modern life? That’s the surprising story Thomas Hager unearths in Electric City. It’s the kind of history book that feels like you’ve stumbled onto a hidden chapter of American life, one that’s both fascinating and a little bit unbelievable. Hager captures the energy of that era, when technology promised to solve everything, while also showing just how fragile even the boldest ideas can be.

A Visionary Project in the Making

At the heart of the book is Ford’s and Edison’s plan to build a new kind of community, one that combined cutting-edge technology with a fresh approach to living. Hager traces how the two men, each with his own eccentricities, came together to pursue this ambitious dream. Ford saw the promise of reimagining society through industry, while Edison envisioned the electric future that could sustain it. Together, they imagined a self-sufficient city on the banks of a river, a place where industry and nature could coexist in harmony. But as Hager shows, what looks bold and daring on paper doesn’t always survive the realities of politics, money, and human stubbornness.

The Story Behind the Story

What makes Electric City more than just an account of a failed project is the way Hager sets the scene. He dives into the cultural mood of the early twentieth century, when America was buzzing with optimism about technology’s potential. Readers get a sense of the personalities driving the project—Ford’s quirks, Edison’s relentless determination, and the way their reputations often overshadowed their flaws. Hager has a knack for weaving together the broader historical context with intimate details, making the book feel both sweeping and personal. You don’t just learn about the plan; you feel the excitement, tension, and eventual disappointment of its unraveling.

Why It’s Worth the Read

This isn’t a dry history lesson—it’s a story full of drama, ambition, and the kind of “what if” questions that keep you turning the pages. Hager’s writing is clear and engaging, with just enough flair to make the history come alive without overwhelming it. Even if you’re not a history buff, the human side of the story will draw you in, because at its core, it’s about two larger-than-life men daring to dream bigger than anyone else around them. And while their utopia never came to be, the attempt itself says a lot about the restless energy of America at the time. It’s a reminder that big ideas often fail, but they also leave behind lessons that shape what comes next.

Final Thoughts

Electric City is one of those books that makes you look at familiar names in a new light. Instead of just seeing Ford as the car king or Edison as the wizard of electricity, you see them as dreamers who were willing to gamble on a new kind of future. Hager doesn’t just tell the story—he invites you into it, making you imagine what life might have been like if this utopia had succeeded. It’s an inspiring and thought-provoking read, one that blends history, biography, and a touch of suspense into a single narrative. If you enjoy hidden histories or stories about the intersection of technology and society, this book deserves a spot on your reading list.