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Join us for a free afternoon author talk with Eric Moskowitz, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of the newly published book “The Hardest, Longest Race: Henry Ford and the Cross-Country Contest That Changed America” (2026), in conversation Matt Anderson, curator of transportation for The Henry Ford. In “The Hardest, Longest Race,” Moskowitz reconstructs the fast-paced story of the 1909 Ocean to Ocean contest, the first true coast-to-coast automobile race in U.S. history. It is a colorful tale of corporate ambition and the gritty drivers who braved hostile terrain, mechanical failure and sabotage while chasing victory.
When playboy millionaire M. Robert Guggenheim announced an audacious “Ocean to Ocean” contest from New York City to the Seattle World’s Fair, only three of America’s 253 automakers were brassy enough to show up at the starting line: Ford, Acme and Shawmut.
Oddsmakers dismissed the pint-sized Ford Model T. Many didn’t believe any of the cars would reach Seattle at all, as they would need to forge a 4,106-mile course of mountain ranges, mud bogs, washed-out wagon bridges and canyon trails, long before highways, seatbelts and service stations.
But Henry Ford was intent on proving that the Model T could go the distance and beat out the muscular luxury cars, and he didn’t plan to leave it to chance. A little over three weeks after the race began, a Ford crossed the finish line hours ahead of the Shawmut — but the victory was a fraud.
As “The Hardest, Longest Race” follows the story of the Model T — a car for the masses and the seeming people’s champion — traversing the nation, Moskowitz brings to life the diverse populace and landscape that it would soon transform in a love letter to America at the turn of the 20th century.
Together, Moskowitz and Anderson will discuss this significant event in automotive history, and how materials in The Henry Ford’s collections helped Moskowitz piece the story together. Their conversation will be followed by a brief Q&A and book signing with the opportunity to purchase a copy of The Hardest, Longest Race.
The event is free to the public, but registration is required at THF.org/TheRace.
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Event venue
20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI, United States, Michigan 48124
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