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 with Matt Anderson, curator of transportation at 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.

Eric Moskowitz is a distinguished journalist who spent 12 years at The Boston Globe, where he covered transportation and was part of the team that received the Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing. He has written for The Atlantic and The New York Times, and his work has appeared in The Best American Sports Writing and The Best American Newspaper Narratives anthologies. He studied American history at the University of Pennsylvania and lives near Boston with his wife and children.

Matt Anderson  is curator of transportation at The Henry Ford, where he oversees the institution's collection of cars and trucks, horse-drawn vehicles, railroad equipment and aircraft. Matt is a past president of the National Association of Automobile Museums and a member of the board of directors of the Society of Automotive Historians. 

The event is free to the public, but registration is required. Seats are limited.

There is a maximum of six registrants per entry. Registrants will receive confirmation and event reminders via email. Please show these confirmations upon entry to the event.

Registration will close on Saturday, November 21, at 12 p.m. ET or earlier if capacity is reached.

Doors to Anderson Theater will open at 1:30 p.m. The program will begin at 2 p.m. and will be followed by a brief Q&A and book signing.

This is a free public event; museum admission is not required.

Free parking is available in the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation lot off Oakwood Boulevard near the museum Welcome Center. The Clocktower entrance on the brick circle drive may be used for pickup/drop-off for guests who need special assistance.

Please note that parts of Oakwood Boulevard may be impacted by construction. Be prepared for traffic delays or detours. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The Henry Ford is committed to making our events accessible to everyone.

• Anderson Theater's main floor is fully accessible. The second-floor balcony is accessible via stairs only.
• This event will be ASL interpreted.

If you require an additional accommodation or service to fully participate, please contact our accessibility team via email at accessibility@thehenryford.org.