Chocker block full of detail and stories, covering the man, the business and the racing. A bit dated because it was written in 1991. Enzo Ferrari was Chocker block full of detail and stories, covering the man, the business and the racing. A bit dated because it was written in 1991. Enzo Ferrari was not a very likeable character....more
Hunt wasn't always the most likeable fellow, but he was fiercely independent and a definite free spirit. He did what he wanted and to hell with whetheHunt wasn't always the most likeable fellow, but he was fiercely independent and a definite free spirit. He did what he wanted and to hell with whether you liked it or not. He could also be very charming. Even though he had a relatively short F1 career he was only really successful in one season. But as someone said, he packed more into his 45 years than most of us do in twice that. I don't know what it was about the writing but it always felt a little restrained....more
A rather pretentious title but the book does talk about some rather interesting technologies that should make racing cleaner and greener and may get pA rather pretentious title but the book does talk about some rather interesting technologies that should make racing cleaner and greener and may get passed on to everyday life....more
Botsford covers a lot of territory in this small book. He highlights the F1 careers of ten drivers in just 168 pages. Mostly there are behind the scenBotsford covers a lot of territory in this small book. He highlights the F1 careers of ten drivers in just 168 pages. Mostly there are behind the scenes stories and a run down of the various driver's personalities. Individual races are frequently breezed over. Being from 1988 it seems a bit dated knowing how some of the driver's careers progressed from then. The info was fine I am just not a big fan of his style of writing....more
This is an interesting book that presents a lot of historical background to the Grand Prix cars, races and drivers of the mid to late 1930's. I found This is an interesting book that presents a lot of historical background to the Grand Prix cars, races and drivers of the mid to late 1930's. I found the final race, the main theme of the book, to be overdramatic and anti-climactic. Bascomb is obviously not a motor sports writer. Still, if you are the least bit interested in GP history the book is a worthwhile read....more
For you motor racing fans this is an interesting story of Penske Racing and Illmor Engineering building and testing an engine and car combination in rFor you motor racing fans this is an interesting story of Penske Racing and Illmor Engineering building and testing an engine and car combination in record time. The goal was to win the Indy 500. It is not too technical, you don't need to be a real motorhead. In fact some of the bits about racing were written for someone who knows little or nothing about racing. Lots of different racing personalities in the book....more
An autobiography of one of the greatest drivers of any era. I really enjoyed his pre Formula 1 stories of exciting and long (thousands of miles) road An autobiography of one of the greatest drivers of any era. I really enjoyed his pre Formula 1 stories of exciting and long (thousands of miles) road races. The book is not too in depth because it is only 200 pages long but well worth reading if you are a Fangio fan....more
This is a well written and well researched book about three former Grand Prix drivers from the 20's and 30's who wound up fighting with the ResistanceThis is a well written and well researched book about three former Grand Prix drivers from the 20's and 30's who wound up fighting with the Resistance in France. Lots of intrigue and double crossing. It was hard to know who to trust and whether to trust what people said. It also has some hair raising escapes. I certainly recommend reading this book.
A great companion to this book is "Early One Morning" by Robert Ryan. It is a fictionalized book of the same story. It was excellent also....more
Overall the information was interesting but a few glaring errors make the rest of the story suspect. All the way through I got the feeling the story hOverall the information was interesting but a few glaring errors make the rest of the story suspect. All the way through I got the feeling the story had been dumbed down to appeal to a n0n-racing audience. ...more
Not what I was expecting, but still a really good book. I was expecting a history of the Monaco race and maybe year by year coverage. Instead it mainlNot what I was expecting, but still a really good book. I was expecting a history of the Monaco race and maybe year by year coverage. Instead it mainly covers more contemporary races with stories by the actual racers and winners. It talks about the challenge, mystic, pomp and legacy of the Monaco Grand Prix. Lots of wonderful well written stories. Well worth reading....more
A well written and exciting story of three Grand Prix drivers who wind up working for the SOE in France during WW2. Partially fact and partially fictiA well written and exciting story of three Grand Prix drivers who wind up working for the SOE in France during WW2. Partially fact and partially fiction, great characters and intriguing relationships. Ryan gives a brief account of fact and fiction in his Author's Notes at the back of this book. Great book for GP fans and WW2 fans.
Now to read "Grand Prix Saboteurs" by Joe Saward to see how much is fact and how much is fiction. ...more
An interesting tale of 1976's legendary season. All the more memorable because I was at the 1976 Canadian Grand Prix. At the time I never realized jusAn interesting tale of 1976's legendary season. All the more memorable because I was at the 1976 Canadian Grand Prix. At the time I never realized just how close the season's outcome would be.
The writing about the racing was ok but there was too much attention paid to the soap opera of Lauda's and Hunt's messy love lives. My other pet peeve was the repeating of information just a few pages apart. It may be a literary device to connect chapters or something but I just find it annoying. I would like to find a better written book about the same subject....more
A very thorough book that starts with the drivers journey to F1 and ends with their long time rivalry. Lots of great background stories by many other A very thorough book that starts with the drivers journey to F1 and ends with their long time rivalry. Lots of great background stories by many other contemporary drivers of theirs. Found on major oops. When listing drivers who won championships with Lotus the book lists Michael Andretti instead of Mario....more
If these are "the best Nascar stories ever told" I would hate to read the boring one. This has been done much better in other books.If these are "the best Nascar stories ever told" I would hate to read the boring one. This has been done much better in other books....more
This is a coffee table style book about Villeneuve's career so the information is superficial but the photographs are wonderful. Of course anything abThis is a coffee table style book about Villeneuve's career so the information is superficial but the photographs are wonderful. Of course anything about my favourite (Canadian) F1 driver is worth reading. ...more
This book is not a traditional biography. It is partially about his road to F1 but it is more about his philosophy on racing and life in general. It aThis book is not a traditional biography. It is partially about his road to F1 but it is more about his philosophy on racing and life in general. It also tells a lot about his family life. One of my favourite drivers because he doesn't get involved in the whole F1 circus. Just leave him alone and let him drive!...more
Auto racing from a different era. Back when it was more of a sport not a business, a more gentlemanly era. When the line between profession and amaturAuto racing from a different era. Back when it was more of a sport not a business, a more gentlemanly era. When the line between profession and amature drivers was blurred. Back when pit stops took forty two seconds, not less than three. Back when the drivers partied the night before the race and even rivals supported each other in the name of fairness. Hawthorn is as good a writer as he was a driver....more
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