Automotive Books

I bought this book to help me in my search for a car to buy. It was useful in that regard, but it is also a very interesting history of an iconic automobile. My research interest was in the fifth generation of the Corvette (the C5) since that is the model I was interested in buying. The chapters on the other models were very informative and entertaining. I enjoy reading history, especially automotive history, and this book fit the bill for the Corvette. It is a little short on raw data, but I don't think that was the intent of the author in the first place. All in all, a good buy.

I bought this book for a Vette fan's birthday--he loved it!! I flipped through it before I gave it to him and became mesmerized myself--beautiful photography of a beautiful car!

This was a birthday gift for my brother...a lover of Corvettes, old and new!

I own a C4 Corvette and try to buy every Corvette book that comes out. I was given a truly bad Corvette book for a Christmas gift this year ("Corvette: America's Sports Car: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow" by Jerry Burton), a cheesy, vinyl-covered tossed-together collection of factoids and tired photography. I went out and bought this one myself. This is the book all Corvette owners should own. It is a well-written history of the Corvette that is so complete it serves as the ultimate Corvette resource book. Best of all, it's filled with 100s of never-before-seen photographs from GM Design's archives. That alone is worth the price of admission. If someone got you that low-rent red vinyl Corvette book as a gift, bring it back to the store and exchange it for this one.

This book has a well written history on the Corvette!! Great Cars - If you are a lover of Corvettes, like me, this is the book for you!! It is a book your wife will let you leave on the coffee table!

Billy Wannyn

If you're a Corvette owner, or a collector, this is one book you shouldn't be without. The Black Book is a wealth of information in condensed form about each and every year since the Corvette first hit the market.

If you own a corvette (regardless of the year) you should have a copy of Corvette Black Book It list all the available options, the cost and how many were ordered.

This book is updated each model year. It is a concise and excellent information source for the Chevrolet Corvette. It includes every production year up to the date of printing. I buy a new copy every couple of years.

The only source to get the year specific correct data on options and key information

The 2008 version of the Corvette Black Book carries on the tradition of the "standard" by which all other Corvette guides are compared.
Revised data and information on the current year model is always top-notch!

I have over a dozen Corvette reference books. This is the best reference book for the C4 owner or for those looking to purchase a C4. This book details year by year changes in the C4. Press releases, production numbers and important landmarks are noted for each year. I was amazed with the changes that happend to the C4 that I never read about before I read this book. Buy this book and you will not be disappointed.
John
'93 Corvette

I have thirty Corvette books and 1989 Corvette. This is the last book in my collection I would give up. It is a must for any C4 owner.

This Corvette book is just what I was after... I'm buying a corvette here in Australia in the near future and had my mind set on a '92.. After reading the book I'm still after the same model.. With all the detailed information on each year model and the story behind it I found it a great read and a wealth of information.. If anyone is thinking of buying or already has a C4 corvette this is a must have... You can live without the color photo's as the book is not designed to be glamour book it's just pure information and spec's.. On Amazons behalf they are fantastic at getting their product out to you.. It was only 10days to my door.. well done..

This is a big book covering the C4 models.From concepts to the various models,options and so much more.This is the only comprehensive detailed book catering for these models.Plenty of b&w photos throughout plus all the information make this book a worthwhile investment and all for less than $20.

If you own one of these models or you are just an enthusiast this book will be a welcomed addition to your book collection.

Even though this book could benefit from some colour photos its still a gem of a book and great value.Other publishers can learn from this book.This book is of very high standard.This book is very impressive.I hope the author considers reprinting this book in colour.

...buying this book is one of the best ways to find out why it ended up the way it. It also has the most accurate production figures available for 194-1996 Corvettes.

Crash Burn Love: Demolition Derby is a gallery of black-and-white photographs, embellished with a couple of brief essays by photography expert and sports enthusiast Bill Lowenburg. Crash Burn Love strives to capture not only the thrill of demolition derbies, but the lives and feelings of the men and women who participate. Some crash for money; some for the thrill of the sport; some for the feeling of surviving the incredible. The timeless still images range from a shattered car converted into a roadside sign, to people hard at work on their demolition vehicles, to blurred moments of intense action, to portraits of pit crews and competitors. A superb giftbook for any demolition derby enthusiast.

Crash Burn Love: Demolition Derby is a gallery of black-and-white photographs, embellished with a couple of brief essays by photography expert and sports enthusiast Bill Lowenburg. Crash BUrn Love strives to capture not only the thrill of demolition derbies, but the lives and feelings of the men and women who participate. Some crash for money; some for the thrill of the sport; some for the feeling of surviving the incredible. The timeless still images range from a shattered car converted into a roadside sign, to people hard at work on their demolition vehicles, to blurred moments of intense action, to portraits of pit crews and competitors. A superb giftbook for any demolition derby enthusiast.

Small Press Bookwatch from The Midwest Book Review

Crash Burn Love: Demolition Derby
Photographs and Essays by Bill Lowenburg

"Mayhem is just the song that allows us all to dance."
-Bill Lowenburg

It's funny that I got this book right after reading Chuck Palahniuk's new book "Rant" because they both involve demolition derby and amazing visuals. Chuck's book is more of a twisted disturbing visual of the sport while Bill's book shows us the beauty of destruction but they both open the eyes of the reader to a new reality.

The essays in this book sound as though they are written directly to the reader, it's a spoken word book and I can hear Bills voice as I read it. When I first flipped through I saw pictures of dirty people, mechanics, and blue-collar workers; after reading Bills essays, I see sons, daughters, loved-ones, and family. His voice takes away every stereotype that could be put on these people and shows that there's a lot more to life than a job or a boss that doesn't understand what a catalytic converter is.

Bills humor is dry and scattered perfectly throughout the book. When the reader isn't in awe of the photography telling its own story, they are on a rollercoaster of smiles and self-analysis. A line that one of the derby drivers said that really sparked something in me was "the family that demos together, stays together." This wasn't just a sport or a time to get frustration out; it was a time to get together with family and friends. Many of the drivers spend hours putting their cars together and taking them apart again with friends and family, so, maybe they're on to something.

Attention to detail is apparent in his writing as well as his photographs. After eight seasons watching and interacting with these drivers, Bill has found something that many of us would have entirely missed if we went to one or two derbys, and that's that demolition derby isn't about destruction, it's about life, love, and camaraderie.

Flipping through the pages of the book, which are full of black and white photos from various derbys, the reader realizes that many of the spectators want to see the legs sticking out of the hood of one car to be smashed by a car named "Fender Bender," but where Bill was, behind the scenes, a young woman kisses a man before the race with love. The contrasts of reality of these races is explained in the writing and elaborated on in the photographs which can be called nothing but beautiful.

In his last essay of the book, Bill shows the past, present, and future of demolition derby. While its beginnings are uncertain Bill believes that its future is bright. With books like this and "Rant," as well as specials on TBS about the sport, we should all be so lucky to catch a glimpse at the reality of demolition derby. This book deserves a look by anyone that wants to find beauty in a world full of anything but.

Bill Lowenburg's book captures Demolition Derbies like nothing I've seen before. It is exciting, epic, and beautiful. The photos not only capture the crashes but also the drivers and fans. You can tell they were taken not only by an amazing photographer but by a true fan of derbies and the result is exceptional. In the months when there are no derbies by me, it doesn't get any better than looking through "Crash Burn Love" . This is a must have for fans of demolition derbies and Ameircana but the quality of the images makes it perfect for anyone interested in photography

This photo-documentary is very unique. I have never seen a collection of photographs quite like it. It is also a great resource to own. I have been using Lowenburg's essays and referring to the photographs in my American Photography and Visual Studies courses in college. When left out on my desk, my guests pick it up, leaf through it, and comment on its quality. I would recommend it to everyone.

UPDATE! Here's a review from Book News:

At the heart of this book are 80 extraordinary b&w photos (presented in a
10x9.5 inches format) depicting people, cars, and scenes of demolition
derbies. The photos are aesthetic, intimate, and compelling - curiously
delightful for outsiders, and a celebration of the familiar for those
involved in the sport. Photographer/writer Bill Lowenburg also includes an
essay on the history of these events and a bibliography listing books,
magazine articles, films, and websites. (Annotation C2007 Book News Inc.
Portland, OR)

Ron Geskey is an advertising industry insider with experience at Leo Burnett and D'Arcy. As a web marketing professional, I can appreciate the range in focus, from Internet-based PPC and rich media to the more traditional areas of tv, radio, newspaper, magazine and outdoor. Should be appreciated by marketing directors at small and medium businesses, boutique agencies, and entrepreneurs alike--anyone buying media and dealing with media rates.

"David & Goliath" provides an essential primer for the small business owner on the important topics of marketing and media buying.

Geskey is certainly a media maven: the book is well thought-out and each chapter might well stand alone as a reference tool on each topic. The Problems & Exercises at the end of each chapter are clearly designed to reinforce the main lessons of the chapter and learners who take the time to work on them definitely stand to gain a thorough grounding in media and marketing.

Of particular note are the discussions in later chapters: Chapter 9 for the advantages & disadvantages of various media-buying processes ... Chapter 10's Internet strategies and the need for a professional-looking Web page ... fun Creative Media ideas (Chapter 11): blogs, newsletters, podcasts and greeting cards ... how'barter' and 'media remnants' work in Chapter 12 ... and finally, Chapter 14 ("Hello Goliath!") -- an effective wrap-up and reminder for ESOV and the importance of Share of Voice and Quality of Voice.

Readers should not overlook the Appendix chock full of even more marketing tools: Worksheets for figuring sales objectives, tools for conducting a SWOT Analysis, and ideas for determining customer target markets, creating marketing objectives, determining primary market areas and thinking about communication strategies and budget considerations.

Overall, "David vs. Goliath: Guerilla Media Buying for Small Business" might well stand alone as a classroom text for small business owners seeking to implement marketing plans. In future, an updated edition of the book might include more discussion about 'buzz' or word-of-mouth marketing strategies, a bibliography containing citation information about the media and research studies contained in the book and a Glossary of Terms to help the reader refer to essential media definitions and marketing tools.

David vs. Goliath: Guerilla Media Buying for Small Business, A New Way to Win

This was a great and innovative book. Best of all, by filling out the worksheets after each chapter and at the end of the book, it results in a well thought out action plan to raise Share of Voice in your marketing area. Highly recommended and worth the time!

In a highly competitive marketplace, small business owners can often be overwhelmed with the difficult task of making consumers aware of their product. With so many huge business conglomerates dominating the market place, it can seem almost impossible for a small business to efficiently reach their target customers. In his book, David vs. Goliath: Guerilla Media Buying for Small Business, A New Way to Win, author Ronald Geskey shows that small businesses can not only succeed against the Goliaths, but can thrive in the dog eat dog world of big business.

Geskey explains that a key to growing a successful business is to use an innovative, well researched technique known as increasing your share of voice and your quality of voice. Through a step by step method, readers will learn how to make each advertising dollar work harder for them. By dramatically increasing your effective share of voice without increasing your budget in your market area, you can increase top of mind awareness of your product. This will then lead to increased sales and market share.

Not only does the author provide an in depth analysis and understanding of marketing and media, helpful methods and tools are provided to make the most of your advertising dollar. As Ronald Geskey states, "The key is to eliminate advertising spending waste."

Budgets are often wasted when the wrong type of communication is used for the job (e.g., direct mail vs. publicity) or the wrong media are used to reach the wrong target in the wrong place at the wrong time-- negotiated at the wrong price without value added and media investment safeguards.

When was the last time you read a book or an article about how to actually negotiate a media buy to get the most bang for your buck? Maybe never? Geskey's book provides clear steps on how to negotiate traditional and non traditional media buys to get substantially more media exposure for the budget.

Because successful communications with the consumer are critical to the success of a small business, the author discusses and provides an analysis of the many benefits and pitfalls of different marketing communications forms and various advertising media. Advertising media discussed include television, print, radio, internet, direct mail as well over 60 non traditional media approaches.

With well illustrated diagrams and exercises at the end of each chapter, the author provides the necessary tools and skills for you to make your small business a long term success. I plan to implement the strategies for my own business endeavors. I highly recommend the book to current business owners as well as to those planning to start a small business.

Tracy Roberts, Write Field Services

As owner and manager of a bookstore, I know that small business has always felt the challenge of how to become a "player" in the marketplace. Knowing our business purpose did not guarantee our ability to effectively market our business.

Had David vs. Goliath been available years ago it would have likely transformed my marketing of the business and its success. It also would have helped remove my ever present fear of the competition.

The book provides the tools to take the small business owner through the process of analyzing the business and business practices to the development of an innovative marketing strategy and plan to build sales and profit.

I had never even heard of share of voice, and certainly never thought of any linkage to sales or share of market. And even though I bought media, I now know how uninformed and naive I was, wasting a lot of money (resulting in lost sales and profit) without even knowing it.

The author also shows how we can make the internet work for us. He cuts through the confusion of selecting and buying the media at the right price place, and time.

Each chapter is filled with "secrets" which most owners of small businesses are unaware, at least I was.David vs. Goliath: Guerilla Media Buying for Small Business, A New Way to Win Every small business owner needs this insightful book!

Bonnie Schmitz
Bookstore Owner

This book does an excellent job on how an engine works and all the theories behind them. I have never read a book like this. It explains things in plain English which a person can understand without an engineering degree but it goes enough into detail to allow how to extract more power from engines. In the last section of the book it gives examples of engines, although some of these engines out of date, they were kings at their time and still apply to today engines.

I am a NC State student, and I cheeked this book out from the library here at school. I just have to say this is the best book I have ever read. I have had it only a few days now and I have already read around 150 pages. I can't put it down. I wish I had to read this in school instead of something like Withering Heights (It was a good book too, no car stuff though). But hey, what am I doing this for I need to get back to reading... So my suggestion is that you buy this book, or at least check it out like me. Who ever said that a library was not a cool place? I would also recommend buying and MGB.

Absolutely awesome book! A book that is a must, for the library of every mechanic or racer. Even if you are just a enthusiast, the book is incredibly informing, whether you are a certified mechanic or just an everyday driver, that wants to know what's going on inside the engine. I've owned the book for years, and I plan on buying a new copy, to give to my son, when he hits the driving age. This book is a must, for any engine builder, from the weekeng warrior to Nascar or the IRL. This book is a must!

It's a book necessary to any racing engineer- it's kind of a "Bible" for racing engine related technicians

I bought this book back in 1979, a year after I got my driver's license, 4 months after I bought my 396 Chevy, and about a month after a buddy of mine dropped a Car Craft Magazine on my desk in open class in High School, thus starting a life-long passion with cars and motorsports.

At that time I was thirsty for "true" knowledge about engines, especially high-performance engines, and quickly came to the conclusion I wasn't going to get that from my buddies who inanely swore that their 2-barrel 350 Novas were turning 10-second 1/4-miles ("I'm certain of it man, I clocked it myself"). This book was reviewed in a Road & Track issue, I picked it up, and became truly educated about all facets of basic engine design and the physics and principles behind true horsepower production.

I found the text easy to read and understand, and the delivery of information, although technical, certainly not above anyone's understanding. This is not a "get out your slide rule" type of book; but it does lay things out in a clear, direct manner, making it easy to absorb and understand, even as a newby 17 year-old gearhead.

Even though we've seen a tremendous advance in engineering regarding the internal combustion engine since 1979, to this day the principles delivered in this book ring true. You cannot go wrong, nor do I think you can do better, than starting here on your quest for horsepower knowledge--learn the basics first, and go from there. (For real slide-rule stuff, consult the book Scientific Design of Exhaust and Intake Systems, to learn where the heart of any internal combustion engine resides.)

I still have guys my age swearing that they're doing truly unbelievable things with a certain engine and car; the crazy stories never fade, but you'll do better than tell stories after learning what this book has to say.

My husband loves this book. He requested it for Christmas after seeing it at our brother-in-laws house.

An excellent, informative book. Beautiful colored pictures, well reearched. A must for 32 Ford owners.

A must to own if you have any interest in 1932 fords. Very well researched and written.

This book is both well written and researched. I can recomend it to anyone, both the restorer and the hot rodder.

The 1932 Ford Deuce was a landmark achievement for Ford, featuring an eight-cylinder flathead engine over the usual V-8 designs. While many books focus on this groundbreaking model, few take the time to place it in perspective: for that you need Deuce: 75 Years of the '32 Ford. Chapters offer up a complete history of the car's design, changes, influences, and racers. Vintage factory photos and details about each model provide a wide-ranging survey of the changes incorporated into the Deuce over the decades.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I've been fascinated by Edsels since childhood, and while I've never been able to own one, I've collected lots of literature about the most famous flop in automotive history. Although there was familiar material in Mr. Bonsall's work, (the arrival of a new full-sized car just as the first import craze was beginning was the product of a decade-long lead time to launch the new make), there was also much I've never seen in print anywhere before--such as Robert McNamara's statement that the decision to discontinue the Edsel had been made even before its formal introduction! From the company's internal politics, to the design process, to the challenges of setting up the dealer network, no aspect of the Edsel's history is omitted. This profousely illustrated work is an absolute must for Edsel lovers, and should be worthwhile to anyone interested in the Ford Motor Company or automotive history in general.--William C. Hall

Unlike many current automotive books with some nice photos and tired, re-released copy, this one is fresh and fascinating. The photos are good but few, the story is the key and it is a great work. If you are like me and are interested in fresh, serious coverage by experienced automotive authors then this will not disappoint. Five stars from a tough critic.

The 1958 Edsel has received a lot of lampooning from the time it was introduced because of its front design ("a fish sucking a lemon") and this has generally been attributed as the reason it was regarded as a flop. Certainly Ford lost $100 million on it at the time (and its advertising agency and most of the dealers also took baths) but here it is revealed that in reality the car achieved the market penetration in relative terms that was expected of it. The reason for the losses were due to organisational mistakes and the fact that people like Robert McNamara (the archetypal bean counter) pulled the plug on it prematurely. The author also demonstrates that the production capacity created for the Edsel was actually utilised to the full in the 1960s with the Falcon and the Mustang.
This book is a great read, and the illustrations include many interesting design proposals. I would have given the book 5 stars if the illustrations had been printed on coated paper and included at least a few in color.

Disaster in Dearborn: The Story of the Edsel by Thomas Bonsall is easily the best piece of automobile journalism I have ever read. If you are interested in the Edsel, or just cars of this era in general, Bonsall will simply have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Not only will you come away with a thorough understanding of the Edsel itself, the author artfully puts the whole Edsel saga into context with what was happening with the rest of the American auto industry during time before, during, and after the Edsel's brief lifespan. I honestly could not put this book down once I started it as Bonsall truly lets you feel the anticipation and excitement surrounding Edsel's conception, design, and launch. Quite simply everything about the Edsel and the people who created it is covered in this book. In closing Bonsall impartially takes you through all the theories on why the Edsel failed and brings the book to a very satisfying and thoughtful conclusion. And although primarily not a picture book, you'll find gathered here a small but exciting group of Edsel prototype photos and sketches I have never seen in print anywhere else before. A terrific book for anyone interested in auto history in general and an absolute must for anyone fascinated with the Edsel.

Bonsall's treatment of the Edsel story is unique in that he first sets the historical stage and market conditions under which the Edsel program was conceived and executed. He does an excellent job of describing the reasons Ford needed the Edsel program, and why the program missed its mark. As Bonsall methodically moves the Edsel story forward, the reader is filled with a sense of impending doom, much like reading about the maiden voyage of the Titanic. Bonsall does an excellent job of drawing together the many disparate influences and elements that together charted the fateful course of the Edsel.

This is a wonderful addition to any home library for anyone interested in the religion of Antiquity and Italian folklore. All of Charles Leland's writings are wonderful, but this book in particular is of great merit. Leland travled the Italian country-side and recorded many of the tales from rural folks, some of which still practice the "old religion" both overtly and covertly within the Roman Catholic structure. It is through his recording of these stories that we can see the evolution and continued existence of the Gods of the Ancients. This is a must read for any serious mythographer, folklorist or modern day observer of the Old Ways.

Another fine example of the work of Leland, and an excellent source document for those who seek pre-Neo Wiccan non-fluffiness. Craft with real teeth for the serious only.

This book is a classic text on the "Old Religion." The author Charles Leland was a folklorist performing field studies into Italian Witchcraft during the 1800s. He describes witches as worshippers of the goddess Diana, and refers to a specific group as the "good witches" of Benevento. Leland points out that "bad witches" also exist and he includes several spells to illustrate this.

Etruscan Roman Remains carries a feel of antiquity as Leland introduces ancient lore and its revelance to the witches of Old Italy. This book was the first of its kind to present material drawn directly from people claiming to be witches during the 19th century. Along with Leland's Aradia; Gospel of the Witches, this book presents the foundation of many concepts now found in modern Wicca, including a full moon sabbat, the worship of a god & goddess by witches, ritual use of cakes and wine, and witches as healers and magic users. After reading Leland's accounts, there can be little doubt that Gardnerian Wicca was founded, at least in part, upon the writings of Leland on Italian witchcraft.

In addition, Etruscan Roman Remains contains a great deal of information on old superstitions, folk spirits, and folk magic. This book is an important addition to any library on Witchcraft.

This book is really interesting in the fact that had not Leland gathered all this information it would most likely be lost to us today. I would not however recommend it as a BOS to follow ,mainly because we do not know the real context of these spells. Even though Leland has written them down they are from another time and one we are no longer a part of. This is just my opinion and I recommend if you do use a spell from this book you should know why you are using a certain herb, object etc. and WHO you are calling on!Just a precaution I would take. Ciao!

Leland provides great insight into suppressed information related to the old Etruscan Paganism of the Early Roman Empire and Italy. The first part of the book contains descriptive insight into over 60 Gods and Goblins of the old religion, whereas, most other texts only contain up to 25 and often confuse the details. A greater number of suppressed names and deities are discussed in detail in this work, then in any other text I have researched in relation to this old way of life. The second part offers various Incantations, Divinations, Medicines, and Amulet Creation. The book is heavily illustrated which is another thing that is uncommon in books on this subject. This book is highly recommended for anyone studying the occult, and makes for a great desk reference for followup research.

Ford and the American Dream: Founded On Right Decisions

This fictionalized account of what went wrong at Ford Motor company provides not only what went wrong, but more importantly lists the steps needed to get Ford back on track.

The fact that many of Clifton's suggestions have been implemented at Ford, and Ford has gone from losing $12 billion in several years to generating $100 million in profit is testimony to the books wisdom and insight.

This book is the real stuff for anyone looking for business guidance and ideas.

Anyone who appreciates the Ford product should read this book. We have created many problems throughout the years. This book tells the story of the problems Ford has created since Henry passed away. Hopefully we can rebound from the mistakes and "Move Forward".

This is a great read and the lesson are universal not only to the American auto industry but all businesses everywhere. You will love the story as well. Great read, informative and fun! A must read for everyone interested in cars.

Ford and the American Dream written by Clifton Lambreth and Patrick Doyle is a must read. They eloquently bring back the spirit of Henry Ford to assist them with the challenges the American Auto Industry faces today. They provide a back to the basics blueprint to help get the Ford Motor Company back to the greatness it once enjoyed. The principles they outline in the book are universally applicable to every company around the world. Go to [...] and check it out today.

Clifton Lambreth has written an insiders view of Ford Motor Company and the mis-steps that have landed them where they are today. He explains a complex business model of a mega corporation using fictionalized characters. (I have to believe one of them is actually a character of himself.) It's an easy read that I would recommend for anyone interested in Ford, the auto industry or American business.