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Automobiles Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Sundays with Von Dutch

Published in Paperback by Motorbooks (2007-04-15)

Author: Tony Thacker

List price: $24.95

New price: $9.94
Used price: $9.37

Average review score:

Explaining the myths behind the man

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-08

I enjoyed this book from many points of view. The artwork created by Von Dutch is second to none. He was a bit of a mystery, and much research has been put into this book to try and explain the gaps in his history. I also admired the low keyness of Von Dutch when he was creating his masterful pinstriping and other creative overhauls.
The way in which the book came about is equally as interesting with a series of Sundays put aside for the author to spend with the man who had become more of an enigma by this stage in his life. Fascinating reading!

Sundays with Von Dutch....

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-27

This is a must have for any fan of Von Dutch. A candid look inside the life of Ken Howard in 1970. Great photos of the legend at home doing what he did best along with alot of interesting info. Packed with tons of excellent up close full color photos that have probably not been seen before this book. Check it out!

Taking the Wall

Published in Paperback by Coffee House Press (1999-10-01)

Author: Jonis Agee

List price: $14.95

New price: $8.83
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

Taking the Wall--Grabbing the Dream

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2002-03-20

Taking the Wall is a selection of short stories about the dreams and aspirations of all the would-be Nascar racers across the southern states of America. Jonis Agee has captured the thrill of winning, but more often the frustration of not being to make it to the big one whether it be car failure, money, or skill. But to these backyard racers, there is always the next one. Maybe the car won't take the wall this time and the frustrated racer will finally win.

Racing is an obsession to them and because of it families will crumble and divorces will ensue. But this does not deter the racer. He will follow his dream to the end.

Three paragraphs really jumped out at me while reading this book of short stories. One in "The First Obligation":

"I mean a whole life can't come down to this collection of furniture and photographs, like a bunch of trophies you win in go-cart for just showing up--what kind of a race is that? I mean the sun's going down, my car engine's blown, and I can't even remember enough of my life to cry good tears over it. I feel like I'm rolling loose, about to hit the wall again, and no one's looking anymore."

And later

"A dream is something you die for," she'd told him, and he'd looked at her, lying drained of blood as if her own dream and not his father's was the thing he should fear. He'd understood then that she loved her husband, that his father hadn't forced her to what was her death bed, she had climbed into it herself. They were lucky, these two people, his parents, he'd come to realize over the next few years. Lucky because they';d been true to their dreams and because they knew what those dreams were. Recognized them out of all the others that must have presented themselves like dancers at the dance."

and finally in the short story, "Mystery Numbers":

"Late summer when Dale Earnhardt had driven into the wall at the start of the Mountain Dew Southern 500, they said he experienced 'a transient alteration of his consciousness.' Tom was thinking he needed one of those, but hoped it wouldn't take a smack in the wall to do it."

These men (and women) always hope that they will be one day up there with the Earnhardts, the LaBontes, the Martins. That is not the main reason, though. It is the car. It is the love of the car and the need for speed. And they keep trying.

Beyond the Race Track Wall

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1999-12-24

This book takes the wall, and keeps going. Flashes of grace illuminate these stories of workaday people who dream of something more. Agee's blue-collar characters come out of the curve in terribly mixed up and out-of-control circumstances, and nearly always manage to grab the wheel and steer the course. If only we all had their sense of direction. Take this book for a spin--it handles well.

Team Lotus: The Indianapolis Years

Published in Hardcover by Haynes Publishing (1996-11)

Author: Andrew Ferguson

List price: $44.95

New price: $123.18
Used price: $65.00

Average review score:

Team Lotus: The Indianapolis Years

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2002-11-28

As a big fan of Jim Clark and the Indianapolis 500, I had to have this book for my very large Indianapolis 500 memorabilia collection. Although Lotus wasn't the first rear-engine race car in Indianapolis 500 (Jack Brabham did it in 1961 with a Cooper-Climax), the Lotus was the most successful of the mid-1960's marques. Jim Clark won the the 1965 Indianapolis 500 and the Lotus he drove was the first rear-engine race car to win the race. The "Old Guard" was upset that they got beat by a Green car but soon everyone either had a Lotus or a Lotus clone. In addition to winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1965, Jim Clark finished 2nd in the 1963 and 1966 races.

Documents the Inside Stories of Lotus at Indy "500" race

Helpful Votes: 10 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 1997-11-06

Many fans of motor racing and of the Indy "500" in particular are always on the lookout for more inside stories and details about the men who race and the teams behind them. This book gives the inside story of Lotus' involvement at Indianapolis in great heaping handfuls. Unlike many motor racing books which focus primarily on facts and statistics, Ferguson adds a great deal of his personal perspective into the book. There is even an account about the author and Colin Chapman competing for the attention of the same woman! Even though the book focuses on Lotus, it is a valuable reference for anyone who wants to learn more about the big bucks and politics involved with racing at "The Speedway" in the 1960's. Packed with great B&W as well as color photographs.

The Test

Published in Paperback by Ata Books (1991-11)

Author: Dorothy Bryant

List price: $9.95

New price: $5.75
Used price: $0.86
Collectible price: $29.95

Average review score:

uniquely different

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-14

I enjoyed the book-the unique subject matter--aging ,senile father--distraught,overburdened daughter and their communication and unique intent toward one another.
However, the author should have defined chapters. Every page
was a continuation of the other. I found it very annoying. Perhaps because it all took place in one day--, pauses and time to reflect through chapters would have made it easier to read(I dept loosing my place-paragraph after paragraph. It was tedious. All in all, the book was well written andthe
characters very real and well protrayed. Bravo

Wonderful Novel

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 1999-11-17

The Test is a great novel, perhaps my favorite of Dorothy Bryant's, though it's hard to say because she has so many fine books. I only know that this book is so skillfully written that you believe every word. Superbly drawn characters. Nothing flashy or gratuitous. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the the difficulties of life and how we survive them.

This Car

Published in Hardcover by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (2002-08-01)

Author:

List price: $15.00

New price: $3.00
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

We Love Paul Collicutt's Books!!!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-14

My 2 year old son absolutely LOVES all of the books in the series - I sometimes find him "reading" the books to himself! The artwork in the books is amazing & really fascinates the kids. I highly recommend these books to any little boy (or girl!) that loves trucks, trains, cars, planes, trains or rockets. It's really nice to find childrens books with great content & beautiful pictures.

"This Book" is great!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-02-27

My 3 year old memorized this book before I knew it. He knows all his opposites- long: short, many lights:no lights, gas powered: soloar powered! Get this and Collicut's 3 others "This Train", "This Boat" and "This Plane." Perfect for the toddler/preschool boy.

Thunder at Sunrise: A History of the Vanderbilt Cup, the Grand Prize And the Indianapolis 500, 1904-1916

Published in Hardcover by McFarland & Company (2006-11-06)

Author: John M. Burns

List price: $55.00

New price: $55.00
Used price: $54.00

Average review score:

Well written

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-19

This is an excellent book. The author writes about the early Vanderbilt Cups, the Savannah races and early Indy 500's. It is lively and easy to read. All parts fit together well and the author also discusses current events around the world that happened during the times of the races. I'be been reading books about automobile racing for over 40 years and this was one of my favorites. I hope Mr. Burns has more books in the pipeline.

For auto racing, auto, and history buffs

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-13

A great read! My interest in history led to my reading this recommended book. Not only does the author write the history, but also he connects this history to events in the U.S. and abroad. A great deal of technical information is included for those who have this interest.

And how refreshing to read a book that is truly well-written. This author knows language and how to use it effectively. I also enjoyed his use of pictures (reprints of photos) to enhance the text.

I'm now buying it as a gift for others. That's the highest rating I can give a book.

Tires, Suspension, and Handling, Second Edition [R-168]

Published in Paperback by SAE International (1996-09)

Author: John C. Dixon

List price: $79.95

New price: $79.95
Used price: $60.00

Average review score:

Great engineering and vehicle dynamics book!

Helpful Votes: 21 out of 21 total.
Review Date: 2001-02-14

Great book, kind of in the same category as "Race Car Vehicle Dynamics," but without such a racing orientation. Great explanation on the dynamics of tires. Slip angles, where tire judder comes from, and the like. Can get pretty mathematical in it's explanations, but since that was what I was looking for (mathematics explains everything) that part was fine. It has a great explanation of roll centers, withe the accompaning diagrams of jacking and the forces and their directions. Really helped me understand that complex subject.

A MUST HAVE FOR ANY AUTOMOBILE OR RACECAR ENGINEER!!

Heavy on math but lots of useful info

Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2004-02-11

This book is all that it promises - if you are unsatisfied with the explanations given for handling behavior in "consumer-level" handling books you won't be disappointed. On the other hand, if you aren't an engineer you might want to review your college math textbooks to get through some of the explanations.

Tony Stewart: Hottest Thing on Wheels (Racing Superstar Series, 4)

Published in Paperback by Sports Masters (2000-04)

Author: Jim Utter

List price: $4.95

New price: $3.89
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

very good reading!

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2000-04-07

Who finished fourth in the 1999 Winston Cup Championship and as a rookie? Tony Stewart that's who. In this Racing Superstar Series book you'll follow along as only after 25 starts Tony Stewart capture his first checkered flag.

As with the other books in the series, this one is also a very quick read. Like the others the book gives a look into the short but promising career of one of the brightest and most talented rookies on tour.

As a part of Joe Gibbs Racing, Tony Stewart amassed over $2.6 millions in winnings in his first year and the future looks even brighter. Pick up a copy and take a look into the life of the new millennium of racing superstars.

Tony Stewart in a nutshell

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2001-04-12

This book covers Tony's stellar racing career to this point. It has some interesting facts and lots of cool B & W pictures (including one of him hugging "friend" Jeff Gordon *LOL*). A must own for any Stewart fan!

Top 10 Nascar Drivers (Sports Top 10)

Published in Library Binding by Enslow Publishers (1995-11)

Author: Gail Blasser Riley

List price: $23.93

New price: $230.91
Used price: $3.73

Average review score:

Nascar Nonsense!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-25

The Top 10 Nascar Drivers is a highly recommended book by me, especially if you are a Nascar fan, or are doing a history report about Nascar. Me myself, i love Nascar! I watch every race!The book tells you the top 10 Nascar drivers of 1995 and a little bit about them. It also tells you some intresting facts! Like I didnt know Sara Christian was the only female Nacar driver in the top 10 of 1995, I also didnt know thatshe was 3rd out ofthe top 10 of Nascar Drivers in 1995! Once again, I highly recommend this book!
Jacquelyn H.

the greatest nascar drivers

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-24

yes i would recommend this book to others because. this is a book for all ages of nascar fans. this book talks about some of the greatest drivers such as Darrel Walltrip, Neil Bonnet, and Cale Yarborough. the book was published in 1995 so for all the Earnhardt fans dont worry he was one of the greatest. so if your into nascar fan this is a book for you.
David L

Touring Guide to Britain

Published in Hardcover by Readers Digest (1993-05-01)

Author: Robert Dolezal

List price: $30.00

New price: $43.50
Used price: $1.37

Average review score:

Reader's Digest Touring Guide to Britain

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-02-17

Our family trip to Britain was so enriched by this book which details historic or geographic sites by map and by town in each region. We were driving and could explore; a nearby town with a windmill, or a battle site; even one town boasting of it's magnificant "hedge". While in York we hopped in a cab to tour the town and found the cabbie had a copy in the back seat. He proclaimed it the best he had seen. We agree! A great guide if you are chasing history.

Incredibly helpful, gorgeous images and detailed information

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1998-10-21

One of the best guides I've found. It was a treat to read cover to cover even after returning from my trip. The information is broken down geographically, and covers approximately 30 sq miles per page with many key cities in full page detail. All major places of interest as well as many little know sites are listed for each area. I found the city maps even more helpful than the road maps I took along. No hotel information is given, but I recommend this book above most travel guides for the beginning stages of planning.