Autos Books

This is the book to have if you want to look up quickly who won what, where and when. There are, however, some downsides: Firstly, it contains quite a number of embarrassing mistakes going way beyond simple typos which maybe isn't that surprising considering all the info; but it took me only a couple of hours to stop counting the most obvious mistakes which devalues it quite a bit! Secondly, and that's really annoying, it doesn't have any sort of index or even a table of contents that refers to page numbers! And thirdly, it's a little bit too expensive. But then again, you won't find that amount of information anywhere else...

Brett Johnson has done a wonderful job with his combination of pictures, text and reference tables in his look at the 914 family tree of the 914/4, 914/6, 914/8 (yes, there were 2) and the 916. He pays great attention to the details that are required to return a 914 to its true "factory new" state.

Additionally, such items as options for a given year, paint color codes and even which logo/ident badges should apply make sure that the items you find on your 914 are really meant to be there.

If you own a 914, want to restore a 914 or just want to learn more about this marvelous, mid-engined Porsche, Brett's book is a must own.

This book is a very usefull and complete description on how to repair these cars. I would highly recomend it to other people.

This is a great little book. Its small size belies the wealth of information inside.

Any lover of American Iron of the 1950s will want this to peruse again and again.

I nead Auto Dictionary very much,I'm a auto crazy,please help me,my God

This textbook is very basic and slightly dated but still meets the needs of a beginner automotive student. This book also prepares a student to go on and take more advanced courses. In addition,it lends itself to be used for a person who wants to understand more about the basic operations of their own vehicle. This textbook is written at a basic reading level that most people can understand and comprehend.

Having collected auto racing memorabilia for years I have often wondered why someone hasn't come out with a definitive resource. Well, here it is! While it is very small in size it is not short on value. Covering everyting from driver profiles to open wheel racing this is the ultimate source. It's a shame that it gets buried on the book shelf because of its size, but good things really do come in small packages! Outstanding!

This ground-breaking work on masturbation provides dozens of case histories compiled by Stekel to make the point that the practice was NOT EVIL! Good heavens! When this book was written, in the 1940s, "self-abuse" was presumed to cause all sorts of aberrant behavior and to be evidence of mental instability. Besides, it was NASTY. Well, Stekel's thesis is that masturbation isn't just not bad, it's good-- putting him at the absolute forefront of enlightened thinking at the time.

It's an accessibly-written treatise with much good writing (in translation, anyway), and my edition has an introduction by the notorious Frederick Wertham, much maligned for claiming that comic books caused children to become juvenile delinquents. (Based on his writing here, he'd have preferred the little nippers to have spent their time in frottage.)

Here's a quote from the book: "Educators should bear in mind also that what is forbidden becomes thereby enhanced in value as a stimulant. Taboos increase the pleasure expectation. On the other hand it is much easier to achieve the desired end by permitting moderate indulgence. In fact, I believe that if it were commonly permitted masturbation would lose most of its charm!" (pg 202)

If you're studying sexual mores in mid-century, check this out as well as Kinsey and Horney and Berne.

I BOUGHT HIS BOOK AND THINK IT WAS WELL WORTH THE MONEY. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT REFERENCE. I DOUBT ANY OTHER REFERENCE HAS AS MUCH DATA. HOWEVER, IT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS CREATED ON A TYPEWRITER. THE OVERALL READABILITY IS BELOW AVERAGE. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN E-MAIL COPY OF THE BOOK TO CHANGE THE TYPE STYLE, TPYE SIZE, SPACING ETC.

YZARIN @ MSN.COM

'Consumers Reports' are aimed at a person who has little knowledge about an item they intend to buy, and cannot do research on their own. They do trust CR as it provides an oversight that is lacking in other magazines which are supported by their advertisers. What good does that do for you? It depends. You will get a sense that others have done the research and testing. But I would recommend doing your own research and using CR to test your efforts. The 'Introduction' betrays its attitude ("you're going to be cheated") which can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. They quote a TV host who is no more likely to go to an auto repair shop than mow the lawn on his estate (p.1). To find a good mechanic, ask your neighbors and co-workers. You are the final judge. I've used a new car dealer, independent shops, and a local chain. I had distasteful results from a nationally advertised franchise chain; they have to charge more for their franchise costs. Any independent shop survives by doing a good job at a good price, not by advertising on TV. Isn't this like your selection of a doctor, dentist, or other professionals? Having a license does not guarantee your satisfaction. This book lacks a chart giving the estimated time and mileage needed for parts replacement. The Operator's Manual does not cover all items.

Automobiles are the most complex mechanical item you own. It stands outside in all weather and operates over bumpy roads at high speeds. It won't last forever with normal use. There is a problem in replacement parts when the car is over 14 years old. I once heard a retired auto mechanic say most mechanics are honest. But if you appear ignorant about cars, some will treat you as a sheep to be shorn. You might have heard this about other businesses. Some of the examples in this book may be misleading. 'MOTOR' magazine has stories of customers who come in with a vague description of a problem and a mechanic has to spend extra time to diagnose the problem. Sometimes fixing one problem reveals another. [I once knew of a person whose car was hard to start. She burnt out the starter and killed the battery. The cause was an "automatic choke" that didn't work right. A $20 part resulted in over $300 in repairs (1979 prices).] Do not overlook a problem, write down its description as you experience it. A problem that only happens when the car is cold or hot is more difficult to diagnose and fix correctly. Some mechanics will suggest needed work, but customers hate to hear this.

Many small new car dealers have gone out of business since the 1980s. Bigger isn't always better; look for experienced mechanics who can explain the problem. Unless you have a problem in a strange town, your proper behavior should avoid horror stories. Make your own luck. Don't expect something for nothing. I would recommend any Adult Educational Course that will teach you about your car.