Racing Books

For readers who are familiar with Autocourse, its reputation for high quality, accuracy as a book of historical record, and photography that stands on its own merits, this latest book from Alan Henry should be on every enthusiast's "must have" list.

There are about a dozen books on Formula One that I'd take with me to a desert isle (Jesse Alexander's "At Speed," Horst Baumann & Ken Purdy's "The New Matadors," William Court's "Power and Glory," and Henry's "Autocourse History of the Grand Prix Car 1945-65 and 1966-91," among them). This one is added to that short list, undoubtedly.

Alan Henry is well known for his insider knowledge of the sport--there is a full page word sketch of Bernie Ecclestone included here that is worth the price of admission alone. If you love the sights, the sounds, and most of all the personalities of Formula One, both past and present, you have to read, savor and then HORDE this book for the future!

This title is even more precious than the other already outstanding Autocourse Annuals. You can see how it looked when it all started back in 1950. Live through different eras of the past 50 years in F1 racing. I suggect all F1 fans get this book asap or it will disappear from book stores very soon. The team of Henry and Cahier(s) should get more than 5 stars just for this outstanding work.

The Formula One world driving championship was inaugurated in 1950, making 1999 it's 50th season. The people of AUTOCOURSE have chronicled the sport since 1951, and have never had any equals. This AUTOCOURSE history of the first 50 years is absolutely breathtaking. An "art" book of immensely high quality, it marries the journalistic expertise of veteran correspondent Alan Henry (editor of AUTOCOURSE since 1988) with the photographic brilliance of Bernard Cahier (covering primarily the 50's, 60's and into the 70's) and his son, the imcomparable photographic artist, Paul-Henri Cahier (primarily 80's and 90's). Their photos are simply stunning. The decision to restrict the photographic content of a 50-year history to just 2 men was a brave one, but considering that they chose the true artists of their eras, the choice was clearly inspired. It puts the book on another level entirely. A comprehensive championship table (season-by-season) is present at the back, but there is nothing dry or statistical about this book. Rather than comprehensively document the series "race-by-race", this is a book in which the essence of each era and the true character of its participants (and the cars involved) is brought to life. The people at AUTOCOURE have no peers, and with this book, they've truly outdone themselves. A "desert island" F1 book for sure. Congrats!

Grand Prix motor racing, despite a long parade of contenders to the pinnacle of motor sport, remains the ultimate distillation of technology and driver courage/skill. The 50 years since WWII, thoughtfully framed by a "Before the War" chapter for historical perspective, are recorded superbly in this magnificent book. No significant aspects of the cars and drivers of this eventful half century have been neglected. Sidebars constantly divert and inform. Even the advertising is captivating.
The reader comes away in awe, sated by the integrity of the text under Alan Henry's meticulous editing and the wonderful photographs of Bernard and Paul-Henri Cahier.
Younger enthusiasts who read this book, who have been watching the boring, little-passing parades of advertising-festooned F1 slot cars of recent years, will acquire essential perspective from this great book and will note--perhaps wistfully--the transition from a high-risk driver's sport to a technology-money game in which the driver has become increasingly subordinated to the machinery and lawyers manipulate the rules. They may also note, by studying the evolution of Grand Prix machinery, the transition (not only in GP but in prototype sports cars) from vehicles that could be driven on road courses to caricatures that can only be driven on billiard-table-smooth tracks, whose characteristics (mile-wide slicks, ground effects, minimal ground clearance, bizarre aerodynamics aids, engine lifetimes measures in minutes or hours of running) have virtually nothing to do with any other kind of road vehicle. The great Stirling Moss, one of the finest drivers who ever raced, railed against this loss of relevance to 'real' cars when interviewed by me on the microphone at Sears Point (where he was Grand Marshall of a historics event). Beyond nostalgia, who is to say that he is not right in decrying this disconnect between racing cars and real cars? Don't suggest NASCAR, fake into the bones, as representative of any remotely real road vehicle.
Alan Henry sensibly avoids much of the recent controversy over rules and money, which have effected so many not-so-subtle changes in what used to be a sport and not a business, although he does gum the issues of the tobacco wars and the rise of lovable Bernie Ecclestone to the role of F1 dictator. The book was published in 2000 and thus could not have anticipated the struggle of F1 in the new Millennium, blandly asserting its posture as "firm and secure." Well, maybe.
In the end, nothing that the recent philistines can do diminishes the ultimate greatness of this world motorsports arena or the care with which this book and brilliant historical record has been assembled.

This book is great! If you are an Ayrton Senna fan or just want to learn about the legend, pick up this book! You won't be disappointed!

Very detailed. Better if more pictures were added.
Truly explains how unique Senna was mainly as a driver and in all that he does. Without a doubt, he was the greatest.

Very thorough recount of Sennas life by someone who followed his carreer closely.
Each of the events are well written and exceprts of interviews from all the sides are included. Very unbiased !
It took me a few days to read, I enjoyed and my heart leaped with excietement remebering each season, each headline, etc.
A fantastic recollection of the Incident in Suzuka, and of "the lap" at Donnington.
But as soon as I arrived to Saturday Apr 30th 1994 my eyes were filled with tears and had to put the book back.

I don't want to write a long review since I don't think of myself as a qualified book reviewer.
I was and am a true Ayrton Senna fan so the book was almost mandatory for me to own, it gave me good insight into what he was like and what modivated him through his short but very successful life.

I recommend this book to anyone who truly is an F1 and Ayrton Senna da Silva fan and has some questions about his career as a driver.

This is a very personal, spiritual and inspirational book from Sasha (who also happens to be a dear friend of mine). The writing is clearly from the heart and soul of the author. Included are many other stories of women and their rides and what motorcycling has done for them and their lives. There is also a great chapter on the history of women in motorcycle. The many photographs included are an added plus. Every woman who rides or is thinking about riding should pick up this read.

Wow, I now have so much enthusiasm for hitting the road! Very inspiring stories from a wonderful diverse range of woman. Well worth the read.

I've been facinated with motorcycles most of my life. Reading this book just reinforces my "hidden obsession" -- one I hope to make a reality soon :)

The real stories of women and their rides will inspire anyone to get out there and ride -- no matter your background :) From historical women who pioneered the road (before the roads were ANYTHING like we know) to today's high speed racers. Pictures in the book add to the story, they don't detract.

The book is so awesome, my husband reads it :)

If you think women riding their own motorcycles is something new or have wondered why so many women have decided to venture into a predominately male culture, then this book is for you. The author covers all areas pertaining to women involved in motorcycling. It is a history lesson mixed with stories and thoughts of the modern day female rider.

Very approachable; great easy-to-read story offering what i found to be a powerful moral message about kindess to animals specifically but easily empathizable across the species boundries.

The recommendation on this book is for readers too young to read the original book, but I think its wonderful for anyone of any age who loves this beautiful story.
Its beautifully illustrated and the graphic novel format leaves out none of the spirit or depth of the original.
A true pleasure to read.

I love this book Black Beauty: The Graphic Novel adapted by June Brigman and Roy Richardson and it's the great and the best book ever of and about a life story of a beautiful black horse with a white star and a white foot and I like horses and the color black and this is the best beautiful book adapted by June Brigman and Roy Richardson that's an abridged version containing over 49 chapters and the drawings and the writing is very great and that book almost looks like they would have made a movie out of it and that one should match up the 1994 version of Black Beauty starring Sean Bean.

My favorite character in this book is Joe Green, because at the end of Black Beauty, Joe becomes a man and one lucky day, he finds that horse he used to care for and gets excited when he said he had almost killed him so many nearly ten years ago at Squire Gordon's farm after coming back from the Doctor's.

The characters in this book of Black Beauty where Black Beauty's white foot is on the back in the left of the one of for this one of the few seven charcters out of this book just to tell you of what clothes they would wear and they are John Manly the coachman in a plaid green cap, white shirt, plaid vest of green and black, green riding jacket with yellow lining, brown riding pants and tall black leather riding boots, except in A Stormy Day, when John Manly would be in a different outfit when he would be in a black derby hat, white shirt, red tie, brown vest, black blazer, grey pants and tall black leather riding boots, then James Howard the stableboy in a plaid green cap, yellow shirt with blue stripes, plaid vest of green and black, light green scarf, brown riding pants and tall black leather riding boots, then Joe Green the stableboy after James leaves in a brown cap, white shirt, brown vest, grey riding jacket, beige riding pants and tall black leather riding boots, then Reuben Smith in black top hat, white shirt, black vest, blue riding jacket, black leather gloves, grey pants and tall black leather riding boots with brown tops, Alfred Smirk in a brown cap, light blue shirt, red tie, black vest, brown pants and short black leather boots, then Jerry Barker in a black derby hat, white shirt, black tie, black vest, black blazer, black pants, black shoes and in the winter Jerry is in a black derby hat, red scarf, white shirt, black vest, black blazer, long brown jacket, black leather gloves, black pants and black shoes and then Nicholas Skinner in a black top hat, black bowtie, white shirt, green vest, blue jacket, grey pants and short black leather boots and then in My Last Home when Joe Green becomes a man, Joe would be in a green cap, blue necktie, pink shirt, brown vest, blue blazer, beige riding pants and tall black leather riding boots and when Joe is in the low park cab with Miss Ellen, Joe is in a different outfit of a green cap, white shirt, black tie, black vest, white shirt, brown riding jacket, grey pants, and short black leather boots and that's very perfect for some of the few favorite characters out of this book of Black Beauty so you'd know what their clothing would have been like.

Those two different books of Black Beauty adapted by June Brigman and Roy Richardson and illustrated by Robert Doremus published and copyright in 1951 by Whitman publishing company goes very well and great with the Black Beauty (1994) DVD video starring Sean Bean and directed by Caroline Thompson and those two books would follow the movie very great because the real Black Beauty you ought to own is his white foot on the back in the left and that's how those two books adapted by June Brigman and Roy Richardson and illustrated by Robert Doremus matches the movie by Sean Bean.

At the end of the book, Black Beauty comes into the care of Joe Green with three kind ladies and Joe Green is proud to be home with him again. Black Beauty has a beautiful white foot on the back in the right in this book.

This book of Black Beauty - adapted by June Brigman and Roy Richardson goes great with the 1994 version of Black Beauty starring Sean Bean and those two both remind me of a book on Horses Cube book by Valeria Manferto De Fabianis, DVD videos on Yours, Mine & Ours starring Dennis Quaid, Disney's Where the Red Fern Grows starring Joseph Ashton, Black Beauty starring Sean Bean, The Last Cowboy (2003) starring Lance Henriksenand and The Great American Western, Vol. 21: Trouble in Texas/Call the Mesquiteers/Without Honor/Stampede all for some of the NFR years and that's what this means to me, a lot.

Two couples of chapters for Black Beauty are an example of The Fire and My Last Home.

The Fire

Later on that evening, another traveler's horse was brought in and cleaned by one of the hostlers and a man with a pipe in his mouth was talking to one of the hostlers.
"Towler," said the hostler, "you'll not smoke your pipe in the stables so just, first lay down your pipe and run up the ladder to the loft and drop some hay down here."
"All right," the man Towler said. He went up to the loft and put down the hay and I paid him no heed. James came into look at us one more time, and then the door was locked for the night and I went to sleep.
I awoke later in the night chocking, the air was all hot and thick.
I could hear Ginger coughing and a strange crackling noise that was terrifying me.
All the other horses were all awake, whinnying, pulling at their halters and stamping their feet in fear.
At last I could hear footsteps outside, and a hostler appeared with a lantern and tried to pull one of the horses out, but he was crazed with fear and wouldn't move.
No doubt we were very foolish, and the danger all around us and how could we trust someone?
A red light flickered on the wall, then someone outside shouted "fire! fire!" Then the old hostler who had cared for me that night came in quietly and led one horse out.
The flamed roared above us now, and the noise was very, very terrible. After a moment, the next thing I knew James was at my side when I heard his voice, quiet and cherry as always, whispering, "Come, my beauties, it is time for us to be off. Come along." I stood nearest the door, so he came to me first, patting me as he came in.
"Come, Beauty! It is time for us to be off. Come along." He put my bridle on in no time; then he took off the scarf from his neck and tied it over my eyes to calm me, and after some coaxing, he led me out. Safely when we were out of the burning stable into the yard, he slipped the scarf off my eyes and shouted, "Here, somebody! Take this horse while I go back for the other!"
A tall, broad man came and took me, while James raced back into the stable. I let out a shrill whinny as I watched him go. Ginger had told me afterwards that my whinny was the best thing I would have done for if she never heard me outside, she wouldn't have had the courage to come out.
There was a lot of confusion in the yard! There was a mess of carriages and horses and people shouting. Above all the noise I heard a loud, clear voice which I knew was Squire Gordon's.
"James Howard! James Howard! Are you in there?" I had whinnied at the sound of my master's voice, but there was no other answer.
Then suddenly, I heard a crash of something falling in the stable. The next moment I saw James appearing through the smoke, leading Ginger with him and I gave a loud, joyful neigh. Ginger coughed violently and he was not able to speak, but she looked all right.
"My brave lad! You hurt!" said Squire Gordon. "I am well, Squire," James said after he was able to speak. Then gazing at James, the big man who held me said, "Aye, he's a brave lad an no mistake about it."
"Let us get out of the way then, for I hear the fire engine coming!" There was a dreadful crash as the roof collapsed on the burning stable, and then we were away in the fresh night air.
The next morning we heard James and the hostler talking and James had looked very pleased that our master was proud of him.
The next day James told of the man who was seen entering the stable with a pipe, and exiting without it. It was thought that this was how the fire had started. I remembered our John Manly's rule never to allow pipes in the stables and thought it ought to be the rule everywhere.
James said that the roof and floor of the burning stable had fallen in and that only the walls were standing. There was two horses underneath the remains that could not be lead out that night.

If you were Joe Green with a moustache in My Last Home and saw Black Beauty again, you would say, "You have a scar on your back
like Black Beauty." Then you would be surprised and say "Beauty, is that really you? Don't you know me? I'm little Joe Green from Squire Gordon's stables. I can see you've had some hard times, Beauty and I must think so and I wonder who the nasty one was that scarred your knees, my old Beauty. You must have been treated horribly somewhere, but I'll make sure that you only have good times now. Now, I'm here, Black Beauty, I'm here. I swear I won't ever let you out of my sight again. Oh, Beauty ... You're safe now. I only wish John Manly would be here to see you, too, Black Beauty! I promise I'll take good care of you so your troubles are over."

That's a great line to say if you were Joe Green when you found Black Beauty again, the horse you raised and loved and it's white star on the forehead and his white foot on the back in the left.

The best 18 colour black and white illustrations that you might love to look at out of a book and love the best are:

I Lived in a Large Pleasant Meadow
My Master Took Me to the Smith
At Last After a Terrible Struggle Ginger Threw him off Backwards
I Just Knew that the Bridge Was Not Safe
"Come, Beauty! It is time for us to be off. Come along." He put my bridle on in no time; then he took the scarf from his neck and tied it over my eyes to calm me, and after some coaxing, he led me out
"Can I have Your Horse?"
Ginger reared suddenly and York had His Nose Roughly and Hard Hit and His hat knocked Off
Lizzie Took the Leap, Stumbled Among the Rough Clouds and Fell
"I Must Be Afraid to Have to Sell The Black One."
Poor Rory Was Speared With The Gig Shaft!
The Horse Fair was the Best Place
I Had never Been Used to London
"I'll Do All That Can Be Done, Sir."
Dolly Brought Jerry's "First Course"
"I'll Drive You safe to the Hospital."
"Come on, You Lazy Cruel, or I'll Beat You!"
The Farmer Looked at My Mouth
"You have a scar on your back like Black Beauty."

Those would be the best eighteen black and white illustrations to look at in the Black Beauty book and they would be your favourites for the slow years to slowly and slow come.

Black Beauty (1994) starring Sean Bean DVD is like the novel with the four of the real books on four different Black Beauty books of Adapted by Laura F. Marsh, Illustrated by James Needham, Illustrated by Robert Doremus and Adapted by June Brigman and Roy Richardson and because those four different books of Black Beauty would go great with the movie as the three matched up and go. The one illustrated by James Needham and adapted by June Brigman and Roy Richardson for sure goes great with the movie because of his white foot on the back in the left.

Black Beauty with actor David Gregory in the animated DVD is like the novel with the book of Black Beauty Illustrated by Scott McKowen would go great with the animated DVD version as it matched up with some of the Black Beauty books of illustrated in black and white by Edwin John Prittie and colour illustrations by Edward F. Cortese and the only one out of another one is Going for the Doctor colour illustration by Percy F. Spence and that for sure goes great with the animated movie because of his white foot on the front in the right and that's how it would be for the animated version.

From now on, my new favorite six Black Beauty books to live easier with the one of adapted by June Brigman and Roy Richardson is the other best five are Illustrated by Neil Reed - Published by Prospero books in 2001, Illustrated by Ian Andrew, Illustrated by Scott McKowen, Illustrated by G. P. Micklewright and Illustrated by Libby Turner - published by Brimax in 1985 and that's my best new favorite six books of Black Beauty to live and read with but, they are now the best real ones I would be in for the ones I like are the best and that's how I'll make my living that way.

Another real four favourites of Black Beauty I like are his white foot on the back in the left, another of his white foot on the front in the right and another one with three white feet of two on the front in the right and the left and the one in the hind left and also his white foot on the front in the left and that's my real four different favourites I like of Black Beauty and where his white foot will be.

Examples of my favorite horse of Black Beauty in different books of his white foot are:

Black Beauty's white foot on the back in the left in the different books of Adapted by June Brigman and Roy Richardson, Illustrated by Neil Reed - Published by Prospero books in 2001, Illustrated by Robert Doremus and Illustrated by James Needham. So that's where I would like to see Black Beauty's white foot on the back in the left for sure and for real.

Black Beauty's white foot on the front in the right in the different book of Illustrated by Scott McKowen. So that's where I would like to see Black Beauty's white foot on the front in the right.

Black Beauty with three white feet of two on the front in the right and left and the one in the hind left in the ones Illustrated by Ian Andrew and Illustrated by G. P. Micklewright. So that's where I would see Black Beauty with three white feet so his you would want it on the front in the right and the left, back in the left and if you see one white foot because of the three, you would say the one on the front in the left and that's the all time best horse ever to have.

Black Beauty's white foot on the front in the left perfect for the best one of Illustrated by Libby Turner - published by Brimax in 1985. So that's where I would like to see Black Beauty's white foot perfectly on the front in the left. That's the best one to ever own.

I loved, liked and enjoyed this book.

It is a GEM, I loved it and it's the greatest novel of all times of the greatest horse story ever told.

Of course, I am the sentimental type that gets all gooey-eyed at any of the great horse stories, whether on film or printed page. So, I was particularly struck by the earnest renderings of June Brigman and Roy Richardson in their labor of love and timeless beauty: Black Beauty. For any reading this who know not the tale, suffice it to say this will be an excellent, pithy and tasty introduction. The story moves right along and the illustrations capture the spirit of the age and of the plucky steeds portrayed. The little paperback format is an inexpensive way to introduce young readers to the story; and its simplicity will merit many repeat readings by those grandfatherly types - such as I - who love a little one in the lap for an evening's storytime, until one or both of us falls fast asleep! Get a whole case of these and pass them out to horselovers wherever you go! EXTRAS worthy of mention include a few pages devoted to June's adapive stylings, i.e. just HOW the little paperback was developed from her artist's perspectives. Too, you will find the sweet synopsis of the life of Anna Sewell very moving. Highest recommendation.

I would highly recommend all of the Black Stallion Books for adults as well as children. I have recently purchased the whole collection and have been reading them to a very sharp elderly gentleman. I read 4 or 5 of them as a young girl and have found that I enjoy them even more as an adult of 57yrs. Walter Farley's writing is superb. Thank you Amazon for the quick and reasonable service you provide.

I found this book yesturday at a used book store. I finnished it today and i'm going to tell you that I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! Alec and Bonfire did their best and there was always alot of action. Some arguments between Jimmy, Henry, and Alec. and some work out and racing accedents that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

One of the better later books of the series, "The Black Stallion's Sulky Colt" continues the story of the harness champion and second son of the Black, Bonfire. Alec must help Bonfire's owner and driver, Tom Messenger and Jimmy Creech, after the horse starts spooking at horses on his right side after a bad accident. The ending is perdictable but the trip between is refreshing and interesting as Farley peppers his writing with information about harness racing. Worth the time and money.

In this book, Bonfire suffers an accident that gives him a fear of horses coming up on his right side. Tom breaks a bone and can't race, so Alec and Henry have to help Bonfire get into racing before the Hambeltonian, one of the biggest races in Bonfire's career! I like this book not only because of Bonfire, but also because Alec trains him for once. I really like the books when Alec meets up with one of the other main boys (Tom or Steve). It also shows a definate problem and solution, as well as obstacles to overcome along the way.

Blind Switch is worth the read! A lively book with full blown interesting, and some despicable characters, this book kept me going. McEvoy makes the world of horse breeding and racing a seductive one and one I would like to visit again. He blends the good guys with the bad guys as the story weaves from Chicago to Kentucky and en route we watch the main character grow and ultimately flourish.
A fast and refreshing story!

Blind Switch is a great ride - lots of unusual and goofy characters - some are people you'd like to know, including Jack Doyle, the main character. He starts out in a "blind switch", essentially boxed in by life, though in part by his own doing. He evolves and revolves through the world of thoroughbred horse racing. You will too. Great suspense, life lessons, and peripheral romance. You'll hate the bad guys and enjoy the good guys, with lots of laughs. The Chicago references are fun for us Chicagoans. Ever wonder why horse racing is actually a clean sport? Because the FBI, the mob, and the industry itself need and want it to be. It's a great read! I didn't want it to end. I'm waiting for McEvoy's next move.

When Jack Doyle is downsized from his corporate Chicago job, a friend tells him he can make an easy $25,000 on a horse race. He accepts the job and the fix is totally successful but the FBI has an idea what he did even though they have no evidence to convict. The agents "convince" him to gather evidence that rich and powerful Harvey Rexroth is having his horses killed for the insurance money. One of Rexroth's employees, manager Aldous Bolger reports his suspicions to the FBI

Bolger agrees to help Jack get hired by Rexroth and Doyle but finds he likes and respects the man who loves the horses as if they were his own. The FBI believes the leader of the horse killing ring is former jockey Ronald Montvedt, a stone cold killer who will do anything for money. When Bolger catches him trying to kill a stallion, the ex-jockey maims Bolger. Doyle is now determined to take Montvedt and Rexroth down, no matter what methods he has to use.

Fans of books of the late Dick Francis will thoroughly enjoy BLIND SWITCH, a novel about horses and people who care for them. The protagonist undergoes a metamorphosis as he stays in contact with the beautiful animals and goes from being a shady character to a person who wants to see justice done. John McEvoy has a unique voice that will win him a place with many fans and BLIND SWITCH deserves to win an award for best new talent.

Harriet Klausner

I love books that deal with horses. I especially look forward to those which deal with horse racing. Add to that setting a hero with some serious defects in his character, an interesting scenario which puts him on the side of the angels, several villians whom you will love to hate, some people you will genuinely care about and a generous sprinkling of serious nut cases and you have a very readable, thoroughly enjoyable first novel by John McEvoy. I have read most of the writings of the late, great Dick Francis and in my judgment, references to his writings in comparison to this story is comparing apples to oranges. Both authors have an interesting way of telling their story, but there is little comparison to how they go about it. This is a story that will hold your interest, tickle your funny bone and satisfy your sense of justice. That's a trifecta worth betting on!!

What really sets this book apart is the approach: a clear and concise guide to various suspension systems that remains objective through every discussion. The language is technical enough to convey appropriate meaning, yet examples are clear enough that you can understand what's going on even if your diploma doesn't include the word "engineer."

There's a bit of unnecessary repetition, and the author makes it quite clear that designers and engineers are usually at odds. But if you get around this (and learn when to skip a paragraph or two), you'll find a book that's surprisingly easy to read (given the subject matter) and thoughtful in its execution.

The author is an experienced auto journalist, a former aeronautical engineer, and a free-lance test driver, so is well equipped to introduce the average reader to the theory and practice of suspensions.

He begins with basics: slip angles, oversteer, and so on, all properly described in engineering terms but never oppressively so. Then separate chapters focus on FWD, RWD, AWD and end with a look back on some modern landmark designs, like the Jaguar E-type or the VW Rabbit.

We learn struts and double wishbone are the two choices up front; the rear adds multilink and torsion beam. Nowadays independent rear suspensions are the norm, the last solid axle design being the Saab 9000. And the wide tires and mid-engine designs, while fine for powerful Formula One cars, mean little elsewhere.

Like his other books, the writing is engaging and informal, and is intended for a British audience, only adding to its charm.

If your looking for a book that can explain how various suspension designs and characteristics can effect the dynamics of motor vehicles this is for you.

You don't have to be an engineer to follow the concepts. An excellent starting point for budding automotive engineers. The book only lacks in not taking it to the next step, looking at specific setups with precise specifications, even as a case study.

To be fare though, the book does not set out to do this, but does extremely well what it does aim at - Giving an understanding of the concepts, pros and cons of most common auto suspension and drivetrain arrangements.

I tried this book because I wanted some introduction on car suspensions. Also I needed some some basics to help me on designing my own car suspension. I found this book with a good general introduction to what's already done, explanations for basics, principles and definitions, and full chapters talking about tyres, steering, handling, etc. It gives clear concepts and examples on the equations used to design and demonstrate what suspensions are about. In General, I found it with good examples, very well organized and by the way, Great pictures and diagrams. Good book!

A good read for anyone who followed cycling in the late 80s and 90s. This makes the struggle of stage racing a very human experience - what an incredible talent Indurain was!

The inevitable comparisons are legion now that Lance Armstrong has won his sixth (and last?) Tour De France this past July. The past winners were all manifested again during the summer of 2004 with the same predictable results...Eddy Merckz was the "cannibal", the merciless killer among the past 5 time winners...Bernard Hineault was the silent assasin, the least likely looking winner, but perhaps the meanest cycler who ever lived...Jaques Anquetil was the elegant talent, the one who modernized world class cycling in the 60's and of course Armstrong, who is still really establishing his legacy. Who, then is this Miguel Indurain and what "category" does he fit into? Samuel Abt tries to define Indurain's place in history with "Champion: Bicycle Riding in the Age of Indurain". The problem, of course, is that this work was published in 1993 and Indurain still had much more to say on the cycling front.

Abt's story is one that I'd sort of compare to the early Roger Angell works on baseball...a set of diverse observations that pertain to the main event...in this case the 1991 and 1992 Tour De France. Abt descibes both races and certainly suceeds in fitting this race into the context of that day...Indurian, like Armstrong 10 years later, is the man to beat and all others, although interesting, will become mere shadows when viewed in Tour history. The reader gets all angles of world class cycling as Abt describes the growing Indurian myth and how Miguel is slowly replacing American Greg LeMond as the celebrity of the cycling world. We also hear from the less talented riders as Abt talks about their chances as well as how the economy is affecting the team structure in the early 90's. Indeed of all the teams that competed in the 1992 Tour, only the Lotto-Domo Belgian team still competed in the 2004 Tour (Indurian's Banesto team is now Illearas-Banesto).

Abt's descriptions and commentary border on brilliance as he succeeds in presenting a human picture to the world class cycling world and brings to the literay world the only true historical treatment of the brilliant Indurain that can be found (the Armstrong books by comparison, past and future, overwhelm the published books on Indurain). Abt's work is also timed to descibe the end of Greg Lemond's reign as the American Champion and the book ends with a portent of the future with "The First Lance" chapter wherby he descibes the young Armstrong and gives glowing predictions of Armstrong's future.

A work that true cycling fans should undertake (Abt does not attempt and does not succeed in clearing up the complex and at times maddening strategy pertaining to Tour riding) and one that sort of sets the stage for the Armstrong on-slaught, Sam Abt brings a truely worthy and capable champion to light and in the process elevates world class cycling to the level soon realized in the early 2000's.

Essential information for Indurain enthusiasts giving insights into the early Tour victories of the great champion. Also provides interesting glimpses into the personality of one of the more enigmatic figures in cycling history. Noteworthy too for its sidebar coverage of Grag LeMond, whose career was begining it's decline when Indurain's Tour dominance began.

This book captured the quiet, contemplative nature of Miguel Indurain, the 90's most dominant Tour de France rider, very well. Also it played out the backroom drama of "Le Tour". For any cycle racing fan, a must read.

I was one of the fortunates that got to see the Chaparrals race! I never forgot it and forty years later they look as modern as they did in the 1960s. Lots of neat photos, but unfortunately, none in color. Sigh. I don't know why so many motor books are chock full of B&W! I love these cars, so no matter. Still recommended!

Being a child of the sixties and growing up as a fan of sports car racing during that era, this book truly brings the personal side of Jim Hall and his Chaparrals to the fore-front. Jim Freidman does an exceptional job in his writing as well as candid photography of the racing team during that glorious period. With quotes from Hap Sharp, Phil Hill, Roger Penske, as well as scores of other great drivers, the reader becomes a part of racing history we will never see again.
Thank you Jim Hall for sharing your memories!

I have been a fan for years. It is always wonderful to have this book out on my coffe table when I have my auto enthusiast friends over for something or other.. It is always a hit..

Excellent photos combines with an easy to read text. This book provides a good background and is a must for any Can Am or Jim Hall fan. If you can only have one Chaparral book Falconer/Nye version is preferred

Nigel Roebuck is widely considered to be one of motor racing finest scribes. In this book, with a bit of an odd title (since it focuses on much more than just the F1 championship battles, but our Nigel acknowledges that), Roebuck again narrates miscellaneous stories and anectodes, remembrances and conversations from the world of Formula One. Never boring, with that Roebuck-wit and humour, it not only captivates but it also amuses. Of particular interest are his opinions, whether you agree with him or not. Roebuck covers the whole spectrum, from the modern Formula One cars and the knee-jerk reactions to safety improvements, to perceptive studies of personalities like Mika Hakkinen, Michael Schumacher, Enzo Ferrari, Sid Watkins, and Jacques Villeneuve-- amongst the many. A book for the serious Formula One fan, who appreciates the great history of the sport as well as its many great characters. A must on any Formula One student's shelf!

Nigel Roebuck, one of the finest journalists to cover motorsport in general and Formula One in particular, presents in this book a wonderful series of sharp vignettes covering the entire period of the modern World Championship. Roebuck begins at Imola in 1994, when, as he puts it aptly, "everything changed" with the tragic death of Ayrton Senna and the introduction of knee-jerk "safety" improvements which have led only to boring racing and have not, as we learned earlier this season, prevented what are, given the nature of the sport, inevitable tragedies. Hard as it is to believe, the "turbo years" of the late 70s and 80s are beginning to look suspiciously like a final golden age, which they certainly weren't at the time, but, given the emasculation of tracks, over-dominance by a few teams, and drivers who do not understand the history of the sport and drive like they're the only man on the track, they're beginning to look pretty good in retrospect. But I digress. Between the covers of this book you'll find incisive portraits of several great drivers (among them Phil Hill, Piers Courage, James Hunt, Ayrton Senna, and Jochen Rindt), car owners (the great Rob Walker, who long after his car-owning days were over wrote wonderful F1 journalism for Road & Track when R&T was still a great magazine), and others associated with the F1 scene (journalist Denis Jenkinson, F1's official doctor Professor Sid Watkins, and current F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone). He also writes of several races - the great slipstreaming duel at Monza in 1971, the first win for Renault in 1979, Dallas 1984 which ended with Nigel Mansell trying to push his car over the finish line in the blazing heat. As an added incentive, there are sections of black and white and color photographs. More and more nonfiction books seem to be doing away with illustrations, and with F1 being the visual spectacle that it is, we can be glad that Roebuck and his publisher resisted this new and unfortunate trend. Turn to the section of color plates and feast your eyes on the first photograph - Fangio in the Maserati 250F at Monaco in 1957. The greatest driver, the greatest car, the greatest race; one picture says it all. Highly recommended to anyone interested in Formula One.

When I first saw this book's title, I nearly gave it a pass, thinking it was just one more in an already well-covered niche. But Nigel Roebuck's name was enough for me to chance it. (If you've read his columns you know he's always interesting.) This book is really unique. Despite the title, it's not an attempt to condense a history of 50 years of racing. It's more like a collection of essays about people and events that are not well covered elsewhere. I've read a LOT of books about F1 (cars, teams, drivers, ...) but each chapter of this book had new and intriguing things to say. It was a really enjoyable read, as well.

This book is one of the best books that I've ever read. It does not concentrate on the stats or indeed particularly on the winners of the World Championship. It takes a personal look at the people, races and years that have shaped F1 from it's very begining. It is a great read for any F1 fan as Roebuck succeeds in not only jogging our memory of the past but also telling untold behind the scenes stories in detail not to mention a tinge of humour. I trully love this book, in fact I think I've read it cover to cover at least 3 times if not more.