Grand Prix Books

I have bought many dressage books by various authors, and this is by far my favorite book. I have a young horse that I have been training and this is the reference manual that I continually turn to. He teaches in the true classical sense where the welfare of the horse is most important. He explains in detail how the various exercises, such as shoulder-in, should be executed and what purpose they serve. He stresses the importance of timing of the aids which is essential in creating a soft, relaxed, properly muscled horse. I have attended clinics by him and he is a true master. If any of my friends show interest in learning dressage I buy them this book immediately. They all love it and find it very helpful and easy to understand. Yes, it does go over many basics, but more riders need a firmer grip on the basics before they can go on to compete and ride at the high levels successfully.

Dressage in Harmony: From Basic to Grand Prix (The Masters of Horsemanship Series, Bk. 4)
Excellent Book. A must have for all Dressage riders. This book has helped me improve my understanding of the proper aids!

Provides great detail, wonderful theory and terrific practical advice. There are some spots where the translation may not have been so good; but, overall this book is fabulous!

With all of the great reviews and the author's reputation, I was expecting a lot more. I just don't see anything new here, to me it reads like a dictionary on dressage. Fine, but not too interesting. I guess what really put me off straight away, was the the author's claim that horses are not very intelligent, and if they were we would be afraid to be near them at all. And "A horse will never do anything on purpose". I think that anyone who has spent a lot of time around horses would disagree with that statement. For example, if you have ever seen a horse work open a stall latch, I think you might agree that they are capable of doing things on purpose and with planning. From someone who supposedly stresses love for the horse during training, I found these statements quite inaccurate and somewhat cold. I've got loads of books on dressage, and this one would be at the bottom of my list.

I believe that Dressage In Harmony is a must have for anyone who is seriously interested in dressage. Mr. Zettl starts with a green horse beginning in dressage to the Grand Prix level in clear, understandable language plus good illustrations. I hope to have the good fortune to attend one of Walter Zettl's clinics now that I have "discovered" him.

I was in my early teens in the years covered in this book and the participants covered were heroes to me. I came across this title reading an obit for Phil Hill and went to Amazon to see what the general consensus was on the book. I read the reviews and ordered it and I agree wholeheartedly that it deserves five stars. This being an opinion from someone who was familiar with the drivers and the era covered in the book so the nostalgia factor influenced this review. YMMV.

Being born in 1982, I wasn't around for this era of Grand Prix racing. Sure, I'd heard the stories about how dangerous a period it was and how drivers put it all on the line every time they got in a car. However, this book made it clear just how dangerous Grand Prix racing - and all motorsport for that matter, was. The driver biographies are certainly not full length, but they provide a snapshot of what was going through the driver's minds when they were racing. I enjoyed Phil Hill's comments, especially the statements talking about Enzo Ferrari.

Above all, this is a picture book. That is not a negative to the book though, it is the main feature. The photographs were all taken by the author through the course of his covering F1 during that era as a writer/photographer.

This is one of those books that I read cover to cover within hours of receiving it. It tells the amazing story of early Grand Prix racing. After reading it, it really had me wondering why anybody would have been a driver back then. Too many drivers died while racing, and this book has these stories in photographs. In the book, Daley's articles on Alfonso de Portago and Wolfgang von Trips are excellent.

I really enjoy this book and would recommend it to anybody who is a fan of the old Grand Prix era.

I picked up an original copy of Daley's book, The Cruel Sport, many years ago. The 1st edition was a milestone in motorsports writing, for it without reservation addressed racing's rather dirty little secret- drivers were needlessly dying at the wheel of fragile cars at incredibly unsafe tracks that in turn were run by owners / organizations that were too often criminally negligent when it came to basic safety precautions. Scores of drivers, both then and now in well-earned retirement (if lucky enough to have survived), talked about how dangerous the sport was, but there was no concensus among drivers as to how to proceed. Circuit owners more often than not did not want to discuss their role in improving track safety. Long after the printing of Daley's original book, drivers were still paying the ultimate price for someone else's shortsightedness- Jochen Rindt, Roger Williamson, Tom Pryce, Jim Clark, Bruce McLaren, etc. Those drivers that did champion for change (Stewart, Rindt, Bonnier, G. Hill, etc) were often ridiculed for their efforts. The current crop of safer drivers and fans (remember LeMans '55!!) have these pioneers, and Daley, as the author of The Cruel Sport, to thank for their willingness to expose what was going on. Far from a reprint, the new edition is sufficiently revamped and updated to make it an entirely new read. Daley's photos still hold up well against the best of the big-time professionals of his era. If you love F-1 from the 1960s, this is an essential book for your library; in no way will you be disappointed. As the author of many titles unrelated to motorsports, you'll also be impressed with Daley's enormous talent for painting a picture with words- if only more motorsports writers were half as talented. To think these 3 1/2 decades later, there is still no similar work in motorsports literature.

This is an incredible book for any F1 fan. It is straightforward in its delivery and still conveys the emotions of the author and drivers. The pictures are great and will transport you through time just as the writing does. Amazing!

Monaco is THE great novel of the 21st century to this point. If you are serious about literature, you need this volume on your bookshelf.

A great read in historical fiction based in 1937 Monaco. This is one of those books that gets better as it progresses. Very entertaining and fun to read, and yet thought-provoking. Morse does a wonderful job in presenting some deep philosophical issues throughout the book and artistically presents opposing sides through the main characters. If you want a good entertaining book with romance, energy, and intrigue, this book is for you. Within the context of the excitement and drama of 1937 Monaco and the Monaco Grand Prix, the reader is ultimately prompted to explore what makes us human.

It's evident that Morse is aware of some of the heedless debotchery and pornographic decadence that people seem to be attracted to in novels these days--Monaco is full of characters that represent that idea. But instead of writing something like the typical modern novel, it appears that Morse rejected that thought and instead went ahead and produced a timeless epic all the while creating his own artform: the poem/novel/philosophy book.

The story is interesting (though it doesn't really get going until 3/4ths of the way into the book) but what's really on showcase in Monaco is something much more important. Morse's writing style is a masterful mix of narrative and commentary that is more lyric than some of the best poetry. His characters are vivid and alive--save for perhaps some of the scoundrel Nazis. And his philosophy is a brilliant mix of liberty-first Lockism and Pope John Paul Duece's love-is-the-answerism. The shocking monologue by a surprise character near the end is still reverberating in my mind.

Some advice to the casual consumer: buy this book. Read it all (a reader will be rewarded for the 600-page effort and the frequent dictionary stops). And instruct your daughters to read it. This should be required reading for all pre-teen girls who are considering falling into the decadence of modern teenage ignonimy. At the very least, the OVerture, Entre'Acte, and Denouement--literary pieces that will blow your mind-- WILL be required reading in 100 level English. At least that's the case if there is any justice in the world--and, fittingly, that's what the goal of this book is--to examine and promote justice.

Everyone has their own way of judging a novel. Some people know it's a good book if they just can't put it down (and stay up half the night to finish it). Some people know it's a good book if they want to read it a second time. The way I know it's a good book is if I never want it to end. And with Monaco, this occurred to me just about three chapters into the 3rd Part. By that time, I had gotten to know the characters well enough that I really began to feel what they were feeling (the warm summer weather as well as their fears and hopes) and that put me in a place that I just never wanted to leave. Monaco is a summery book, which is my favorite season, and combines all of the best, most magical aspects of the season--the sun tans, the long days and the warm nights. And there is a great sense of traveling about the novel--you travel to Monaco first of all, but there is so much travel throughout--sailing, canyons, hiking, Paris, Germany, and Africa even! The magical feeling of Monaco generates a very vivid connection between the characters that really resonated with me so that I actually LOLed a few times and cried a number of times, which is, by the way, another way that I know if a book is good. If you can't help from crying while reading on the plane, it's a great book. No matter how you judge a novel, Monaco probably has it. Magical, beautiful, action-packed...a classic by any standard.

Just like the French Riviera in the 1930s, the setting of this new and perfectly summery novel, Monaco is warm and breezy, lush and tropical, and full of celebrities, royalty, and dreamers, and author Morse brings them all brilliantly to life.

When Dash Bradford turns a brief business trip to Monaco into a more permanent stay in order to help auto parts tycoon Jacques Tourangeau put a car in the Grand Prix--and win the heart of Tourangeau's beautiful young daughter, Margaux--the idealistic American suddenly has everything he has ever dreamed of. But when Dash finds himself up against power-hungry Nazi Germany, he soon realizes that his dreams come with a very high cost, and that pursuing them may mean risking the loss of all he holds dear.

Featuring race scenes that pulsate with all the energy and excitement of a Grand Prix course; a whimsical, romantic, and heartbreakingly beautiful love story; and an exploration into the philosophical questions upon which man has dwelled throughout history, Monaco truly has something for everyone, and Morse brings it all together with skill. With careful attention to detail, he expertly conveys the vibrant coastal setting, the lavish parties, and the gripping Grand Prix races, and his engaging dialogue draws the reader into engaging discussions of faith, tradition, family, enterprise, art, justice, love, and much, much more.

Monaco has the retro feel of a vintage travel poster, the classic action of an old Hollywood film, and the soul of a Russian novel. At the heart of this book is the belief that perfection is possible, and that life and love are worth striving against all odds for. Romantic, hopeful, and full of energy, Monaco provides a welcome alternative to the bitterly discouraging works that tend to populate the contemporary fiction shelves.

Reading Monaco is like treating yourself to a breath of fresh, warm, life-affirming Rivieran air.

Easily the flagship for any Grand Prix fan's bookcase! I proudly display my fifteen years of Autocourse in a large prominent bookshelf, and refer to them when watching Formula 1 events. Sometimes I catch Bob Varsha or David Hobbs in a mistake when referring to the history of a particular event. My secret? A nice pile of Autocourse books! This edition lives up to the strong reputation that Autocourse delivers to me every year.

Good book. We buy it every year for our 39 year old son for his birthday.

I have been collecting the Autocourse for the last thirty years and the latest one has not dissapointed me, an excelent product

Autocourse is simply the best season review for F1 fans. It includes a brief synopsis of each team, a few articles about various things (this year there is an article on the retirement of Michael Schumacher), and detailed reviews of each race weekend from qualifying to the race. It's a great way to relive the F1 season. The pictures are outstanding and it's almost worth buying for those alone.

This is the best book review for every Formula 1 season. I had purchased the 2003, 2004, 2005 and now 2006, these books are worth collecting. There is just sooooooooo many pictures, so many technical reviews, it makes itself feel like its your dictionary to formula 1 itself. i had also bought the Official Formula 1 reviews which is cheaper and has less pictures. the price difference from $20 to $50 is due to the amount of images you get and how good the images are.

i remember buying the 2005 official review and this autocourse, i was dissapointed with the official book because they dont have pictures of the most important events from the races, like kimi raikkonen's last lap pass on fisichella at suzuka. the offical guide didnt even have a picture of it! while this autocourse book, had a two page picture of raikkonen just inches away from fisichella renault about to take the lead. it blew my mind. if youre a rabid formula 1 fan that just loves a lot of photographs, this is for you. ive been collecting formula 1 articles and i must say this is definitely what i wait for every year.

there is just so much under the thing, its a thick book full of extraordinary photographs.

I have read this book i bought it because i am a michael schumacher i never went to bed until i read all the book, its a must for all schumi/ferrari fans,its a kind of book you dont want to put down check it out and you will see i am right.

TELLS THE STORY OF A TRULY GREAT CHAMPION WHO LOVES HIS SPORT, AND REMAINS MODEST EVEN HAVING REACHED THE PINNACLE OF MOTOR RACING. THIS BOOK BRINGS YOU THE EMOTION AND DRAMA FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS RIGHT UP TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP YEARS AND BEYOND. A MUST FOR SCHUMACHER FANS, WHO IS WITHOUT DOUBT NOT JUST ONE OF THE GREATEST F1 CHAMPIONS THIS DECADE, BUT ALONGSIDE SENNA THIS CENTURY.

For one who loves formula one racing and of course when your favourite driver is none other than the Michael Schumacher, Derick Allsop's book on the twice world champion provides every detail from the start to what Michael is now. It is so splendidly written, one can't help but increase their admiration for Schumacher, least to say put the book down

THIS BOOK IS AWESOME! everything you need to know about , and don't need to know about the greatest driver in all times , MICHAEL SCHUMACHER. the book tells about everything!

Although the book does not go as in depth as I first hoped, it is still a rare look into a man that seems as separated from F1 fans as a head of state is separated from the general public. Many insights were given that explained alot of what we see over the short T.V. bursts that we get here in the States. If you admire Michael now, you will adore him after reading this book. If you are neutral about him I bet you will be cheering him on at the next GP you watch. If you hate him now you at least will understand a lot of what he thinks about himself and why. I really enjoyed it.

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.

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.

This was a Christmas present from my wife and this was the best present I can remember receiving. Everything about F1 from Bugatti, Nuvolari & Fangio to Senna, Prost & McLaren. This book is for the dedicated F1 fan. It is well researched and written and follows the development and technical specs of F1 cars past & present. It contains numerous rare photographs as well as some cutaway drawings of cars and engines. A MUST!

An amazingly complete account, this book covers every season of European top-level racing from the Paris rally of 1894 through the 1996 Grand Prix season. Each year contains an account of technical developments, who the top drivers were and interesting (and fun) anecdotes about how the season progressed. It also includes performance and race statistics for all the major marques. In my opinion, this book is a must for fans of the history of motor racing.

This is a good book on F1 history, with plenty of detailed technical and apisodic information concerning teams, drivers and cars. The author shows a profound knowledge on the subject of F1 grand prix racing, and the book is a very good source of season by season information, from 1950 to 1996. It will please all fans of this most important category of car racing, although an updated edition is now needed.

This book truly surprised me. First off this book is very big and is absolutely filled with fascinating information! So many questions can be answered in this book and so much information to take in. Impress your friends with your vast Grand Prix and Formula One knowledge! I would buy this one today! Thank you for making it available....great stuff!

A DANGEROUS DREAM gives the reader suspense, mystery, and a fabulous setting to enjoy as love weaves its way into the lives of Melissa and David.

At the elite Deer Creek Farm the reader sees behind the scenes of the glamour and glitz of horse shows like the Grand Prix to the hard work, skill, and talent that makes grand equestrian shows possible.

Melissa's life is forever changed when she goes to Deer Creek Farm as an assistant barn manager. Early on the reader senses something is unusual about her being hired by such an elite stable. While she is not a part of this rarified world, she loves horses and is determined to use her considerable talent and skill to build a life for herself in this unique arena of life. When she encounters the reticent horse trainer David, who is just as career-oriented as she is, a subtle awareness begins to simmer.

Read the entire review here:
[..]

A Dangerous Dream by Mary Paine is an amazing book. I couldn't put it down. I've been looking for a novel about the horse show jumping world for a long time and finally found a wonderful one! Author Mary Paine obviously has a deep loves of horses and showing and shares her knowledge and experience in an exciting story wrapped up with romance and mystery. I couldn't ask for more!

A Dangerous Dream

A racy and romantic mystery set against a backdrop of Connecticut's elite equestrian world. A page turner with twists of the heart and breath-holding excitement. Highly recommended!

All Equestrian and non-Equestrians will not be able to put A Dangerous Dream down.
Mystery, romance, and a beautiful story line that keeps the reader
captive. I read A Dangerous Dream from beginning to end
with no break. All readers, Equestrian and non-Equestrian will learn,
enjoy and love this book.

This is not a review

I have sent previous e-mails and I think your responses have been blocked.

The package arrived last week but the sleeve was torn and the cover damaged. What can I do?

Please respond to

nlbeddington@webmail.co.za

If you need to know what happened in GP Bike racing each year and from only one source this is it. The photos alone are worth the price of the book. My only wish is that I had found out about this series sooner so I could read the earier one too!!

Yet another excellent annual by Motocourse. Primarily covers the MotoGP tour but also includes SBK and some national racing.

This edition is particular important as Americans topped the 500cc Championship and the Superbike Championship which probably hasn't happend since the late 80s.

Excellent recap and photographs

I've read these books for years. Each and every year I get the whole picture of what has happened on the World Gran Prix Motorcycle scene. The pictures are beyond words, and give a clear shot of what it's like to ride one of these bikes at speed. The technical information is very good, considering that all the major manufacturers take secrecy to the extreme making it hard for outsiders whom are interested in the technical aspects kind of shut outs. Overall, though....I can't wait to get my hands on the next edition.