I regularly buy books on Amazon or other sites. Recently I bought (and thoroughly enjoyed) 'The unfair advantage' by Mark Donahue. New, I'd like to add.
I fancy the book Mon Ami Mate by Chris Dixon now... but the only copies I could find online are available for...110 dollars! Does anyone know why this book is so expensive? Is it published by the author himself? Is the book with a golden inlay or something?
Greetings
Jerome
'Mon Ami Mate' - is it worth $110?
Started by
Jerome
, Dec 08 2005 18:23
168 replies to this topic
Advertisement
#2
Garagiste
-
- 3,799 posts
- Joined: January 00
Member
Posted 08 December 2005 - 18:26
Third possibility is that somebody is just taking the ... petrol.
Ten quid sound better to you?
http://search.ebay.c...mate&category0=
Ten quid sound better to you?
http://search.ebay.c...mate&category0=
#3
Jerome
-
- 2,088 posts
- Joined: September 05
Member
Posted 08 December 2005 - 18:30
yeah, hey, that's great...
But it is on bloody Amazon... My god... are these hackers that desperate they try to embassle motorracing fans! Because take a look at this....
http://www.amazon.co.....Mon Ami Mate"
Paste this in your browser, Garagiste. And thanx very much for the link and the swift reply!
But it is on bloody Amazon... My god... are these hackers that desperate they try to embassle motorracing fans! Because take a look at this....
http://www.amazon.co.....Mon Ami Mate"
Paste this in your browser, Garagiste. And thanx very much for the link and the swift reply!
#4
Gary C
-
- 5,571 posts
- Joined: January 01
Member
Posted 08 December 2005 - 18:42
110 dollars == approx.50 pounds, sounds about right to me. That's about the price it is in Chater's in London.
#5
Jerome
-
- 2,088 posts
- Joined: September 05
Member
Posted 08 December 2005 - 19:01
Holy Cow...
Listen, I recently bought the New Dutch Bible... It is a hardcover, 680 pages, etc, etc... and it was about 40 euro's... that is some 40 dollars. My wife recently bought a new hardcover, reprinted book by Gontsjarov (russian literature). Limited edition, about 400 prints... 43 euro's or something
Still the question remains: how come this book by Chris Dixn is about four times more expensive than anything I bought recently. Can anyone shed some light on it?
Listen, I recently bought the New Dutch Bible... It is a hardcover, 680 pages, etc, etc... and it was about 40 euro's... that is some 40 dollars. My wife recently bought a new hardcover, reprinted book by Gontsjarov (russian literature). Limited edition, about 400 prints... 43 euro's or something
Still the question remains: how come this book by Chris Dixn is about four times more expensive than anything I bought recently. Can anyone shed some light on it?
#6
Gary C
-
- 5,571 posts
- Joined: January 01
Member
Posted 08 December 2005 - 19:07
nope, it's always been that price though
#7
David McKinney
-
- 14,156 posts
- Joined: November 00
Member
Posted 08 December 2005 - 19:20
The price doesn't seem to be unreasonable for a well-produced book aimed at a fairly specialised market.
I suspect more people would buy the Dutch Bible than MAM - and I suspect the photographs aren't as good in either that or the Gontsjarov
I suspect more people would buy the Dutch Bible than MAM - and I suspect the photographs aren't as good in either that or the Gontsjarov
#8
ensign14
-
- 62,015 posts
- Joined: December 01
Member
Posted 08 December 2005 - 19:26
The Bible would be mass-produced. The Goncharov is a reprint of an existing work. Neither need the in-depth analysis &c that Mon Ami Mate required. I hate to think how many man hours Chris Nixon put into it but I bet his fee for it would pro rata out at not much above minimum wage. And what's the potential readership? Couple of thousand tops?
FWIW, $110 is a bargain for what you will get with it. And there's 9 days left on the ebay auction, my guess is it will go for significantly more than a tenner.
FWIW, $110 is a bargain for what you will get with it. And there's 9 days left on the ebay auction, my guess is it will go for significantly more than a tenner.
#9
Twin Window
-
- 6,611 posts
- Joined: May 04
Nostalgia Host
Posted 08 December 2005 - 19:41
Jerome; I've re-titled the thread 'Mon Ami Mate' - is it really worth 110 US dollars? because I think it's more succinct.
And my answer to that is an emphatic yes! Buy a copy and you'll own a treasure...
And my answer to that is an emphatic yes! Buy a copy and you'll own a treasure...
#10
philippe charuest
-
- 701 posts
- Joined: March 01
Member
Posted 08 December 2005 - 19:46
its the kind of book who never get in "sale" . i bought my copy 5 years ago 55£. now the book is 59.99£ at chaters,milllhouse .motorbooks ect.
#11
Jerome
-
- 2,088 posts
- Joined: September 05
Member
Posted 08 December 2005 - 20:28
Dear friends
I never implied I was angry because it was 110 dollars... it was just curiosity. I have published one book myself (300 pages, 19 euro's), no illustrations.
I'm just curious how the mechanism works of a book that costs this much... But I am sure it well worth the money... So...
The title thread is not expressing any indignation on my part!
I never implied I was angry because it was 110 dollars... it was just curiosity. I have published one book myself (300 pages, 19 euro's), no illustrations.
I'm just curious how the mechanism works of a book that costs this much... But I am sure it well worth the money... So...
The title thread is not expressing any indignation on my part!
#12
Jerome
-
- 2,088 posts
- Joined: September 05
Member
Posted 08 December 2005 - 20:30
And I placed a bid on the book at E-bay... And I hope Ensign is wrong!
#13
petefenelon
-
- 4,815 posts
- Joined: August 02
Member
Posted 08 December 2005 - 20:44
It's a large, long book - probably one of the longest in motor racing literature - and well-illustrated. The $ per word ratio makes it extremely good value. I bought it when it was (IIRC) 55 quid new, back when 55 quid was a lot of money...
And, most important, it's superb - a really detailed and thorough and critical biography of both men and a portrait of the times they lived and raced in.
And, most important, it's superb - a really detailed and thorough and critical biography of both men and a portrait of the times they lived and raced in.
#14
Twin Window
-
- 6,611 posts
- Joined: May 04
Nostalgia Host
Posted 08 December 2005 - 20:49
It has the unusual ability to make the reader really feel like they've been taken back in time, wouldn't you say Pete?
It had that effect on me, at any rate...
It had that effect on me, at any rate...
#15
Penword
-
- 46 posts
- Joined: September 05
Member
Posted 08 December 2005 - 20:49
I bought for my Dad when it first came out, and I paid about $100 CDN. I think it's safe to say that this is no ordinary motorsport biography. It is very thoroughly researched. I've never seen anything quite like it.
#16
D-Type
-
- 9,706 posts
- Joined: February 03
Member
Posted 08 December 2005 - 23:15
This is a long book - being a double biography that is to be expected. It is well-produced and copiously illustrated.
Those who have folowed the forum for a while will know my opinion about the [high] price of many motoring books and my reluctance to spend money. Nevertheless, I do think this book is worth the price.
Those who have folowed the forum for a while will know my opinion about the [high] price of many motoring books and my reluctance to spend money. Nevertheless, I do think this book is worth the price.
#17
Vitesse2
-
- 41,877 posts
- Joined: April 01
Administrator
Posted 09 December 2005 - 00:19
Actually, he's tight as a duck's *rse! Scots ancestry .....Originally posted by D-Type
Those who have folowed the forum for a while will know my opinion about the [high] price of many motoring books and my reluctance to spend money. Nevertheless, I do think this book is worth the price.
Duncan: please check your PMs
#18
D-Type
-
- 9,706 posts
- Joined: February 03
Member
Posted 09 December 2005 - 00:35
Originally posted by Vitesse2
Actually, he's tight as a duck's *rse! Scots ancestry .....
Duncan: please check your PMs
#19
Dennis Hockenbury
-
- 669 posts
- Joined: April 03
Member
Posted 09 December 2005 - 01:26
Jerome, any book that costs north of $100 always stimulates the "value" question for me.
In the case of Chris Nixon's "Mon Ami Mate", this work rates in the rarified air of the very top echelon of motoring biographies ever produced.
Mr. Nixon crafted a gift to enthusiasts that provides more information on the lives of Mike & Peter than any other source, and places the central story in the broad context of the period in which they lived and competed in a manner rarely equaled.
All of this presented in a narrative that is always engaging and enjoyable to read.
If you have an interest in the subject it is simply the definitive must have.
In the case of Chris Nixon's "Mon Ami Mate", this work rates in the rarified air of the very top echelon of motoring biographies ever produced.
Mr. Nixon crafted a gift to enthusiasts that provides more information on the lives of Mike & Peter than any other source, and places the central story in the broad context of the period in which they lived and competed in a manner rarely equaled.
All of this presented in a narrative that is always engaging and enjoyable to read.
If you have an interest in the subject it is simply the definitive must have.
Advertisement
#20
canon1753
-
- 619 posts
- Joined: March 03
Member
Posted 09 December 2005 - 03:16
I just ordered my copy...can't wait the 8 days...
#21
philippe charuest
-
- 701 posts
- Joined: March 01
Member
Posted 09 December 2005 - 16:10
theres a whole week to go before the end of the bid and they are already at 41£ . but sometime theres some good deal, last week a copy of "tony rudd it was fun " was sold for 16£ .
. but sometime theres some good deal, last week a copy of "tony rudd it was fun " was sold for 16£ .
#22
Sharman
-
- 5,284 posts
- Joined: September 05
Member
Posted 09 December 2005 - 16:14
Jerome is telling porkies, he is offering it for sale 
#23
Sharman
-
- 5,284 posts
- Joined: September 05
Member
Posted 09 December 2005 - 16:20
Jerome I recant--It is me that can't tell the difference between an offerer and a bidder
#24
ensign14
-
- 62,015 posts
- Joined: December 01
Member
Posted 09 December 2005 - 16:25
Dammit, Jerome, just snipe the bloody thing.
#25
simonlewisbooks
-
- 2,118 posts
- Joined: January 02
Member
Posted 09 December 2005 - 16:25
You did all notice this particular one on eBay is a fairly tired sounding ex library book.....?
Just a small point,but a lot of people seem 'allergic' to them - although nothing at all wrong with an ex library books if you read for enjoyment and information rather than 'collect'.
It is a great book and not without controversy when published.
Simon Lewis
Transport Books
www.simonlewis.com
Just a small point,but a lot of people seem 'allergic' to them - although nothing at all wrong with an ex library books if you read for enjoyment and information rather than 'collect'.
It is a great book and not without controversy when published.
Simon Lewis
Transport Books
www.simonlewis.com
#26
SFV
-
- 15 posts
- Joined: December 04
New Member
Posted 09 December 2005 - 16:44
I also looked long and hard for a "less pricey" copy of Mon Ami Mate, but it was a fruitless search. So I finally just bought one for retail from Motor Books. Expensive trip that because I couldn't resist picking up "Racing the Silver Arrows" at the same time 
#27
Jerome
-
- 2,088 posts
- Joined: September 05
Member
Posted 09 December 2005 - 19:21
I try to snipe it, Ensign! But: I don't know if I win the auction!
#28
philippe charuest
-
- 701 posts
- Joined: March 01
Member
Posted 09 December 2005 - 19:30
dont get overboard . like someone already mention the book is far from mint .IMO 41 £ is already a lot of money . hey you could have a new one for 59£
#29
Jerome
-
- 2,088 posts
- Joined: September 05
Member
Posted 09 December 2005 - 19:40
Yeah....
The only thing I wonder about... what prevents someone who is selling the book on E-bay (or anything else for that matter) bidding for his own object under another name and thus drive up the price?
J.
The only thing I wonder about... what prevents someone who is selling the book on E-bay (or anything else for that matter) bidding for his own object under another name and thus drive up the price?
J.
#30
Frank S
-
- 2,162 posts
- Joined: September 02
Member
Posted 09 December 2005 - 23:35
We hope it is morals that stop such chicanery; otherwise, there are techiques for discovering...Originally posted by Jerome.Inen
Yeah....
The only thing I wonder about... what prevents someone who is selling the book on E-bay (or anything else for that matter) bidding for his own object under another name and thus drive up the price?
J.
The good folks at alt.marketing.online.ebay have been known to lend their expertise.
--
Frank S
"I can't sing,
but I know how to,
which is quite different."
-- Noel Coward
#31
Mike Lawrence
-
- 288 posts
- Joined: September 04
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 04:52
will never forgot the day Mike Hawthorn died. The news posters said. 'Mike Hawthorn Killed'. They did not say 'Well-Known Sportsman Dies In Road Crash.'.
Next day the small group of us who followed motor racing met in the playground at school. We were sixteen, and we all confessed we had blubbed. We had cried our eyes out.
Mike was the perfect foil for Stirling Moss. Stirling was the intense professional, Mike was the tall, blonde, guy with a pipe between his teeth and a pint of beer in his hand, everyone's idea of a Battle Of Britain pilot.. The newsparers in the UK picked up on that and ran with it. You had the two opposites and that made a story.
Mike's father, Leslie, had been a racing mechanic and he was really on the ball. When Mike drove his Cooper-Bristol, he had nitroglycerine in his tank. There was then no restiction on fuel, so it was legal, and it was also useful.
Like his father, Mike had two main interests, women and speed, and he was World Champion in one of those pursuits. He was pretty good in the other as well.
Mike did have a kidney problem. John Bolster, a mainstay of 'Autosport' and BBC TV's 'Man In The Pitlane', reckoned that Mike was prone to black-outs. John always thought that Mike had suffered a black-out when he died.. We will never know.
The corner from the Hog's-Back to the Guildford By-pass is a left-hander, by the way..
Is Chris Nixon's book worth the money? It is. It is an expectional work.
Chris died of a heart attack over his PC. The person who discovered his body was Clive Stroud of Chater's which published 'Mon Ami Mate'.. They were close friends and in almost daily contact. When Chris lost contact, Clive went round to his house and found the body of his friend, and mine.
Next day the small group of us who followed motor racing met in the playground at school. We were sixteen, and we all confessed we had blubbed. We had cried our eyes out.
Mike was the perfect foil for Stirling Moss. Stirling was the intense professional, Mike was the tall, blonde, guy with a pipe between his teeth and a pint of beer in his hand, everyone's idea of a Battle Of Britain pilot.. The newsparers in the UK picked up on that and ran with it. You had the two opposites and that made a story.
Mike's father, Leslie, had been a racing mechanic and he was really on the ball. When Mike drove his Cooper-Bristol, he had nitroglycerine in his tank. There was then no restiction on fuel, so it was legal, and it was also useful.
Like his father, Mike had two main interests, women and speed, and he was World Champion in one of those pursuits. He was pretty good in the other as well.
Mike did have a kidney problem. John Bolster, a mainstay of 'Autosport' and BBC TV's 'Man In The Pitlane', reckoned that Mike was prone to black-outs. John always thought that Mike had suffered a black-out when he died.. We will never know.
The corner from the Hog's-Back to the Guildford By-pass is a left-hander, by the way..
Is Chris Nixon's book worth the money? It is. It is an expectional work.
Chris died of a heart attack over his PC. The person who discovered his body was Clive Stroud of Chater's which published 'Mon Ami Mate'.. They were close friends and in almost daily contact. When Chris lost contact, Clive went round to his house and found the body of his friend, and mine.
#32
Jerome
-
- 2,088 posts
- Joined: September 05
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 09:41
Geez Mike...
What a story. Thanks for sharing that with me and the others. I am really moved.
Jerome
What a story. Thanks for sharing that with me and the others. I am really moved.
Jerome
#33
kayemod
-
- 9,590 posts
- Joined: August 05
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 10:51
Deviating from the original topic as always, but while we're eulogising the work of Chris Nixon, one of the best books I've ever read on the Mercedes/Auto Union era is Nixon's Rosemeyer, even better than Racing the Silver Arrows in my opinion. Essentially a re-write of a book written by Rosemeyer's widow Elly Beinhorn, shortly after his death during a record attempt in 1938, it's quite unique, I've never read anything that captures the spirit of the time so well, and it's so non technical that my wife enjoyed it. A good copy will be expensive, but it's worth it for the photographs alone. Chris Nixon is a great loss.
And on the subject of what Mon Ami Mate fetches these days, wasn't the original price (in 1991?) over £50?
And on the subject of what Mon Ami Mate fetches these days, wasn't the original price (in 1991?) over £50?
#34
Jerome
-
- 2,088 posts
- Joined: September 05
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 11:41
Some things get more expensive, some things get cheaper.
I remember, when I was 18, I sold tv's for a living next to my study. A Phillips tv of 20 inches or more would set you back for 700 guilders at least (300 euro's), and a videocamera cost at least 1900 guilders (750 euro's).
They go for half the price now... while a carton of milk is about doubled.
But anyways, I am getting really curious about Mon Ami Mate now!
I remember, when I was 18, I sold tv's for a living next to my study. A Phillips tv of 20 inches or more would set you back for 700 guilders at least (300 euro's), and a videocamera cost at least 1900 guilders (750 euro's).
They go for half the price now... while a carton of milk is about doubled.
But anyways, I am getting really curious about Mon Ami Mate now!
#35
kayemod
-
- 9,590 posts
- Joined: August 05
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 11:46
On the subject of the prices of Chris Nixon books, both when they were originally published and what they go for today, who had an advertising slogan that went something like, 'The quality remains long after the price is forgotten' ?
#36
Doug Nye
-
- 11,535 posts
- Joined: February 02
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 11:46
Originally posted by Mike Lawrence
Mike's father, Leslie, had been a racing mechanic and he was really on the ball. When Mike drove his Cooper-Bristol, he had nitroglycerine in his tank. There was then no restiction on fuel, so it was legal, and it was also useful.
Mike - I would endorse everything you said except for one minor detail.
I've heard of making the party go with a bang but I suspect Leslie H. actually used nitromethane...
(or perhaps this was the problem at Hemel this morning?)DCN
#37
LittleChris
-
- 3,729 posts
- Joined: April 01
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 12:22
Originally posted by Doug Nye
DCN
Live about a mile away and been watching the smoke rising out of our back window - very impressive and one BIG bang !!
#38
Rob29
-
- 3,582 posts
- Joined: January 01
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 13:40
Sticker on my copy says £55.Guess thats what I paid in '91. Must get my collection valued some day..Originally posted by kayemod
And on the subject of what Mon Ami Mate fetches these days, wasn't the original price (in 1991?) over £50?
#39
mark f1
-
- 4,374 posts
- Joined: February 00
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 14:06
How does Nixon's 'Seamon - Shooting Star' book compare? I have an option to buy it for about 36 GBP and am debating spending the money.
Thanks
Mark
Thanks
Mark
Advertisement
#40
kayemod
-
- 9,590 posts
- Joined: August 05
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 14:20
Originally posted by mark f1
How does Nixon's 'Seamon - Shooting Star' book compare? I have an option to buy it for about 36 GBP and am debating spending the money.
Thanks
Mark
For that price, if it's in good condition, grab it. Nobody wrote about that era better than Chris Nixon.
#41
petefenelon
-
- 4,815 posts
- Joined: August 02
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 14:30
Originally posted by kayemod
On the subject of the prices of Chris Nixon books, both when they were originally published and what they go for today, who had an advertising slogan that went something like, 'The quality remains long after the price is forgotten' ?
Gerry Stonhill's "Individual" Mason Arms - a foodie boozer near Silverstone. I think the egregious Michael Winner took exception to the place - so it must be good. Ads in the Green'un, usually illustrated with strange people doing stranger things on/with vintage vehicles.
#42
kayemod
-
- 9,590 posts
- Joined: August 05
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 14:44
Originally posted by petefenelon
Gerry Stonhill's "Individual" Mason Arms - a foodie boozer near Silverstone. I think the egregious Michael Winner took exception to the place - so it must be good.
"Egregious", I like that. Not a word in everyday use, but it must have been invented to describe MW. Where does your post get us with the origin of that slogan though? Are you saying that it was originally used by some purveyer of horseless carriages to the nobility and gentry?
#43
Jack-the-Lad
-
- 2,466 posts
- Joined: March 03
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 18:34
Originally posted by petefenelon
Gerry Stonhill's "Individual" Mason Arms - a foodie boozer near Silverstone. I think the egregious Michael Winner took exception to the place - so it must be good. Ads in the Green'un, usually illustrated with strange people doing stranger things on/with vintage vehicles.
I remember one ad featured a naked (but helmeted) sidecar crew....in riding positions!
Jack
#44
petefenelon
-
- 4,815 posts
- Joined: August 02
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 18:46
Originally posted by Jack-the-Lad
I remember one ad featured a naked (but helmeted) sidecar crew....in riding positions!
Jack
There was a thread about that, somewhere -- I'm sure searching for "naked sidecar" will get you something.
Gerry Stonhill's words were "....long after the price is forgiven", I think.
#45
kayemod
-
- 9,590 posts
- Joined: August 05
Member
Posted 11 December 2005 - 18:57
I could be wrong, but I seem to remember that the slogan "The quality remains long after the price is forgotten", was part of an old ad for Rolls Royce cars, probably pre WW1.
#46
Dennis Hockenbury
-
- 669 posts
- Joined: April 03
Member
Posted 12 December 2005 - 00:50
I totally agree Simon. Mr. Nixon's willingness to take some risks in writing about the personal lives of Mike & Peter deserves my admiration, then and now.Originally posted by simonlewisbooks
It is a great book and not without controversy when published.
While I disagree with his conclusion on the hand throttle issue, I admire his approach to this book still.
#47
simonlewisbooks
-
- 2,118 posts
- Joined: January 02
Member
Posted 12 December 2005 - 11:07
Originally posted by Dennis Hockenbury
I totally agree Simon. Mr. Nixon's willingness to take some risks in writing about the personal lives of Mike & Peter deserves my admiration, then and now.
While I disagree with his conclusion on the hand throttle issue, I admire his approach to this book still.
I think the downside was the way the book led to some obvious heartache for Mike's old mate Lofty England. I seem to recall Lofty resigned from the BRDC when Mike's son was invited over as their guest of honour at the launch 'do'. I don't recall exactly what Lofty's objection was but it did sour things for a number of people who agreed with his point of view.
I think that was a BRDC-thing rather than any fault on Chris Nixon's part.
As for the hand-throttle, I'm with you, I think John Bolster's black-out theory is probabaly the most logical.
Simon Lewis
Transport Books
#48
Geza Sury
-
- 942 posts
- Joined: March 01
Member
Posted 12 December 2005 - 11:57
That was one of your best investments of your life! You won't regret it for a single second!Originally posted by SFV
I also looked long and hard for a "less pricey" copy of Mon Ami Mate, but it was a fruitless search. So I finally just bought one for retail from Motor Books. Expensive trip that because I couldn't resist picking up "Racing the Silver Arrows" at the same time
BTW I bought my copy of 'Mon Ami Mate' for a mere US$75 last year, which was about £41 at that time. I agree with those who have said that this book iS an absolute must have. (And my copy is virtually mint
)
#49
Jerome
-
- 2,088 posts
- Joined: September 05
Member
Posted 12 December 2005 - 13:16
I still have to obtain my copy of the book, so... what ARE you talking about (without spoiling my later fun). Who is Lofty Engeland and why did he not like Mike Hawthorne?
#50
Gary C
-
- 5,571 posts
- Joined: January 01
Member
Posted 12 December 2005 - 13:39
Lofty England was the Jaguar Racing Manager. I suggest you just buy the book & read it !!
