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A transatlantic view of the cars, drivers and Speed ways, 1900~1925
by Robert Dick
It is an attractive 300-page publication, a well bound hard cover book, 18.5 x 26 x 2.5 cm, which was easy to hold in my hands while resting on the couch, enjoying the pleasure of an evening with a really good book. It is not a heavy tome to accommodate giant sized pictures. But the vivid text is interrupted with many fascinating photos and action shots not seen before. The concise text is not just informative but also entertaining and packed with incidents, giving deep insight into the racing and adventures of these early years, covering the cars, their companies, designers, drivers and the races. There is no meaningless rambling but instead one is guided from one episode to the other, from Gordon Bennett to Vanderbilt to Barney Oldfield towards the connection to Europe and the European scene and races, spanning the 1900-1925 period. Appendices include biographical data of personalities, another technical data of the various European and American race cars sorted by manufacturers, then a large appendix about the riding mechanics for several of these early races, worth a special study. A large index lets you find drivers, designers, cars, races, manufacturers.
Anybody who wants to learn about this era –the early years of automobile racing– should get this important book. The price of US $75.00 is affordable, considering that you obtain an unusually well researched period in motor racing and a significant piece of work, well-illustrated. Published by McFarland pISBN 978-0-7864-6670-2, www.mcfarlandpub.com or order per line 800-253-2187.
