75 replies to this topic

[Sterzo]

I'd imagine that with the publishing world under increasing cost pressure, editing is an area that ends up being squeezed. Errors in a non fiction work are annoying, but the question is: how annoying?  In the context of an autobiography, where you're in your armchair listening to an old man reminisce (sorry, Mr Newey), insignificant errors in background information that's not central to the author's story doesn't bother me too much.

 

As for the statements that are central, well, they're still only one man's view of things. Much as I love autobiographies, I trust them less than biographies. They're not a good source of information about the occasions when the author is seen by others as wrong or unreasonable.

 

In that context, Newey's book comes across as one of the more honest, as well as one of the most enjoyable. Tony Southgate's is also a great read, Harry Weslake's is best ignored.

[Charlieman]

I'd imagine that with the publishing world under increasing cost pressure, editing is an area that ends up being squeezed. Errors in a non fiction work are annoying, but the question is: how annoying?  In the context of an autobiography, where you're in your armchair listening to an old man reminis.ce (sorry, Mr Newey), insignificant errors in background information that's not central to the author's story doesn't bother me too much.

You are writing from the armchair

[john aston]

I will confess  , being brutally honest , I pick out errors primarily to retain my smart arse credentials. Sales of Goods Act claim (which I learned about during the same era) ? Ermm ..perhaps not eh ? 

[guiporsche]

What is so wrong about Adrian's comments? Wings became common in the 1970s. They had been introduced before but hadn't caught on yet.

 

What about the MP4-18? I haven't got to his McLaren years yet, but surely this is Adrian's book, so he's including what he feels is important to him. If people only wrote about what everyone thought was important, everyone's books would be the same.

 

Terribly sorry for belatedly replying to your point. About the MP4-18, and based on the remarks from other Mclaren team members (even on Mclaren's website), I get the feeling that there was much more to it than covered in the book. Note that unlike with other cars, he does not delve with the same detail into the car's making and testing. I wrote about it in the previous thread about the book (the one in Racing Comments) in more detail, so there's no point going over it again as I don't want to sound pedantic.

 

It's, overall, a good book, no question about it (despite all the references to the Ferrari International Assistance, which interestingly are absent in his skimpy coverage of the 2000-04 period).

But I came away with the feeling that it's made of two very unequal halves. One that lasts until his Mclaren times, on which he's even handed and spends as much time talking about his achievements and mistakes. Loved the Indy part, and his coverage of Imola is the high point of the book.

Mclaren and post-Mclaren times I found it to be a bit of a self-hagiography, perhaps also because most of the people he worked with are still around in the paddock.

Overall, with a bit of editing and a bit more detail, instead of a good book this could have been a classic of modern F1 history, but of course that's only my personal viewpoint.

Edited by guiporsche, 18 January 2018 - 14:14.

[Charlieman]

Mclaren and post-Mclaren times I found it to be a bit of a self-hagiography, perhaps also because most of the people he worked with are still around in the paddock.

Overall, with a bit of editing and a bit more detail, instead of a good book this could have been a classic of modern F1 history, but of course that's only my personal viewpoint.

I also think that is true. Hopefully, this is not the only book to carry Adrian Newey's name. He is likely to have a few more years to write about recent events and to feel less self-censorship regarding earlier times. 

 

Did the ghost writer do a good job? Probably, and I'd like to know more about how/why Newey felt it was the right time for this draft of his life. It would help me to understand the significance he places on events and circumstances. I am a couple of years younger than Newey and should be around for the "when it's all over" stories..

[Charlieman]

It sounds similar to a work by ex-Benetton mechanic Steve Matchett some years ago, an amateurish and self aggrandising effort that I wouldn't recommend to anyone. In his opinion it seems, mechanics are the real heroes, drivers just sit there and turn the wheel, races are really won by designers and men behind the scenes like him.

Apologies for the side comment but the Matchett book I read was interesting (how he became an F1 mechanic) and frustrating (justification for Benetton's behaviour on which he would have had no influence, perhaps knowledge). I read the book twice a few years apart and it is one of the few motor sport books on which I didn't ponder before sending it back to the charity shop.

 

The Newey book cites examples of boorish behaviour, which sort of humanises the "F1 community". Like with many Innes Ireland anecdotes, you ask why the author doesn't have anything funnier to say. Unless Newey is writing between the lines.

[Vitesse2]

From Adrian's point of view, I'm sure the financial incentives and marketing backup offered by the non-specialist publisher HarperCollins - possibly including a multi-book deal over several years - were (with the best will in the world and more power to their elbows) far greater than a specialist like Evro or David Bull could have provided.

 

Evro's or David Bull's editors would probably have picked up the factual errors noted by readers both in this thread and the other one in RC. The HarperCollins editors probably only spotted a few typos ...

[Charlieman]

From Adrian's point of view, I'm sure the financial incentives and marketing backup offered by the non-specialist publisher HarperCollins - possibly including a multi-book deal over several years - were (with the best will in the world and more power to their elbows) far greater than a specialist like Evro or David Bull could have provided.

I think the publishers did a very good job at creating big sales for a niche subject book. They priced it cheap, printed loads of copies and placed it on retailer shelves everywhere in time for christmas. They weren't too sure what they had -- there were few if any advance review copies, and some F1 reporters didn't know that Newey had written a book. It was a cheap pig in a poke for seasonal gift buyers -- if it's a bad book, they're is always next year.

 

The publishers knew how to sell and market the book. The drawings are excellent but they are too small and printed in blue ink. Just another example of book and magazine designers never using the content that they create.

[David Birchall]

I have just finished this excellent book-it takes a little longer to get to the  further reaches of the Empire...

 

I was entertained and educated throughout the two weeks I spent reading it-quite how you could read it in one sitting I do not know!

 

When the book arrived-from Amazon-I was impressed with the quality of the binding and dust jacket-I hadn't expected much for what is a relatively cheap book.  

 

I have not followed F1 for many years so this was a good re-introduction.  If it missed out models I was completely unaware!  The only mistake I noticed was an entry in the index for a "Ferrari GT40"!    Generally I thought the proof reading was pretty good and I enjoyed the original illustrations.

 

I read this immediately after reading the biography of Bernie Ecclestone "No Angel", which was quite un-put-downable,  so I am now an expert on F1--or at least the sleezy underside!

[1969BOAC500]

Once again, late to the party with this one & apologies to anyone who clicks on this re-opened thread expecting another 'new' book from Adrian Newey ! I've bought a secondhand  copy of 'How To Build A Car' off e-bay and am finding it yet another totally absorbing 'lockdown read'.

 

Newey came on the scene as my interest in F1 was starting to wane - only following the GPs on TV after 1986. With the exception of Gordon Murray, I'd always thought of designers/engineers as being rather boring 'egg heads' ( I know, I know.. .) but Newey's candour in many parts of this book, as well as his technical descriptions which even this layman can understand are making it unputdownable., Agreed, some bits are slapdash ( I'm sure that Benetton pit fire wasn't at Silverstone..) but no matter. One of those books which demonstrates that the impression I gained at the time from TV and Autosport wasn't necessarily the whole story.

 

Ayhow, it's essential reading. I've mentally slapped my wrist for not buying it in 2017

[john aston]

It's an easy , and fascinating read and reveals a Newey with far more humour and playfulness than his ubergeek persona might suggest . But an even better read is John Barnard's extraordinary The Perfect Car . It's worth reading just for the account of working in the Machiavellian soap opera that was Ferrari     

[1969BOAC500]

 John Barnard's extraordinary The Perfect Car .

Duly ordered - fortunately it's a lot  cheaper than a  watch from Motor Sport.....

[john aston]

So is my car mate

[Parkesi]

The balance shifts from Newey to Barnard - would make an interesting thread...

Newey`s is a good book with a misleading title, sounds like a manual.

But I can`t praise the "The Perfect Car" book enough and I paid Mark Hughes (of Evro Publishing) a big compliment last year.

I found the reserved approach of author Skeens fascinating and he even managed to organize a Barnard/Ron Dennis "rendezvous".

The highlight of the project!!

Maybe the book is so unique because Nick Skeens is not a motor sports journalist and therefore lacks our common addiction. 

But don`t get me wrong: it`s a labour of love and VERY much recommended! 

[Sterzo]

Maybe the book is so unique because Nick Skeens is not a motor sports journalist and therefore lacks our common addiction. 

But don`t get me wrong: it`s a labour of love and VERY much recommended! 

Normally a book by a non-racing author would have us wailing, gnashing our teeth and rending our garments, but this is brilliant and, as you say, unique. Autobiography or biography? Each has its pros and cons, but somehow Nick Skeens has presented the best of both in one book. John Barnard must take credit too, for allowing that to happen.

[D-Type]

Look at the prices!  Is the Barnard book over three times as good as the Newey one?  

For sheer value for money, Newey's book is the best of the 100+ motor racing books on my bookshelf.  It's in my top ten regardless of pric e.

[kayemod]

Look at the prices!  Is the Barnard book over three times as good as the Newey one?  

For sheer value for money, Newey's book is the best of the 100+ motor racing books on my bookshelf.  It's in my top ten regardless of pric e.

 

 

Three times? Where did you buy yours?

 

Current listed full prices are £25.00 for Newey, and £40 for Barnard, cheaper on Amazon of course. Both are good, but the Barnard biog is particularly well written, and I did find it the more entertaining and revelatory of the two.

[jtremlett]

...Is the Barnard book over three times as good as the Newey one?...

Yes

[1969BOAC500]

Prices vary a lot in these locked-down times. It's worth watching e-bay ; I picked up my copy of Newey's book there, secondhand but fine condition, for £13 and ordered the Barnard book yesterday for £24.

[stuartbrs]

I really wanted to buy and read Gordon Murrays book, I`m not married, no ex wife, and no kids, and even I couldnt afford it!

[D-Type]

Three times? Where did you buy yours?

 

Current listed full prices are £25.00 for Newey, and £40 for Barnard, cheaper on Amazon of course. Both are good, but the Barnard biog is particularly well written, and I did find it the more entertaining and revelatory of the two.

I took a quick look at AbeBooks and worked out the differential as somewhere between 2.5 and 3 so I wrote 3.
It sounds as if I should get Barnard to keep Newey company.

[kayemod]

I took a quick look at AbeBooks and worked out the differential as somewhere between 2.5 and 3 so I wrote 3.
It sounds as if I should get Barnard to keep Newey company.

 

Many who've read both will probably have different opinions, but while I enjoyed both Newey and Barnard books, the first I just kept dipping into, whereas the Barnard book I read cover to cover, and quite quickly by my standards, I found it compulsive reading. I'd never before heard of Nick Skeens, but if he does anything like this again, I'd probably buy it just on the strength of his name.

[john aston]

I agree - but the layout of the Newey book lent itself to dipping .

 

I loved the Barnard book , and I think Nick Skeens did a terrific job. My only raised eyebrow was that , just now and then, there's a hint of hagiography. In my speedreaders review I gave the example of how Barnard was lauded a little too much about his use of carbon fibre. Although he was groundbreaking in its motorsport use, if not actually the first to use it , the book reads as though nobody had even imagined using this space age material outside NASA . In fact carbon was already used   in many humdrum civilian applications before the MP 4/1  - my fly rods were carbon in '77 .

 

But that very minor quibble apart , the Barnard book can hold its head up with exalted company like Karl Ludvigsen's superb Chapman book .

[Parkesi]

Newey, Barnard & Jim Hall!

"Jim Hall - Chaparral, Texas and the Invention of Modern Racing", by George Levy, Motorbooks International. Year of publication 12/19.

Chater`s listed it since last summer, status of delivery was endlessly "forthcoming item", now Amazon says: publication date 09/06/2020.

Is there already any kind of feedback from TNF members?

Should be VERY interesting since there were some critical remarks from Barnard regarding creatorship of certain innovations.

I look forward to reading it.

[2F-001]

Hmm... Chaters now showing the Levy book as "out of stock", whilst Amazon UK listing it today as "unavailable"...

whilst Waterstones website says both "published 09/06/2020" and "coming soon - awaiting publication". I gave up waiting for this one some time back; I'll believe it when I see it!

 

On the Skeens/Barnard book - I concur with John A's comments, although, re the use of carbon, I imagine little else as complex or safety critical had been done with the material outside of aerospace. I know from friends and former colleagues that, in the wake of Watson's shunt at Monza, engineers and designers in aerospace (and elsewhere) were very interested in what Barnard and Hercules had done.

 

Regarding Skeens not being a 'motorsport writer', he is a writer on the design industry in a broader sense. It was, by a clear head and shoulders, my best motorsport read of last year.

 

Edit:

I mistyped the date from Waterstone's site (now corrected) -- but I wonder if that's a date they've copied in US format?

Edited by 2F-001, 06 June 2020 - 13:31.

[Tim Murray]

Don’t forget that Nick Skeens came to TNF for help with various questions relating to Barnard. He obviously put in a lot of effort to make sure he got things as correct as he could.