13 replies to this topic

[Hunt the Shunt Fan]

I would like to read a biography/history of Enzo Ferrari and his car company. Can somebody recommend a good book?

Thanks!

[Zawed]

Ferrari by Brock Yates is an OK one although it won't have the recent history of the Ferrari team. Goes up to about 188 or so I think.

[Dennis David]

The Brock Yates biography is considered by many to be the best. You might also consider The Roaring Races by Giulio Schmidt and Ferrari a Memory by Gino Rancati amongst others.

[Gary Davies]

The Yates book has always attracted a deal of divided opinion - I recall a poster here some time ago, for example, saying something like " it pretends to be a Ferrari history ... should be filed in the recycling bin ... ".

Some time since I read it through but I believe it's an important and most valid record of Ferrari's life. I applaud Yates' honesty in acknowledging to the reader those occasions when he was (of necessity) delving into speculation about certain aspects of Ferrari's frequently mysterious and labyrinthine career.

Vanwall.

[cabianca]

Flawed as it is, Brock Yates book on Ferrari is the only real attempt to document Ferrari's life. It is sensationalized and much of the controversial stuff is not corroborated, but it's still, by far, the best. All the Italian stuff is garbage. Just lapping up the milk Ferrari poured into the bowl without questioning it. It's one of the great conundrums of motor racing history. The primary sources will not work with anyone but an Italian, but no Italian will tell the truth about Ferrari. He still rules, now from the grave.

[Dennis David]

I can't disagree. We'll just have to wait for Karl's book if it ever happens.

[Gerr]

Have you read Ferrari's autobiography?

[mikedeering]

Try here

Richard Williams has just published a biography on Ferrari. I've read it, and it's pretty good - focuses mainly on 1920s-1950s.

Not as good as Williams' other books - but then this is written as a straight-forward biography unlike the other two.

[Brian O Flaherty]

Originally posted by mikedeering
Try here

Richard Williams has just published a biography on Ferrari. I've read it, and it's pretty good - focuses mainly on 1920s-1950s.

Not as good as Williams' other books - but then this is written as a straight-forward biography unlike the other two.

Yeah I cant wait til I get around to reading that book. I got it for Christmas but first I have to finish Donaldson's book on GVilleneuve and Nigel Roebuck's book on 50 years of F1

Is it a fun read or is it boringly 'a' to 'b' to 'c' about his career ? Marks out of 10 would be nice ;)

[F1master]

imo the yates book is quite good ;)

[jswavy]

Does anyone know where to get a copy of the Brock Yates book at a decent price? It's out of print and the best price I can find is $75. Any help would be appreciated.

[Gary Davies]

Originally posted by jswavy
Does anyone know where to get a copy of the Brock Yates book at a decent price? It's out of print and the best price I can find is $75. Any help would be appreciated.

Quick Quick! The Oxfam Shop at Hertford UK has it at 20 quid. See http://dogbert.abebo...ls?bi=107418910

Vanwall.

[jswavy]

Thanks Vanwall. I just ordered the book.

[Don Capps]

Originally posted by cabianca
Flawed as it is, Brock Yates book on Ferrari is the only real attempt to document Ferrari's life. It is sensationalized and much of the controversial stuff is not corroborated, but it's still, by far, the best. All the Italian stuff is garbage. Just lapping up the milk Ferrari poured into the bowl without questioning it. It's one of the great conundrums of motor racing history. The primary sources will not work with anyone but an Italian, but no Italian will tell the truth about Ferrari. He still rules, now from the grave.

Michael is dead center mass on this one. Upon my first reading of the Yates' book I was uncertain what to make of it -- although being familar with Yates' tendancy to hype things a bit, some of what was in it was "sensational." However, while some of the "controversial" material is uncorroborated, there is reason to consider some of it rather a bit more seriously than just dismissing it. The second time I read the book, I was more accepting of what Yates' had written. Warts and all, I must echo Michael and agree that it is still the best of the (generally sorry) bunch.

All too true about the Italian material -- almost makes you retch to read it or get tested for diabetes...