15 replies to this topic

[vroom-vroom]

It's a novel by Mike Breslin featuring a black (!) Ferrari F399 on the cover, and I would like to know whether it's worthwhile reading. I know there is another thread on technical F1 books; sorry if you think this is a repetitive post.

The ad says the following:

Set in the colorful, high-tech world of Formula One, "The Unfair Advantage" is one of the most authentic motor racing novels of all time - a tale of intrigue, sex, and 200 mph thrills set against a backdrop industrial espionage. A story that is guaranteed to grip from lights to flag...

As you may imagine, I'm mostly interested in a review of the sex scenes...

[This message has been edited by vroom-vroom (edited 04-12-2000).]

[mono-posto]

I haven't read the book, but it sounds good to me!;)

The 'black horse' was the pre-'99 test car.
I always though it was damn attractive in black, but I'm partial to corsa rossa as well.

[journeyman]

When was this book published and where did you come across it? I've never heard of it, and it isn't listed on the Barnes & Noble or Amazon websites.

[An alternate question: Has anyone ever come across any racing novel that was any good?]

[desmo]

Why buy a book to get F1 fiction when there's plenty posted right here?

[Ray Bell]

..and with more rubbish than any single author could possibly dream up by himself!

------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...

[magnum]

I read the same advert in Autopsort when i passed through London on Monday - I went down Charing Cross Road to Blackwells, Borders and three other smaller book stores - a check on all books on print proved that this novel does not seem to exist. The closest related title was one by an Australian publisher, but no details were handy.

Instead I bought "racers" by a guy called Williams (not The Williams), and have been very happy with it. I also bought Sid Watkins' autobiography and would reccomend anyone read it - not only sad, but at places so funny it will have you laughing out loud at his very dry and laconic humour.

[Laphroaig]

Journeyman: I one read a novel by Bob Judd, he has written a couple of books about the grand prix scene, wasn't bad wasn't good... and it's the only one I can think of right now... I can remember he invented a couple of really serious (fatal) crashed... the story was set in the 70ies if I remember correctly...

[Indian Chief]

a tale of intrigue, sex

Is this book based on the days when Berger drove for the Prancing Horse?

[magnum]

Bob judd wrote "indy" and "monza" amongst others featuring the same hero whose name I plain forget. Good plane reading ...

[Sean L]

I recently read a Bob Judd book called Formula 1 and it was one of the worst books I've read. There was about 5 pages of on track action in total and the rest wasn't very believable.

[magnum]

I've read far far worse - Schumacher's biography by some guy who I won't mention must stand out as the worst piece of tripe ever written - and most of that was fiction too

[vroom-vroom]

It actually might be a black F2000 on the cover...I saw the full-page ad in Autosport Magazine. The references are:

Rough Diamond Media Ltd
Diamond House,
55 Oxford Street,
Caversham, Reading, Berks. RG4 8HN www.roughdiamondmedia.co.uk
phone: 0118 947 2660

[Williams]

The recent books I have read about F1 are, in descending order of enjoyment:

Racers: Richard Williams - 1997 season, a great read.

Michael Schumacher - the quest for redemption - James Allen - again the 1998 season, but from the perspective of MS's sin at Jerez in 97. I didn't even know JA is writer, but he is quite good.

Formula One Uncovered - Derick Allsop - 1998 season with some greater insider interviews.

Frank Williams - Maurice Hamilton - Life of FW. Interesting perspective on the man behind the scowl.

Eddie Irvine - Life in the Fast Lane - Interesting inside view of 1999 season, a bit self-serving in places, but interesting to see how the enigmatic EI thinks.

Chasing the Title - Nigel Roebuck - general F1 history. A good general reference, OK if you like older F1 history.

[journeyman]

I did locate the book by doing a search on amazon.com.uk and included there is a fairly extensive (and glowing) review by "an F1 fan."
[I was beginning to worry that the book didn't really exist and the thread was actually a satirical commentary on the TC debate (Ferrari. . .unfair advantage), but I had been too dense to catch it!]

[cjs f1]

Mark Donohue wrote a book about racing technology and strategy called, "The Unfair Advantage". It was published about 25 years ago, and from what I understand should be re-released very soon, sounds a lot better than the book mentioned above.

[P1 Pyrsol]

Donohue's book was written with Paul Van Valkenburg, published in 1970, and usually sells for USD$400-500.

Let's hope they re-publish it, 'cos right now there are only two copies in the world available for sale.

Regards,

P1 Pyrsol