106 replies to this topic

[Rene]

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought it might be a good idea to find out about some of the F1 books people have been reading, and to recommend a few of my own. Hopefully we can all point each other in the right direction over books to buy, and books to avoid.

I just finished what has to be one of the best F1/racing books out there. Its called Flat Out Flat Broke - Formula 1 the Hard Way - By Perry McCarthy
Amazon Link

This is a very funny tale of a driver with some of the worst luck imaginable! Perry McCarthy relates tales of how he struggled to find sponsors for every single level of motorsport (sure opened my eyes to the life of so called pay-drivers!). He tells his tale in a very honest and very funny manner. We run across several F1 hero's in this book, from Damon Hill (who writes the forward) to Johnny Herbert, to Senna.

You get a taste of what to expect from this book from the very first paragraph where Perry writes:

I'm sure a few things made headlines back on 3 March 1961 but the big story, as far as I'm concerned, was my birth. Somehow though, the Mile End Hospital in Stepney East, London, didn't get too excited about what was my very first personal appearence

I really liked this book, I learned something about F1, and the struggle to get there, but I was also very entertained!

The second book I would recommend to all, would be Formula 1 Technology - By Peter Wright.
Amazon Link

This is an exceptional book, where F1 technology is broken down and explained. If one has even a minimum understanding of the technology of racing, this book will help you come to grips with most of the current technologies used in modern F1. Not only do you learn how these systems work, but you also learn the issues with the implementations of these technologies.

Wright has more than 35 years of hands on experience in F1, where he worked with BRM, Lotus and was a technical delegate for the FIA.

The only negative I found with this book is that the Appendix D and E, are the complete FIA regulations for 2001. This is a waste of 70 odd pages in my opinion. However this book is still a great buy, and one I would definetly recommend

Lets hear what great F1 books you are all reading!

[911]

Boy, there have been so many good ones that I don't know if I could pin point it down to just one book. I really like reading biographies on drivers. It's really interesting to see "how" they got to F1. I enjoyed all of the Senna books by Christopher Hilton, but I guess if I had to say one book it would be Meine Story by Niki Lauda. I really enjoyed that one, even though it's been many years since I've read it.

911

[ensign14]

If I had to pick one for a terrific yarn - "Cooper Cars" by Doug Nye.

If I had to pick one for reference - "Time And Two Seats" by Janos Wimpffen (sports car racing). If we're stuck with F1 it would have to be one of the Sheldon "Record" volumes, probably 2 given its rarity.

If I had to pick one for literary merit - "Power And Glory Volume 1" by William Court. Pre-F1, but Volume 2 covers 1951 to the early 70s.

[BuzzingHornet]

Jim Clark - At the Wheel (autobiog)

or

The Death of Ayrton Senna by Richard Williams

[Williams]

Also by Richard Williams, a truly great F1 book about the 1996 season, "Racers".

[catfigs]

i used to like reading niki lauda's to hell and back. why? i don't know. it really appealed to me as a teenager, i admired his self belief, his dogged refusal to give in. his determination. arrogance. probably the same qualities that get him into so much trouble nowadays.
the book i like reading these days is an old book of my dad's, automobile 1967-68. good sort of contemporary look at that year. lots of photos. a few interesting articles. statistics. stuff about lemans and so on. rallying. but the formula one stuff is the best. there's a picture somewhere of fangio watching a race by a fence somewhere, looking dreamy. these books are better than any of the recent history of formula one books i think. those contemporary sources, it hardly matters if they haven't got the facts straight all the time, it's the spirit they're written in. of course some are just bad.
i like primary sources though. they have the colour and feel of th etimes often.
bought a timothy collins book about jacques villeneuve for about 8 dollars the other day but haven't read it yet. found the roebuck year book from 88. got the impression he was getting a bit bored with the whole year book thing by 88. haven't delved far into it yet though. all the bill tuckey bathurst books. found a tattered kevin bartlett autobiography in a second hand brisbane bookshop the other day, cost a fortune though. falling apart. a friend bought me an enzo ferrari biography. by richard williams? some great stories but it didn't go into enough detail. i always wanted more. more more more. someone has to write a really good bunch of novels about formula one. really dirty warts and all action packed fun novels. or has it already been done? a hundred times? so many possibilities i think.

[Derbris]

Gilles Villeneuve by Donaldson was difficult to put down

[Moebius]

Sid Watkins, "Life at the Limit: Triumph and Tragedy in Formula One" is worth a look. Short book, quick read, but full of interesting anecdotes covering many years of F1.

Murray Walker's autobiography, "Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken", is hugely disappointing. Presumably, he felt that his F1 years had been adequately covered elsewhere or he is keeping what must be a trove of anedotal material in his back pocket for another manuscript, as the F1 coverage in the book is brief and lacking in any detail. Avoid.

[911]

Originally posted by Derbris
Gilles Villeneuve by Donaldson was difficult to put down

Yeah, I forgot about that one. That is a really good book.

[ehagar]

I didn't particularly like Peter Wright's book, Formula One technology. The appendixies can be found on the FIA website and the individual chapters weren't especially detailed. Ranks as a coffee table book to me. What disappointed me the most was the guy worked for Lotus and he could have made a far more interesting book on the design process.

I got Flat out, Flat Broke about a month ago and it is absolutely hilarious. I reccommend it.

Giorgio Piola's (sp?) technical analysis books are pretty good (and considerably cheaper than F1 technology) F1 porn.

I liked Doug Nye's book he did with Stirling Moss called :'My Cars, My Career'. It is very detailed.

For a non-F1 racing biography, I found Wayne Rainey's book pretty good. It talks about his obsession of winning the world title year after year and how it was destructive to him as a human being.

[Ghostrider]

Originally posted by Moebius
Sid Watkins, "Life at the Limit: Triumph and Tragedy in Formula One" is worth a look. Short book, quick read, but full of interesting anecdotes covering many years of F1.

I enjoyed that book very much as well.

[random]

Originally posted by Derbris
Gilles Villeneuve by Donaldson was difficult to put down

The best auto racing book I've ever read.

Gilles Villeneuve: The Life of the Legendary Racing Driver

[UMSLtifosi]

Originally posted by Moebius
Sid Watkins, "Life at the Limit: Triumph and Tragedy in Formula One" is worth a look. Short book, quick read, but full of interesting anecdotes covering many years of F1.

Murray Walker's autobiography, "Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken", is hugely disappointing. Presumably, he felt that his F1 years had been adequately covered elsewhere or he is keeping what must be a trove of anedotal material in his back pocket for another manuscript, as the F1 coverage in the book is brief and lacking in any detail. Avoid.

I have to say that I agree with you about Sid Watkins' book, it was a great read. But I disagree with your point about Murray Walker's autobiography. I found it very interesting and a great look at who he really was, rather than who we all thought he was. I loved the stories about his youth, and about how he grew up.

Also, I have to add Steve Matchett's books to the list. They're a great story about the behind-the-scenes of F1 and he has a very nice writing style. They're fun and quick to read, plus they give you a great idea about what you don't normally see on the tele.

And now that it's been mentioned, I think I'll go and read Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken again.

Cheers

UMSLtifosi

[911]

Although this isn't an entire book on F1, "Fifty Famous Motor Races" makes for very entertaining reading. It covers some amazing races (F1, Nascar, Sports Car, Indy Car) from 1935 to Mansell's victory at the British GP in 1987.

[Zawed]

I personally enjoy Doug Nye's "History of the GP Car", I only have vol 2, 66-85. Would love to get me mitts on the 66-91 edition. Wonder if Doug has plans for an update??

[ferrari_forever]

A small point about Murray Walkers book. He was an F1 commentator for x amount of years, but his book was an autobiography about him. For an F1 read it is going to be slightly disappointing, as a book about the man himself it was fantastic.

[ensign14]

Originally posted by Zawed
Wonder if Doug has plans for an update??

Pop over to the Nostalgia Forum and ask him...

[fifi]

Originally posted by ferrari_forever
A small point about Murray Walkers book. He was an F1 commentator for x amount of years, but his book was an autobiography about him. For an F1 read it is going to be slightly disappointing, as a book about the man himself it was fantastic.

i was thinking exactly the same thing

[alesifan46]

Life in the Fast Lane by Steve Matchett was a very good read
Really good view from a mechanic's point of view..hard work it is !!

Although..I'm really really waiting for the book by DirtyDavidRichards...How 2 Manage an F1 team via the MEDIA...

[AlesiUK]

dude,how can u be an Alesi fan and like matchett,the guy is a **** and half his story's are bullshit.

im lucky enough to hear a few mechanics tales first hand(not quite f1 mind) and they are far better than the crap matchet writes.

[BlackCat]

ALL BUT MY LIFE. Stirling Moss & Ken Purdy

[Rob G]

Originally posted by ensign14
If I had to pick one for literary merit - "Power And Glory Volume 1" by William Court. Pre-F1, but Volume 2 covers 1951 to the early 70s.

Volume 1 is terrific, but I don't have Volume 2.

I really enjoy Rainier Schlegelmilch's photo-filled books on F1.

[peebo]

Really enjoyed Ken Tyrrell by Maurice Hamilton and Enzo Ferrari by Richard Williams

[troyf1]

Chasing The Title - Nigel Roebuck

[WACKO]

At the moment I am getting my hands on Terry Lovell's book Bernie's game. This book is really interesting as it is an unofficial biography, which basically means it is pure without covering up facts or talking things right. Lovell is writing from his own perspective, without getting off the line of fact. The latter is not always very positive. Except for the wealth he brought Formula One he also had some less shiny affaires, most of them before or in his early F1 days.

It is interesting, as it also focuses on Bernie's early life and about him building up his fortune. Not too much has been written about him so far; at least not as far as I know.

[alesifan46]

Originally posted by AlesiUK
dude,how can u be an Alesi fan and like matchett,the guy is a **** and half his story's are bullshit.

im lucky enough to hear a few mechanics tales first hand(not quite f1 mind) and they are far better than the crap matchet writes.

I take it you DIDN"T like the book ;) ..I can't judge what the man wrote ..I just enjoyed the read!!
I would much prefer to read a MAD MAGAZINE any day..but they asked about an F1 read!!
and BTW..I luv yer signature...better one Alesi than.... awesome dude!!

[WACKO]

Originally posted by 911
Boy, there have been so many good ones that I don't know if I could pin point it down to just one book. I really like reading biographies on drivers. It's really interesting to see "how" they got to F1. I enjoyed all of the Senna books by Christopher Hilton, but I guess if I had to say one book it would be Meine Story by Niki Lauda. I really enjoyed that one, even though it's been many years since I've read it.

911

The Lauda book, is it the same one brought out with the title "To hell and back?" I heard about that one and read an excerpt in F1 Magazine some time ago. Quiet interesting and I would love to read it... if I had the time :

[911]

Originally posted by WACKO


The Lauda book, is it the same one brought out with the title "To hell and back?" I heard about that one and read an excerpt in F1 Magazine some time ago. Quiet interesting and I would love to read it... if I had the time :

Wacko,

I've often wondered the same thing. I've always heard about To Hell & Back, but I've never seen it in print. Meine Story seems to cover the same time period as To Hell & Back, so it may be the same.

911

[Garagiste]

Flat out, Flat broke is on my wish list, as is Sid Watkins first one - I've read "Beyond the Limit" and it's superb, Sid is as readable as he is affable.
I also enjoyed Muddly's autobiography, but if you want his thoughts on F1 rather than his life in general the go for "Murray Walkers F1 Heroes" instead.
Been reading "Bernie's Game" for a while now - it is very dry in parts, covering the minutiae of various deals and meetings. Well worth it though, some very funny parts and some jaw dropping revelations.

[Marcel Schot]

Originally posted by Derbris
Gilles Villeneuve by Donaldson was difficult to put down

Yeah, same here.

Have bought McCarthy's book, but didn't yet read it.

Further good ones:
Christopher Hilton - Ayrton Senna, As Time Goes By
Chris Nixon - Mon Ami Mate (about the lives of Mike Hawthorn & Peter Collins)

[mikedeering]

Gilles Villeneueve - Gerald Donaldson
James Hunt - Gerald Donaldson
Ken Tyrrell - Maurice Hamilton
Ayrton Senna: As Time Goes By - Christopher Hilton
Anything by Richard Williams - especially the Death of Ayrton Senna
Chasing The Title - Nigel Roebuck
Piranha Club - Timothy Collings
Race Without End - Maurice Hamilton

Personal Favourite - My Autobiography - Nigel Mansell (aka The People's Champion) & James Allen.

OK, maybe that last one isn't so good...

[mrob]

_It was Fun_ by Tony Rudd

http://www.amazon.co...0704060-6221268

[lukywill]

Nicha Cabral, by talento -fsantos

http://forums.atlasf...&threadid=32240

[Haddock]

I'd add 'Chequered Year' to the list - its about the birth of the March F1 team. I'm afraid I borrowed it some time ago, no longer have it lying around and can't remember who wrote it.

[bira]

If I had to pick one 1950s-related F1 book, it would be Mon Ami Mate: The Bright Brief Lives
of Mike Hawthorn and Peter Collins by Chris Nixon.

If I had to pick on 1960s-related F1 book, it would be Jim Clark: Portrait of a great driver by Graham Graham Gauld.

If I had to pick one 1970s-related F1 book, it would be Gilles Villeneuve: the life of the legendary racing driver by Gerald Donaldson.

If I had to pick one 1980s-related F1 book it would be Ayrton Senna: As Time Goes By by hristopher Hilton.

And if I had to pick one 1990s-related F1 book it would be Racers by Richard Williams.

The value of these books goes well beyond the story of the drivers they are about. They are extremely well researched, the writing is simply brilliant, and they convey a very vivid and wide portrait of the era. Very, very recommended.

[No27]

I like the Grand Prix Story YYYY seqence by Heinz Prueller very much. They used be translated in Dutch and I picked up reading them when I was 14. I discoverd I can still order them and they are very informing but also a bit Austria (Preuller is Austrian) oriented. So Niki Lauda is a bit of hero for this man which doens't add to objectivity. But who cares? There is always the running gag of Walter Wolf returning to Formula 1.

[Williams]

Originally posted by bira
If I had to pick one 1950s-related F1 book, it would be Mon Ami Mate: The Bright Brief Lives
of Mike Hawthorn and Peter Collins by Chris Nixon.

If I had to pick on 1960s-related F1 book, it would be Jim Clark: Portrait of a great driver by Graham Graham Gauld.

If I had to pick one 1970s-related F1 book, it would be Gilles Villeneuve: the life of the legendary racing driver by Gerald Donaldson.

If I had to pick one 1980s-related F1 book it would be Ayrton Senna: As Time Goes By by hristopher Hilton.

And if I had to pick one 1990s-related F1 book it would be Racers by Richard Williams.

The value of these books goes well beyond the story of the drivers they are about. They are extremely well researched, the writing is simply brilliant, and they convey a very vivid and wide portrait of the era. Very, very recommended.

It's uncanny that every one of the last four books in that list have a treasured spot in my own library, all excellent reads, with Donaldson's book my absolute fav. I guess I will be hunting around for the Nixon book now too.

[Marcel Schot]

Hehe, I have all the books on Bira's list and they're either in my favorites list or I have yet to read them

[Williams]

I've read Gauld's, Donaldson's and Williams' books each several times. The Hilton one I've read through once and I refer back to often for information, of which it is an absolute treasure trove, especially on Senna's early career. The Donaldson book I'll just pick up periodically, open randomly and start reading, and it's always a pleasure.

I met Donaldson at one of the Toronto auto bookstores for a book signing a few years back (for his "Teamwork" book on McLaren, which I found to be a disappointment compared to his other books), but I got him to sign "Teamwork" and my Villeneuve book and it was great to be able tell him personally how much I still enjoy the book.

[Don Capps]

My goodness, this is not that easy or straight-forward since books can be "favorites" for no end of reasons, often simply because they happened to be read at a particular time as well as for their merits. While I have many, many "favorites" for as many reasons, here are a few that I have enjoyed over the years:

Case History, by Norman Smith -- an excellent compilation of Smith's articles in Autosport which did much to lead me down the path of being an Enthusiast with an interest in the history of motor sports.

16 on the Grid. by Peter Garnier -- perhaps still the best book on a single GP event, Monaco 1963.

BRM, Volumes One & Two, Doug Nye -- absolute excellence from a Master Scribe.

Cooper Cars, by Doug Nye -- perhaps the most 'personal' of Doug's books and a really great read on top of everything else.

Cars at Speed, by Robert Daley -- while this book has scarcely stood the 'test of time,' there were many of us who fell under its spell, even when we knew better....

Mon Ami Mate, The Bright Brief Lives of Mike Hawthorn & Peter Collins, by Chris Nixon -- the rare book that is fully as good as its 'hype,' and perhaps one of those books that belongs on every Enthusiast's bookshelf.

Archie and the Listers, by Robert Edwards -- simply one of the best racing biographies ever, which is saying something.

Phil Hill: Yankee Champion, by William F. Nolan -- another excellent biography, this one being of one of the truly great racing drivers of the mid-century, and a personal favorite, Phil Hill.

It Was Fun!, by Tony Rudd -- It reminds me of what we are missing now that racing has become so 'corporate' and, well, bland.

Nuvolari, by Christopher Hilton -- easily his best book and one that fully does justice to its subject, plus it was well researched with material supplied by an obscure racing historian.....

Board Track: Guts, Gold, and Glory, by Dick Wallen -- a superb book and one which I could not do without!

The Last Open Raod, Montezuma's Ferrari, and The Fabulous Trashwagon, by B.S. "Burt" Levy -- By far and away the best racing fiction I have ever read, plus Burt is a helluva guy and can spin a yarn like few others I know.....

There are many others I could name, but I HAVE to include this one:

Best Damn Garage in Town, The World According to Smokey Yunick, by Smokey Yunick -- one of the true greats among those who make the cars run, you have to love a book with chapters like, "50 Good Drivers and an Asshole" or "The Mule Ain't Blind".....and he was as good in real life as in print....

[Alfisti]

Schlegelmilch ... "Grand prix - portrait of the 60's" ... for a guy born int he 70's this photo book explained a decade to me.

Magnificent.

Don, you'd love it to death.

[Geza Sury]

The Comlete History of Grand Prix Motor Racing by Adriano Cimarosti is well-researched comprehensive book.

Racing The Silver Arrows by Chris Nixon is not just informative and fascintaing, but also excellently well written.

[Vunz]

I have 'The Great Challenge', volumes 1, 2 & 3 (#4 on order) by Dieter Streve-Mülhens and Rainer Schlegelmilch. Splendid photographic work in a beautiful edition.

[AdrianM]

Has anyone read Formula 1 Fanatic by Koen Vergeer:
http://www.pitstop.n...ooks/12947.html
Any good?

[Geza Sury]

Originally posted by AdrianM
Has anyone read Formula 1 Fanatic by Koen Vergeer:
http://www.pitstop.n...ooks/12947.html
Any good?

Don't think so... Look at The BIG Book Thread for details ;)

[Marcel Schot]

Originally posted by AdrianM
Has anyone read Formula 1 Fanatic by Koen Vergeer:
http://www.pitstop.n...ooks/12947.html
Any good?

I have it. Mustn't have been very interesting, since there's a marker in it with about 30 pages to go and the book is covered in dust. Don't recall much of it, since it's obviously been years since I read it.

[AdrianM]

Thanks.
At the moment reading Flat out flat broke. Very funny

[Rene]

Originally posted by AdrianM
Thanks.
At the moment reading Flat out flat broke. Very funny

I told you so!

[Williams]

My latest read, the "Nuvolari" book by Christopher Hilton. A very well researched overview of his greatest races. I would like to have seen a much fatter volume to cover more of Nuvolari's life, but Hilton did a wonderful job considering how little is actually recorded about the man.

As I am sure is mentioned elsewhere on this site, Don Capps and AtlasF1.com gets a mention in the book for some research Don did, cited in the book, in clearing up the controvery surrounding the Tripoli GP.

My copy of "Flat Out Flat Broke" is on order.

[troyf1]

Originally posted by Williams
My copy of "Flat out Broke" is on order.

That is gonna be my next F1 book to buy. From what I've heard it's a great one.