11010 replies to this topic

[ERault]

I ordered it some weeks ago via Amazon Belgium, which is currently selling the book for a discounted 259€ (free P&P and, most importantly, no surprises in the form of import charges!).

 

The drawback is that is planned to be shipped by mid July   .

Thank you for the heads up. Did you manage to plan a delivery outside Belgium ? I am in France and my address is rejected when I try to confirm the order...

[a_tifoosi]

Thank you for the heads up. Did you manage to plan a delivery outside Belgium ? I am in France and my address is rejected when I try to confirm the order...

 

I live in Belgium, so I didn't have any problem  .

 

You can try Amazon Netherlands or UK. The price isn't as competitive, but perhaps they ship to France.

[GT40Man]

Thanks Mr. Saltinstall! This will provide a little more detail:

 

Power Unleashed

 

Trailblazers Who Energised Engines

with Supercharging and Turbocharging

 

by Karl Ludvigsen

 

Multi-award-winning author Karl Ludvigsen takes the reader behind the scenes of the roller-coaster ride of supercharging, turbocharging and even more exotic power-boosting inventions throughout automotive and aviation history. Supercharging in all its forms is the most exciting feature ever created to go under the bonnet of a motor car. Blowers were rare yet highly desirable devices in their early heyday of the 1920s and ’30s, an era in which compressors graced supremely glamorous and race-winning cars. They also won respect from aviators eager to exploit high altitudes.

 

Prolific use of forced induction in the air in World War 2 brought forth the many engineering geniuses who populate these pages. Having seemed abandoned on land, supercharging found new acolytes who perfected blowers for road and track. They rescued the turbocharger to open new avenues for high-pressure boosting in the 1970s and ’80s. Into the 21st century turbocharging has found its way into more and more cars to enhance both performance and fuel efficiency.

 

Power Unleashed is a three-volume work of astonishing depth and detail. Greatly respected for his ability to communicate information while telling a compelling story, Karl Ludvigsen explores the global saga of supercharging and turbocharging. Complete with reader-friendly technical descriptions and magnificent illustrations, he introduces the fascinating individuals who bet their businesses on boosting. This is a landmark work in the histories of the automobile and aeroplane.

 

This book comprises three hardback volumes in a slipcase.

 

£395.00

I have just received my copy.

Fantastic!
Highly recommended.

[karlcars]

Attention all readers, writers and editors! You too can have this experience!

 

I've just received the first correction of Power Unleashed.

 

On page 303 of Volume 1 the caption of the upper image is incorrect. It should read as follows:

 

Newly equipped with a Holley carburetor, in 1951 the Novi of Duke Nalon set a new four-lap qualifying record at 136.498 mph with a best lap of 137.049. Behind him is a new 1951 Chrysler with its soon-to-be-famous "Hemi" V-8.

 

Apologies and best,

 

Karl Ludvigsen 

[WINO]

I don't have your book, Karl, so I don't know what the original caption was. But there is always some specialist who knows just a little more detail. Perhaps Henri Greuter, based on the contents of the caption?

 

Incidentally, I just reread your interesting article "View on Valves" in Sports Car Illustrated, the April 1956 issue. Well done!

Edited by WINO, Yesterday, 00:31.

[karlcars]

Speaking of Henri Greuter, I have just received this news from him:  "It is with sadness that I inform you about the fact that my friend, and co-author on the Novi books, Dr George Peters has died om May 13th, 93 years old,"

 

Henri was and is working on a revision of the Novi front-drive story. It would be welcome and a fine tribute  to George.

 

Karl Ludvigsen

[ReWind]

Dr. George Bernard Peters passed away peacefully on May 13, 2025. May was always the highlight of the year, with the entire month dedicated to the Indianapolis 500 and its pre-race activities. It seems fitting that he choose his favorite month to go home.
He was born December 5, 1931 in Chicago, the son of Bernard William Peters and Alice Rosemary Johnson Peters. He earned his B.S. in Education from the University of Central Arkansas when he met Barbara Jeanne Hamaker and they were united in marriage June 3, 1954 in Russellville, Arkansas.
George served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956 and then began his teaching career in Little Rock, Arkansas, before moving to St. Charles, Missouri. He taught history at St. Charles Senior High School from 1959-1988, which in 2001 named their history department in his honor. While teaching he continued his own education with a MA in History from University of Missouri-Columbia (1969), an Educational Specialist degree from Northeast Missouri State University (1982) and a Doctorate in Education from Saint Louis University (1985).
George was a very funny, faithful, loving and original person, his dry delivery and out of left field anecdotes were always entertaining.
He was a lifelong fan of auto racing - attending the Indianapolis 500 race 63 times, starting with his father, then his wife and later children, and his last races with his children and grandchildren.
After retiring from education George became a journalist, focused on Indycar racing. George was a lifetime member of the Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Club. He co-wrote two books with his friend Henri Greuter - Novi: The Legendary Indianapolis Race Car, 1941-1960 and Novi: The Legendary Indianapolis Race Car, 1961-1966. George wrote a third book, The Iron Duke: The Illustrious Racing Career of Duke Nalon, 1934-1954. He wrote for several racing publications; the column "Old Timers Pit Stop" for 25 years in the National Speed Sports News, the column "Midwest Observations" for 15 years in the Hawkeye Racing News, as well as for the Illustrated Speedway News and Western Racing News.
George and Barbara traveled extensively through the U.S. and made several enjoyable trips to Europe. Throughout the summer of the 1960s and 1970s George, Barbara and their children took long and winding road trips throughout many of the national parks and historic sites in the west, visiting family and friends along the way.
George is survived by two children, Nancy Thater (husband Jeff Thater) and Bruce Peters; three grandchildren, Jared Thater, Alicia Thater (significant other Sean Henry) and Shianne Peters (fiancé Jack Crain), his sister Donna Rohrer, sister-in-law Linda Reasoner, brother-in-law Richard Kitt and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years Barbara, his parents, daughter and son-in-law Sally and John Drennan Jr, sister Marlene Cross, sister-in-law Jane Kitt and brother-in-law C. Otho Reasoner Jr.
Visitation to celebrate his life will be held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Oltmann Funeral Home in Washington, Missouri. A memorial service will be held on May 31, 2025 at the Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Pottsville, Arkansas. Burial with full military honors will follow in Pisgah Cemetery in Pottsville, Arkansas (following the Indy 500 because he was adamant no one should miss the greatest spectacle in racing).
Later in life during George's lengthy years spent in assisted living and nursing home facilities George became an avid and thankful user of the free audio books services provided by the Wolfner Library. He listened to many books on history, racing and sometimes random fiction which were never his preferred genre. Any donation in his memory is greatly appreciated to the Friends of Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library or a charitable organization of your choice.
The Peters family is served by Oltmann Funeral Home in Washington, Missouri, and Humphrey Funeral Service in Russellville, Arkansas.

(Source)

[PRD]

Latest email from Porter Press again brings no news on their proposed, but postponed book festival. They do say they’re having an open day or days at their Worcestershire HQ on 11-12 October. More details to follow in future emails.

[FastReader]

Latest email from Porter Press again brings no news on their proposed, but postponed book festival. They do say they’re having an open day or days at their Worcestershire HQ on 11-12 October. More details to follow in future emails.

However, also from that newsletter, the Ferrari 275P book by Keith Bluemel that they're about to publish looks like a beauty. More details here.

Edited by FastReader, Yesterday, 21:48.

[FastReader]

Does anybody know what is happening with the publication of Editions Cercle D'Art's "Car Racing 1971" in the UK? I saw the published book at Retromobile back at the beginning of February but every time it gets to the UK publication date the date is moved back again. Speedy Hen have had it on pre-order for months but their latest date of 21st April has now been put back to 12th May. Meanwhile Amazon have publication as 26th May. It appears to be available everywhere except the UK. Why? I wish I'd bought a copy in Paris in February. 

At long last Speedyhen have it in stock and my copy arrived today. Woo!

[jtremlett]

However, also from that newsletter, the Ferrari 275P book by Keith Bluemel that they're about to publish looks like a beauty. More details here.

Luckily, with a good saving from Speedyhen.  Not that I do ever save any money.  I just end up buying more books!!!