Book Reviews Archives - Page 10 of 13

Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman

Fans of Paul Newman's legendary performances on the silver screen may not be aware that he was also a legend on the racetrack. Following his passing in September 2008, the time was right for Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman, a book which takes its title from the 1968 film in which Newman starred. Written by Motor Trend editor Matt Stone and freelance automotive journalist Preston Lerner, Winning chronicles a Hollywood icon's love affair with racing. From victories behind the wheel to the trials of team ownership, Winning captures Newman as friends and rivals alike saw him: a devoted gentleman racer with an acting job on the side.

Legendary Race Cars

There is no sport that touts the symbiotic relationship between man and machine like race car driving. And Legendary Race Cars author and photographer Basem Wasef beautifully captures this high speed pursuit in all its glory and emotion; emotion that ranges from courage to fear, elation, to humiliation. Through vivid human detail, and a collection of fantastic photographs, this book chronicles some of the most memorable races run by some of the most memorable names in motorsports, such as Mario Andretti's win at the 1978 Formula One World Championship, or Stirling Moss' improbable victory at the 1955 Mille Miglia. Legendary Race Cars is written in blood, grease, sweat, and gasoline. And for $35, every drop can be yours.

It’s Only Original Once: Unrestored Classic Cars

A flawless restoration turns heads, but an unrestored classic car can be an absolute show stopper. "It's Only Original Once: Unrestored Classic Cars" explores the allure of the unmolested original. Among the cars captured in the over 500 colored photographs is a '57 Corvette wearing its first and only coat of paint it ever had. And a 1960 Mercury Montclair with barely 20,000 original miles on the odometer. Author Richard Lentinello writes passionately about these time capsule cars, from drip patterns on door jams to decades old maintenance decals nothing goes over looked. For restorers this book is a fantastic guide to a period perfect restoration. For everyone else, its like opening a long lost jar of new car smell.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway: 100 Years of Racing

In 1909, four men purchased 320 acres of Indiana farmland for $500, beat out a loop of hard-pack, and called it the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Since then, it has become the most recognizable venues in racing. In anticipation of the Speedway's hundredth anniversary, Ralph Kramer penned Indianapolis Motor Speedway: 100 Years of Racing, a book of pictures to commemorate the track's fascinating history. Kramer is quick to acknowledge that this is not a definitive history of the racetrack, but that doesn't detract anything from this handsome hardcover. From the evolution of the track-side "Pagoda" to the faces on the Borg-Warner Trophy, Kramer doesn't miss a beat. With a foreword written beautifully by Mario Andretti, Indianapolis Motor Speedway: 100 Years of Racing is destined to become a classic. And for $30, it's a good deal, too.

Mickey Thompson: The Fast Life and Tragic Death of a Racing Legend

Though if begins and ends with an untimely death, Erik Arneson's book Mickey Thompson: The Fast Life and Tragic Death of a Racing Legend is a full-fledge tribute to a racer who remains larger than life long after his mysterious murder in 1988. This comprehensive biography seeks to examine not only Thompson's assassination but his remarkable life and accomplishments too. The author includes dozens of interviews with the likes of Dan Gurney, Mario Andretti and Don Prudhomme as well as a treasure-trove of photographs and stories all by the people who knew Thompson best.

Shelby Cars In Detail

Big coffee table books about famous cars are a dime a dozen, and few of them, even the cheap ones, are rarely worth their asking price. But Shelby Cars In Detail, by Frank Barrett and Boyd Jaynes, is not only one of the most expensive that we've ever seen, it's also one of the best. $149.95 buys you a massive book presenting 26 significant machines from the Shelby American Collection. Each chapter is devoted to a single car, and combines Frank Barrett's concise but complete history of the machine, with Boyd Jaynes' gorgeous full color photography. It's heaven in a book for serious Shelby fans, and one that we'd love to see on a coffee table or book shelf of our own.

Portraits

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the striking photos that fill the pages of Portraits are a veritable encyclopedia of motor sports history. In this fine photo book, veteran racing photographer Jesse Alexander brings us a most memorable collection of his favorite photos, each capturing a magical moment in time with history's greatest drivers and team owners, as well as the mechanics and fans that made it all possible. These beautiful photos, mostly black and white, cover four decades of Mr. Alexander's career, and are a fitting tribute to both his subjects, and his own remarkable skill.

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