Book Reviews

Ford versus Ferrari

These days when we talk about Ford doing battle on the race track, it’s usually against Chevrolet, Dodge, and Toyota.  But there was a time when they had much loftier competition.  And you can read all about those epic on-track battles, as well as all of the work that went on behind the scenes in Ford Versus Ferrari: The Battle for Le Mans and Sports Car Supremacy by Anthony Pritchard.  Yes, in the 60’s it was the GT40 verses Ferrari all over Europe, but their most intense battles took place at 24 Hours of Le Mans.  So, whether you’re a fan of Ford, Ferrari, or just European sports car racing, it’s a genuine Must Read.

Steve McQueen, The Last Mile Revisited

There have been no shortages on books about steve mcqueen that take up residence on our shelves. But none quite like this one. Instead of the usual stories of his racing exploits or pictures of his car and motorcycle collections, “Steve McQueen, The Last Mile Revisited” takes a look at the last few years of his life as he was winding down his acting career… stubbornly fighting illness and found real joy with his third wife, the author of this book, Barbara mcqueen. Full of intimate pictures and heartwarming stories, this book is a real must rear for fans of the original “king of cool.”

Driven by Desire: The Desire Wilson Story

Those of you who think that women in auto racing begins and ends with Danica Patrick need to get an education.  And a good place to start would be by turning the pages of Driven by Desire: The Desire Wilson Story. Written by her husband, race track developer Alan Wilson, it chronicles this South African woman’s rise from beating the boys at the Go Kart track at age 5, through the ranks of European Sports Car racing, and breaking the glass ceiling of Formula One. It’s a genuine underdog story and a Must Read for true fans of auto racing history.

The One Percenter Code

In a dog eat dog world where people do whatever’s necessary to get ahead, it’s refreshing to read about a group of people who still live by a code of honor. “The One Percenter Code. How to Live Like an Outlaw in a World Gone Soft,” by Dave Nichols shows there’s a lot more to motorcycle clubs than what you’ve seen on cable TV shows and bad biker flicks.

And whether we agree with their methods or not, we can all learn something from them. And if you’re truly clueless about the world of motorcycle clubs, it might help to have “The One Percenter Encyclopedia,” by Bill Hayes to help you navigate.

Formula One at Watkins Glen

While Indianapolis and Daytona may get a lot of the fanfare when it comes to American race tracks, there are many historic tracks in this country with stories to tell, and Michael Argetsinger celebrates one of our favorite circuits in his book Formula One at Watkins Glen. Throughout its photo-filled 160-pages is a race by race account of the 20-years that Watkins Glen hosted the United States Grand Prix. Michael truly has an insider’s perspective, as it was his father Cameron Argetsinger who first brought sports car racing to Watkins Glen in 1948, and Formula One racing in 1961, making this book a true Must Read for any fan of world class auto racing in America.

Driving on the Edge: The Art and Science of Race Driving

No matter how long you’ve been driving or how much track time you’ve logged; there is always room for improvement.  And those looking for some will be well served by reading Driving on the Edge: The Art and Science of Race Driving by Michael Krumm.  For those of you not familiar with Krumm, the German born racer progressed through Karts and Formula cars to GT racing where he currently pilots a Nissan GTR in Japan’s Super GT Championship.  A comprehensive look at all aspects of racing, this book is truly a Must Read for anyone looking to shave a few tenths off their lap times.

Steve McQueen, A Passion for Speed

Very few people have managed to successfully merge Hollywood and motorsports like Steve McQueen. Truly an icon in both fields, McQueen always felt more at home around fast machines at the track, or in the desert on a motorcycle, than he ever did around cluttered movie sets.

But in his book “Steve McQueen, a Passion for Speed,” French author Frederic Brun uses tons of revealing photographs and a few stories to show us that he took both passions equally seriously.

So whether you’re a fan of his acting talents or his racing prowess, “Steve McQueen, a Passion for Speed” is a true must-read.