The Life Of Senna by Tom Rubython
Discussion
Any one else receive this in their stocking over Xmas?
I am currently half way through reading about the mythical Senna and enjoying it immensely. Being a young chap when Senna was in his prime I never fully appreciated I was watching one of the greatest drivers of all time in action.
The book was drawn from a series of articles originally intended for the author’s magazine, BusinessF1, but expanded into a book at some point. Unfortunately this does show a number of times throughout what I have read so far, there is a lack of flow between the chapters and much of the information in one chapter is often repeated again later on too which I found distracting. The other negative point is that the book is poorly edited in parts and there are some fairly obvious spelling errors which I would not expect from a mainstream book that was advertised nationally in print and pushed by some major retailers for Xmas (probably the crux, rushed for the extra pounds...).
Keith Sutton contributes photos from his personal archive which is great as he was Sennas personal photographer/PR representative from the very early days and adds to the detail included in the text.
Overall the book has already taught me why Senna is consistently referred to as the greatest F1 driver of all time and also what he possessed within his mind that allowed him to be that step above the average driver. Late eighties/early nineties Formula One also sounds like an amazing spectacle with so many great drivers and real competition, plus the effects of the massive money the tobacco firms bought into the sport and how sponsorship made stars of the drivers. I have not got to his death yet but I suspect I will be reading Richard Williams book after I have finish this one as I have heard many a good review of that.
Rubython has written a solid and interesting book which covers the most important points in Sennas life and racing career and presumably the aftermath of his death. It would of been nice if it had been proof read a few more times before going to print as this stops it being a really good book.
I need to read more about past F1 heroes now so if anyone has any recommendations then let me know.
I am currently half way through reading about the mythical Senna and enjoying it immensely. Being a young chap when Senna was in his prime I never fully appreciated I was watching one of the greatest drivers of all time in action.
The book was drawn from a series of articles originally intended for the author’s magazine, BusinessF1, but expanded into a book at some point. Unfortunately this does show a number of times throughout what I have read so far, there is a lack of flow between the chapters and much of the information in one chapter is often repeated again later on too which I found distracting. The other negative point is that the book is poorly edited in parts and there are some fairly obvious spelling errors which I would not expect from a mainstream book that was advertised nationally in print and pushed by some major retailers for Xmas (probably the crux, rushed for the extra pounds...).
Keith Sutton contributes photos from his personal archive which is great as he was Sennas personal photographer/PR representative from the very early days and adds to the detail included in the text.
Overall the book has already taught me why Senna is consistently referred to as the greatest F1 driver of all time and also what he possessed within his mind that allowed him to be that step above the average driver. Late eighties/early nineties Formula One also sounds like an amazing spectacle with so many great drivers and real competition, plus the effects of the massive money the tobacco firms bought into the sport and how sponsorship made stars of the drivers. I have not got to his death yet but I suspect I will be reading Richard Williams book after I have finish this one as I have heard many a good review of that.
Rubython has written a solid and interesting book which covers the most important points in Sennas life and racing career and presumably the aftermath of his death. It would of been nice if it had been proof read a few more times before going to print as this stops it being a really good book.
I need to read more about past F1 heroes now so if anyone has any recommendations then let me know.
HeavySoul said:
Keith Sutton contributes photos from his personal archive which is great as he was Sennas personal photographer/PR representative from the very early days and adds to the detail included in the text.
I have Sutton's 'Ayrton Senna - A Personal Tribute' which is good read with some superb photos throughout.
HeavySoul said:
I need to read more about past F1 heroes now so if anyone has any recommendations then let me know.
'Villeneuve' by Gerald Donaldson. Again, I have a copy of this cracking read which you're more than welcome to borrow, if you wish. A superb biog about my ultimate F1 hero.
Trackside said:
HeavySoul said:
Keith Sutton contributes photos from his personal archive which is great as he was Sennas personal photographer/PR representative from the very early days and adds to the detail included in the text.
I have Sutton's 'Ayrton Senna - A Personal Tribute' which is good read with some superb photos throughout.
HeavySoul said:
I need to read more about past F1 heroes now so if anyone has any recommendations then let me know.
'Villeneuve' by Gerald Donaldson. Again, I have a copy of this cracking read which you're more than welcome to borrow, if you wish. A superb biog about my ultimate F1 hero.
I may well take you up on your generous offer there Trackside, thank you. 
oggs said:
Trackside said:
And guess what...
It's in a bookshop near me!!
It's on a shelf much nearer to me...
HeavySoul said:
Saw that on a mates shelf over the weekend and looked good - Hunt was a big personality from what I have read previously so should be a good read.
Looking in your library Trackside, is there a good book about Jim Clark propping up a sagging shelf?
Looking in your library Trackside, is there a good book about Jim Clark propping up a sagging shelf?
Er, no actually. I have got Fangio, Senna, Mansell, Irvine, Hunt, Villeneuve, Carl Fogarty and Barry Sheene.
Next time you're over this way, come and have a browse through my 'library'.
I bought the hardback of this and it's been sitting on my bookshelf for a fair time, must get stuck into it soon.
Agree with the Donaldson books, he also did a good one for Fangio too.
Richard Willams is also a fine author - as well as the Death of Ayrton Senna, it's worth seeking out Racers and his biography of Enzo Ferrari.
Other ones I'd recommend are:
Anecdotal:
Life at the Limit - Professor Sid Watkins: fascinating tales of his work saving driver's lives
Chasing the Title - Nigel Roebuck: wonderful read, as enjoyable as Fifth Column is in Autosport every week
It Beats Working and It Still Beats Working - Eoin Young: great to dip in and out of
Biographies:
Flat Out, Flat Broke - Perry McCarthy: will have you laughing all the way through at the man's comically tragic bad luck
The Lost Generation - David Tremayne: desperately sad but compelling tale of three hot-shots whose lives were cut short
My Story - Alessandro Zanardi: entertaining account of a modern day hero, pulls suprisingly few punches, either
Other:
Hitler's Grand Prix in Europe - Christopher Hilton: Telling insight into the Donnington races in the 30s where the British gentlemen racers and spectators gained first hand experience of the might of Nazi Germany
Formula One Fanatic - Koen Verger: Dutch journalist and poet writes an enjoyable ode to his passion
As you can see I enjoy a good motor racing read!
Agree with the Donaldson books, he also did a good one for Fangio too.
Richard Willams is also a fine author - as well as the Death of Ayrton Senna, it's worth seeking out Racers and his biography of Enzo Ferrari.
Other ones I'd recommend are:
Anecdotal:
Life at the Limit - Professor Sid Watkins: fascinating tales of his work saving driver's lives
Chasing the Title - Nigel Roebuck: wonderful read, as enjoyable as Fifth Column is in Autosport every week
It Beats Working and It Still Beats Working - Eoin Young: great to dip in and out of
Biographies:
Flat Out, Flat Broke - Perry McCarthy: will have you laughing all the way through at the man's comically tragic bad luck
The Lost Generation - David Tremayne: desperately sad but compelling tale of three hot-shots whose lives were cut short
My Story - Alessandro Zanardi: entertaining account of a modern day hero, pulls suprisingly few punches, either
Other:
Hitler's Grand Prix in Europe - Christopher Hilton: Telling insight into the Donnington races in the 30s where the British gentlemen racers and spectators gained first hand experience of the might of Nazi Germany
Formula One Fanatic - Koen Verger: Dutch journalist and poet writes an enjoyable ode to his passion
As you can see I enjoy a good motor racing read!
spectatorsam said:
save yourself a lot of dissapointment...
love him as i do
avoid the Nigel Mansell book
what a boring man
Great to watch
dull to read
Same as the Valentino Rossi one Legend on the track, but story teller, he aint
tip; open the book at page 70 and read on from there, the rest is cat
love him as i do
avoid the Nigel Mansell book
what a boring man
Great to watch
dull to read
Same as the Valentino Rossi one Legend on the track, but story teller, he aint
tip; open the book at page 70 and read on from there, the rest is cat
Quite. It's rare to find a decent biog about 'modern' racers as so many are faceless corporate employees. That's why the ones about the older stars are more interesting.
Another good read, although not F1-based, is David Gordon's book about Derek Bennett, the man behind the Chevron marque. Possibly the best racing book I have read (and I have read a few...)
spectatorsam said:
save yourself a lot of dissapointment...
love him as i do
avoid the Nigel Mansell book
what a boring man
Great to watch
dull to read
love him as i do
avoid the Nigel Mansell book
what a boring man
Great to watch
dull to read
I have that somewhere but haven't got around to reading it yet, although from reading about his races against Senna I was determined to dig it out again. I also have a book on Damon Hill but didn't get past the first few chapters last time I read it.
Trackside said:
Come and study at my motorsport university
kevin ritson said:
Biographies:
Flat Out, Flat Broke - Perry McCarthy: will have you laughing all the way through at the man's comically tragic bad luck
The Lost Generation - David Tremayne: desperately sad but compelling tale of three hot-shots whose lives were cut short
Flat Out, Flat Broke - Perry McCarthy: will have you laughing all the way through at the man's comically tragic bad luck
The Lost Generation - David Tremayne: desperately sad but compelling tale of three hot-shots whose lives were cut short
Ah yes, forgot about McCarthy's book. It is very amusing. Have read excellent reviews about 'The Lost Generation' - I think one of the magazines gave it their Book of the Year award. Must get myself a copy.
i've just finished reading the lost generation, a very good, thought provoking and ultimately sad book. the reasons behind the air crash of graham hill and tony brise beggar belief - a cavalier attitude does not cover it..
i've pretty much read all the other books mentioned, villenueve is by far the best, most of the senna ones i've found disappointing/
zanardis is good, as is murray walker and stirling moss, and piers courage, and jo ramirez is ggod if only for providing confirmation about how you think ron dennis really is.
i've pretty much read all the other books mentioned, villenueve is by far the best, most of the senna ones i've found disappointing/
zanardis is good, as is murray walker and stirling moss, and piers courage, and jo ramirez is ggod if only for providing confirmation about how you think ron dennis really is.
if you like really good biographies you can't beat a good 1950's one for tales of gentlemenly behaviour on the track, and high jinks off the track.
and the ultimate on of these has to be Duncan Hamiltons Touch Wood.
from his growing up in Ireland, his war service and his motor racing its simply hilarious, and i think should be mandatory reading for modern F1 drivers.
and the ultimate on of these has to be Duncan Hamiltons Touch Wood.
from his growing up in Ireland, his war service and his motor racing its simply hilarious, and i think should be mandatory reading for modern F1 drivers.
I thought that the Maurice Hamilton ( a commentator I don't much care for) senna book was quite good, I also liked the fact that the Coulthard one whilst paying service to the great wide jawed one, also served as a good advert for the skills of Mr Mc Nish, in the early chapters.
I would like a look at a Stirling Moss one or a Jacky Stewart one ( he's met me y'know!!!)
any recomendations
I would like a look at a Stirling Moss one or a Jacky Stewart one ( he's met me y'know!!!)
any recomendations
There are a few on Moss, including an autobiography from when he was still racing called "All But my Life".
More recently, Robert Edwards did a pretty functional but well illustrated biog of Moss - "Stirling Moss: The Authorised Biography".
My favourite Moss book is a colaboration with historian Doug Nye called "Stirling Moss - My Cars, My Career".
More recently, Robert Edwards did a pretty functional but well illustrated biog of Moss - "Stirling Moss: The Authorised Biography".
My favourite Moss book is a colaboration with historian Doug Nye called "Stirling Moss - My Cars, My Career".
Edited by Eric Mc on Saturday 6th January 19:18
spectatorsam said:
save yourself a lot of dissapointment...
love him as i do
avoid the Nigel Mansell book
what a boring man
Great to watch
dull to read
love him as i do
avoid the Nigel Mansell book
what a boring man
Great to watch
dull to read
Actually, I quite enjoyed the Mansell autobiog. You can't deny he had a pretty unusual route to F1 and had to beg, borrow and all but steal to get the money and backing on the way. A far cry from the monied backgrounds of many other drivers. Remortgaging your flat to buy an F3 drive for example, that's real determination and self belief, characteristics that I'm sure most would agree served him well once he finally broke into F1.
dont get me wrong
i think Mansell was a genius in the car and pretty shrewed out of it.
But there was more than a hint of
".. i told them!!.." which he may well have had a right to but the thing that spoiled it for me was as you read it you were more and more amazed at how much and how many times ...
he NEARLY won. then when you read the stats at the back of the book, it seems to be a different driver they are talking about.
Love Mans'
love seeing him even now giving 110% in the masters, but the book was a little self absorbed for me
i think Mansell was a genius in the car and pretty shrewed out of it.
But there was more than a hint of
".. i told them!!.." which he may well have had a right to but the thing that spoiled it for me was as you read it you were more and more amazed at how much and how many times ...
he NEARLY won. then when you read the stats at the back of the book, it seems to be a different driver they are talking about.
Love Mans'
love seeing him even now giving 110% in the masters, but the book was a little self absorbed for me
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