Bernie book just out

[Nigel H]

Looks like it should be an interesting read, Bower usually does some good digging

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formul...

Sid Watkins' wife has also written one, but this has yet to surface.

[skeggysteve]

Nigel, are you sure that link is not from the Mail!

I don't think there will be a real Bernie book until he's dead and maybe not even then.
Bernie is a very clever man and so some/most of his secrets may never come out.

[belleair302]

Bernie did not show up at the launch due to his 'bratty' daughters being unhappy with what was written about their 'unusual' mother. I am sure that it is a fun read but need an electronic copy!!

[DJC]

There has been plenty of coverage about the books in the wider press. Some amusing and interesting stuff being said.

[flemke]

Nigel H said:

Sid Watkins' wife has also written one, but this has yet to surface.

It's been in the shops for several weeks.

[HeavySoul]

flemke said:

It's been in the shops for several weeks.

Indeed it has.

It has been on my bed side table for three weeks

[Life Saab Itch]

skeggysteve said:

I don't think there will be a real Bernie book until he's dead and maybe not even then.

This.

Anything else is just flower-arranging.

[Nigel H]

HeavySoul said:

Indeed it has.

It has been on my bed side table for three weeks

What's the verdict? IIRC Roebuck suggested it should be a good read

[MikeO996]

Nigel H said:

What's the verdict? IIRC Roebuck suggested it should be a good read

Written by a close friend, with Bernie authorising every draft - what do you think?

[Mike Raffone]

The book by Susan Watkins was originally an autobiography; but due to various political reasons (I'm sure someone else can elaborate on the finer details,) Bernie pulled out.

After much haggling, the book was allowed to be completed and released - but under the guise of a biography.

Tom Bower was then pulled in to write an autobiography, which has full approval of Bernie and his various 3rd party investors.

I'm currently reading the Susan Watkins book and, really, really enjoying it.

Although Tim Bowers bibliography gains more credit due to his attention to detail, ability to find the hidden agenda and his dislike for Gordon Brown.

[Nigel H]

Sounds good. I think I'll start with Watkins one then

[stuttgartmetal]

chip in if anything comes up about his motorcycle fracnchise burning down pre f1

[MikeO996]

Mike Raffone said:

The book by Susan Watkins was originally an autobiography; but due to various political reasons (I'm sure someone else can elaborate on the finer details,) Bernie pulled out.

After much haggling, the book was allowed to be completed and released - but under the guise of a biography.

Tom Bower was then pulled in to write an autobiography, which has full approval of Bernie and his various 3rd party investors.

I'm currently reading the Susan Watkins book and, really, really enjoying it.

Although Tim Bowers bibliography gains more credit due to his attention to detail, ability to find the hidden agenda and his dislike for Gordon Brown.

The Watkin's book may not be a ghosted autobiography, but it is clearly "authorised" in the sense that Bernie passed everything she has written. It is very kind and generous - and some of the chapters on the business structures and finances of F1 are prestty inpenetrable - but there's lots of good read.

[Nigel H]

Reading the reviews on Amazon of the Susan Watkins book, I'm now more inclinded towards Tom Bowers! It sounds a bit more investigative and less of a PR exercise, plus it's available in e-format

[Dr JonboyG]

Bower's books on the excrable Branson and Fayed were very good.

Apparently an F1 journo posted this on his facebook page recently:

said:

Tom Bower has written a biography of F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. He has, says Bernie, broken a promise not to write about Bernie's family. Well, this is what Bernie said to me once: 'I’m a very good friend and a bloody bad enemy. You cross me and sooner or later I’ll get you. I may not get you beaten up or chopped up, but one day I’ll level the score. I don’t forget.' Watch your back, Mr Bower ...

[sirtyro]

Dr JonboyG said:

Bower's books on the excrable Branson and Fayed were very good.

Apparently an F1 journo posted this on his facebook page recently:

said:

Tom Bower has written a biography of F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. He has, says Bernie, broken a promise not to write about Bernie's family. Well, this is what Bernie said to me once: 'I’m a very good friend and a bloody bad enemy. You cross me and sooner or later I’ll get you. I may not get you beaten up or chopped up, but one day I’ll level the score. I don’t forget.' Watch your back, Mr Bower ...

Or Bernie is just very good at getting PR

[Chrisgr31]

I am halfway through reading Bowers book (have the Kindle version) and am not surethat it is going to throw any new light on Bernie at all. The burning down of the showroom is in it, although I suspect the poster may know or believe they know, something thats not in the book.

There are a few references to car clocking but I guess the best version will be the one released after Bernies death!

[Life Saab Itch]

Anything in it about his railway job?

[Nick M]

Chrisgr31 said:

I am halfway through reading Bowers book (have the Kindle version) and am not surethat it is going to throw any new light on Bernie at all. The burning down of the showroom is in it, although I suspect the poster may know or believe they know, something thats not in the book.

I think it was on Pitpass where they made mention of the Bowers book, and how Bernie gave him unprecedented access to him and his partners. The assmumption was that BE was worried that, if Bowers was left to do his own digging, the book might not be quite so palatable...

Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer...

Agree that the 'real' story is unlikely to ever come out while BE has a breath in his body, but even then I suspect we'll only ever get a watered down version.

[MikeO996]

Nick M said:

I think it was on Pitpass where they made mention of the Bowers book, and how Bernie gave him unprecedented access to him and his partners. The assmumption was that BE was worried that, if Bowers was left to do his own digging, the book might not be quite so palatable...

Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer...

Agree that the 'real' story is unlikely to ever come out while BE has a breath in his body, but even then I suspect we'll only ever get a watered down version.

In the latest Track Driver magazine they have a review of the Watkins book, and say that it was effectively put on hold until the Bower's book became imminent, then released as a spoiler - just like the tabloids do to defuse rival's big stories - clever he is.