F1 Books You've Read/Reading...
Discussion
Just about to get myself The Mechanic by Marc Priestley...sounds like it will have some interesting stuff about 2007.
I guess this thread could be about books forumers have read and maybe their review of it?
Also read Jenson Button's autobiography that got released recently.
It was overall quite entertaining, but didn't capture the imagination as much as Damon Hill's one, really quite vivid, and I came away thinking I had a very good view of Damon as a person.
I guess this thread could be about books forumers have read and maybe their review of it?
Also read Jenson Button's autobiography that got released recently.
It was overall quite entertaining, but didn't capture the imagination as much as Damon Hill's one, really quite vivid, and I came away thinking I had a very good view of Damon as a person.
Edited by Dr Z on Friday 3rd November 12:15
I agree about Damon Hill. The first race I ever watched was Japan 1996 as a 9 year old and I loved him as a driver. The moment I heard he had a book out I had it pre-ordered and read it in a week. It's a fantastic insight in to him, and I felt for him really. I never knew he had depression, but reading how it affected him made me look at myself and seek help. I owe him a pint for that I think.
In terms of other books, I've read Perry McCarthy's book "Flat Out, Flat Broke" and it's an absolute riot of a book. Really funny, especially the bit where he pretended he was delivering pizza to Artyon Senna just to get in the paddock. Ken Tyrrell's autobiography was a good read too.
I've another book about Minardi which is interesting. Lots of photos and you find out a lot about the team other than them turning up and finishing last at every race.
In terms of other books, I've read Perry McCarthy's book "Flat Out, Flat Broke" and it's an absolute riot of a book. Really funny, especially the bit where he pretended he was delivering pizza to Artyon Senna just to get in the paddock. Ken Tyrrell's autobiography was a good read too.
I've another book about Minardi which is interesting. Lots of photos and you find out a lot about the team other than them turning up and finishing last at every race.
Thought Damon's book was excellent and delved very deep into his psyche. Well worth a read.
Finally got round to reading DC's autobiography. Didn't care too much for that to be honest. Written - I felt - with a chip on his shoulder about just about everything and everyone.
Johnny Herbert's was good fun and rather interesting.
Mansell's latest was far better than his first.
For me, the two must reads for any F1 fan are Total Competition (Ross Brawn) and Flat Out Flat Broke (Perry McCarthy)
Also No Angel and Max Mosely's books are good if you want a bit of insight on the politics of the sport.
Finally got round to reading DC's autobiography. Didn't care too much for that to be honest. Written - I felt - with a chip on his shoulder about just about everything and everyone.
Johnny Herbert's was good fun and rather interesting.
Mansell's latest was far better than his first.
For me, the two must reads for any F1 fan are Total Competition (Ross Brawn) and Flat Out Flat Broke (Perry McCarthy)
Also No Angel and Max Mosely's books are good if you want a bit of insight on the politics of the sport.
StevieBee said:
For me, the two must reads for any F1 fan are Total Competition (Ross Brawn)
That's the one where Adam Parr witters on about the Art of War by Sun Tzu for half the book. Total Yawnfest.If there was a specially edited version with just the Brawn interviews that made up the source material for the book it'd be much better.
Have just started Damon Hill 'Watching the wheels' 4 chapters in & already feel will be one of the most compelling reads so far, yes his depression top man for how he's dealing with the problem.
David Coulthard 'It is what it is' did seem strange in some parts he comes across as quite cold by his descriptions of relationships, & some of his attitudes in life tells you why he didn't win a title, although he gave his all it seemed to mentally lack that final something.
Jackie Stewart 'Winning is not enough' is very good talks very openly about dyslexia (not knowing until much older) how it affected his life through childhood onwards, but on balance his attention to detail is incredible (it's not said but it comes across as obsessive compulsive disorder, which i think a lot of dyslexic people also suffer). I have read a few other books about him over the years & a few DVD's. Incredible man a true Hero, Icon, & National treasure in my opinion.
I have a couple of Michael Schumacher books, but as another hero of mine start but soon stop reading as I feel sad knowing what has happened to him so no opinion as to their quality. (Yes I know stupid but that's me) Must dig out some of the other books I have read over the years.
David Coulthard 'It is what it is' did seem strange in some parts he comes across as quite cold by his descriptions of relationships, & some of his attitudes in life tells you why he didn't win a title, although he gave his all it seemed to mentally lack that final something.
Jackie Stewart 'Winning is not enough' is very good talks very openly about dyslexia (not knowing until much older) how it affected his life through childhood onwards, but on balance his attention to detail is incredible (it's not said but it comes across as obsessive compulsive disorder, which i think a lot of dyslexic people also suffer). I have read a few other books about him over the years & a few DVD's. Incredible man a true Hero, Icon, & National treasure in my opinion.
I have a couple of Michael Schumacher books, but as another hero of mine start but soon stop reading as I feel sad knowing what has happened to him so no opinion as to their quality. (Yes I know stupid but that's me) Must dig out some of the other books I have read over the years.
Recently re-read ‘Challenge me the race’ by Mike Hawthorn – very entertaining if you like that era of the sport.
Graham Hill’s biog is also very good.
‘Split seconds’ by Raymond Mays is a favourite of mine.
Just started ‘The racing car – development and design’ by Clutton, Posthumus and Jenks - written in 1956 so again only for those of us who like “the old days”!
Graham Hill’s biog is also very good.
‘Split seconds’ by Raymond Mays is a favourite of mine.
Just started ‘The racing car – development and design’ by Clutton, Posthumus and Jenks - written in 1956 so again only for those of us who like “the old days”!
Nikki Lauda's were amazing, not just his autobiographies but the how to drive/how to build F1 cars. Long out of print but worth hunting out.
Sid Watkins' was another cracker and another out of print one, 5 days in August (or something similar) about the weekend at the 'ring in the honda back in the 60's.
One day I'm going to read them all again.
Sid Watkins' was another cracker and another out of print one, 5 days in August (or something similar) about the weekend at the 'ring in the honda back in the 60's.
One day I'm going to read them all again.
Most are abysmal , badly written and offer no insight into driver or sport . Damon Hill's book is the exception- beautifully written (by himself) and astonishingly frank.
Herbert's was terrible and in desperate need of a good sub editor.
Anything 'written ' by Mansell tends towards self mythology .
Stewart's stuff is very good if one gets past the product placement and obsession with royalty and successful businessmen .
Webber's is surprisingly revealing abut his early days and personal life but otherwise unremarkable
Brundle's 'Working the Wheel ' was excellent
EJ's autobiography - I had low expectations but actually it was a real treat of a book. It gives a brutally frank account of just how much a grafter you have to be to get on in the sport
The two best, Hill's apart , are the Lauda books which are brutally frank and offer a superb insight into not only Seventies F1 technicals and technique, but the mindset of the driver. He always was the smartest of them all. And Peter Revson's 'Speed with Style' is wonderful - and tragically he died at Kyalami on either the same day or very close to publication .
Autobiography apart, David Tremayne's 'Lost Generation ' is a masterpiece. It is about the premature deaths of Roger Williamson, Tony Brise and Tom Pryce within a couple of years in early - mid Seventies. Each could have been a world champion. Superbly written and researched and reduced this reader to tears .
Herbert's was terrible and in desperate need of a good sub editor.
Anything 'written ' by Mansell tends towards self mythology .
Stewart's stuff is very good if one gets past the product placement and obsession with royalty and successful businessmen .
Webber's is surprisingly revealing abut his early days and personal life but otherwise unremarkable
Brundle's 'Working the Wheel ' was excellent
EJ's autobiography - I had low expectations but actually it was a real treat of a book. It gives a brutally frank account of just how much a grafter you have to be to get on in the sport
The two best, Hill's apart , are the Lauda books which are brutally frank and offer a superb insight into not only Seventies F1 technicals and technique, but the mindset of the driver. He always was the smartest of them all. And Peter Revson's 'Speed with Style' is wonderful - and tragically he died at Kyalami on either the same day or very close to publication .
Autobiography apart, David Tremayne's 'Lost Generation ' is a masterpiece. It is about the premature deaths of Roger Williamson, Tony Brise and Tom Pryce within a couple of years in early - mid Seventies. Each could have been a world champion. Superbly written and researched and reduced this reader to tears .
As a long time F1 fan, I must confess I have been a slacker in terms of books.
Jackie Stewart's autobiography I found good in parts, and an interesting snapshot of its time for lauding Fred Godwin. I'm about to read Murray Walker's autobiography.
I read The Pits by Beverly Turner; interesting take on life in the paddock.
Not really a read, as such, more a coffee table book, but Inside Ferrari has some great photographs.
Jackie Stewart's autobiography I found good in parts, and an interesting snapshot of its time for lauding Fred Godwin. I'm about to read Murray Walker's autobiography.
I read The Pits by Beverly Turner; interesting take on life in the paddock.
Not really a read, as such, more a coffee table book, but Inside Ferrari has some great photographs.
coppice said:
Most are abysmal , badly written and offer no insight into driver or sport . Damon Hill's book is the exception- beautifully written (by himself) and astonishingly frank.
Herbert's was terrible and in desperate need of a good sub editor.
Anything 'written ' by Mansell tends towards self mythology .
Stewart's stuff is very good if one gets past the product placement and obsession with royalty and successful businessmen .
Webber's is surprisingly revealing abut his early days and personal life but otherwise unremarkable
Brundle's 'Working the Wheel ' was excellent
EJ's autobiography - I had low expectations but actually it was a real treat of a book. It gives a brutally frank account of just how much a grafter you have to be to get on in the sport
The two best, Hill's apart , are the Lauda books which are brutally frank and offer a superb insight into not only Seventies F1 technicals and technique, but the mindset of the driver. He always was the smartest of them all. And Peter Revson's 'Speed with Style' is wonderful - and tragically he died at Kyalami on either the same day or very close to publication .
Autobiography apart, David Tremayne's 'Lost Generation ' is a masterpiece. It is about the premature deaths of Roger Williamson, Tony Brise and Tom Pryce within a couple of years in early - mid Seventies. Each could have been a world champion. Superbly written and researched and reduced this reader to tears .
Read Lauda's books as a teenager in the early '80s. Had to order through the school library service. He is and always has been an honest chap. Analysis of suspension geometry etc was over my head, however the piece where he describes making a driving error ( don't recall which race) to a journalist, who then asks for excuses - Lauda eventually tells the reporter ( something along the lines of ) "I fcucked up, what don't you understand, I made a mistake". No pandering to the "press", told like it was.Herbert's was terrible and in desperate need of a good sub editor.
Anything 'written ' by Mansell tends towards self mythology .
Stewart's stuff is very good if one gets past the product placement and obsession with royalty and successful businessmen .
Webber's is surprisingly revealing abut his early days and personal life but otherwise unremarkable
Brundle's 'Working the Wheel ' was excellent
EJ's autobiography - I had low expectations but actually it was a real treat of a book. It gives a brutally frank account of just how much a grafter you have to be to get on in the sport
The two best, Hill's apart , are the Lauda books which are brutally frank and offer a superb insight into not only Seventies F1 technicals and technique, but the mindset of the driver. He always was the smartest of them all. And Peter Revson's 'Speed with Style' is wonderful - and tragically he died at Kyalami on either the same day or very close to publication .
Autobiography apart, David Tremayne's 'Lost Generation ' is a masterpiece. It is about the premature deaths of Roger Williamson, Tony Brise and Tom Pryce within a couple of years in early - mid Seventies. Each could have been a world champion. Superbly written and researched and reduced this reader to tears .
May have been " The Art & Science of G.P Driving" - been 35 years since I read it.
Plinth said:
Recently re-read ‘Challenge me the race’ by Mike Hawthorn – very entertaining if you like that era of the sport.
Graham Hill’s biog is also very good.
‘Split seconds’ by Raymond Mays is a favourite of mine.
Just started ‘The racing car – development and design’ by Clutton, Posthumus and Jenks - written in 1956 so again only for those of us who like “the old days”!
If you like the older history I recommend Innes Ireland book All Arms and Elbows - its got some hilarious tales of what they used to get up to!Graham Hill’s biog is also very good.
‘Split seconds’ by Raymond Mays is a favourite of mine.
Just started ‘The racing car – development and design’ by Clutton, Posthumus and Jenks - written in 1956 so again only for those of us who like “the old days”!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Arms-Elbows-Innes-Ire...
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