Essential Motorsport Books...

[HeavySoul]

I have a spare shelf in my bookcase and a giant hole in my Formula One and general motorsport knowledge.

What should I buy to fulfil both these disgraceful problems?


GO!

[williamp]

Some are very good for reference, others good for stories. What sort are you after?

Some I love:

"That certain sound" by John Wyer. the team manager behind Astons le mans win in 1959, and the Gulf Gt40 and Porsche 917 wins. Fascinating

"Steop on it" by Stroker Ace. Written by a few unnamed racing drivers, a very funny book. Mainly about US racing in the 50,s 60s and 70s. Packed full of every funny story they knew, and probably a few made up ones

[mattikake]

Analysing Formula 1 by Roger Smith. A well presented and thought-out stat attack covering everything - drivers, teams, engines, tyres, winners, losers - perfect for 5 mintues at a time on the throne...

[miniman]

Currently enjoying Maurice Hamilton's biography of Frank Williams; interestingly written with each chapter containing alternative views from Frank himself, Patrick Head, drivers, wives and so forth.

[entropy]

miniman said:

Currently enjoying Maurice Hamilton's biography of Frank Williams; interestingly written with each chapter containing alternative views from Frank himself, Patrick Head, drivers, wives and so forth.

thanks for the reminder as I still need to buy that and the Prost v Senna book as well

[ADEuk]

Life at the Limit by prof Sid Watkins.

[Laughingman21]

miniman said:

Currently enjoying Maurice Hamilton's biography of Frank Williams; interestingly written with each chapter containing alternative views from Frank himself, Patrick Head, drivers, wives and so forth.

I found that book hard work which was such a shame as it should have been amazing. Each chapter tells a story of Frank's life and is then followed by the interview transcript of those people he interviewed for that chapter of the book.

I found reading the same story two, three or more times, but from a slightly different view point extremely tedious and I thought it was lazy writing. The author should have combined each view point into one great story rather telling the story in such a repetitive and peice meal manner.

[jonnylayze]

Doug Nye's BRM trilogy - unsurpassed

Richard Williams' The Last Great Road Race

Doug Nye's Cooper Cars

Michael Turner and Nigel Roebuck's Formula One

Paul Parkers Formula 1 in Camera 1960-69 and 1970-79 and Sports Car Racing in Camera 1960-69 and 1970-79

Speed Addicts by Mark Hughes

Formula 1 The Autobiography

If you really want to push the boat out, my most treasured book is 1946 and All That by Guy Griffiths and Anthony Pritchard

[miniman]

Laughingman21 said:

miniman said:

Currently enjoying Maurice Hamilton's biography of Frank Williams; interestingly written with each chapter containing alternative views from Frank himself, Patrick Head, drivers, wives and so forth.

I found that book hard work which was such a shame as it should have been amazing. Each chapter tells a story of Frank's life and is then followed by the interview transcript of those people he interviewed for that chapter of the book.

I found reading the same story two, three or more times, but from a slightly different view point extremely tedious and I thought it was lazy writing. The author should have combined each view point into one great story rather telling the story in such a repetitive and peice meal manner.

It didn't come across to me like that at all. I read the extras as alternative points of view rather than transcripts.

[touring fan]

The Lost Generation;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Generation-Tragically...

[Paul Dishman]

touring fan said:

The Lost Generation;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Generation-Tragically...

Thats a great book.

My all time favourite is Touch Wood! by Duncan Hamilton

Other favourites:

Archie and the Listers by Robert Edwards
To finish first by Phil Kerr
All Arms and Elbows By Innes Ireland
Jim Clark at the Wheel -Jims ghosted autobiography
Piers Courage the last of the gentlemen racers by Adam Cooper
Ken Tyrrell by Maurice Hamilton

[Marcia]

Life at the limit by professor Sid Watkins,the on track doctor from 1978-1994.Gives a fascinating insight to how dangerous F1 was.A really good read

[Miss Pitstop]

ADEuk said:

Life at the Limit by prof Sid Watkins.

This! The best F1 book I have read, and I have a bookcase full. Eddie Jordan's autobiography wasn't the most enjoyable read, but it gave me a greater understanding of the man.

For a more general sport book, Lance Armstrong's "it's not about the bike" is possibly the best autobiography I have ever read. Truely inspiring, and an awesome human being.

[kiteless]

It may not be totally motorsport, but one book I have not yet read and will buy at some point is the complete Porsche story "Excellence Was Expected".

I've only just started collecting motorsport books, but a favourite is "The Last Grand Prix" by Richard Williams. Basically a documented account of Stirling's win at the 1957 Pescara GP.

[ettore]

Paul Dishman said:

touring fan said:

The Lost Generation;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Generation-Tragically...

Thats a great book.

My all time favourite is Touch Wood! by Duncan Hamilton

Other favourites:

Archie and the Listers by Robert Edwards
To finish first by Phil Kerr
All Arms and Elbows By Innes Ireland
Jim Clark at the Wheel -Jims ghosted autobiography
Piers Courage the last of the gentlemen racers by Adam Cooper
Ken Tyrrell by Maurice Hamilton

Great choices, particularly the first three. I would add Mon Ami Mate by Chris Nixon, Full Throttle by Sir Henry Birkin, the Doug Nye Stirling Moss book and the Christopher Hilton book about James Hunt.

If you get really into it I think the best Motor Racing history books I have read (as a historian) are, as mentioned above, the BRM tomes by Doug Nye...

[HeavySoul]

Miss Pitstop said:

ADEuk said:

Life at the Limit by prof Sid Watkins.

This! The best F1 book I have read, and I have a bookcase full. Eddie Jordan's autobiography wasn't the most enjoyable read, but it gave me a greater understanding of the man.

For a more general sport book, Lance Armstrong's "it's not about the bike" is possibly the best autobiography I have ever read. Truely inspiring, and an awesome human being.

This is good news, I ordered this earlier in the day for £2!

Thanks for the suggestions folks, there is plenty to choose from here.

There was also a book written about the Senna crash which was universally praised around here a few years back but cannot remember which one it was...

[RedexR]

Flat out Flat Broke - Perry McCarthy the original Stig

Working the Wheel - Martin Brundle

both excellent and entertaining reads.

[vtgts300kw]

to finish first.

great read.

[LY99]

Ferrari Formula 1 - Peter Wright (SAE Books)

Slightly OT - Does anyone know of any books about Art Arfons and this period in LSR, The Green Monster, Craig Breedlove etc???

[silverMX]

Go Like Hell

The story of Ferreri and Ford at Le Mans. I really enjoyed it!

http://golikehellthebook.com/

(Website has a sound intro, so turn your speakers down if you're at work!)