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!

[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...

[HeavySoul]

kiteless said:

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".

Looks very impressive but don't think I can afford a £130 book at the moment!

[HeavySoul]

kiteless said:

HeavySoul said:

kiteless said:

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".

Looks very impressive but don't think I can afford a £130 book at the moment!

Neither can I

But one day I'll get a copy, take a couple of weeks off work, stock up on tea and Jaffa Cakes, and read

[HeavySoul]

Anyone read this?

[HeavySoul]

Ianeire said:

HeavySoul said:

Anyone read this?

I'm reading this at the moment. I don't have any clear memories of Senna, I was 12 when he crashed at San Marino, and I think the book paints Senna in a very different light to all the rose tinted affection that people seem fond to remember him by. Obviously the book is written in equal parts about his phenomenal talent but it's good to get a balanced view of what he was like. Schumacher is often branded a cynic for his tactics on track, Senna a genious. Go figure.

Excellent.

It is already sitting on my shelf waiting to be read so will look forward to it

[HeavySoul]

456lbft said:

AlpineWhite said:

Paul Dishman said:

GTP rpm said:

Another vote for "Winning Is Not Enough - Jackie Stewart".

A truely remarkable man.

A bit too much about his royal and or rich friends for my taste

the first two-thirds are good though.

Currently reading 'the life of Senna', anyone else read it?

If that is the Tom Rubython book, I was really looking forward to it, as I enjoy his articles in F1 Business, and finally got my hands on a heavily discounted paperback copy when Borders went bust, but was disappointed by the very poor editing. I am looking forward to the film though and I hope I am not disappointed by that.

The amount of typo's and errors in that book is disgraceful. I couldn't believe it was actually printed and published in that state!

[HeavySoul]

AlpineWhite said:

HeavySoul said:

456lbft said:

AlpineWhite said:

Paul Dishman said:

GTP rpm said:

Another vote for "Winning Is Not Enough - Jackie Stewart".

A truely remarkable man.

A bit too much about his royal and or rich friends for my taste

the first two-thirds are good though.

Currently reading 'the life of Senna', anyone else read it?

If that is the Tom Rubython book, I was really looking forward to it, as I enjoy his articles in F1 Business, and finally got my hands on a heavily discounted paperback copy when Borders went bust, but was disappointed by the very poor editing. I am looking forward to the film though and I hope I am not disappointed by that.

The amount of typo's and errors in that book is disgraceful. I couldn't believe it was actually printed and published in that state!

Oh pants. I wish I hadn't asked now!

While we're on the subject, what sort of errors should I be looking out for? Thanks

Spelling mistakes, lack of full stops and capital letters in the right places from memory.

[HeavySoul]

456lbft said:

HeavySoul said:

Spelling mistakes, lack of full stops and capital letters in the right places from memory.

I might have forgiven the odd typo, if the book hadn't been so over hyped as a definitive guide and 10 years in the making etc etc. But there were also some factual errors, which as always, completely spoil the perceived integrity of the rest of it. Unforgiveable.

Agreed!

I think they must have just rushed it out for Christmas and thought fk it!

[HeavySoul]

456lbft said:

AlpineWhite said:

well, I've bought it now, and I've started so I'll finish. The odd typo I can live with (even though it doesn't inspire confidence). However if someone could highlight the worst factual errors I'd be most grateful.

That would mean reading it again! Actually I don't think it's that bad, but I seem to remember something as I was gently simmering over the typo's coming across a reference that was just wrong and wishing I was nearer the end.

Agreed!