Book Reviews
Reviews of the latest media that interest motoring enthusiasts.
Mercer Magic
Everyone knows that racing improves the breed. But, it seems like no other American car brand embraced that more in the industry’s infancy than the Mercer Automobile Company. Founded in 1909 by the Roebling family of Brooklyn Bridge fame, out of what was left of the Walter Automobile Company, they quickly began assembling cars. But it was their Raceabout that… Read More
Airstream: America’s World Traveler
In America’s manufacturing landscape, it’s hard to think of a product that is more American than the Airstream camping trailer. Whether you’re an RVer or not, you’ll enjoy reading Patrick Foster’s book Airstream: America’s World Traveler about the history of this iconic brand. Foster is clearly an Airstream fan, and while that may come through a little too much… Read More
American Muscle Cars: A Full Throttle History
As much as we love to consider ourselves connoisseurs of fine automobiles around here, nothing gets our automotive juices flowing more than good old American muscle cars. Yes, we know your bookshelves are already crowded with muscle car books as much as ours; but Darwin Holmstrom’s American Muscle Cars: A Full Throttle History is a Must Read that’s a worthy… Read More
Darlene’s Silver Streak and the Bradford Model T Girls
While most collectable cars have a story to tell, none are quite as unique as the Silver Streak. This 1926 Model T shuttled a host of young ladies around the country in the late 1930’s and early 40’s. It seems Darlene Dorgan of Bradford, Illinois had some serious wanderlust, loading up the Model T every summer with 4 or 5 friends and hitting the road. This… Read More
Driven to Delight
In a world where customer service is often severely lacking, Joseph A. Michelli makes a case in his book Driven to Delight: Delivering World-Class Customer Experience The Mercedes-Benz Way. Mercedes-Benz’s dedication to providing the ultimate ownership experience has been a major key to their success here in America. Of course they make a great product, as do… Read More
Ford Total Performance
If you know that Ford Total Performance was Ford Motor Company’s 1960’s program that pumped major bucks into auto racing development, in order to rule the streets and tracks of America as well as Europe, then good for you! If you didn’t, you can learn all about it in Martyn L. Schorr’s Ford Total Performance: Ford’s Legendary High-Performance Street and Race Cars.… Read More
Never Tailgate on a Rainy Day
If you’ve got a teenager ready to get behind the wheel for the first time, you know how stressful it can be for both of you. And having raised that teenager, you’ll also know that many times they take advice from others better than from their seemingly-unwise parents. So, before they turn the key for the first time, give them a copy of Never Tailgate on a Rainy… Read More
Form Follows Function: The Art of the Supercar
While very few of us ever get to actually own a supercar, just about everyone can appreciate the often striking beauty of their design. Stuart Codling certainly does, and with the help of some exquisite photography by James Mann, he brings us the 20 supercars that he thinks are the finest ever, in his book Form Follows Function: The Art of the Supercar. From… Read More
Where the Writer Meets the Road
If you read Road & Track magazine or follow Formula 1 racing on television, you’ve no doubt read, heard, and seen the work of Sam Posey. Where the Writer Meets the Road is a Must Read collection of his works from those outlets, as well as many others, from the last 40 years. No stranger to the track himself, Sam’s 20-year racing career included starts in both the… Read More
Memoirs of a Hack Mechanic
If you’re watching this show, chances are you’ve spent some time wrenching on a car, and have had various levels of success for your efforts. Rob Siegel is one such shade tree mechanic, and he tells his story in Memoirs of a Hack Mechanic: How Fixing Broken BMW’s Helped Make Me Whole. It’s a good read, as Siegel takes a look back at his life through the many… Read More