[Books] Books - My Top 20

[ensign14]

Originally Posted by nicanary

The print is not very "sharp", almost like a good quality photocopy - is this normal for these books?

Yes. Probably because those books were pretty much home-made specials.

The information in them though is gold dust.

And they are gradually producing updated editions on better quality paper and print. Such is the improvement in home publishing technology.

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by ensign14

Yes. Probably because those books were pretty much home-made specials.

The information in them though is gold dust.

And they are gradually producing updated editions on better quality paper and print. Such is the improvement in home publishing technology.

Thanks for confirming what I suspected - I can breathe a sigh of relief.
The extra book I have been offered is also a 1st ed. so it would appear to be a bargain.

Whether I'll ever get to read the whole book is another matter ,a bit like the Georgano Encyclopedia. I've got half-way through the "A"s with that one! But I did read "Time and Two Seats" from cover to cover, a bit of a marathon.

[nicanary]

Now that I'm beholden to you all for advice and assistance, I thought I'd better put in my two-pennerth to update this thread.

I'm a bit of a collector (or is that hoarder) and I've got lots of titles that I'll probably never read again; my daughter wants me to sell them to fund any more purchases, but she just dosn't get it, does she?

Top-20 title lists will always be a subjective thing, we all have our favourite drivers, teams or eras. For me it's the 50s and early 60s before cars were painted as fag packets. ( I was born in 1950 so I remember real racing in black-and-white).It seems that books fall into four catagories -

1)Well-written by respected authors who know the sport intimately - anything by Nigel Roebuck or Doug Nye (although his name has been used on some pot-boilers ; something has to pay the rent), and also Alan Henry, Maurice Hamilton and Eoin Young.
2)Painstakingly-researched reference works that cost the earth but are worth their weight in gold ; Georgano's Encyclopedia, Time and Two Seats and the Sheldon/Rabagliati "Black Books" spring to mind.
3)Useful reference books that are relatively cheap, like the Grand Prix Who's Who and the recent Spurring Le Mans histories.
4)Books specific to your individual interest - I have a few 1st ed. autobiographies of 50s drivers.

The vast majority of books published are just a waste of the rainforest.I've lost track of the number I've taken to the charity shop.

I particularly like things I can just pick up and browse through, stirring memories. The four photo-books that accompanied Wimpffen's tome are truly superb for this, as are the "In Camera" books from Haynes for F1 and Sports-Cars. If you can find them, try out William Court's Power and Glory volumes, beautifully written by a real enthusiast of the sport - there was a 2nd edition which will be a lot cheaper. (There was supposed to be a volume 3 which never appeared, and I believe the author has passed away)

Do not use poverty as an excuse - I am of humble means,making a living as a part-time take-away delivery driver. If you want it badly enough,you will find the cash somehow.Thanks be to the Lord for Amazon and E-bay!

[Livery]

Picked up a copy of Steve Matchett's "The Mechanic's Tale"...from others...it looks like a good read...looking forward to this.

[chunterer]

I love fleabay for old bargains, not necessarily classic tomes but decent reads all the same. It's just a case of being patient and waiting for the right book to come up at the right price.

In the last 2 years or so i've 'acquired' biographies on Peterson, Jones, Rosberg, Berger along with some rarer stuff of personal interest like the Ralt and March stories and some Bathurst annuals (to feed my Group A fever!) all of which have provided good reads and added to my thirst for motorsport knowledge.

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by chunterer

I love fleabay for old bargains, not necessarily classic tomes but decent reads all the same. It's just a case of being patient and waiting for the right book to come up at the right price.

In the last 2 years or so i've 'acquired' biographies on Peterson, Jones, Rosberg, Berger along with some rarer stuff of personal interest like the Ralt and March stories and some Bathurst annuals (to feed my Group A fever!) all of which have provided good reads and added to my thirst for motorsport knowledge.

I totally agree - never panic and buy the first one that crops up. I have books in excellent condition by Roebuck & Co. which cost me £1 plus postage. Happy days.

[Livery]

Originally Posted by chunterer

I love fleabay for old bargains, not necessarily classic tomes but decent reads all the same. It's just a case of being patient and waiting for the right book to come up at the right price.

In the last 2 years or so i've 'acquired' biographies on Peterson, Jones, Rosberg, Berger along with some rarer stuff of personal interest like the Ralt and March stories and some Bathurst annuals (to feed my Group A fever!) all of which have provided good reads and added to my thirst for motorsport knowledge.

Exactly...just picked up an Autocourse 2009 and Autocourse 2010 for a song...like my Dad says..."A better deal always comes along, just be patient"

Next on my list is the Eddie Jordan biography...looks really interesting.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Livery

Exactly...just picked up an Autocourse 2009 and Autocourse 2010 for a song...like my Dad says..."A better deal always comes along, just be patient"

Next on my list is the Eddie Jordan biography...looks really interesting.

Good post until the last sentence.....

Just kiddin, it's not a bad read, considerably less 'me me me' than the JYS one, but I really hoped that the EJR team years would have gotten greater scope. You'll see what I mean when you get the book.

[ensign14]

Originally Posted by Livery

Exactly...just picked up an Autocourse 2009 and Autocourse 2010 for a song...like my Dad says..."A better deal always comes along, just be patient"

Not always. I've never seen a limited edition "Time And Two Seats" for sale after the initial offer. Cost me £190 new. Dread to think what it costs now.

The interesting thing is how some remaindered books end up fetching a fair sum. Geoff Goddard's photo book could have been had for a tenner, the original edition was fetching £80 last I saw...

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Good post until the last sentence.....

Just kiddin, it's not a bad read, considerably less 'me me me' than the JYS one, but I really hoped that the EJR team years would have gotten greater scope. You'll see what I mean when you get the book.

Got to watch the moderators on this one, but if you read the "Lunch With" articles in Motor Sport magazine, it's surprising how often that certain person crops up in people's careers, with those drivers feeling aggrieved about something - usually sponsor money being "mislaid" or misleading "promises".

As for "Time and Two Seats" - Chaters had one recently for £1600. On e-bay I've seen one with a damaged slip-case up for £600 and unsold.
It makes you wonder whether these prices are just pipe-dreams; something is only worth what someone is prepared to pay.

[ensign14]

Standard or limited though?

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by ensign14

Standard or limited though?

Good point, can't remember the full details.

[Livery]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Good post until the last sentence.....

Just kiddin, it's not a bad read, considerably less 'me me me' than the JYS one, but I really hoped that the EJR team years would have gotten greater scope. You'll see what I mean when you get the book.

Looking into this more...there is an autobiography from Jordan, and a biography from Timothy Collins...of course the truth will lie somewhere in between the two books, so I'll have to read both.

[nivola1]

Fave book I have, when Nuvolari raced by valerio moretti not cheap but the best reference on this period. Thankfully living in "horsepower valley" (oxfordshire/northants) means many treasures turn up at local bootsales. In recent years I've found "inhouse" publications by many of the local teams, these are usually numbered and signed by managers and drivers.my local team here in Banbury is of course the Prodrive team one of the best items was a press kit from 94 signed by all the drivers on the books that year...Sainz,Mcrea and of course Burns, well worth the five pounds asked, my lucky day.Also found books signed by the reynard team and a wonderful book written by Peter miller about the mille miglia signed by peter and stirling Moss. Peter spent his last years living here in Banbury, during his life he was most famous for being manager of the Aston martin team during the fifties and was in the pits during the infamous 1955 le mans race.His book Conte Maggis Mille Miglia is a great read with stunning photos surely a must have for anyone interested in those classic italian road races.I guess the point i'm trying to make is yes ebay and amazon are good but don't forget the bootsales there are bargains to be had.

[Nordic]

Got a copy of 'TWR & Jaguar's XJS'. Its written by Allan Scott, former TWR engine man and full of insight into the ETC during the 80's when the Jag's raced.

Also has snippets about the Rover ETC, BTCC and Grp C TWR Jags that ran alongside the XJS program. (who knew Derek Bell tested Grp 44 Jag for TWR with Porsche's approval?)

Worth a read IMHO and not just because I have a credit for supply a few images!