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Post by chrisb on Oct 5, 2019 16:20:04 GMT
Following Joe's great suggestion may I be so bold as to start such a thread having commenced Nick Harris's excellent book:
Never say never,
not quite the most original title but it does reflect a very interesting life, both sad and tragic but filled with great little stories of Nick's journey to his current position and appreciation to his wife and daughter.
Nick's style of writing as a long term journalist is very easy to read and I am having to stop myself from completing the book in one hit, it does reflect on what he did well but is not frightened to talk of his mistakes, or learning opportunities, if one wishes to be careful with what you say, you really do get a picture of what covering the races was like and what life was like in those heady days.
The book is a mixture of autobiography and the 70 year history of MotoGP and talks with poignant affection of his favourite rider, and also probably his [another person] favourite personality, very respectful to riders, especially the Americans he really speaks with feeling of Wayne's accident and his great respect for the Aussie greats and their determination.
I actually want to pick it up again as it is a jolly good read and very enjoyable thus far
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Post by charleselan on Oct 10, 2019 11:16:58 GMT
The other day while looking for something completely unrelated that on my Amazon homepage was a note that a book on the Lotus 72 by Pete Lyons had been published in March 2019. I was not aware of this and wonder if anyone else has come across it.
The book apparently covers the complete career of the 72 and has some very good pictures according to the reviews. Anything written by Pete is normally excellent so i am tempted; and of course it is one of my all time favourite race cars.
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Post by chrisb on Oct 11, 2019 15:52:10 GMT
have not heard of this, I have bought and am awaiting delivery of the black and gold Lotus history, and have started the Stirling Moss book, which is interesting, I always like the human aspect of a driver/ person and you certainly are getting that here
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Post by charleselan on Oct 12, 2019 18:32:29 GMT
have not heard of this, I have bought and am awaiting delivery of the black and gold Lotus history, and have started the Stirling Moss book, which is interesting, I always like the human aspect of a driver/ person and you certainly are getting that here Is the Stirling Moss book the one by his former secretary Valerie Pirie? I have read extracts that are online and it looks very good, will be a good read I am certain. I am quite tempted by the Pete Lyons book on the Lotus 72 but would like to see it before committing £30+ for it.
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Post by robmarsh on Oct 15, 2019 18:03:01 GMT
I have seen the advert for the Pete Lyons book but am in A No Buy Zone at the moment and I have Mike Lawrence's excellent book on the Lotus 72. As Charles says anything by Pete Lyons is normally very good and the time of the Lotus 72 was when he was in his pomp as an F1 writer.
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Post by charleselan on Oct 15, 2019 18:49:22 GMT
I have seen the advert for the Pete Lyons book but am in A No Buy Zone at the moment and I have Mike Lawrence's excellent book on the Lotus 72. As Charles says anything by Pete Lyons is normally very good and the time of the Lotus 72 was when he was in his pomp as an F1 writer. Rob, I am travelling over to the UK next week for a 7 day stay and am itching to buy the book from the well known outlet. As you correctly point out the Lotus 72 was right in the midst of Pete Lyons pomp as a motor sport journalist, so by that alone it should be excellent. I am itching to purchase it, but have just been inspired to get into flying drones and have spent bit on one which awaits me in the UK . John Charles
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Post by chrisb on Oct 16, 2019 4:31:39 GMT
I am still awaiting delivery of black and gold the Lotus story but this Pete Lyons book sounds interesting
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Post by chrisb on Oct 18, 2019 14:57:15 GMT
well the black and gold book [apparently it was yellow] duly arrived and after some initial reservations turned out rather well, some amazing photos, especially of Ronnie and some very interesting stories - far easier to read than the Stirling book
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Post by charleselan on Oct 18, 2019 16:11:59 GMT
well the black and gold book [apparently it was yellow] duly arrived and after some initial reservations turned out rather well, some amazing photos, especially of Ronnie and some very interesting stories - far easier to read than the Stirling book Good to hear that you have the book Chris and that it has some excellent photos, it is quite expensive however from what i have seen , the high side of £50? Up until the end of 1973 the JPS cars were actually black & gold and then in 1974 the gold was changed for yellow(ish). Then in 1977 the yellow(ish) was replaced with something called Sign-writers Gold which was a sort of beige/fawn colour. This was preferred as it showed more clarity when seen on film and the great god known as TV. The Lotus 78 & 79 were finished in black and sign-writers gold even though some model car manufacturers persisted in offering transfers/decals in gold. Is it the Valerie Pirie book that is hard going or the other book on Stirling that I see advertised on the MS website?
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Post by chrisb on Oct 23, 2019 7:14:45 GMT
Having completed the Valerie Pirie book I was left with a feeling that it could have been a lot more, it was very personal but also distant I didn't feel that connection, but my word it did give you an insight as to Stirling's drive and dedication and why he was so successful and how ruthless he could be and just how generous he could be too, his singlemindness would have been a victor in any era, but likeable? - questionable - there again he survived
the Black and Gold/ yellow/ beige -fawn book is good, with lovely little snippets, great photos and nice interviews, especially the Bob Dance one, do wish he would write a book - a bit weighty and yes John, expensive, would I have bought it with a little bit more awareness? no, whilst it is good I don't feel it is that good.
as winter draws nearer and can no longer pursue two of my favourite pastimes my reading does increase and I am going to look at the Pete Lyon's book but may wait until we get some feedback, it would be good to know of some other good books that are worth reading
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Post by chrisb on Oct 31, 2019 17:41:40 GMT
a book I had been interested in for some time just came up in a sale at Chaters and I thought oh what the blazes, so bought another book, Lotus the marque, it is a limited edition and lists all the Loti from 1 onwards, a lot of models I hadn't realised had been made and the plans Lotus had for Jimmy in 1968, man he would have swept all before him that year
the book is a must for any self-respecting Lotus fan but probably a complete bore for anyone else , I love it
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