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 Customer Reviews
A stunner, 05 Dec 2008
A beautiful book. All of the photos, especially covering this year, really bring it to life. I enjoyed his autobiography when it came out last year, and this book with the additional pictures and story of the season is something that really captures his rise to champion.
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Customer Reviews
A stunner, 05 Dec 2008
A beautiful book. All of the photos, especially covering this year, really bring it to life. I enjoyed his autobiography when it came out last year, and this book with the additional pictures and story of the season is something that really captures his rise to champion.
Not yet Byrned out!, 20 Nov 2008
An excellent and personal view of one man,s motor racing career.Do not expect a race by race account but instead get the inside story of a meteoric rise to success and an even quicker fall from the spotlight in the competitive world of British and then European racing.
To say he got screwed by McLaren would be an understatement!
There are,however,some hilarious accounts of racing in the early 80,s
Buy it!
An incredible read - what a story!, 16 Sep 2008
Just extraordinary. What a fantastic read. If you could imagine an unlikely cross between Angela's Ashes and Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas with a loose motor racing backdrop, this is it. It has you in hysterics one moment, full of sadness the next. The most amazing sports biography I've ever read. In fact even if it was a work of fiction, it would still work. If you never buy another book again, you must buy this one.
Loved the book, what a read I couldn't put it down., 11 Sep 2008
I loved the book, gripping from the beginning and a great read all through. The Racing stuff is very interesting but it's not just a book about racing the strange characters that Tommy encounters through his life you just couldn't make up!
Full throttle racing, money, steeling, sex, drugs and rock and roll (without the rock and roll).
Hurricane Byrne!, 05 Sep 2008
This is some journey!
Barely believable, 'Crashed and Byrned' somehow twists through the apposite worlds of grubby 1970's O'Connell street, the 1982 Las Vegas Grand Prix and a seedy mansion in drug addled Mexico. Why? Because Tommy Byrne was chasing his quest to make the motor racing world realise that he was the most naturally gifted racing driver of his generation (and that is no idle boast by the way). And what is more, this book does it in a kind of surreal innocence that would be quite at home in a Hunter S.Thompson yarn!
Tommy Byrne will generally only be known to racing people but his story is so unique that he and his adventures will be enjoyed by those who have never seen a motor race in their lives before. This story will surely become a classic alternative to the bland and colourless publications that modern sports stars often produce.
It wasn't so much that Tommy was anti establishment it was more like he created his own establishment and then whether it was his fault or not, trashed it in a bright haze of his own brilliance and confidence. This had an uncanny knack of rubbing people up the wrong way. Ron Dennis was one of these people, so was Ayrton Senna. Years before Eddie Irvine was getting a slap from the great Brazilian champion, another and more gifted urchin from the Emerald Isle was getting under Ayrton's skin! Put bluntly, if John Lydon and Phil Lynott had raised a bastard child that took up motor racing, then his name would have been Tommy Byrne.
The anecdotes are told in a fabulously honest and more often than not comic fashion. There is no self pity and no 'what ifs'. These are left to the reader, who by the end of it are likely to ask these questions quietly to themselves. His 'tell it, how he saw it' descriptions of situations and people are quite superb, brutally honest and tremendously funny. In these days of wretched PR sheen this book takes you back to an era when genius 'literally' stole. It's sports answer to 'The filth and the fury!'
Put together in a simple and effective way by Mark Hughes, who proves that he is as subtly adept at translating these unforgettable memories of racings greatest roguish lost talent' as he is of acutely detailing the weekly technical and strategic aspects of the current Grand Prix scene in Autosport magazine. Hughes also offers an oversight to Byrne's memories, dipping in to the likes of Gary Anderson and Ron Dennis himself, for a revisionist perspective twenty five years on from 'Hurricane Byrne.'!
Above all, it tells of an ambitious and talented young man who was fighting a desperate and constantly losing battle to be accepted by an elitist sport that even by the standards of the early 1980's found Tommy Byrne just too much of a risk. It cannot be recommended highly enough.
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Customer Reviews
A stunner, 05 Dec 2008
A beautiful book. All of the photos, especially covering this year, really bring it to life. I enjoyed his autobiography when it came out last year, and this book with the additional pictures and story of the season is something that really captures his rise to champion.
Not yet Byrned out!, 20 Nov 2008
An excellent and personal view of one man,s motor racing career.Do not expect a race by race account but instead get the inside story of a meteoric rise to success and an even quicker fall from the spotlight in the competitive world of British and then European racing.
To say he got screwed by McLaren would be an understatement!
There are,however,some hilarious accounts of racing in the early 80,s
Buy it!
An incredible read - what a story!, 16 Sep 2008
Just extraordinary. What a fantastic read. If you could imagine an unlikely cross between Angela's Ashes and Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas with a loose motor racing backdrop, this is it. It has you in hysterics one moment, full of sadness the next. The most amazing sports biography I've ever read. In fact even if it was a work of fiction, it would still work. If you never buy another book again, you must buy this one.
Loved the book, what a read I couldn't put it down., 11 Sep 2008
I loved the book, gripping from the beginning and a great read all through. The Racing stuff is very interesting but it's not just a book about racing the strange characters that Tommy encounters through his life you just couldn't make up!
Full throttle racing, money, steeling, sex, drugs and rock and roll (without the rock and roll).
Hurricane Byrne!, 05 Sep 2008
This is some journey!
Barely believable, 'Crashed and Byrned' somehow twists through the apposite worlds of grubby 1970's O'Connell street, the 1982 Las Vegas Grand Prix and a seedy mansion in drug addled Mexico. Why? Because Tommy Byrne was chasing his quest to make the motor racing world realise that he was the most naturally gifted racing driver of his generation (and that is no idle boast by the way). And what is more, this book does it in a kind of surreal innocence that would be quite at home in a Hunter S.Thompson yarn!
Tommy Byrne will generally only be known to racing people but his story is so unique that he and his adventures will be enjoyed by those who have never seen a motor race in their lives before. This story will surely become a classic alternative to the bland and colourless publications that modern sports stars often produce.
It wasn't so much that Tommy was anti establishment it was more like he created his own establishment and then whether it was his fault or not, trashed it in a bright haze of his own brilliance and confidence. This had an uncanny knack of rubbing people up the wrong way. Ron Dennis was one of these people, so was Ayrton Senna. Years before Eddie Irvine was getting a slap from the great Brazilian champion, another and more gifted urchin from the Emerald Isle was getting under Ayrton's skin! Put bluntly, if John Lydon and Phil Lynott had raised a bastard child that took up motor racing, then his name would have been Tommy Byrne.
The anecdotes are told in a fabulously honest and more often than not comic fashion. There is no self pity and no 'what ifs'. These are left to the reader, who by the end of it are likely to ask these questions quietly to themselves. His 'tell it, how he saw it' descriptions of situations and people are quite superb, brutally honest and tremendously funny. In these days of wretched PR sheen this book takes you back to an era when genius 'literally' stole. It's sports answer to 'The filth and the fury!'
Put together in a simple and effective way by Mark Hughes, who proves that he is as subtly adept at translating these unforgettable memories of racings greatest roguish lost talent' as he is of acutely detailing the weekly technical and strategic aspects of the current Grand Prix scene in Autosport magazine. Hughes also offers an oversight to Byrne's memories, dipping in to the likes of Gary Anderson and Ron Dennis himself, for a revisionist perspective twenty five years on from 'Hurricane Byrne.'!
Above all, it tells of an ambitious and talented young man who was fighting a desperate and constantly losing battle to be accepted by an elitist sport that even by the standards of the early 1980's found Tommy Byrne just too much of a risk. It cannot be recommended highly enough.
amazing, 20 Oct 2008
Being a big valentino rossi fan i had to get this book when it come out i also got once each for my brothers as i wanted to keep mine i have read it a few times and we all loved the book. It is a great book for any bike fan not just a rossi or moto gp fan. I have read a few other books like this but i think this is one of the best i have read in a while with the ups and down twist and turns.
Brill read, 26 Apr 2008
I am not a reader at all, infact it can take me up to a year to read any book i have picked up in the past, but this book is brill, i read it in 2 days!!! a record for me!! This books give a great insight to the man who is the doctor and what actually happened with honda!!! i have read alot of moto gp & BSB books and the only one that kinda comes close is the HIZZY book!!!
Any Vale fan needs to read this book, cant wait for more Rossi books to come out!!!
Great funny informative read., 08 Sep 2006
Ok first off there are a few reviews here that moan about it not always being overly grammatically correct or about its not translated very well etc, granted this is no Pulitzer prize winning book but you would expect that id have thought from Rossi, Ill let his riding impress me not his writing skills! . If your looking to find out about the guy in his own(ish) words, his childhood antics, his love of riding, his character then this is a great book. It's a very light read and seeing the living legend on screen full of personality the book seems to come across in the same way. It is very informative about a few issues, the ongoing comical, for want of a better word, relationship with Biaggi and the issues with Honda that made decision to move to an other factory easy. Someone below moaned about his talking about this in to much detail but as most fans will agree this was probably one of the biggest "why" questions the man himself has made us all ask. This book explains in great and funny detail the transition, the expectations he placed on his existing team with HRC at the time and Yamaha. All in all Id say if you're a Rossi fan you will most likely enjoy this light hearted read. Definitely worth a nosey for a good laugh none the less.
Vale like he is?, 04 Sep 2006
You will certainly like this book if you're a Vale fan and know who he is and for what he stands. Those looking for indepth an technical analysis of motorcycle racing will be disappointed. Vale clearly has an ego, but the way how he expresses his views (and of course his phenomenal talent as a motorcycle racer) makes this book fun to read.
Already a Legend at 27, what more do u want?, 31 Aug 2006
I have to agree with the last reviewer, why are people knocking this book?
I thought it was great, and yes some things are lost in translation, but if the whole book was written in Vale's charming broken english, people would soon be complaining about that!
I thought it still showed what a cheeky spirited person he is, as we all can tell whenever he's interviewed.I laughed at the little escapades he tells of what he and his mates got up to back home, and his meticulous planning of his on-track pranks to entertain the crowd. A lot of sports personalities autobiographies can become weighed down with technical jargon and statistics, but this one for me, especially as i'm not an expert on motorbikes or racing, was very enjoyable.
I first became a fan of Valentino because i was forced to watch motoGP by my boyfriend, and being half-italian i would instantly pick the italian in any sport to cheer for, but at the end of the race when he'd won and was interviewed i LOVED HIM!
Vale is such a big character, and an even bigger natural talent, anyone who has not finished reading this book, please give it another go, it really is an entertaining read!
Thanks Vale, When's the next instalment??!
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Customer Reviews
A stunner, 05 Dec 2008
A beautiful book. All of the photos, especially covering this year, really bring it to life. I enjoyed his autobiography when it came out last year, and this book with the additional pictures and story of the season is something that really captures his rise to champion.
Not yet Byrned out!, 20 Nov 2008
An excellent and personal view of one man,s motor racing career.Do not expect a race by race account but instead get the inside story of a meteoric rise to success and an even quicker fall from the spotlight in the competitive world of British and then European racing.
To say he got screwed by McLaren would be an understatement!
There are,however,some hilarious accounts of racing in the early 80,s
Buy it!
An incredible read - what a story!, 16 Sep 2008
Just extraordinary. What a fantastic read. If you could imagine an unlikely cross between Angela's Ashes and Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas with a loose motor racing backdrop, this is it. It has you in hysterics one moment, full of sadness the next. The most amazing sports biography I've ever read. In fact even if it was a work of fiction, it would still work. If you never buy another book again, you must buy this one.
Loved the book, what a read I couldn't put it down., 11 Sep 2008
I loved the book, gripping from the beginning and a great read all through. The Racing stuff is very interesting but it's not just a book about racing the strange characters that Tommy encounters through his life you just couldn't make up!
Full throttle racing, money, steeling, sex, drugs and rock and roll (without the rock and roll).
Hurricane Byrne!, 05 Sep 2008
This is some journey!
Barely believable, 'Crashed and Byrned' somehow twists through the apposite worlds of grubby 1970's O'Connell street, the 1982 Las Vegas Grand Prix and a seedy mansion in drug addled Mexico. Why? Because Tommy Byrne was chasing his quest to make the motor racing world realise that he was the most naturally gifted racing driver of his generation (and that is no idle boast by the way). And what is more, this book does it in a kind of surreal innocence that would be quite at home in a Hunter S.Thompson yarn!
Tommy Byrne will generally only be known to racing people but his story is so unique that he and his adventures will be enjoyed by those who have never seen a motor race in their lives before. This story will surely become a classic alternative to the bland and colourless publications that modern sports stars often produce.
It wasn't so much that Tommy was anti establishment it was more like he created his own establishment and then whether it was his fault or not, trashed it in a bright haze of his own brilliance and confidence. This had an uncanny knack of rubbing people up the wrong way. Ron Dennis was one of these people, so was Ayrton Senna. Years before Eddie Irvine was getting a slap from the great Brazilian champion, another and more gifted urchin from the Emerald Isle was getting under Ayrton's skin! Put bluntly, if John Lydon and Phil Lynott had raised a bastard child that took up motor racing, then his name would have been Tommy Byrne.
The anecdotes are told in a fabulously honest and more often than not comic fashion. There is no self pity and no 'what ifs'. These are left to the reader, who by the end of it are likely to ask these questions quietly to themselves. His 'tell it, how he saw it' descriptions of situations and people are quite superb, brutally honest and tremendously funny. In these days of wretched PR sheen this book takes you back to an era when genius 'literally' stole. It's sports answer to 'The filth and the fury!'
Put together in a simple and effective way by Mark Hughes, who proves that he is as subtly adept at translating these unforgettable memories of racings greatest roguish lost talent' as he is of acutely detailing the weekly technical and strategic aspects of the current Grand Prix scene in Autosport magazine. Hughes also offers an oversight to Byrne's memories, dipping in to the likes of Gary Anderson and Ron Dennis himself, for a revisionist perspective twenty five years on from 'Hurricane Byrne.'!
Above all, it tells of an ambitious and talented young man who was fighting a desperate and constantly losing battle to be accepted by an elitist sport that even by the standards of the early 1980's found Tommy Byrne just too much of a risk. It cannot be recommended highly enough.
amazing, 20 Oct 2008
Being a big valentino rossi fan i had to get this book when it come out i also got once each for my brothers as i wanted to keep mine i have read it a few times and we all loved the book. It is a great book for any bike fan not just a rossi or moto gp fan. I have read a few other books like this but i think this is one of the best i have read in a while with the ups and down twist and turns.
Brill read, 26 Apr 2008
I am not a reader at all, infact it can take me up to a year to read any book i have picked up in the past, but this book is brill, i read it in 2 days!!! a record for me!! This books give a great insight to the man who is the doctor and what actually happened with honda!!! i have read alot of moto gp & BSB books and the only one that kinda comes close is the HIZZY book!!!
Any Vale fan needs to read this book, cant wait for more Rossi books to come out!!!
Great funny informative read., 08 Sep 2006
Ok first off there are a few reviews here that moan about it not always being overly grammatically correct or about its not translated very well etc, granted this is no Pulitzer prize winning book but you would expect that id have thought from Rossi, Ill let his riding impress me not his writing skills! . If your looking to find out about the guy in his own(ish) words, his childhood antics, his love of riding, his character then this is a great book. It's a very light read and seeing the living legend on screen full of personality the book seems to come across in the same way. It is very informative about a few issues, the ongoing comical, for want of a better word, relationship with Biaggi and the issues with Honda that made decision to move to an other factory easy. Someone below moaned about his talking about this in to much detail but as most fans will agree this was probably one of the biggest "why" questions the man himself has made us all ask. This book explains in great and funny detail the transition, the expectations he placed on his existing team with HRC at the time and Yamaha. All in all Id say if you're a Rossi fan you will most likely enjoy this light hearted read. Definitely worth a nosey for a good laugh none the less.
Vale like he is?, 04 Sep 2006
You will certainly like this book if you're a Vale fan and know who he is and for what he stands. Those looking for indepth an technical analysis of motorcycle racing will be disappointed. Vale clearly has an ego, but the way how he expresses his views (and of course his phenomenal talent as a motorcycle racer) makes this book fun to read.
Already a Legend at 27, what more do u want?, 31 Aug 2006
I have to agree with the last reviewer, why are people knocking this book?
I thought it was great, and yes some things are lost in translation, but if the whole book was written in Vale's charming broken english, people would soon be complaining about that!
I thought it still showed what a cheeky spirited person he is, as we all can tell whenever he's interviewed.I laughed at the little escapades he tells of what he and his mates got up to back home, and his meticulous planning of his on-track pranks to entertain the crowd. A lot of sports personalities autobiographies can become weighed down with technical jargon and statistics, but this one for me, especially as i'm not an expert on motorbikes or racing, was very enjoyable.
I first became a fan of Valentino because i was forced to watch motoGP by my boyfriend, and being half-italian i would instantly pick the italian in any sport to cheer for, but at the end of the race when he'd won and was interviewed i LOVED HIM!
Vale is such a big character, and an even bigger natural talent, anyone who has not finished reading this book, please give it another go, it really is an entertaining read!
Thanks Vale, When's the next instalment??!
Motorsport Book of the Year, 27 Sep 2008
Exceptional and comprehensive account of the Goodwood Revival starting from the circuits early days, and before through to its re-opening in 1998 and the annual festival of nostalgia that is the Goodwood Revival. Captures the atmoshpere, the action through summary race reports, records of starters and finishers and some excellent photography that woud normally grace more expensive books. Recommended.
Good Book Reviewed, 25 Sep 2008
Anyone who has visited Goodwood will know that it is the attention to detail which separates these events from others. This philosophy no doubt stems from Lord March himself and this book is a perfect reflection of it.
Doug Nye, the author, is not only a very highly regarded expert on historic motor sport but also an entertaining writer, making this a book which is enjoyable to either dip in and out of, or to settle down and read. Doing the latter will require strong arms as this is a heavy book.
The large page size lends even the act of casual browsing an air of significance, neatly echoing the events themselves and the sense of occasion that is woven into every aspect of the Goodwood experience. The design and use of images is very clean and clear, all accurately capturing the atmosphere of Goodwood Revival.
There are old and new images, including a very welcome selection of artwork (race programmes, tickets, badges etc) from both the original period and the past decade.
Broken into sections covering the history of the track, Freddy March (grandfather of the present Lord March and the man who was behind turning the disused WW2 airfield into a race circuit) and the ten Revival events, the book gives much more information than can be found in existing material - programmes, web sites, etc - but not so much as to be daunting or impenetrable.
The second half of the book is devoted to a run through of each race, year by year, with entry lists and results. Dotted throughout are short essays by various drivers, notables and others now associated with the Revival, giving their own views on the events and the genuinely unique atmosphere created there each year.
I find Goodwood merchandise is always good quality, but often expensive. This book, especially at the price from Amazon, is very good value for money and I happily recommend it to anyone with an interest in the event or historic racing in general.
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Lewis Hamilton: My Story
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*Amazon: £1.35
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Customer Reviews
A stunner, 05 Dec 2008
A beautiful book. All of the photos, especially covering this year, really bring it to life. I enjoyed his autobiography when it came out last year, and this book with the additional pictures and story of the season is something that really captures his rise to champion.
Not yet Byrned out!, 20 Nov 2008
An excellent and personal view of one man,s motor racing career.Do not expect a race by race account but instead get the inside story of a meteoric rise to success and an even quicker fall from the spotlight in the competitive world of British and then European racing.
To say he got screwed by McLaren would be an understatement!
There are,however,some hilarious accounts of racing in the early 80,s
Buy it!
An incredible read - what a story!, 16 Sep 2008
Just extraordinary. What a fantastic read. If you could imagine an unlikely cross between Angela's Ashes and Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas with a loose motor racing backdrop, this is it. It has you in hysterics one moment, full of sadness the next. The most amazing sports biography I've ever read. In fact even if it was a work of fiction, it would still work. If you never buy another book again, you must buy this one.
Loved the book, what a read I couldn't put it down., 11 Sep 2008
I loved the book, gripping from the beginning and a great read all through. The Racing stuff is very interesting but it's not just a book about racing the strange characters that Tommy encounters through his life you just couldn't make up!
Full throttle racing, money, steeling, sex, drugs and rock and roll (without the rock and roll).
Hurricane Byrne!, 05 Sep 2008
This is some journey!
Barely believable, 'Crashed and Byrned' somehow twists through the apposite worlds of grubby 1970's O'Connell street, the 1982 Las Vegas Grand Prix and a seedy mansion in drug addled Mexico. Why? Because Tommy Byrne was chasing his quest to make the motor racing world realise that he was the most naturally gifted racing driver of his generation (and that is no idle boast by the way). And what is more, this book does it in a kind of surreal innocence that would be quite at home in a Hunter S.Thompson yarn!
Tommy Byrne will generally only be known to racing people but his story is so unique that he and his adventures will be enjoyed by those who have never seen a motor race in their lives before. This story will surely become a classic alternative to the bland and colourless publications that modern sports stars often produce.
It wasn't so much that Tommy was anti establishment it was more like he created his own establishment and then whether it was his fault or not, trashed it in a bright haze of his own brilliance and confidence. This had an uncanny knack of rubbing people up the wrong way. Ron Dennis was one of these people, so was Ayrton Senna. Years before Eddie Irvine was getting a slap from the great Brazilian champion, another and more gifted urchin from the Emerald Isle was getting under Ayrton's skin! Put bluntly, if John Lydon and Phil Lynott had raised a bastard child that took up motor racing, then his name would have been Tommy Byrne.
The anecdotes are told in a fabulously honest and more often than not comic fashion. There is no self pity and no 'what ifs'. These are left to the reader, who by the end of it are likely to ask these questions quietly to themselves. His 'tell it, how he saw it' descriptions of situations and people are quite superb, brutally honest and tremendously funny. In these days of wretched PR sheen this book takes you back to an era when genius 'literally' stole. It's sports answer to 'The filth and the fury!'
Put together in a simple and effective way by Mark Hughes, who proves that he is as subtly adept at translating these unforgettable memories of racings greatest roguish lost talent' as he is of acutely detailing the weekly technical and strategic aspects of the current Grand Prix scene in Autosport magazine. Hughes also offers an oversight to Byrne's memories, dipping in to the likes of Gary Anderson and Ron Dennis himself, for a revisionist perspective twenty five years on from 'Hurricane Byrne.'!
Above all, it tells of an ambitious and talented young man who was fighting a desperate and constantly losing battle to be accepted by an elitist sport that even by the standards of the early 1980's found Tommy Byrne just too much of a risk. It cannot be recommended highly enough.
amazing, 20 Oct 2008
Being a big valentino rossi fan i had to get this book when it come out i also got once each for my brothers as i wanted to keep mine i have read it a few times and we all loved the book. It is a great book for any bike fan not just a rossi or moto gp fan. I have read a few other books like this but i think this is one of the best i have read in a while with the ups and down twist and turns.
Brill read, 26 Apr 2008
I am not a reader at all, infact it can take me up to a year to read any book i have picked up in the past, but this book is brill, i read it in 2 days!!! a record for me!! This books give a great insight to the man who is the doctor and what actually happened with honda!!! i have read alot of moto gp & BSB books and the only one that kinda comes close is the HIZZY book!!!
Any Vale fan needs to read this book, cant wait for more Rossi books to come out!!!
Great funny informative read., 08 Sep 2006
Ok first off there are a few reviews here that moan about it not always being overly grammatically correct or about its not translated very well etc, granted this is no Pulitzer prize winning book but you would expect that id have thought from Rossi, Ill let his riding impress me not his writing skills! . If your looking to find out about the guy in his own(ish) words, his childhood antics, his love of riding, his character then this is a great book. It's a very light read and seeing the living legend on screen full of personality the book seems to come across in the same way. It is very informative about a few issues, the ongoing comical, for want of a better word, relationship with Biaggi and the issues with Honda that made decision to move to an other factory easy. Someone below moaned about his talking about this in to much detail but as most fans will agree this was probably one of the biggest "why" questions the man himself has made us all ask. This book explains in great and funny detail the transition, the expectations he placed on his existing team with HRC at the time and Yamaha. All in all Id say if you're a Rossi fan you will most likely enjoy this light hearted read. Definitely worth a nosey for a good laugh none the less.
Vale like he is?, 04 Sep 2006
You will certainly like this book if you're a Vale fan and know who he is and for what he stands. Those looking for indepth an technical analysis of motorcycle racing will be disappointed. Vale clearly has an ego, but the way how he expresses his views (and of course his phenomenal talent as a motorcycle racer) makes this book fun to read.
Already a Legend at 27, what more do u want?, 31 Aug 2006
I have to agree with the last reviewer, why are people knocking this book?
I thought it was great, and yes some things are lost in translation, but if the whole book was written in Vale's charming broken english, people would soon be complaining about that!
I thought it still showed what a cheeky spirited person he is, as we all can tell whenever he's interviewed.I laughed at the little escapades he tells of what he and his mates got up to back home, and his meticulous planning of his on-track pranks to entertain the crowd. A lot of sports personalities autobiographies can become weighed down with technical jargon and statistics, but this one for me, especially as i'm not an expert on motorbikes or racing, was very enjoyable.
I first became a fan of Valentino because i was forced to watch motoGP by my boyfriend, and being half-italian i would instantly pick the italian in any sport to cheer for, but at the end of the race when he'd won and was interviewed i LOVED HIM!
Vale is such a big character, and an even bigger natural talent, anyone who has not finished reading this book, please give it another go, it really is an entertaining read!
Thanks Vale, When's the next instalment??!
Motorsport Book of the Year, 27 Sep 2008
Exceptional and comprehensive account of the Goodwood Revival starting from the circuits early days, and before through to its re-opening in 1998 and the annual festival of nostalgia that is the Goodwood Revival. Captures the atmoshpere, the action through summary race reports, records of starters and finishers and some excellent photography that woud normally grace more expensive books. Recommended.
Good Book Reviewed, 25 Sep 2008
Anyone who has visited Goodwood will know that it is the attention to detail which separates these events from others. This philosophy no doubt stems from Lord March himself and this book is a perfect reflection of it.
Doug Nye, the author, is not only a very highly regarded expert on historic motor sport but also an entertaining writer, making this a book which is enjoyable to either dip in and out of, or to settle down and read. Doing the latter will require strong arms as this is a heavy book.
The large page size lends even the act of casual browsing an air of significance, neatly echoing the events themselves and the sense of occasion that is woven into every aspect of the Goodwood experience. The design and use of images is very clean and clear, all accurately capturing the atmosphere of Goodwood Revival.
There are old and new images, including a very welcome selection of artwork (race programmes, tickets, badges etc) from both the original period and the past decade.
Broken into sections covering the history of the track, Freddy March (grandfather of the present Lord March and the man who was behind turning the disused WW2 airfield into a race circuit) and the ten Revival events, the book gives much more information than can be found in existing material - programmes, web sites, etc - but not so much as to be daunting or impenetrable.
The second half of the book is devoted to a run through of each race, year by year, with entry lists and results. Dotted throughout are short essays by various drivers, notables and others now associated with the Revival, giving their own views on the events and the genuinely unique atmosphere created there each year.
I find Goodwood merchandise is always good quality, but often expensive. This book, especially at the price from Amazon, is very good value for money and I happily recommend it to anyone with an interest in the event or historic racing in general.
someone who done so much in his young age., 20 Sep 2008
Im a big lewis fan. Fanily a british drive winning the f1. this book go though what he has atcheved in his life of racing. he was'nt a rich kid but he had to work dam hard to get to were he is. So he may have the luck and hes quick learn. i don't read many book but while i was on holaday i bought this book. Its intressing to read how he got were he is now. it defently getting a 5 star because he a great driver. not many have won so much in a younge age. also nice to read how he start from to know. brillant book well done.
1st Place!!!!, 08 Sep 2008
Lewis Hamilton, 22 years old, bearly an adult, but boy he's had a thrilling life so far! Many people are calling this book a missed opportunity, but they haven't read it. This book is truly one of the geatest autobiographies ever written. It realy captures the passion he has for racing and how he wouldn't knowingly do anything to jepeordise his racing career. Reading this book is an experiance never to be forgotten, and if you don't believe me then get it, book a Saturday alone and read. Sadly I have finished the book, but as he is only 22 years old there should be lots more to come from Britains favorite racing driver/bookwriter, and boy I can't wait!!!!
Inspirational, 31 Mar 2008
I think that this is a truly inspirational read. i am not a massive fan of formula 1 or lewis for that matter this book was my friends and i decided to have a read as it seemed very inspirational. Lewis just proves that if you try hard enough you can live the dream and suceed in the job/sport you are passionate about. I dont care what any of you lot who rated it as 1 star think, because a lot of you havent even blooming well read the book and others have but they didnt like lewis hamilton to start with so why read it then? you all amaze me! and my granny always told me dont judge a book by its cover and dont judge a person by its skin.
Much too sanitised and selective, though still readable (just about), 27 Feb 2008
Content wise, Lewis Hamilton's `My Story' is pretty much what you'd expect from a twenty-two year old's autobiography (who happens to be a Formula 1 ace). As such, approximately two-thirds relates directly to 2007 - not unreasonable, and since he looks at each race in turn, it's actually quite welcome.
`My Story' is divided into seventeen (short) chapters with such informative one-word titles as: `Inspirations', `Unbelievable!', `Adversity' (as well as `Strife') or `Fame'. These are followed by an index and a `Career Statistics' section - which comprises a single page for 1995-2006 and twenty-odd pages for 2007 (with one F1 race per page). Unfortunately, the first four of five chapters are mostly waffle.
The above illustrates one of the major short-comings: there is far too little about Lewis' early life and, especially, his early career. For instance, his stellar 2006 GP2 championship winning year barely warrants a mention. I'd love to read accounts of those races as some are already the stuff of legend:
`... like Istanbul. I had a great GP2 race there in 2006 when, after spinning early on, I worked my way up from last to second' (p206).
But that's it! Lewis says he wants `My Story' to be `an inspirational book' but what's inspirational about collapsing the most important and incredible race of his career up to that point to just a single sentence?
We might also criticise the extreme care taken to follow the party (McLaren/Mercedes) line but while it's a little tedious, you can't blame him. But I really didn't like the way the first half of the book (in particular) jumps all over the place chronologically, making everything feel very disjointed.
In the end we are left with an informative picture of the young man who is Lewis Hamilton and a useful look (just) under the skin of the 2007 F1 season. But this is just half a book and I bet the other half would be fantastic: `My Story' is a million miles behind `Mansell', and even trails a long way behind Coulthard's `It Is What It Is.' (Maybe 2½ stars would be fairer.)
Already????, 17 Feb 2008
although listed as best seller in F1, a one star is all i can give.
I mean, don't get me wrong, Hamilton is the best thing that happened to F1 since Montoya left.... NO SERIOUSLY, He is the prodogy that will change the nombers of of F1. shame he pledged to McLaren Mercedes, is it for th rest of his career? only time will tell.
on a last note, please Lewis, wait for more F1 seasons before another "My Story" for a story to actually unfold.
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Customer Reviews
A stunner, 05 Dec 2008
A beautiful book. All of the photos, especially covering this year, really bring it to life. I enjoyed his autobiography when it came out last year, and this book with the additional pictures and story of the season is something that really captures his rise to champion.
Not yet Byrned out!, 20 Nov 2008
An excellent and personal view of one man,s motor racing career.Do not expect a race by race account but instead get the inside story of a meteoric rise to success and an even quicker fall from the spotlight in the competitive world of British and then European racing.
To say he got screwed by McLaren would be an understatement!
There are,however,some hilarious accounts of racing in the early 80,s
Buy it!
An incredible read - what a story!, 16 Sep 2008
Just extraordinary. What a fantastic read. If you could imagine an unlikely cross between Angela's Ashes and Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas with a loose motor racing backdrop, this is it. It has you in hysterics one moment, full of sadness the next. The most amazing sports biography I've ever read. In fact even if it was a work of fiction, it would still work. If you never buy another book again, you must buy this one.
Loved the book, what a read I couldn't put it down., 11 Sep 2008
I loved the book, gripping from the beginning and a great read all through. The Racing stuff is very interesting but it's not just a book about racing the strange characters that Tommy encounters through his life you just couldn't make up!
Full throttle racing, money, steeling, sex, drugs and rock and roll (without the rock and roll).
Hurricane Byrne!, 05 Sep 2008
This is some journey!
Barely believable, 'Crashed and Byrned' somehow twists through the apposite worlds of grubby 1970's O'Connell street, the 1982 Las Vegas Grand Prix and a seedy mansion in drug addled Mexico. Why? Because Tommy Byrne was chasing his quest to make the motor racing world realise that he was the most naturally gifted racing driver of his generation (and that is no idle boast by the way). And what is more, this book does it in a kind of surreal innocence that would be quite at home in a Hunter S.Thompson yarn!
Tommy Byrne will generally only be known to racing people but his story is so unique that he and his adventures will be enjoyed by those who have never seen a motor race in their lives before. This story will surely become a classic alternative to the bland and colourless publications that modern sports stars often produce.
It wasn't so much that Tommy was anti establishment it was more like he created his own establishment and then whether it was his fault or not, trashed it in a bright haze of his own brilliance and confidence. This had an uncanny knack of rubbing people up the wrong way. Ron Dennis was one of these people, so was Ayrton Senna. Years before Eddie Irvine was getting a slap from the great Brazilian champion, another and more gifted urchin from the Emerald Isle was getting under Ayrton's skin! Put bluntly, if John Lydon and Phil Lynott had raised a bastard child that took up motor racing, then his name would have been Tommy Byrne.
The anecdotes are told in a fabulously honest and more often than not comic fashion. There is no self pity and no 'what ifs'. These are left to the reader, who by the end of it are likely to ask these questions quietly to themselves. His 'tell it, how he saw it' descriptions of situations and people are quite superb, brutally honest and tremendously funny. In these days of wretched PR sheen this book takes you back to an era when genius 'literally' stole. It's sports answer to 'The filth and the fury!'
Put together in a simple and effective way by Mark Hughes, who proves that he is as subtly adept at translating these unforgettable memories of racings greatest roguish lost talent' as he is of acutely detailing the weekly technical and strategic aspects of the current Grand Prix scene in Autosport magazine. Hughes also offers an oversight to Byrne's memories, dipping in to the likes of Gary Anderson and Ron Dennis himself, for a revisionist perspective twenty five years on from 'Hurricane Byrne.'!
Above all, it tells of an ambitious and talented young man who was fighting a desperate and constantly losing battle to be accepted by an elitist sport that even by the standards of the early 1980's found Tommy Byrne just too much of a risk. It cannot be recommended highly enough.
amazing, 20 Oct 2008
Being a big valentino rossi fan i had to get this book when it come out i also got once each for my brothers as i wanted to keep mine i have read it a few times and we all loved the book. It is a great book for any bike fan not just a rossi or moto gp fan. I have read a few other books like this but i think this is one of the best i have read in a while with the ups and down twist and turns.
Brill read, 26 Apr 2008
I am not a reader at all, infact it can take me up to a year to read any book i have picked up in the past, but this book is brill, i read it in 2 days!!! a record for me!! This books give a great insight to the man who is the doctor and what actually happened with honda!!! i have read alot of moto gp & BSB books and the only one that kinda comes close is the HIZZY book!!!
Any Vale fan needs to read this book, cant wait for more Rossi books to come out!!!
Great funny informative read., 08 Sep 2006
Ok first off there are a few reviews here that moan about it not always being overly grammatically correct or about its not translated very well etc, granted this is no Pulitzer prize winning book but you would expect that id have thought from Rossi, Ill let his riding impress me not his writing skills! . If your looking to find out about the guy in his own(ish) words, his childhood antics, his love of riding, his character then this is a great book. It's a very light read and seeing the living legend on screen full of personality the book seems to come across in the same way. It is very informative about a few issues, the ongoing comical, for want of a better word, relationship with Biaggi and the issues with Honda that made decision to move to an other factory easy. Someone below moaned about his talking about this in to much detail but as most fans will agree this was probably one of the biggest "why" questions the man himself has made us all ask. This book explains in great and funny detail the transition, the expectations he placed on his existing team with HRC at the time and Yamaha. All in all Id say if you're a Rossi fan you will most likely enjoy this light hearted read. Definitely worth a nosey for a good laugh none the less.
Vale like he is?, 04 Sep 2006
You will certainly like this book if you're a Vale fan and know who he is and for what he stands. Those looking for indepth an technical analysis of motorcycle racing will be disappointed. Vale clearly has an ego, but the way how he expresses his views (and of course his phenomenal talent as a motorcycle racer) makes this book fun to read.
Already a Legend at 27, what more do u want?, 31 Aug 2006
I have to agree with the last reviewer, why are people knocking this book?
I thought it was great, and yes some things are lost in translation, but if the whole book was written in Vale's charming broken english, people would soon be complaining about that!
I thought it still showed what a cheeky spirited person he is, as we all can tell whenever he's interviewed.I laughed at the little escapades he tells of what he and his mates got up to back home, and his meticulous planning of his on-track pranks to entertain the crowd. A lot of sports personalities autobiographies can become weighed down with technical jargon and statistics, but this one for me, especially as i'm not an expert on motorbikes or racing, was very enjoyable.
I first became a fan of Valentino because i was forced to watch motoGP by my boyfriend, and being half-italian i would instantly pick the italian in any sport to cheer for, but at the end of the race when he'd won and was interviewed i LOVED HIM!
Vale is such a big character, and an even bigger natural talent, anyone who has not finished reading this book, please give it another go, it really is an entertaining read!
Thanks Vale, When's the next instalment??!
Motorsport Book of the Year, 27 Sep 2008
Exceptional and comprehensive account of the Goodwood Revival starting from the circuits early days, and before through to its re-opening in 1998 and the annual festival of nostalgia that is the Goodwood Revival. Captures the atmoshpere, the action through summary race reports, records of starters and finishers and some excellent photography that woud normally grace more expensive books. Recommended.
Good Book Reviewed, 25 Sep 2008
Anyone who has visited Goodwood will know that it is the attention to detail which separates these events from others. This philosophy no doubt stems from Lord March himself and this book is a perfect reflection of it.
Doug Nye, the author, is not only a very highly regarded expert on historic motor sport but also an entertaining writer, making this a book which is enjoyable to either dip in and out of, or to settle down and read. Doing the latter will require strong arms as this is a heavy book.
The large page size lends even the act of casual browsing an air of significance, neatly echoing the events themselves and the sense of occasion that is woven into every aspect of the Goodwood experience. The design and use of images is very clean and clear, all accurately capturing the atmosphere of Goodwood Revival.
There are old and new images, including a very welcome selection of artwork (race programmes, tickets, badges etc) from both the original period and the past decade.
Broken into sections covering the history of the track, Freddy March (grandfather of the present Lord March and the man who was behind turning the disused WW2 airfield into a race circuit) and the ten Revival events, the book gives much more information than can be found in existing material - programmes, web sites, etc - but not so much as to be daunting or impenetrable.
The second half of the book is devoted to a run through of each race, year by year, with entry lists and results. Dotted throughout are short essays by various drivers, notables and others now associated with the Revival, giving their own views on the events and the genuinely unique atmosphere created there each year.
I find Goodwood merchandise is always good quality, but often expensive. This book, especially at the price from Amazon, is very good value for money and I happily recommend it to anyone with an interest in the event or historic racing in general.
someone who done so much in his young age., 20 Sep 2008
Im a big lewis fan. Fanily a british drive winning the f1. this book go though what he has atcheved in his life of racing. he was'nt a rich kid but he had to work dam hard to get to were he is. So he may have the luck and hes quick learn. i don't read many book but while i was on holaday i bought this book. Its intressing to read how he got were he is now. it defently getting a 5 star because he a great driver. not many have won so much in a younge age. also nice to read how he start from to know. brillant book well done.
1st Place!!!!, 08 Sep 2008
Lewis Hamilton, 22 years old, bearly an adult, but boy he's had a thrilling life so far! Many people are calling this book a missed opportunity, but they haven't read it. This book is truly one of the geatest autobiographies ever written. It realy captures the passion he has for racing and how he wouldn't knowingly do anything to jepeordise his racing career. Reading this book is an experiance never to be forgotten, and if you don't believe me then get it, book a Saturday alone and read. Sadly I have finished the book, but as he is only 22 years old there should be lots more to come from Britains favorite racing driver/bookwriter, and boy I can't wait!!!!
Inspirational, 31 Mar 2008
I think that this is a truly inspirational read. i am not a massive fan of formula 1 or lewis for that matter this book was my friends and i decided to have a read as it seemed very inspirational. Lewis just proves that if you try hard enough you can live the dream and suceed in the job/sport you are passionate about. I dont care what any of you lot who rated it as 1 star think, because a lot of you havent even blooming well read the book and others have but they didnt like lewis hamilton to start with so why read it then? you all amaze me! and my granny always told me dont judge a book by its cover and dont judge a person by its skin.
Much too sanitised and selective, though still readable (just about), 27 Feb 2008
Content wise, Lewis Hamilton's `My Story' is pretty much what you'd expect from a twenty-two year old's autobiography (who happens to be a Formula 1 ace). As such, approximately two-thirds relates directly to 2007 - not unreasonable, and since he looks at each race in turn, it's actually quite welcome.
`My Story' is divided into seventeen (short) chapters with such informative one-word titles as: `Inspirations', `Unbelievable!', `Adversity' (as well as `Strife') or `Fame'. These are followed by an index and a `Career Statistics' section - which comprises a single page for 1995-2006 and twenty-odd pages for 2007 (with one F1 race per page). Unfortunately, the first four of five chapters are mostly waffle.
The above illustrates one of the major short-comings: there is far too little about Lewis' early life and, especially, his early career. For instance, his stellar 2006 GP2 championship winning year barely warrants a mention. I'd love to read accounts of those races as some are already the stuff of legend:
`... like Istanbul. I had a great GP2 race there in 2006 when, after spinning early on, I worked my way up from last to second' (p206).
But that's it! Lewis says he wants `My Story' to be `an inspirational book' but what's inspirational about collapsing the most important and incredible race of his career up to that point to just a single sentence?
We might also criticise the extreme care taken to follow the party (McLaren/Mercedes) line but while it's a little tedious, you can't blame him. But I really didn't like the way the first half of the book (in particular) jumps all over the place chronologically, making everything feel very disjointed.
In the end we are left with an informative picture of the young man who is Lewis Hamilton and a useful look (just) under the skin of the 2007 F1 season. But this is just half a book and I bet the other half would be fantastic: `My Story' is a million miles behind `Mansell', and even trails a long way behind Coulthard's `It Is What It Is.' (Maybe 2½ stars would be fairer.)
Already????, 17 Feb 2008
although listed as best seller in F1, a one star is all i can give.
I mean, don't get me wrong, Hamilton is the best thing that happened to F1 since Montoya left.... NO SERIOUSLY, He is the prodogy that will change the nombers of of F1. shame he pledged to McLaren Mercedes, is it for th rest of his career? only time will tell.
on a last note, please Lewis, wait for more F1 seasons before another "My Story" for a story to actually unfold.
Heartbreakingly funny, 27 Nov 2007
This book had me howling with laughter, and tears rolling down my cheeks. It's the sort of book that makes you realise the dedication (and finance) that is required to reach to top of the motorsport pyramid.
Spoilt by McCarthy's idiocy, 21 Sep 2007
This book came highly recommended, though I'm pleased to say I got my copy for nothing - there was a box full of them in my local Audi dealership and they gave me a copy.
While Perry's trials and tribulations during his search for an F1 drive are mildly amusing, his alarming recourse to physical violence when someone says something he doesn't like makes him out to be a complete idiot. I counted numerous occasions where someone said something which got to him, and his response was fisticuffs.
To say he does for motorsport writing what Bill Bryson does for travel writing is, I'm afraid, not the case. Bill Bryson is in another class - several above Perry.
Fantastic, 12 Jul 2007
I truly enlightening look into the life of a tallented motor racer and the struggles that these everyday people face to follow their dreams. Very inspiring to say the least, a must read for all enthusiasts alike.
Brilliant!, 06 Jul 2007
I knew before reading the book that Perry tried to qualify for F1 races in the Andrea Moda. At that time, I just thought he was one of those drivers without any talent who tried to make it in the F1 without any success.
The book however gave a total different view of Perry. I'm not sure if he had the talent to become one of the top F1 drivers, but he definitely had determination to make it into F1.
Despite all the setbacks, Perry never lost one thing: humour! And that makes the book a very good read.
Readable, 27 Oct 2006
I did enjoy this - I ended up sharing the frustration of Perry fighting his way through a struggle to race. I ended up admiring him despite having hated him when he was a commentator on Bernie's pay per view F1 digital channel.
It was very readable and even non racing fans would probably enjoy it, though may get lost through some of the technicalities of racing. I also ended up pitying those Perry pestered in his buldozer approach to getting into motor racing.
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Customer Reviews
A stunner, 05 Dec 2008
A beautiful book. All of the photos, especially covering this year, really bring it to life. I enjoyed his autobiography when it came out last year, and this book with the additional pictures and story of the season is something that really captures his rise to champion.
Not yet Byrned out!, 20 Nov 2008
An excellent and personal view of one man,s motor racing career.Do not expect a race by race account but instead get the inside story of a meteoric rise to success and an even quicker fall from the spotlight in the competitive world of British and then European racing.
To say he got screwed by McLaren would be an understatement!
There are,however,some hilarious accounts of racing in the early 80,s
Buy it!
An incredible read - what a story!, 16 Sep 2008
Just extraordinary. What a fantastic read. If you could imagine an unlikely cross between Angela's Ashes and Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas with a loose motor racing backdrop, this is it. It has you in hysterics one moment, full of sadness the next. The most amazing sports biography I've ever read. In fact even if it was a work of fiction, it would still work. If you never buy another book again, you must buy this one.
Loved the book, what a read I couldn't put it down., 11 Sep 2008
I loved the book, gripping from the beginning and a great read all through. The Racing stuff is very interesting but it's not just a book about racing the strange characters that Tommy encounters through his life you just couldn't make up!
Full throttle racing, money, steeling, sex, drugs and rock and roll (without the rock and roll).
Hurricane Byrne!, 05 Sep 2008
This is some journey!
Barely believable, 'Crashed and Byrned' somehow twists through the apposite worlds of grubby 1970's O'Connell street, the 1982 Las Vegas Grand Prix and a seedy mansion in drug addled Mexico. Why? Because Tommy Byrne was chasing his quest to make the motor racing world realise that he was the most naturally gifted racing driver of his generation (and that is no idle boast by the way). And what is more, this book does it in a kind of surreal innocence that would be quite at home in a Hunter S.Thompson yarn!
Tommy Byrne will generally only be known to racing people but his story is so unique that he and his adventures will be enjoyed by those who have never seen a motor race in their lives before. This story will surely become a classic alternative to the bland and colourless publications that modern sports stars often produce.
It wasn't so much that Tommy was anti establishment it was more like he created his own establishment and then whether it was his fault or not, trashed it in a bright haze of his own brilliance and confidence. This had an uncanny knack of rubbing people up the wrong way. Ron Dennis was one of these people, so was Ayrton Senna. Years before Eddie Irvine was getting a slap from the great Brazilian champion, another and more gifted urchin from the Emerald Isle was getting under Ayrton's skin! Put bluntly, if John Lydon and Phil Lynott had raised a bastard child that took up motor racing, then his name would have been Tommy Byrne.
The anecdotes are told in a fabulously honest and more often than not comic fashion. There is no self pity and no 'what ifs'. These are left to the reader, who by the end of it are likely to ask these questions quietly to themselves. His 'tell it, how he saw it' descriptions of situations and people are quite superb, brutally honest and tremendously funny. In these days of wretched PR sheen this book takes you back to an era when genius 'literally' stole. It's sports answer to 'The filth and the fury!'
Put together in a simple and effective way by Mark Hughes, who proves that he is as subtly adept at translating these unforgettable memories of racings greatest roguish lost talent' as he is of acutely detailing the weekly technical and strategic aspects of the current Grand Prix scene in Autosport magazine. Hughes also offers an oversight to Byrne's memories, dipping in to the likes of Gary Anderson and Ron Dennis himself, for a revisionist perspective twenty five years on from 'Hurricane Byrne.'!
Above all, it tells of an ambitious and talented young man who was fighting a desperate and constantly losing battle to be accepted by an elitist sport that even by the standards of the early 1980's found Tommy Byrne just too much of a risk. It cannot be recommended highly enough.
amazing, 20 Oct 2008
Being a big valentino rossi fan i had to get this book when it come out i also got once each for my brothers as i wanted to keep mine i have read it a few times and we all loved the book. It is a great book for any bike fan not just a rossi or moto gp fan. I have read a few other books like this but i think this is one of the best i have read in a while with the ups and down twist and turns.
Brill read, 26 Apr 2008
I am not a reader at all, infact it can take me up to a year to read any book i have picked up in the past, but this book is brill, i read it in 2 days!!! a record for me!! This books give a great insight to the man who is the doctor and what actually happened with honda!!! i have read alot of moto gp & BSB books and the only one that kinda comes close is the HIZZY book!!!
Any Vale fan needs to read this book, cant wait for more Rossi books to come out!!!
Great funny informative read., 08 Sep 2006
Ok first off there are a few reviews here that moan about it not always being overly grammatically correct or about its not translated very well etc, granted this is no Pulitzer prize winning book but you would expect that id have thought from Rossi, Ill let his riding impress me not his writing skills! . If your looking to find out about the guy in his own(ish) words, his childhood antics, his love of riding, his character then this is a great book. It's a very light read and seeing the living legend on screen full of personality the book seems to come across in the same way. It is very informative about a few issues, the ongoing comical, for want of a better word, relationship with Biaggi and the issues with Honda that made decision to move to an other factory easy. Someone below moaned about his talking about this in to much detail but as most fans will agree this was probably one of the biggest "why" questions the man himself has made us all ask. This book explains in great and funny detail the transition, the expectations he placed on his existing team with HRC at the time and Yamaha. All in all Id say if you're a Rossi fan you will most likely enjoy this light hearted read. Definitely worth a nosey for a good laugh none the less.
Vale like he is?, 04 Sep 2006
You will certainly like this book if you're a Vale fan and know who he is and for what he stands. Those looking for indepth an technical analysis of motorcycle racing will be disappointed. Vale clearly has an ego, but the way how he expresses his views (and of course his phenomenal talent as a motorcycle racer) makes this book fun to read.
Already a Legend at 27, what more do u want?, 31 Aug 2006
I have to agree with the last reviewer, why are people knocking this book?
I thought it was great, and yes some things are lost in translation, but if the whole book was written in Vale's charming broken english, people would soon be complaining about that!
I thought it still showed what a cheeky spirited person he is, as we all can tell whenever he's interviewed.I laughed at the little escapades he tells of what he and his mates got up to back home, and his meticulous planning of his on-track pranks to entertain the crowd. A lot of sports personalities autobiographies can become weighed down with technical jargon and statistics, but this one for me, especially as i'm not an expert on motorbikes or racing, was very enjoyable.
I first became a fan of Valentino because i was forced to watch motoGP by my boyfriend, and being half-italian i would instantly pick the italian in any sport to cheer for, but at the end of the race when he'd won and was interviewed i LOVED HIM!
Vale is such a big character, and an even bigger natural talent, anyone who has not finished reading this book, please give it another go, it really is an entertaining read!
Thanks Vale, When's the next instalment??!
Motorsport Book of the Year, 27 Sep 2008
Exceptional and comprehensive account of the Goodwood Revival starting from the circuits early days, and before through to its re-opening in 1998 and the annual festival of nostalgia that is the Goodwood Revival. Captures the atmoshpere, the action through summary race reports, records of starters and finishers and some excellent photography that woud normally grace more expensive books. Recommended.
Good Book Reviewed, 25 Sep 2008
Anyone who has visited Goodwood will know that it is the attention to detail which separates these events from others. This philosophy no doubt stems from Lord March himself and this book is a perfect reflection of it.
Doug Nye, the author, is not only a very highly regarded expert on historic motor sport but also an entertaining writer, making this a book which is enjoyable to either dip in and out of, or to settle down and read. Doing the latter will require strong arms as this is a heavy book.
The large page size lends even the act of casual browsing an air of significance, neatly echoing the events themselves and the sense of occasion that is woven into every aspect of the Goodwood experience. The design and use of images is very clean and clear, all accurately capturing the atmosphere of Goodwood Revival.
There are old and new images, including a very welcome selection of artwork (race programmes, tickets, badges etc) from both the original period and the past decade.
Broken into sections covering the history of the track, Freddy March (grandfather of the present Lord March and the man who was behind turning the disused WW2 airfield into a race circuit) and the ten Revival events, the book gives much more information than can be found in existing material - programmes, web sites, etc - but not so much as to be daunting or impenetrable.
The second half of the book is devoted to a run through of each race, year by year, with entry lists and results. Dotted throughout are short essays by various drivers, notables and others now associated with the Revival, giving their own views on the events and the genuinely unique atmosphere created there each year.
I find Goodwood merchandise is always good quality, but often expensive. This book, especially at the price from Amazon, is very good value for money and I happily recommend it to anyone with an interest in the event or historic racing in general.
someone who done so much in his young age., 20 Sep 2008
Im a big lewis fan. Fanily a british drive winning the f1. this book go though what he has atcheved in his life of racing. he was'nt a rich kid but he had to work dam hard to get to were he is. So he may have the luck and hes quick learn. i don't read many book but while i was on holaday i bought this book. Its intressing to read how he got were he is now. it defently getting a 5 star because he a great driver. not many have won so much in a younge age. also nice to read how he start from to know. brillant book well done.
1st Place!!!!, 08 Sep 2008
Lewis Hamilton, 22 years old, bearly an adult, but boy he's had a thrilling life so far! Many people are calling this book a missed opportunity, but they haven't read it. This book is truly one of the geatest autobiographies ever written. It realy captures the passion he has for racing and how he wouldn't knowingly do anything to jepeordise his racing career. Reading this book is an experiance never to be forgotten, and if you don't believe me then get it, book a Saturday alone and read. Sadly I have finished the book, but as he is only 22 years old there should be lots more to come from Britains favorite racing driver/bookwriter, and boy I can't wait!!!!
Inspirational, 31 Mar 2008
I think that this is a truly inspirational read. i am not a massive fan of formula 1 or lewis for that matter this book was my friends and i decided to have a read as it seemed very inspirational. Lewis just proves that if you try hard enough you can live the dream and suceed in the job/sport you are passionate about. I dont care what any of you lot who rated it as 1 star think, because a lot of you havent even blooming well read the book and others have but they didnt like lewis hamilton to start with so why read it then? you all amaze me! and my granny always told me dont judge a book by its cover and dont judge a person by its skin.
Much too sanitised and selective, though still readable (just about), 27 Feb 2008
Content wise, Lewis Hamilton's `My Story' is pretty much what you'd expect from a twenty-two year old's autobiography (who happens to be a Formula 1 ace). As such, approximately two-thirds relates directly to 2007 - not unreasonable, and since he looks at each race in turn, it's actually quite welcome.
`My Story' is divided into seventeen (short) chapters with such informative one-word titles as: `Inspirations', `Unbelievable!', `Adversity' (as well as `Strife') or `Fame'. These are followed by an index and a `Career Statistics' section - which comprises a single page for 1995-2006 and twenty-odd pages for 2007 (with one F1 race per page). Unfortunately, the first four of five chapters are mostly waffle.
The above illustrates one of the major short-comings: there is far too little about Lewis' early life and, especially, his early career. For instance, his stellar 2006 GP2 championship winning year barely warrants a mention. I'd love to read accounts of those races as some are already the stuff of legend:
`... like Istanbul. I had a great GP2 race there in 2006 when, after spinning early on, I worked my way up from last to second' (p206).
But that's it! Lewis says he wants `My Story' to be `an inspirational book' but what's inspirational about collapsing the most important and incredible race of his career up to that point to just a single sentence?
We might also criticise the extreme care taken to follow the party (McLaren/Mercedes) line but while it's a little tedious, you can't blame him. But I really didn't like the way the first half of the book (in particular) jumps all over the place chronologically, making everything feel very disjointed.
In the end we are left with an informative picture of the young man who is Lewis Hamilton and a useful look (just) under the skin of the 2007 F1 season. But this is just half a book and I bet the other half would be fantastic: `My Story' is a million miles behind `Mansell', and even trails a long way behind Coulthard's `It Is What It Is.' (Maybe 2½ stars would be fairer.)
Already????, 17 Feb 2008
although listed as best seller in F1, a one star is all i can give.
I mean, don't get me wrong, Hamilton is the best thing that happened to F1 since Montoya left.... NO SERIOUSLY, He is the prodogy that will change the nombers of of F1. shame he pledged to McLaren Mercedes, is it for th rest of his career? only time will tell.
on a last note, please Lewis, wait for more F1 seasons before another "My Story" for a story to actually unfold.
Heartbreakingly funny, 27 Nov 2007
This book had me howling with laughter, and tears rolling down my cheeks. It's the sort of book that makes you realise the dedication (and finance) that is required to reach to top of the motorsport pyramid.
Spoilt by McCarthy's idiocy, 21 Sep 2007
This book came highly recommended, though I'm pleased to say I got my copy for nothing - there was a box full of them in my local Audi dealership and they gave me a copy.
While Perry's trials and tribulations during his search for an F1 drive are mildly amusing, his alarming recourse to physical violence when someone says something he doesn't like makes him out to be a complete idiot. I counted numerous occasions where someone said something which got to him, and his response was fisticuffs.
To say he does for motorsport writing what Bill Bryson does for travel writing is, I'm afraid, not the case. Bill Bryson is in another class - several above Perry.
Fantastic, 12 Jul 2007
I truly enlightening look into the life of a tallented motor racer and the struggles that these everyday people face to follow their dreams. Very inspiring to say the least, a must read for all enthusiasts alike.
Brilliant!, 06 Jul 2007
I knew before reading the book that Perry tried to qualify for F1 races in the Andrea Moda. At that time, I just thought he was one of those drivers without any talent who tried to make it in the F1 without any success.
The book however gave a total different view of Perry. I'm not sure if he had the talent to become one of the top F1 drivers, but he definitely had determination to make it into F1.
Despite all the setbacks, Perry never lost one thing: humour! And that makes the book a very good read.
Readable, 27 Oct 2006
I did enjoy this - I ended up sharing the frustration of Perry fighting his way through a struggle to race. I ended up admiring him despite having hated him when he was a commentator on Bernie's pay per view F1 digital channel.
It was very readable and even non racing fans would probably enjoy it, though may get lost through some of the technicalities of racing. I also ended up pitying those Perry pestered in his buldozer approach to getting into motor racing.
A Great Book On A Great Era, 20 Jul 2008
The joy of this book can be summed up by two pictures:
The first is on page 141. It is of a Ford Cortina MK3 taking part in a World Sportscar Championship race in South Africa. Such oddity and charm sums up many of the pictures used. There are many images of the expected star cars and players of the decade such as Porsche, Alfa, Matra, but also many of the small teams that entered odd-ball contraptions and threw themselves up against the manufacturing giants at the highest level.
The second is a full page shot of what you eventually work out to be the iconic Gulf Porsche 917 car. It takes a while to identify them because they are pictured in a grotty garage workshop, stripped of their iconic pale blue and orange bodywork and being worked on by dirty overalled mechanics. It's a shot you can stare at for a long time, taking in the detail and atmosphere.
There are plenty of action shots and the captions, long and very informative about not just the image, but also the context, are well written and detailed enough for all but the most fussy rivet counters. Each year has a season summary and overall it's a book to dip in and out of regularly and never grow tired of.
I am a big fan of this series of books and this era of sportscar racing is also a personal favourite so the risk of disappointment was high. I need not have worried - it is a great book.
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Customer Reviews
A stunner, 05 Dec 2008
A beautiful book. All of the photos, especially covering this year, really bring it to life. I enjoyed his autobiography when it came out last year, and this book with the additional pictures and story of the season is something that really captures his rise to champion.
Not yet Byrned out!, 20 Nov 2008
An excellent and personal view of one man,s motor racing career.Do not expect a race by race account but instead get the inside story of a meteoric rise to success and an even quicker fall from the spotlight in the competitive world of British and then European racing.
To say he got screwed by McLaren would be an understatement!
There are,however,some hilarious accounts of racing in the early 80,s
Buy it!
An incredible read - what a story!, 16 Sep 2008
Just extraordinary. What a fantastic read. If you could imagine an unlikely cross between Angela's Ashes and Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas with a loose motor racing backdrop, this is it. It has you in hysterics one moment, full of sadness the next. The most amazing sports biography I've ever read. In fact even if it was a work of fiction, it would still work. If you never buy another book again, you must buy this one.
Loved the book, what a read I couldn't put it down., 11 Sep 2008
I loved the book, gripping from the beginning and a great read all through. The Racing stuff is very interesting but it's not just a book about racing the strange characters that Tommy encounters through his life you just couldn't make up!
Full throttle racing, money, steeling, sex, drugs and rock and roll (without the rock and roll).
Hurricane Byrne!, 05 Sep 2008
This is some journey!
Barely believable, 'Crashed and Byrned' somehow twists through the apposite worlds of grubby 1970's O'Connell street, the 1982 Las Vegas Grand Prix and a seedy mansion in drug addled Mexico. Why? Because Tommy Byrne was chasing his quest to make the motor racing world realise that he was the most naturally gifted racing driver of his generation (and that is no idle boast by the way). And what is more, this book does it in a kind of surreal innocence that would be quite at home in a Hunter S.Thompson yarn!
Tommy Byrne will generally only be known to racing people but his story is so unique that he and his adventures will be enjoyed by those who have never seen a motor race in their lives before. This story will surely become a classic alternative to the bland and colourless publications that modern sports stars often produce.
It wasn't so much that Tommy was anti establishment it was more like he created his own establishment and then whether it was his fault or not, trashed it in a bright haze of his own brilliance and confidence. This had an uncanny knack of rubbing people up the wrong way. Ron Dennis was one of these people, so was Ayrton Senna. Years before Eddie Irvine was getting a slap from the great Brazilian champion, another and more gifted urchin from the Emerald Isle was getting under Ayrton's skin! Put bluntly, if John Lydon and Phil Lynott had raised a bastard child that took up motor racing, then his name would have been Tommy Byrne.
The anecdotes are told in a fabulously honest and more often than not comic fashion. There is no self pity and no 'what ifs'. These are left to the reader, who by the end of it are likely to ask these questions quietly to themselves. His 'tell it, how he saw it' descriptions of situations and people are quite superb, brutally honest and tremendously funny. In these days of wretched PR sheen this book takes you back to an era when genius 'literally' stole. It's sports answer to 'The filth and the fury!'
Put together in a simple and effective way by Mark Hughes, who proves that he is as subtly adept at translating these unforgettable memories of racings greatest roguish lost talent' as he is of acutely detailing the weekly technical and strategic aspects of the current Grand Prix scene in Autosport magazine. Hughes also offers an oversight to Byrne's memories, dipping in to the likes of Gary Anderson and Ron Dennis himself, for a revisionist perspective twenty five years on from 'Hurricane Byrne.'!
Above all, it tells of an ambitious and talented young man who was fighting a desperate and constantly losing battle to be accepted by an elitist sport that even by the standards of the early 1980's found Tommy Byrne just too much of a risk. It cannot be recommended highly enough.
amazing, 20 Oct 2008
Being a big valentino rossi fan i had to get this book when it come out i also got once each for my brothers as i wanted to keep mine i have read it a few times and we all loved the book. It is a great book for any bike fan not just a rossi or moto gp fan. I have read a few other books like this but i think this is one of the best i have read in a while with the ups and down twist and turns.
Brill read, 26 Apr 2008
I am not a reader at all, infact it can take me up to a year to read any book i have picked up in the past, but this book is brill, i read it in 2 days!!! a record for me!! This books give a great insight to the man who is the doctor and what actually happened with honda!!! i have read alot of moto gp & BSB books and the only one that kinda comes close is the HIZZY book!!!
Any Vale fan needs to read this book, cant wait for more Rossi books to come out!!!
Great funny informative read., 08 Sep 2006
Ok first off there are a few reviews here that moan about it not always being overly grammatically correct or about its not translated very well etc, granted this is no Pulitzer prize winning book but you would expect that id have thought from Rossi, Ill let his riding impress me not his writing skills! . If your looking to find out about the guy in his own(ish) words, his childhood antics, his love of riding, his character then this is a great book. It's a very light read and seeing the living legend on screen full of personality the book seems to come across in the same way. It is very informative about a few issues, the ongoing comical, for want of a better word, relationship with Biaggi and the issues with Honda that made decision to move to an other factory easy. Someone below moaned about his talking about this in to much detail but as most fans will agree this was probably one of the biggest "why" questions the man himself has made us all ask. This book explains in great and funny detail the transition, the expectations he placed on his existing team with HRC at the time and Yamaha. All in all Id say if you're a Rossi fan you will most likely enjoy this light hearted read. Definitely worth a nosey for a good laugh none the less.
Vale like he is?, 04 Sep 2006
You will certainly like this book if you're a Vale fan and know who he is and for what he stands. Those looking for indepth an technical analysis of motorcycle racing will be disappointed. Vale clearly has an ego, but the way how he expresses his views (and of course his phenomenal talent as a motorcycle racer) makes this book fun to read.
Already a Legend at 27, what more do u want?, 31 Aug 2006
I have to agree with the last reviewer, why are people knocking this book?
I thought it was great, and yes some things are lost in translation, but if the whole book was written in Vale's charming broken english, people would soon be complaining about that!
I thought it still showed what a cheeky spirited person he is, as we all can tell whenever he's interviewed.I laughed at the little escapades he tells of what he and his mates got up to back home, and his meticulous planning of his on-track pranks to entertain the crowd. A lot of sports personalities autobiographies can become weighed down with technical jargon and statistics, but this one for me, especially as i'm not an expert on motorbikes or racing, was very enjoyable.
I first became a fan of Valentino because i was forced to watch motoGP by my boyfriend, and being half-italian i would instantly pick the italian in any sport to cheer for, but at the end of the race when he'd won and was interviewed i LOVED HIM!
Vale is such a big character, and an even bigger natural talent, anyone who has not finished reading this book, please give it another go, it really is an entertaining read!
Thanks Vale, When's the next instalment??!
Motorsport Book of the Year, 27 Sep 2008
Exceptional and comprehensive account of the Goodwood Revival starting from the circuits early days, and before through to its re-opening in 1998 and the annual festival of nostalgia that is the Goodwood Revival. Captures the atmoshpere, the action through summary race reports, records of starters and finishers and some excellent photography that woud normally grace more expensive books. Recommended.
Good Book Reviewed, 25 Sep 2008
Anyone who has visited Goodwood will know that it is the attention to detail which separates these events from others. This philosophy no doubt stems from Lord March himself and this book is a perfect reflection of it.
Doug Nye, the author, is not only a very highly regarded expert on historic motor sport but also an entertaining writer, making this a book which is enjoyable to either dip in and out of, or to settle down and read. Doing the latter will require strong arms as this is a heavy book.
The large page size lends even the act of casual browsing an air of significance, neatly echoing the events themselves and the sense of occasion that is woven into every aspect of the Goodwood experience. The design and use of images is very clean and clear, all accurately capturing the atmosphere of Goodwood Revival.
There are old and new images, including a very welcome selection of artwork (race programmes, tickets, badges etc) from both the original period and the past decade.
Broken into sections covering the history of the track, Freddy March (grandfather of the present Lord March and the man who was behind turning the disused WW2 airfield into a race circuit) and the ten Revival events, the book gives much more information than can be found in existing material - programmes, web sites, etc - but not so much as to be daunting or impenetrable.
The second half of the book is devoted to a run through of each race, year by year, with entry lists and results. Dotted throughout are short essays by various drivers, notables and others now associated with the Revival, giving their own views on the events and the genuinely unique atmosphere created there each year.
I find Goodwood merchandise is always good quality, but often expensive. This book, especially at the price from Amazon, is very good value for money and I happily recommend it to anyone with an interest in the event or historic racing in general.
someone who done so much in his young age., 20 Sep 2008
Im a big lewis fan. Fanily a british drive winning the f1. this book go though what he has atcheved in his life of racing. he was'nt a rich kid but he had to work dam hard to get to were he is. So he may have the luck and hes quick learn. i don't read many book but while i was on holaday i bought this book. Its intressing to read how he got were he is now. it defently getting a 5 star because he a great driver. not many have won so much in a younge age. also nice to read how he start from to know. brillant book well done.
1st Place!!!!, 08 Sep 2008
Lewis Hamilton, 22 years old, bearly an adult, but boy he's had a thrilling life so far! Many people are calling this book a missed opportunity, but they haven't read it. This book is truly one of the geatest autobiographies ever written. It realy captures the passion he has for racing and how he wouldn't knowingly do anything to jepeordise his racing career. Reading this book is an experiance never to be forgotten, and if you don't believe me then get it, book a Saturday alone and read. Sadly I have finished the book, but as he is only 22 years old there should be lots more to come from Britains favorite racing driver/bookwriter, and boy I can't wait!!!!
Inspirational, 31 Mar 2008
I think that this is a truly inspirational read. i am not a massive fan of formula 1 or lewis for that matter this book was my friends and i decided to have a read as it seemed very inspirational. Lewis just proves that if you try hard enough you can live the dream and suceed in the job/sport you are passionate about. I dont care what any of you lot who rated it as 1 star think, because a lot of you havent even blooming well read the book and others have but they didnt like lewis hamilton to start with so why read it then? you all amaze me! and my granny always told me dont judge a book by its cover and dont judge a person by its skin.
Much too sanitised and selective, though still readable (just about), 27 Feb 2008
Content wise, Lewis Hamilton' | | |