Alan Henry (1) (1947–2016)

Formula One fans are spoiled, methinks. Along with the annual Autocourse volume on the F1 season, we're also besieged by countless titles on our favorite cars, drivers, teams, courses, and races. Big books, colorful books, books jam-packed with insider information. Not just advertising propaganda...real journalism. Real photography. Artwork.

Okay, so maybe I gush. But I still re-read my racing books with relish. And this is one of the better ones, with Alan Henry (who was THERE) relating the story of one of the iconic teams of F1, from its beginning as the teaming of Sir Jack Brabham and Ron Tauranac, to its halcyon days under Bernie Ecclestone; the many and varied drivers like Carlos Reutemann, Carlos Pace (taken too soon!), John Watson, Niki Lauda, and Nelson Piquet; the fascinating cars and technology courtesy of the original rock star designer, the brilliant Gordon Murray...and there I go, gushing again.

But really, this book is just a joy to read. From Wattie's forward to the cumulative index listing the results of EVERY Brabham F1 go from 1962 through 1984 (even the privateers!) it's a volume every Formula One fanatic will find hard to put down, and impossible to part with once it's in your collection. If it has a fault, and it does have one, it's that it comes to rather an abrupt end! But perhaps that's for the best as after the 84 season things really went south fast for Hissing Sid and company, so maybe it's best we remember the glorious days.

Get it. Savor it. And if you didn't live through those days, you'll be as close as you can be. F1 will likely never be the same, and Brabham was one of the reasons it was so fascinating. Enjoy!… (mer)

This is one of those many F1 associated reads that get pumped out every few months (or is it days?) and as such probably contains much that any F1 fan has already read about in other sources. It's now several years old and as such many details are out of date. Creating The Spectacle does more uniquely go behind the scenes to describe how the teams go from race locale to race locale, setting up and operating their voluminous motor homes and fantastically equipped garages spaces, food kitchens and VIP accommodations. Sadly the discussion of this aspect of F1 isn't delved into anywhere near enough to make it worth the price of the book, and the rest of the content is, as I mentioned, the kind of reading you get from many other sources.

I would recommend this book to someone who is not a Formula 1 fan, but has an interest in finding out more about the series and is unconcerned with timeliness of some of the hard facts. With that caveat I think they could enjoy the book as a casual read. For those who are F1 devotees, well, you will probably be able to blow through this book in a long afternoon, so perhaps it's good material to bring when your loved one drags you away from the television to spend the day at the beach.… (mer)