2 comments about Cadillac: The Tailfin Years.

1. The Tailfin - the relic of the fifties and what was cool during those years. "Cadillac: The Tailfin Years" is a coffee table book of photography for those who don't want to accept that time has passed and still find the tailfins cool. Filled cover to cover with full color photos and countless information on each of the models of Cadillac's during that era, it is the ideal gift for lovers of old vehicles, making "Cadillac: The Tailfin Years" highly recommended to community library photography and automotive history collections.



2. Sigh... I love old cadillacs and was looking for some useful information. There is nothing new here. Book is a reprint of old factory sales brochure and advertisement illustrations, which are available for free on the internet already. The prose is no better, just a copy and paste of what's in the brochures. Reprinting the brochures verbatim would have kept the context at least and made this book more interesting... there is absolutely no record of any kind of the reaction or response these cars received over the last 50 years and no photos of actual cars... no information on what they were like to drive, the mechanicals, the frames, the transmissions, the engines, the horsepower, anything technical.
   
   For a better book of this kind look for "the complete catalog" or better still "80 years of cadillac." A good cadillac book on the par with books about Chevy, Ford, Ferrarri, etc. has yet to be published. How can the author even call this a book or call himself an author? He supposedly owns a 1955 cadillac and has met with other cadillac owners, where is the information from this?
   
   The other reviewer is a librarian and gives all her reviews five stars.

5 comments about An Educated Guide To Speeding Tickets-How To Beat Avoid Them.

1. Here is a book you can refer to forever. Good stuff to know.
   
   The writer has been on the Jay Thomas Radio Show (Sirius Satellite) many times, and he's very helpful! He gives a tollfree number in the book, so that if you ever get a ticket you can call him up and ask questions about your specific situation and he'll help you FREE!! All for just the cost of this book!



2. Terrific, empowering book. I just got back from court (where I won, of course, following the author's recommendations). And yes he really CALLS YOU BACK if he doesn't pick up the phone himself! Not only did I win, but I had FUN doing it! If you can, go to the court before your court date and just observe -- it cuts the butterflies and gives you confidence. (You likely will be assigned the court and judge way ahead of time so that's where you go.) The best trick -- the one the $500 attorneys always use and it works 99% of the time -- is to request Discovery (evidence you are entitled to). Why? Because it is almost never returned. Case dismissed. The author tells you how to do it. Have fun beating the system!



3. This book starts off with a good idea, but ventures into foolish if not reckless advice.
   
   The book explains some basic ideas that are helpful to
   the inexperienced defendant of a speeding ticket. Many people may
   not know that you can fight a speeding ticket. Whether you
   can "beat" a ticket is another story, but each person must assess
   the opportunity to fight the ticket before deciding to pay the
   fine. The book is short on the details necessary to put together a
   defense. Granted no book will provide the answers to everyone's
   particular speeding ticket. The book looks poorly put together.
   There are spelling and gramatical errors. The illustrative cartoons
   are juvenile and poorly drawn. The book looks like it was self
   published.
   
   Some of the book's advice is really bad, if not dangerous.
   One advice is to carry a small recording device so you can record
   the police officer's conversation with you during the issuing of the
   ticket. Good luck trying to pull out your mini recorder to place
   it near you and the officer without the officer getting suspicious
   and concerned about the possibility that you are hiding or grabbing
   a weapon. Car stops are one of the most unpredictable encounters
   between police and citizens. Officers are very concerned about the
   possibility of a driver carrying and wielding a weapon. You dont
   want an armed police officer misinterpretting your behavior. And
   then there is the simple legality of secretly recording the police
   officer. Different states have different rules on this. Many
   states require everyone in the conversation to consent to being
   recorded.
   
   There is a whole section on advising the driver on how to get
   away with speeding. It's wrong, to encourage the reader to break the law. Most of the "tips" here are pretty obvious if not a little
   silly: "Tip #16: You should also be careful to avoid speeding right
   in front of the police station."
   
   More seriously dangerous is this book's advice: "If you were issued a speeding ticket by a memeber of law enforcement, and you are very upset about it, this tip or tactic may interest you. Find out who
   the officer was that cited you, when he works and where. You will
   then follow that officer home from work in your own vehicle, and if
   possible, film or video tape this officer speeding as he heads
   home." (Page 75) If you are looking for trouble, one way to find it
   is to follow an officer home. You can be charged with harassment or
   stalking. You never want to make a matter personal with a police
   officer, they have too much power to make it an even battle. You
   dont want to make an armed officer feel personally threatened by
   following him or her home. It is this bit of advice that convinced
   me that the book offers reckless advice and should be ignored. Furthermore there is nothing to be gained. The defense of your speeding ticket has nothing to do with whether the police officer speeds.
   
   In summary, I do not recommend that anyone should buy or read
   this book.



4. I recently received a speeding violation in the state of CT and decided that I would look into the possibility of challenging it. I started to browse the many selections available on Amazon having to do with the subject and decided to purchase An Educated Guide. Although lacking in some of the detail one would like to find, everything you need to know is listed, and quite frankly more information might be confusing. This book lays out what you need to know about handling stops, informational requests, methods used to capture the evil speeder, etc... Honestly, if you take the time to do some of the simplest things in this book you should have very little difficulty eliminating the ticket altogether or at the very least get it reduced to a less damaging violation. Speeding tickets stink, but you have absolutely nothing to lose by challenging it.
   I also wanted to mention something that I read in another review, the person mentioned that they called the author and spoke with him. Frankly I wasn't sure if they were kidding or what, but I actually called Mr. Wallace on my way to traffic court and he gave me some great advice. All I can say about that is Incredible! By the way, THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT ADVICE!



5. The author suggests a lot of very good ideas on how to deal not only with police officers and with the court but everything you need to know. Including things as important as being polite/considerate to the police officer. There are good suggestions and options in which you can take to limit the negative and focus on the positive.

5 comments about Porsche 911 Buyer's Guide.

1. I'm glad I started to read this book after I bought my 911, otherwise I would never have bought the car. The book's approach to buying is "If the car has problem x, then thank the seller and walk away". The car I bought had many of the problems which the book mentioned, but my local garage solved most of them in a day and for less than 1000 euros/600 pounds/1000 dollars. I found the book to be an excellent guide to the different models and their differences, but the buying recommendations seem too stringent.



2. Compared to other 911 Buyer's guides on the shelf this one looks the nicest. The pictures are good but about half way through the happy feeling disappears:
   
   - The model year descriptions in the 80s and 90s are too repetitive. Once you get this far into the book, there is very little new to learn and reading the same text again and again becomes tiresome. You get the feeling that this writer is not a true Porschefile.
   
   - As was said by another reviewer, because of the repettion picking out the good points from the bad for a particular year is difficult because of the layout.
   
   - Many obvious cut-and-paste errors that have not been fixed with later printings.
   
   - Inaccuracies. Even for the model years that use LE-Jetronic, the author continues to mention K-Jetronic engine improvements that were already mentioned in previous models.
   
   - no per model year color information
   
   - The cost of ownership section for each model year, fails to provide any prices for common ignition parts.
   
   - there is only one photo of each car. Some pages only show photos of the 911 speedster so if you aren't interested in that there is essential no body photo for that year. This is also a problem if you have no interest in the turbo for that year or vice versa.
   
   In the end I found it difficult to decide which year model within a given style was better than the rest. The book is an ok introdection to Porsches but your research will have to continue with a better book.



3. I'd suggest this is a must read if your going to be buying a used 911. It gives you everything you need to look for in each model year and a reasonable amount of history on the marque to boot. It could probably go into a little more detail on the faults and how they are rectified/managed so that you have a little more info if your actually buying a model that has a known fault. But a very good book that I would recommend.



4. But don't stop there. This book is only the start. You must still do much more research before plunking down your hard-earned cash on your dream machine. Visit technical forums on the net such as Pelican Parts and Rennlist and pick the minds of other Porsche enthusiasts. Many of them have owned several Porsches and are a great resource.



5. Very informative and useful. It provided just what I needed to zero in on the right used Porsche for me.

1 comments about Racing Engine Builder's HandbookHP1492: How to Build Winning Drag, Circle Track, Marine and Road RacingEngines.

1. I bought this book after I bought Engine Builder Handbook from the same author. The book contains a lot of good information which can be applied to many engine not only American V8. However, it would be better to include the techniques for the Japanese and European twin-cams engines.

1 comments about Clmyer Harley-Davidson XL/XLH Sportster 1986-2003 (Clymer Motorcycle Repair) (Clymer Motorcycle Repair).

1. I have used this manual on several projects on my bike. It is concise and the photos are very helpful.

4 comments about The Compact Tractor Bible (Country Workshop).

1. The small tractor is here defined as under 75 horsepower and there are nearly a hundred brands of compacts offered in North America - with accompanying variations in style and presentation. Any who would use a small tractor will appreciate the clear insights of The Compact Tractor Bible: it surveys power, design, price, and performance levels and offers up everything from safety assessments to operating costs. Color photos and diagrams also cover mowing specifics and operations and use, giving the would-be owner specifics key to understanding the pros and cons of each.



2. Power, price, performance, and design of various small tractors are discussed and compared. Informative photos explain each model's pros and cons.



3. I was mislead by the title and believe that this book should more accurately be called the Compact Tractor Primer instead of "Bible". The scope of info is large but the depth is shallow. The writing is excellent and the material is presented in a very readable manner, but being new to owning a tractor I was looking for an in depth reference that went well beyond my owners manual. I was disappointed that this book spent most of it's pages exploring an extremely wide variety of small farm, landscaping and construction machinery and less time examining the maintenance and use of what most people consider a "compact tractor", i.e.: a mini tractor with a PTO and 3 point hitch. If you don't know what's available or exactly what you need for your small scale task you may find this book helpful. This thin book took me an evening to skim the relevant paragraphs and will end up at the local book store for sale.



4. Superificial coverage of a number of subjects. No reviews, opinions, or specs of individual models or product lines. Seems to have a somewhat UK slant, with some tractors and similar vehicles mentioned or pictured that I'd guess never reach the US. Somewhat useful for beginners, and it's interesting to see some pictures of some of those exotic machines(a Ferrari tractor!?). Covers not just tractors, but skid loaders, mini-excavators and so on. Interesting, but not what I'd expected.

5 comments about Ford Performance (Ford).

1. If you are building one of the above engines for the first time this is a must have book that teaches you the basic tricks you need. Another reviewer unfairly blamed the book for not covering the new 4.6L engines. It only says on the cover exactly what engines are covered, duh! So, ignore his comments and buy Too Tall Ganahl's book with confidence. The only thing I would have liked to have seen are a casting number list, otherwise an outstanding book.



2. I read the book, many times. One must remember all things start in some type of begining, as this book does. No matter if you are working on a 1954 Ford or a late model 5.0 all things in the bottom end are the pretty much the same. For those that worry about aluminum heads, well, why are GT-40's from Ford cast iron?
   I have been racing since 1967 and I find the book informative to say the least. Besides I do not need aluminum heads when I get better performance from cast iron and do not have to worry about an aluminum head blowing out in a water jacket with it skimpy .053 thick division.
   Want to build a Ford buy the book! or listen to some and dump a bunch of bucks and end up getting the book anyway.



3. Pat's book takes us through the "modern" pushrod V8s of small and big block Ford engines. It starts with a discussion of the Windsor small blocks from 289-351W with mentions of the 260, though this section focuses on the "6-bolt" bellhousing SBFs.
   
   It moves on to a detailed discussion of the FE and all of the cool, neat pieces that were prevalent before most of us were born or at least long before we were of driving age. It is worth the asking price alone to drool over the photos of the tunnel port FE heads and dual quad intake manifolds of the mid 60s and "Thunderbolt" 427s of the era.
   
   The book moves gracefully to the killer Cleveland, the small block that dominated Pro Stock in the 70s. This engine with its massive ports owned the SBC and forever cast the world's attention to the Cleveland name as being synonymous with high performance. Even today, companies like Edelbrock are producing new aluminum castings of Cleveland-style cylinder heads for hot rodders because of the vitality the canted valve small block delivers.
   
   The next section moves into the 385 big block series. These, with the Windsors, continue to prove to be the most popular "rebuilder" engines for performance applications.
   
   Pat's book includes a portion of each engine family section devoted to a pictorial build-up of a common member of the family. The Windsor has a potent 302, the FE has a nifty 427, the Cleveland has a Pantera owner's 351C and the 385-series has a 460 destined for a boat. Each engine build-up is displayed in a series of sequential photos that highlight areas of special interest or needing special attention.
   
   The shortcomings of this book is that, like these engines, they are rather outdated. Many of the part numbers are unobtainable except through esoteric sources and the occasional find on eBay. This does not detract from the content of the book, but does date it somewhat. I feel that it gives an accounting of the historical relevance of these engines in the years when they were being produced, but also carries forward the fact that they are still amazing sources of "Total Performance" in a period where cars are front-wheel driven and a 3.0L V6 is a "big" engine.
   
   The book has enough photos of real, historical significance to make any Ford lover enjoy coughing up the bread to purchase it, but of much more importance is, IMO, the tables researched by Pat that include production tolerances, engine building specifications and the racing/high performance clearances, torque tables and blueprint specifications found within its pages. Simple things like firing orders, rod lengths, valve diameters and stem lengths are found for your engine family in one convenient source.
   
   My copy of this book is well worn. I've owned it for years and regularly access it. The only other book that I have that is this close at hand is a dictionary. In frankness, I'd rate it 3 stars for being dated, 4 stars for its overall content, presentation and useful information and I'd rate it a full five stars for any Ford engine lover out there who loves the feel of a pushrod V8 torquing the axles off of a full bodied Ford car, truck or other vehicle.
   
   A revision of this book would do well to include information on currently available stroker crankshafts and other relevant parts combinations, but this one is a keeper all by itself.
   
   Take Care.
   
   Rob!



4. Book is a great reference for those who want to learn more about Ford performance engines.



5. I realize this book is a classic and is the #1 recommended book for those looking to build a ford engine. It does provide descriptions of the components of the original motors and upgrades used over the years, as well as a quick pictorial of engine assembly. However, it is missing the key ingredient of what parts go together to give a specific result. For example, there is no discussion of matching heads, with intakes, camshafts, etc. Maybe this is beyond the subject of this book, or these are just the trade secrets of engine builders, but this is what I was looking for being a beginner in assembling my own engine. Given the content if this book, it seems oriented more to novices to Ford engines, so it is a shame it does not include more of this info. However, if you want information on the period correctness of your Ford engine, this is a good resource.

4 comments about BMW.

1. The picture are great, some are very rarely seen indeed. A must for BMW fans!



2. This is one of the best books I have seen on BMWs and is a steal for the price. Pictures range from the first BMW made forward to 1999. Very professional and gorgeous scenery. A must have for BMR enthusiasts.



3. BMW is simply a classy tribute to the art and science of automotive design. The photographs (contemporary and archival) are beyond compare; any photographer could learn about lighting and design by studying the photos that "make" this book. The historical narrative is engaging and extremely well organized. The book itself is of solid construction and well bound; the dust jacket is magificently simplistic in rich blue with the distinctive roundel as the focal point. Paper quality is top grade, heavy-weight with gloss finish. A perfect gift for any car enthusiast!



4. This is a great book with many stunning photographs. There are lots of rare and old BMWs featured, and each one is represented with multiple photographs, including large photos spanning two pages. A really great book for the price. Informative text in three languages.

3 comments about Automobiles of the Chrome Age: 1946-1960.

1. Micheal Furman created an amazing collection of car photography. You're taken by the beauty of the different design of the era. Excellent gift for any car enthusiast.



2. This book is another loving tribute to those classic autos that can send shivers up your spine sometimes, they're so cool. I simply cannot see how Mike's photography can be improved upon in any way, shape or form. Buy this; you won't regreat it, promise.



3. Have autos looked any better than Michael Furman's stunning photos, I doubt it. These vehicles look just perfect with liquid looking bodywork and perfect chrome, in fact they probably look better than ones just off the assembly line. This is fine art photography and if you wonder how the 'Furman look' is achieved there is a clue on his website. Click on BIO and you'll see a shot of his studio with an amazing looking light panel hovering over what looks like a very small car. It seems to me that his controlled lighting source is the key and when digital images are printed on quality paper with a 200dpi screen you'll see the perfect picture as on these pages.
   
   The choice of cars seems rather arbitrary, classics like the 56 Austin-Healy, the 58 Ferrari Testa Rosa or the 59 Cadillac Eldorado are a few page turns from possibly the ugliest chrome grill ever of the 51 Hudson Hornet or the bubblegum styling and color scheme of the 56 Ford Crown Skyliner. As well as whole cars there are plenty of lovely close-ups of logos and styling features, the fins of the 48 and 59 Cadillacs, a Buick 49 Dyna-Flow trunk handle or the hood ornament of a 57 Oldsmobile Super 88. Furman's photography can make any vehicle sparkle.
   
   Awe-inspiring as all these photos are I was very disappointed with the book because it is the wrong shape. There are seventy-one side shots of cars and they clearly don't fit an upright page. They rightly have generous margins left and right which means they are even smaller still on the page. If the book had been turned sideways into a landscape format it would perfectly complement these profile photos so instead of being small and surrounded by too much white space the existing ones would be three or four times larger. Another advantage would be to avoid the middle of the book splitting those shots that do extend over a spread. Also, for a lavish photobook it has the usual conceit of placing all the captions on back pages but because of the wrong shape there is plenty of white space on each page for the captions to be set in some elegant typography.
   
   Michael Furman takes beautiful auto photographs and it is unfortunate that this book does not give them the exposure they rightly deserve.
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.
   
   
   
   
   
   

No comments about Ducati 600, 620, 750 & 900 2-valve V-Twins '91 to '05 (Haynes Service & Repair Manual).