No comments about How to Build High-Performance Chevy LS1/LS6 V-8s (Cartech).

5 comments about Little Bit Sideways: One Week Inside a Nascar Winston Cup Race Team.

1. Although I have never been to Charlotte Motor Speedway, after reading this book I felt as if I had.



2. I lived in the South all my life, always aware of NASCAR, watching races every now and then. Even so, I haven't tuned into to a NASCAR race in probably 25 years. Because of this book, I will when the next season starts.

   One can truly begin to understand the mystique of NASCAR after reading A Little Bit Sideways. Scott Huler's obvious love for the material really shines through. His writing transforms what, in lesser hands, could have been a dry and boring recitation of minute details into an interesting and compelling human interest story.

   Read it. You won't be disappointed.




3. If you want to read one book about NASCAR, I recommend this one. Not because it's a hand-holding introduction, but because it's the best. It just does such a great job describing so many aspects of NASCAR. The organizing principle of the book is to examine a week in the life of Kenny Wallace's Square D Racing Team, but along the way, the author looks at NASCAR's personalities, history, technology, tracks, and fans. Huler has a real flair for description, and a genuine but not fawning affection for the sport.

   I've also read Shaun Assael's "Wide Open" and Paul Hemphill's "Wheels," which are similar in many ways but to my mind are both inferior. Assael's book seemed flat compared to Huler's, though fans of Dave Marcis and Bobby Hamilton may enjoy the coverage that those drivers receive in "Wide Open." Hemphill's book spent a lot of time on a thesis that I soon found repetitively handled: NASCAR was once the province of the Southern working man but is now corporate entertainment. Both Assael and Hemphill follow NASCAR for a whole season and seem to get bored with it. Huler stays focused on a shorter timespan to much better effect.

   I've read some more technical approaches to NASCAR as well, and found that Huler almost always snuck the information in those books into "A Little Bit Sideways."

   Although I find this the best introduction to NASCAR because it's so engaging to read and so comprehensive in the bargain, those who are interested in learning more about NASCAR might also try "NASCAR for Dummies" by Mark "Awesome!" Martin and Juliet Macur. That book lacks Huler's style and story-line, but it does have a lot of interesting information about NASCAR, including some tidbits on strategy and technology that I haven't seen elsewhere.




4. I'd never heard of NASCAR, never wanted to know anything about it. But when I heard a short reading by Huler (the writer) from this book, I had to buy/read it. His writing could be on any topic: ice, dirt, race cars... it's just facinating in an accessable, fun, fast read. I'll read anything he writes now, and gain an appreciation of worlds I never knew. Great read. I just may join the 200,000 on site NASCAR fans next year because of it!



5. and now I feel like I could drive it. This is the book that lays it all out in a logical order, explains the terms, the rules and the strategies while taking you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Will the car qualify for the race? You can feel the tension because for that week Huler lived it. This isn't a book full of old stories that drivers told a writer - this is an observation, full of detail - it's good old particaptory journalism like Plimpton wrote, talking to (and about) everyone from the owners and spnsors to the fans and the scalpers. What a great book!

5 comments about The V12 Engine: The Untold Story of Technology, Evolution, Performance and Impact of All.

1. The author is British plain and simple, and it show with whimsical sayings like 'monkey motion' and the like. Outstanding historical documentation, but the author overwhelms with minutiae like bore and stroke for every engine, and which cylinder bank is staggered forward.
   Also the author completely disregards the 180 degree V-12s (not boxing, boxing has 180 Vee angle with a 180 degree split crank journal) and spends too much time on VV12s (three banks of four cylinders).
   There are some errors in the coverage of modern engines, notably VW VR6 and W12 information. and the author fails to explain the inherrent balance of an inline six, and how any vee angle V12 is balanced, but not necessarily even firing.
   A good value, and the color photos are icing on the cake.



2. A truly excellent work for those enchanted by the fine detail of technology. A myriad of fine drawings and half tones backed up by colour plates of the V12's birth and development through the century. Karl's fluid and emminently readable style maintains interest with pithy anecdotes like Henry Ford's reason for sticking with 4 cylinders rather than 6: "A car should have no more cylinders than a cow has teats". From 1.5 litres to 27 litres the V12 story is always absorbing.



3. Finally, a book that lives up to it's advertising. Every page is interesting in this voluminous 600 page masterwork. No long boring company histories and endless pictures of people here. Ludvigsen stays on subject with clear modern pictures and expert analysis from makers and users of such engines. There is not one weak point in the whole thing, I feel I got much more than I paid for with this great book.



4. I have been slowly reading and researching the automobiles this book mentions for the past month. The book is filled with references to never before publicized engine programs.
   
   For example, did you know that Ford made a V12 out of their now legendary 4.6L V8? The car is used in an Austin Martin, Ford is the parent company.
   Little details like this will keep popping up as you read this book. You'll never believe which V6 Ford engine was used to make the other V12 detailed in this book.
   
   The book was printed on high quality paper, giving the images of these rare engines an almost artistic quality on the pages inside. The photo of a BMW V12 engine pulling on a dyno with it's turbos giving off a red glow is spectacular!



5. Ludvigen's book on the V-12 is a well researched but compulsively readable account of the extraordinary and powerful engines with the lavish specification of having twelve cylinders. While giving details of design and development, the author also evokes the mixture of power, refinement and mechanical sophistication offered by these exotic engines from Ferrari, Aston-Martin, Mercedes and BMW while not neglecting the glorious history of the American Packard and Cadillac applications of of the V 12. It is like reading a book describing food where every bite is of gourmet quality, a city where all the streets are clean and beautiful or a dinner where all the guests are witty and candlelight glows off the bare shoulders of lovely, sophisticated women.

1 comments about Eddie Paul's Paint & Bodywork Handbook: Secrets from a Master Customizer.

1. This book is a poor rehash of stuff from other books. Eddie first book is MUCH more informative than this one.

1 comments about Original Harley-Davidson Knucklehead (Original Series).

1. I think that the piece is well thought out, and packed with usefull and informative information brought forth at a fair price. I plan to order more from Mr. Field. ( The Author )

5 comments about River Rouge.

1. This is my first purchase from Amazon and I will definitely use you again. The book was well packed and arrived ahead of your estimate.
   The book is all I expected and has been read twice already.
   Regards Alan Wilson.



2. Is exactly the book I was looking for. I am a Ford Fan, and to see how the Ford Motor Company began brings new appreciation for the automobiles of yesterday and today. Learned many new facts about Henry Ford and his business sense of development, it is very inspiring.



3. I bought this book for my husband, who is an avid Ford fan. He absolutely loves the book. He found it to be very informative and he learned alot about the Rouge plant that he did not know. He has shared it with all of his Mustang club buddies and they have all commented on what a great book it is. It is so full of information and the pictures are incredible!
   
   I would highly recommend this book to anyone with and interest in the Ford Motor Co. and its history.



4. My father is an employee at this facility so I purchased the book in order to get a sense of the history and environment he works in. After reviewing the book with him (a fascinating experience), it appears very little has changed around many parts of the facility. It also made me realize just how much isn't explained in the book so having an `expert' review the historical pictures is advantageous.
   
   While many won't be able to identify with my personal connection to the factory; anybody interested in automotive or industrial history will find this book a fascinating look into a remarkable industrial colossus that has remained in operation for almost 90 years.
   
   My only gripe with the book is that it does not provide a detailed overview of the facility. I would like to see a map or something that illustrates the functions of each building in the complex.



5. I ordered this book as a gift for my husband after a trip to Michigan and Ford Museum. He really enjoyed it. Nice pictures.

3 comments about Big Rigs of the 1970s.

1. This book is a must for truck enthusiasts. The photos are clear & detailed & show what the 1970s had to offer. It is a great photo collection, interesting & a welcome addition to my library.



2. I can't say enough good thing about this book. The pics and the info are awesome! This is a must have for any truck enthusiast. I love trucks and I could not put the book down. Ron, if you read this, how about Big Rigs of the 1980's? Sign me up!



3. This is a book on big rigs of the 70's, and for the most part, it is accurate, but it does have a few out of place photos, maybe from the sixties, it is a great book for truck fans of that era, I grew up in the 70's, and it was an era of truck movies, that has not been seen much since. I do recommend the book, but I wish it had a little more info about the various trucks. No truck book yet that I have bought can really tell you what the truck you are looking at has for options, maybe it was just too hard to get the extra info, but it is nice when you come across it. I also enjoyed big rigs of the 1950's and big rigs of the 1960's, together they do make for a nice set.

4 comments about Ultimate Garages (Motorbooks Classic).

1. This is a great book, of classic cars and garages. While the cars and garages may be unrealistic for most, it gives us ALL something to dream about and strive for... Great photo's and great descriptions about 13 grown boys addictions; their cars and their respective garages.



2. Like exotic McLaren F1s, Italian supercars, Porsches, etc., the garages of the rich and famous are equally exotic in materials, size and construction. Not many of us who are car crazy will ever have a garage like the ones in the book but then again, something normal wouldn't be inspirational. There are slightly less exotic garages also included in the book but millionaire garage or not, all of them house historic, exciting automobiles and motorcycles and are an inspiration to all of us who aspire be the best at what we do with our much loved motorised possessions.



3. I was very dissappointed in this book. I rec'd it for Christmas and actually asked my wife to send it back. It a pictoral of 'showrooms' (not garages) of the filthy rich. Cars that nobody but the owner can afford. Hardly a tool can be found.
   
   I was looking for a book that would help be design or build a very 'usable' functioning garage for the space I had.
   
   There is nothing normal or useful in this book.
   
   Sorry.



4. More than just garages, this book tells wonderful stories about the car nuts, their automobiles and the garages that house them. It gives you an idea why guys like Jay Leno have built their garages and how their obsessions with the automobile developed.
   
   After receiving this book as gift, I have greatly enjoyed Ultimate Garages by Phil Berg and have given three books as gifts to friends.
   
   I just ordered, and am looking forward to, Ultimate Garages II also by Phil Berg. I did get Motor City Dream Garages and have not enjoyed it as much as the original Ultimate Garages.

3 comments about How to Build Big-Inch Ford Small Blocks (Cartech).

1. A book like this is long overdue! Have you ever thought about taking your small block Ford engine and adding more cubic inches? Why fit a heavier big block engine when you can modify the small block? This book explains the reasons why and with step by step instructions shows how to do it.Plenty of photos and advice here.And,this book includes a chapter on stroker kits for the 351 Cleveland including how to build a 351C into a 408CI.
   
   I would think that you could modify any engine using the advice in this book.
   
   There is a list of conversion kits too.Topics include:Stroker cranks,specs,Nitrous,supercharging,cams & carbs and even tells you how to modify your car to handle the new horsepower.This book has the lot.Published by "SA Design" books who are known for their expert advice on anu engine subject.If turning your small block ford engine into a big inch engine is what you want to achieve then this book is for you.Even caters for the 351 Cleveland engine too.



2. Much of the tech in this book is general Winsor engine related...
   maybe 10 pages are stroker specific, very basic.

   The rest of the book is filled with magazine like projects, meaningless pics of pistons and crank being assembled in various speed shop and endless list of mail order kits.

   Bad buy...




3. This book has a bunch of info about building stroker engines. Learn what parts to look for and what parts make the best combination. There's also info on which companies out there offer stroker kits, as well as what comes in the kits.

1 comments about Automotive Suspension & Steering Systems (2 Volumes).

1. would like to see more color pics and drawings to break up the studying- but all in all, very informative.