2 comments about Motorcyclist BMW Files: Selected Road Tests 1971-1995.

1. This compilation fills in the gaps left by the other guides. Here, several riders describe the machines and, thanks to all the detail, you can gradually piece together how the bikes perform, which bikes are too buzzy, too sporty, or too small. Much more convincing than the usual catalog with commentary.



2. I was looking forward to reading the different reviews of BMW motorcycles in this book as I would expect from articles in MotorCyclist magazines. However, I find that the reviews posted were very inconsistent. Pictures are only black and white. Specifications are not even given in most of the reviews, and a some of the reviews don't even have a single picture with it.

1 comments about Art & Politics in the 1930s: Americanism, Marxism & Modernism.

1. "This is an invaluable book which should be required reading for all concerned art historians, artists, and activists who have been deprived of a sustaining history - not to mention those who have never entered the fray. Platt fills in the gaps and celebrates the ongoing contribution of visual artists committed to social justice and social change. This thoughtful and readable update will make a difference in the way we work, make art and act. I wish I'd read it in the sixties; it would have saved a lot of time and energy." Lucy Lippard (from the bookjacket)

   This book surveys all aspects of the 1930s from the modernist projects of Alfred Stieglitz, the Americanist murals of Thomas Hart Benton, and the ardent leftists of the American Artists Congress and the Popular Front. It examines the critical careers of Thomas Craven, Stuart Davis, Charmion von Wiegand, Elizabeth McCausland, Anita Brenner, and the early formative years of the later to be famous, Clement Greenberg. It explains the populist ideology of the New Deal Art programs and the early years of the Museum of Modern Art as it sought to counter Hitler's campaign to destroy modernism. It is the only art history book on the 1930s in America that includes significant coverage of the importance of the Mexican muralists like Diego Rivera, as well as the extensive activities of African American artists and critics. In addition it emphasizes the role of women in all aspects of the 1930s art activism and includes the photographs of such artists as Berenice Abbott, Lucienne Bloch and Tina Modotti as well as prints, murals and paintings by many other well known artists.

1 comments about Ultimate Motorcycle Encyclopedia.

1. I got this as a present and it has been very interesting reading. I have been through it, cover to cover, about three times. The front matter is an introduction to motorcycles and is not too exciting, although not without interest. The really good part is the A-Z of motorcycles, which introduces some rare brands I had never heard of. (I began riding in 1964, and I grew up with a number of the bikes in this book. So I was familiar with the names of Greeves, James, Francis Barnett, and many of the now defunct English manufacturers. But I had never heard of Bõhmerland!)

   The latter part of the book is dedicated to Harley-Davidson. The sections on the history of the company and the development of various models was interesting. I didn't find the parts about the Harley lifestyle to be too exciting.

   My tastes tend to prefer British bikes over others, and I currently ride a 1999 Triumph Tiger. For specific marques, there are many more detailed books (e.g. Roy Bacon on Triumph, Alan Cathcart on Ducati). But, as a general reference, I have not seen a book to match this one.

   Keep the helmet side up!

1 comments about Harley-Davidson 45s: Workhorse and Warhorse (Osprey Classic Motorcycle).

1. The most wonderful book on the hardest working, most underrated HD - the 45. This book does what most fail to do, it recognises the effect this small unassuming two wheeler has had on the lives of so many for so long.

   Family transport during the depression, defender of the free world, mobile shop (servicar!), post war family transport, race bike, police utility, brakedown vehicle, Europes post war intro to the HD breed, and the ultimate custom canvass. The 45 has lived many lives with reliabilty (!), dignity, and pride.

   John & Garry do a superb job, and its good to see a book that contains so much UK homegrown content. - Especially the 45 once owned by Krazy Horse Kustoms very own Steve Studd (its still going strong after many years too!!).

No comments about Dirt Bike (Encounters Series).

No comments about World Superbikes: The First 15 Years (World Superbikes).

1 comments about Moto Guzzi Le Mans: Performance Portfolio 1976-1989 (Performance Portfolio).

1. very heavy on Round case Lemans
   needs more on Square case and customs
   but it is what it is clippings from magazines and I would never have found them on my own

2 comments about Design of Racing and High Performance Engines [PT-53] (Progress in Technology).

1. This book teaches about high performance engines by presenting case studies which are actually taken from SAE papers. Due to the style of writing used, it is a little hard to absorb. I find myself having to reiterate many of the sections to understand the concepts completely. I prefer reading texts that get to the point more quickly. I know that many of the concepts presented are interrelated, but there is little attempt to relate them. Many of the illustrations and graphics are not printed clearly (some graphs are not readable). It does present a fair amount of information that is useful, its just a little hard to extract.



2. High technical level. A collection of papers from mechanical engineering on the design of internal combustion engines.

No comments about How to Build the Ultimate V-Twin Engine.

No comments about Australia Motorcycle Atlas.