Ken Miles (Two books about_]

-by Dave Friedman
-by Art Evans

If you watched the very engaging 2019 movie Ford v Ferrari you would have formed an opinion about Ken Miles. Probably not a great one and certainly not a balanced one. These two books paint a fuller picture by bringing many more voices to the table.

Early Soviet Jet Fighters

by Yefim Gordon & Dmitriy Komissarov

Today’s Su-47 Berkut stealth fighter seems impossibly advanced considering how rocky the Soviets’ start in the jet game was. Lots of new photos and material from previously classified sources shed light on a poorly documented but important chapter of aviation history.

Lamborghini Countach

by T. Pathmanathan & A.C. Reck

The author has owned his Countach for over 20 years now. He knows the good and the bad and in this book puts it all into context. From company history to supercar philosophy to maintenance to driving tips it’s all here.

Acoustical Materials, Solving the Challenge of Vehicle Noise  

by Pranab Saha

Can you hear me now? Ever chased a mystery sound? Ever thought it’s only in your head? Sound is different things in different contexts. In physics it is expressed as an acoustic wave. In psychology it’s the reception of that wave and its perception by the brain. This book tells you just how complicated it is to manage.

Behind Le Mans – The Film In Photographs

by Michael Keyser

It’s almost 50 years ago that this movie was made. It was not a box office hit but—and this is the only thing that mattered to the one person who needed to make it, Steve McQueen—it was true to racing, life and death, few words and big deeds.

Colin Chapman: Inside the Innovator (republished)

by Karl Ludvigsen

When this important 2010 book went out of print, it left a hole. Thank goodness it’s back, in exactly the same form. History has had no reason to fundamentally change its views of the mercurial Lotus founder in the interim so the recollections and analysis gathered here remain valid.

Mercedes-AMG 10 Years Customer Racing, A Success Story

by Christian Geib

Clear the decks—this mammoth book is 15″ tall! And it’s chock-full of useful info about what one might (mis)take for a niche subject. If you ever wondered how automakers and privateers work together, look no further.

Jaguar Century: 100 Years of Automotive Excellence

by Giles Chapman

Strictly speaking it’s not Jaguar Cars that is a hundred years old but the 1922 predecessor company. The early brand philosophy is still evident today, but one important virtue is not: that you get more car than you pay for. With Jaguar poised to move way, way upmarket everything in this book will make you wish you bought one sooner.

Spellbinder, The Life of James J. Nance

by Stuart R. Blond

If the name of James Nance brings to mind “Studebaker Packard,” it’s not usually in a friendly way. He had the misfortune of presiding over the ambitious automaker’s final years—and is often enough blamed for them. There’s never been a book written about his working and personal life until now so be prepared to reevaluate that assessment.

The Ferrari Book: Passion for Design 

by Jürgen Lewandowski

Is there such a thing as too many Ferraris? Or too many Ferrari books? Nah. But this 10-pounder has challenges beyond its mere heft. Those Michael Zumbrunn photos, though. Bellisima.

The Hack Mechanic Guide to European Automotive Electrical Systems

by Rob Siegel

Not driving your modern car for a week or more? Trouble! Battery four years old? Trouble! If this book saves you only one service call it’ll pay for itself.

Mr. Le Mans: Tom Kristensen

by Tom Kristensen with Dan Philipsen

Sebring has a Kristensen corner, Le Mans has had him on the podium more times than anyone else. Many are the feathers in his cap. But is he a nice guy? Why, yes—meet him here.

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