Bristol: The Inside Story

[geo]

Whilst Haynes is still stating October (and not possible to pre-order). The jacket looks as if it has been retitled as A Very British Story

A very British story
By: Christopher Balfour Christopher Balfour

First manufactured in 1946 and still produced today, Bristol cars have become a uniquely British institution that is celebrated in this comprehensive history, written by a dedicated owner of nearly 50 years' standing. These hand-built cars are owned by car connoisseurs who appreciate their fine engineering, handling, reliability, longevity and everyday practicality, and also savour the driver experience. This lavish book explores the details of the company's complex and fascinating history, and will appeal to all owners, past and present, as well as the many admirers of these cars. .

This book is due to be published in OCTOBER 2009. We regret that it is not possible to pre-order this title but if you would like to be notified when it becomes available please call +44 (0)1963 442030, or e-mail your contact details plus the book details (please put the Book Number in the subject line) to our Customer Services Dept.

Hardback, 280 x 230mm, 320 pages, 64 colour & 300 b&w illustrations
ISBN: 9781844254071
Book No: H4407
£50.00

[jimfoz]

I have just received my copy of this book from Amazon just now! Cant wait to start reading it.....

I have only just flicked through and first impressions are that it is a very substantial, heavy, well produced book, lots of pics I haven't seen before and the writing looks comprehensive. I am by no means an expert on the cars so I am sure the information I glean from this book will substantially add to my knowledge.

Well done Christopher - I can imagine a car company like Bristol is a particularly challenging subject to write about as lots of people seem have lots of different information about different cars, and I hope you are pleased with the result yourself.

[mrbennetts]

Like Jimfoz, I have also received my copy. I think all praise should go to Mr Balfour and everyone concerned with the production of the book. It is very high-quality with plenty of photographs and information. I am delighted, and I hope you will all buy a copy..........AND I do hope the usual types won't start picking holes by pointing out errors in public. There. Got that off my chest !

[lansdownplace]

I got mine yesterday at the Fighter lecture all signed and
everything. It is an excellent book and very detailed.

Christopher was very specific at the lecture in welcoming feedback on
any errors for the next edition. I would have thought that with Toby
Silverton and Tony Crook vetting the book together with Sir George
White and Spencer Lane Jones also substantially reviewing it that it
was as accurate as you can be. There are great pictures and it is a
very readable.

I would recommend it very highly having read three quarters of it
since yesterday. It is also inordinately heavy for some reason.

The fighter lecture was very interesting as well and entertaining to
boot. We got to see the thinking and the process behind the development.

Regards

Paul

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by mrbennetts

I am delighted, and I hope you will all buy a copy..........AND I do hope the usual types won't start picking holes by pointing out errors in public. There. Got that off my chest !

I ordered my copy through Amazon and have yet to see it down here in the colonies.

However, I am intrigued to know the meaning of "the usual types" ?

And why this book should be afforded some sacred status that means it should not be subject to critique?

[jimfoz]

Originally Posted by Kevin Howard

I ordered my copy through Amazon and have yet to see it down here in the colonies.

However, I am intrigued to know the meaning of "the usual types" ?

And why this book should be afforded some sacred status that means it should not be subject to critique?

I am sure there will be critique, especially with the bespoke nature of the cars. However, at least the author is alive this time to offer a response!

[mrbennetts]

Ha, Kevin ! I did say The usual types who criticise IN PUBLIC. Lots of us do like to be "one-up" by pointing out all errors, however small. Makes us feel better, I suppose. Bristol people are supposed to be discreet, aren't they ? Anyway, I don't want to make a big issue out of it, so won't be commenting on this again. The book is wonderful. Pip Pip.

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by mrbennetts

Bristol people are supposed to be discreet, aren't they ?

I don't know, are they? I don't remember signing up to some stereotype when I bought my Bristol. Although doubtless there are some people who think they are somehow superior because they own a secondhand Bristol.

Besides, most Bristol owners have other cars so if our cars do have some bearing on our personality why should Bristol take precedence?

Martin Buckley once wrote that his lasting memory of a close encounter on BOC members was "beards, dandruff and bow ties", so I'm glad we're not all the same

As for book criticism, why should it not be public? After all, publishing a book is the ultimate in publicly expressing ones opinion. In this case it is a book that is being marketed and sold globally, so I'm sure it will reach a far wider audience than a web forum such as this one.

So if you have any opinions about this new book, feel free to voice them here. But whether you think the book is good, bad or average, please say why, because without some supporting argument your opinion is worthless.

As an aside, I just received the latest new book listing from a motoring bookshop here Australia called Pitstop. They offer the new Bristol book at $135. I'm sure when I ordered a copy from Amazon it was priced around $60, so either the price has gone up considerably or there's some serious profiteering going on.