LJK Setright

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by Ashley James

Kevin
.... You seem extraordinarily confrontational and I don't understand why. My reaction to anyone who expresses an opinion on anything that interests me is to use it as a catalyst to do some research and see if I think they are right. I'd never challenge them unless I was certain of the
facts.

Ashely I am trying to get you to justify the outrageous remarks you have made about a very well respected author, LJK Setright. (Blenheim Boy used the term slander but libel is probably more accurate).

Let me remind you of some of the things you have said about him in this thread;

Originally Posted by Ashley James

As I've said before LJKS was a very good, non technical writer who wasn't terribly concerned with the accuracy of his work. I have his "History of the World's Motorcycles" and a another book of re-gurgitated old wives tales about prominent Classics,...

Originally Posted by Ashley James

He just never took the trouble to get things right and often regurgitated old wives tales that just weren't correct.

Originally Posted by Ashley James

...Setright has always been a bĂȘte noir
of mine because he was so careless with the facts.

Originally Posted by Ashley James

I've just pulled up a book called The Designers by LJKS that is full of errors too.

Originally Posted by Ashley James

I've opined that Setright wasn't always historically accurate and that it annoyed me and you've stated that he admitted there were mistakes in his Bristol book. Therefore I think it's reasonable to assume that his other books have mistakes in them too.

Then you top it off with this patronizing statement, as though everyone else but me has the same view as you;

Originally Posted by Ashley James

I should add that I'm not alone with this view and I'm very surprised that you were unaware of what is quite widely accepted.

Several people in this discussion thread have asked you to back up your criticism of Setright and you have refused. You seem to expect us to all shut up an accept what you say as fact.

Like Setright annoyed you, I find your unfair and unsubstantiated attack on his reputation rather annoying. This is probably why I come across as being confrontational.

For the record, LJKS co-authored History of the World's Motorcycles.
You say he was non technical? He started off writing for Engineering Magazine and was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in 1969. This is the highest class of elected membership, and is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to and innovation in mechanical engineering. He also co-authored "Valve mechanisms for high-speed engines: their design and development (2nd ed.)" with Philip H. Smith.