Review by Choice Review
Almost everyone has heard of motorcycles made by Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, and Yamaha, and some will have heard of Indian and Norton. But probably not many know of AJS, Terrot, or Merini. Probably fewer have seen an oak motorcycle, the Daimler Einspur, 1885, dubbed the "bone shaker." This book features 500 machines, existing and extinct, with 1,000 specially commissioned photographs. Detailed technical information is presented; insignias aid in identification. Capacity, power output, weight, and top speed are given for each machine, as well as a review of its significance and history. A "Directory of Motorcycles" lists "every known motorcycle marque," chronologically, alphabetically, and by country. This book is not only beautiful, it is an exhaustive chronology of a mode of transportation that sprang from the bicycle and preceded the automobile. An important addition to the history of transportation. General; academic. P. Miller; New Hampshire Technical College at Laconia
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Approximately 4,000,000 motorcycles are currently registered in the U.S. Wilson, the author of the critically well received and popular Ultimate Motorcycle Book, has compiled a photographic gallery of more than 1,000 motorcycles, along with a comprehensive directory of more than 3,000 motorcycle manufacturers. In the first section of the book, many cycles are pictured from the front, as well as the side. Interesting text, basic facts, an insignia, and a flag for the country of origin of each model are part of every entry. For example, 23 Harley-Davidsons are shown, two or three to a page, from their first Silent Gray Fellow of 1904 to the late 1980s' 732-pound Evolution FLTC Tour Glide Classic. Many library patrons will also remember the Indian cycles from the 1940s and 1950s, as Indian was the dominant U.S. manufacturer at midcentury. This work includes scooters, in addition to motorcycles. The second part of this book is the directory, which lists every known motorcycle marque (make or brand) alphabetically by country of origin. A two-page world map shows the 45 countries where motorcycles have been produced. The greatest number of manufacturers have been in the U.K. (685), Germany (667), Italy (567), France (479), and the U.S. (340). There have been one each in Bulgaria, Ireland, Israel, Romania, South Africa, and South Korea. This work was produced in association with the Motorcycle Heritage Museum of Westerville, Ohio. The photographs are of its machines, as well as those in museums in England and Germany and in private collections. A glossary, a list of useful addresses of manufacturers and the like, a bibliography, and an index round out the work. This is a striking, well-conceived work that will provide endless hours of fascination to motorcycle buffs and truly encyclopedic coverage for the researcher. Recommended for all public libraries. (Reviewed November 15, 1995)
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
This is primarily a visual reference of approximately 400 noteworthy or memorable international motorcycle makes, ranging from the earliest models to modern exotic specialty machines. The classic quality of many models is captured in richly colored, finely detailed photographs that invite nostalgia and evoke the sounds and smells peculiar to motorcycles. Companion text, though sparse, gives a bit of each model's history and its significant or innovative features. All this is augmented by an exhaustive annotated directory of all motorcycles known to have been manufactured worldwide; more than 3000 makes are attributed here, surpassing the number found in prior encyclopedic works and making this a valuable checklist. The volume falls short of functioning as a technical reference or a historical overview of motorcycling, but as a visual reference, it is superb. Definitely for public libraries, and academic libraries may also consider..David Van de Streek, Pennsylvania State Univ. Libs., York (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
YAA comprehensive encyclopedia that pictures more than 1000 motorcycles and scooters and lists more than 3000 manufacturers. The first section is a photographic gallery that shows many of the cycles from the front as well as the side. Accompanying each photo is text, a flag of the country of origin, and the vehicle's insignia. The second section is a catalog of every known make or brand, arranged by country of origin. An easy and fun to use resource.Nancy Geiger, Lee High School, Springfield, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
