Hardback, 234 x 156mm, 432 pages, 25 colour & 10 b&w illustrations
ISBN: 9780857330338 Haynes Publishing
Haynes web price: £19.99
This is a substantial book in an effort to get to the truth of Formula 1's key figure, Bernie Ecclestone. Main attribute is thorough research and apparent Ecclestone cooperation, but in achieving that obvious warts are spun into glossy admiration.
Warthog has dealt with Formula 1 first hand, Bernie personally on just one memorable occasion. I chose not to ever have any business dealings with the category again.
After reading the early days and bits I didn't know/or that dealt with Jochen Rindt Formula 2 and 1 eras, I handed over to detached independent, Mr. Osborne, whose comments appear below.
For what it's worth Warthog thought the book was a worthwhile primer in Bernie lore, more accurate than most. Still a far from a full portrait of man who has ruled a global sport by a combination of 24/7 attention to every detail, the divide and rule philosophy, and rank fear.
JW
I'm no great fan of F1 these days - too much technology, too little excitement - and I probably haven't taken much interest since the Hunt/Lauda era, but you have to admit that BE has almost single-handedly changed F1 from an amateurish sport to a professional global business. Whether that's an improvement, I'll leave you to decide; but I was looking forward to reading this book. Susan Watkins is the wife of Professor Sid Watkins, the main medical man for F1 and close confident of BE, and so I was expecting to get an insight into the world of Bernie - BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!
Perhaps the problem is that the author is too close to the subject, a bit more detatchment may have produced a more rounded, less sycophantic portrait of both the man and F1 itself. As JW has indicated above the book appears thoroughly researched, but that has not improved the readability of this book with far too many direct quotes (some of them un-attributed) breaking up the flow of the text.
I found the book a somewhat turgid, difficult, and (surprisingly) humourless read. Compared to other F1 biogs - I'm thinking particularly Graham Hill and James Hunt - where the anecdotes make you think: "I wish I'd been there!" those recounted in this book make you glad that you weren't there! - although Watkins' comparison of Gordon Murray to Che Guevara did make me laugh out loud, probably not the reaction that was intended.
So, did I know more about Bernie Ecclestone after reading this book than I knew before? Well, yes somewhat; but it also left me feeling that there is much more to be known about this fascinating character than the book has revealed - or indeed what Bernie wants to be revealed.
We'll be looking at other books on Ecclestone to see if we can gain more insight - watch this space, as they say.
PO
