Vivid biography of possibly the greatest racing driver of all time. - Uses dramatic contemporary reports to recreate Nuvolari's great races, including his remarkable victory in the 1935 German GP and his heartrending last stand in the 1948 Mille Miglia. - Author PR; book signings; reviews/features in Motor Sport, F1 Racing and other motorsport press as well as the Telegraph Magazine and national sport supplements. Tazio Nuvolari (1892-1953) is widely regarded as the greatest racing driver of all time. Through the 1930s and into the 1940s his reputation for skill and bravery eclipsed a whole generation of rivals. Even today his name alone evokes a classic era in the history of road and Grand Prix racing. Yet there is no current affordable biography of him in the English language. In this fascinating assessment of Nuvolari's life, Christopher Hilton seeks to understand Nuvolari the man - and the Nuvolari legend as it unfolded. Using original documentary material, race reports of the time from several countries and the recollections of Nuvolari's contemporaries, the author recreates the excitement generated by his driving and the impact it made on motorsport. Nuvolari's virtuosity at the wheel came with a competitive instinct so fierce that he repeatedly broke cars and his own body. The author captures many aspects of Nuvolari's strong personality, a personality which, in the days before intrusive journalism, was virtually unknown. The extraordinary performances that decorated Nuvolari's long career form the backbone of the narrative - the 1930 Mille Miglia, the 1935 German GP, the 1938 British GP at Donington, the 1948 Mille Miglia. Marking the half century after Nuvolari's death, this new biography is an invaluable addition to motor racing history and essential reading for anyone interested in the sport - even if they are followers of modern Formula 1 heroes like the Schumachers, Coulthard and Montoya.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Captures the essence of Nuvolari Comment: Excellent book! Hilton does a great job describing in-depth Tazio's greatest races, namely his Mille Miglia wins, his 1935 German GP win against the mighty German teams, and his last hurrah in the 1948 Mille Miglia when, at 57 years old and spitting blood (he had lung disease and only three years to live), he had a substantial lead with the finish in sight, but his Ferrari literally disintegrated out from under him. Enzo Ferrari himself was so concerned about Tazio's welfare, he reportedly had a frocked priest stand in the road and try to stop him before he killed himself. When Tazio dropped out, he was 29 minutes ahead of the second place car. The second place car eventually won -- 70 miles ahead of the runner-up. Tazio was old, but he hadn't lost his fabulous skills. The book has spectacular black and white photos, some never published before. I recommend you buy this book, and supplement it with Cesare de Agostini's Nuvolari - The Legend Lives On. This book also has many great photos not found in the Hilton book. Together, for around $60, you will have an excellent, comprehensive history of the world's greatest race driver. From what I can see, most of the other books on Tazio are very rare and very expensive. The photos dramatically show how big these Alfas and Auto Unions were -- much longer and heavier than any Indy car. I would guesstimate the wheelbase was at least 110", and they must have weighed at least 3,000 pounds. And there they were, wearing t-shirts and cloth helmets, manhandling these fire-breathing monsters on skinny tires over narrow, bad roads, lined with spectators and trees. Tazio truly raced in a golden era. He stood head and shoulders above his competition. Customer Rating: Summary: Nuvolari, A great racer, but I still don't know who he was. Comment: Nuvolari, the legend of the beginning of the 20th century. Who was the man? What was his background? When did he start(motor)racing? When and how did his sons died? How did this affected his life? Whas the man depressive? What was his relationship with Enzo Ferrari? Or with his biggest oponent Varzi? Or with Bernd Rosemeyer and the Auto Union team? Did Nuvolari sympatized with the Fascists of Mussolini? How did he met his wife? etc etc. Thinks I still want to know but after reading Hiltons book stil not have an answer about.
A pity? I think Hilton is an underestimated writer. To ofter I read from his critisizers that he is only able to write cheap biographies about today's formula one drivers. I dont agree and I like his books. And this one is (for an non native English reader) very readable book! And although I critisize his strategy, which is telling about the most important races of Nuvolari and dividing the myth from what the truth migh have been is still very interesting. I do like the book! If it is worth parchasing is difficult to decide. And although I've learnt a lot about his way of racing there are still a lotof thinks i want to know.
