At the Creation: Myth, Reality, and the Origins of the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, 1901-1909 (Paperback)

by Herbert Wagner (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Backed by a decade of research, At the Creation documents for the first time the early and critical years of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle in its birthplace of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Herbert Wagner brings to life the human side of Harley-Davidson's quest to motorize the bicycle and then promote it as a powerful, fast, reliable, and thrilling means of personal transportation. This book examines the origins of two-wheeled transportation at a time when combining the gasoline engine with the bicycle was the province of dreamers and con men. This is the definitive account of the beginnings of the only American motorcycle brand to ultimately succeed and survive.

From the Publisher
Distributed by the University of Wisconsin Press for the Wisconsin Historical Society Press

Foreword by John E. Harley Jr.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Wisconsin Historical Society; 1 edition (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870203517
• ISBN-13: 978-0870203510
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,203,801 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real Story, September 7, 2003

By	RWW (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

Herb Wagner has written a book that will become a classic. What
a good story. And his conclusions will amaze you. The pioneer days of motorcycling in America are brought to life with exquisite detail. Never seen before photgraphs. A must read for
any motorcycle enthusiast.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the Antique Motorcycle Club Forum, January 13, 2004

By	"johnhoward102" (USA Western Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

Koanes wrote:

Mr. Wagner obviously spent a great deal of time searching libraries for newspaper and magazine accounts of the period, as well as interviews with a few surviving old timers, to sort through the B.S and get to the facts about what was really going on in Milwaukee in 1903-1909. I can only imagine what it was like to see a motorcycle flying down the street with no brakes, dodging pedestrians, horses, carts, and wagons.

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent and fascinating survey for motorcycle buffs, October 7, 2003

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Knowledgeably written by Herbert Wagner (a recognized authority on Harley-Davidson motorcycles), At The Creation: Myth, Reality, And The Origin Of The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, 1901-1909 is the meticulously researched history of this popular favorite two-wheeled motorized vehicle and the Milwaukee, Wisconsin company that made them. Black-and-white photographs (some of them vintage) wonderfully embellish the straightforward, factual recounting of the history of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, including its first race, first dealer, the first customer, as well as the many myths concerning its creation that would later go on to become full fledged urban legends. At The Creation is an excellent and fascinating survey for motorcycle buffs in general, and Harley-Davidson fans in particular!