Customer Reviews

Best Damn Garage in Town: The World According to Smokey

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Don't let Smokey's style of storytelling stop you. When you finish all three volumes you will have probed the mind of a true hero. I wish Smokey had written this book sooner. I met Smokey, at Indy, in the early 90's. Today I would have much more to talk to him about. Smokey was the example of "Thinking outside the box"

When Smoke said he'd tell like it is, he didn't lie! The history lesson he gives you is worth its weight in gold.There is so much to learn and appreciate from his book. He was a unique man, with a colorful history and not just in racing. I have attended numerous lectures and roundtable discussions he held at the annual PRI shows, they were always one of my favorite things to go to. Only way to desribe Smokey in my book is, he was one smart cat! Whether some of his "Associates" will admit it or not, they will definetly miss his insight,his wisdom, and his courage to step over the line. Thank You Smokey for All That You Have Done.

Simply put this is one of the best books about racing I have ever read. Smokey's stories are entertaining, hilarious, and insightful. His kind will not be by this way again! If you like racing of any kind, this book is a must read. It is well worth both the time and the money.

Smokey tells it just like he sees it. No political correctness here. If he thinks something stinks, he says so. He has no love lost for Bill France and company, but respects many others.

His writing style is straight to the point, amusing and raw. But it's the way he sees things...and he repeats that point...that it's just his opinion and urges the reader to make up their own mind.

I highly recommend this set. And I salute you, Smokey.

Smokey Yunick, as many know, was a no non-sense guy who not only loved and lived cars and racing - he WAS cars and racing.

Whether you were a backyard teen-mechanic from the 60's, or a professional mechanic or racer, your entire life was -and still is- influenced by Henry "Smokey" Yunick.

I never met Smokey, but because of my older brother's avid passion as a mechanic and certified 'car nut', I heard all about him for years.

My brother told me about the book: hinting real hard that, "..he'd love to have it!" So, I hustled a copy of this book for my own reading from a 'grease monkey' friend. After only the first brief review, I knew this would truly be a life-time gift for my brother.

He loves it! Reading this tome on the history of the 'gas engine racing legend': Smokey Yunick; especially because it's in Smokey's own writing and words; is a treasure to him. Every week he thanks me for the gift.

Get the book - before you can't find it. It's not cheap now .. and will only get more expensive with time. The really good stuff does this, you know!

This is an heirloom - not just a book. Even if you're not 'into reading' a 'typical book' .. this is like picking up the ultimate Chilton's! You won't be able to put it down. And besides, with this book you'll learn more than you've already forgotten!

Enjoy !!!

I couldn't believe that one man could do so much in one lifetime. He was a B-17 pilot in WWII, raced in the early days of NASCAR, won at Indy, served as a consultant to the big car companies and drilled for oil and mined for gold in Ecuador. There is not much he didn't do and he is such a great storyteller that it is impossible to put down.

His style is very much stream of consciousness and his language is straight out of the garage, but these stories would not be believable if the text was polished and cleaned up. When I first read these books, I didn't know anything about Smokey, but by the time I was finished, I felt like I knew how his mind worked on everything from engineering to chasing women.

I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in cars, racing, war history or just learning more about a great time in the history of this country through a set of eyes that saw much more than their share. By the way, the chapters on his wife and his dogs will take you competely by surprise.

Extremely fortunate to have worked with Smokey during our years at Circle Track Magazine and all his years at PRI (Performance Racing Industry).
THIS IS INDEED THE BEST DAMN BOOK IN TOWN. You'll love it.

Excellent reading. Very informative and it kept me interested the entire time. I would recommend for anyone!

lots of reading from this set, if you are a smokey fan this is the ultimate reading for those long winters.

Great read! Smokey sure lived a great and varied life, with many chapters. He is one of lifes heroes. Ther is an old
saying about when a special person was "created they broke the mould". In Smokey's case he was a self made man, with
all the right bits in all the right places. His life story is one of many interesting chapters, and he kept writing it almost until the day he ran out of gas. Just as well he did not want it published until after his death, some of his adverseries would have sued "his ass off", or tried to.

Do your self a favour and enjoy a great story by and about a great man.