Big Rigs: The Complete History of the American Semi Truck (Town Square Book) [Hardcover]

Stan Holtzman (Author, Photographer)

Book Description

Series: Town Square Book | Publication Date: April 2001

Big Rigs is a superb photographic tribute to the venerable workhorse of the highway in America over the last one hundred years, the semi truck and trailer. The type of articulated trucks which have evolved in North America are different in many ways from those used elsewhere in the world. These are big trucks, reflecting the distances they often have to travel across a vast continent. The book begins with a general introduction to the development of the American semi truck. The other chapters in the book are devoted to the major manufacturers of these trucks. These include names which have almost become cultural icons such as Kenworth, Mack, Freightliner, International, White and Peterbilt. This is a large format highly illustrated book which in addition to its many colour and black and white photos contains a number of highly nostalgic period artworks. Big Rigs is a highly illustrated large format hardcover book which is very good value for money; The many photographs and colour images will appeal to all of those who are interested in trucks and trucking; For those not familiar with the trucks of North America the book provides a very good introduction; Review coverage will be sought in a number magazines which deal with trucks and trucking.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stan Holtzman has written three other trucking books, "American Semi Trucks," "Semi Truck Color History," and "Classic Semi Trucks," and is a regular contributor to "RoadKing" and "10-4 Express" magazines.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press (MN) (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089658495X
• ISBN-13: 978-0896584952
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,415,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most You're Winner book ever!, February 10, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Big Rigs: The Complete History of the American Semi Truck (Town Square Book) (Hardcover)

Woah! I could barely handle the Winnerness eminating from this divine work when I first opened the page! 18 wheels of steel immediately assault your eyes with grandiose visions of beauty the likes of which have never before been conceived by mortal man. Get ready for some brake jammin', CB talkin', convoy rollin' action across America! This book should be required reading in all schools! But beware...although most of the book is suitable for all ages, you might want to shield your child's innocent eyes from the page depicting the ultimate traffic stopper...a police roadblock.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Packs in photos of these trucks from the last 100 years, June 4, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: Big Rigs: The Complete History of the American Semi Truck (Town Square Book) (Hardcover)

This colorful visual history of the American semi truck packs in photos of these trucks from the last 100 years, accompanying a written history which surveys all the major makes and models of the semi. A short history of the maker blends with images which provide excellent detail.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book and be Winner every time, January 23, 2005

By 

wasp2020 (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Rigs: The Complete History of the American Semi Truck (Town Square Book) (Hardcover)

This book is just mind-blowing. Stan Holtzman really did a great job. With stunning graphics, smooth transitions from page to page, and the feeling of really winning. Even before you open the book, You're Winner. At every page, You're Winner. It really is revolutionary.

And everything in the book looks so real, like you can just rev up a Big Rig of your own to infinite speeds and drive straight through bridges and homes, and after a completely nonfunctioning race challenge you can take a stroll up a 90 degree cliff, and then cruise through the psychadelic reality-bending purgatorial void while going 999,999,999,999,999 km/h and then stop on a dime! Told you it was revolutionary.

You're Winner!