Customer Reviews

Corvette

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Clearly, the Chevrolet Corvette is a very popular subject for "coffee table" books on automobiles. In the first five pages of a keyword search using "Corvette" on this web site, there were more than a dozen listed.

What makes Jerry Burton's new book, <u>Corvette, America's Sports Car--Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow</u> a standout from others of this crowded market are: text which matches the quality of its pictures and a selection of gorgeous photographs and drawings from the General Motors archives and other sources, some of which have never before been published in a book.

With this title, Burton brings significant journalistic credentials and Corvette expertise to the table. He's the founding Editor of prestigious "Corvette Quarterly" magazine and was just reappointed to a second term as Editor of "CQ" after spending several years in other capacities at the magazine's publisher, Campbell-Ewald Publishing. In addition, he's the award-winning biographer of the car's first Chief Engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov. Mr. Burton was on the founding Board of Directors of the National Corvette Museum and has been involved with the Corvette community for over 25 years.

If you're ever read Jerry Burton's work in "Corvette Quarterly" or read what's known in the Corvette hobby as simply "The Zora book" (<u>Zora Arkus-Duntov: The Legend Behind Corvette, Bentley Publishers, 2002</u>) then you're familiar with Burton's smooth, rich prose. He has knack for focusing on the emotion and the mystique of the Chevrolet Corvette which is near unmatched in automotive journalism. Another reason I liked reading this book is: while the technical aspects of the car receive some coverage, thankfully Burton does not get bogged-down in a lot of nuts-and-bolts issues which can be the kiss-of-death in a book like this.

Of course it's the eye candy aspect which makes or breaks a coffee table book. While such titles can be successful only average writing quality, they are failures when the pictures are anything less than excellent and <u>Corvette, America's Sports Car</u> has no shortage of exquisite images. In fact, you'd better have this book actually on a coffee table because those reading it will leaf-through the first few pages, then want put their coffee cups down and begin to view the book's imagery intently.

The book's publisher, Hugh Lauter Levin, Associates, has a successful track-record of producing high-end, large format, hardcover books like this and the match of Jerry Burton's writing, his insightful selection of photographs and drawings and the publisher's execution of the coffee table book style makes for an outstanding Corvette reading experience. I marveled at the book's use of an actual C6 Corvette emblem on the cover. I also couldn't help but marvel at Levin Associates' timing of <u>Corvette, America's Sports Car--Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow</u> (published Fall 2006) because it makes a wonderful Christmas gift for any Chevrolet or Corvette enthusiast.

In Corvette: America's Sports Car-Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, Jerry Burton shares the comprehensive story of Chevrolet's longest running model and one of America's all time favorite sports cars. First produced in 1953, this car - as Burton so aptly describes - became a pop culture symbol for freedom, excitement and fun.

I applaud the detailed information listed in the book, especially the interviews with the original Corvette designers who fought hard to produce this car. For the "vette-heads," there is plenty of technical information about the nuts and bolts of the Corvette. For other readers, Burton tells the compelling story of the Corvette as a powerful vehicle with a history woven into that of our country.

I also appreciated the chance to see such a wide variety of quality Chevrolet Corvette photos, most in full color.

Finally, I enjoyed the creative ways in which Burton labeled the eras of the Chevrolet Corvette: the curvaceous years; the sting ray years; the shark era; the triumph of technology; the bold new architecture; and supercar status.

Indeed this is a magnificent book with some beautiful and unique photography. However, it is frustrating to wade through page after page of typos and errors. ABS on Corvettes since 1966? (page 187) 1976 Corvette on pages 160-161? (looks like a '73 to me) 1978 Silver Anniversary Corvette on page 134? Looks like an '81 two-tone to me. Etc,etc...I come from a newspaper family, and we call them Proofreaders. But then what can you expect from an "officially licensed from GM" book about an American icon, printed in China? If this is the "updated" edition, why didn't Universe Publishing correct these errors?

Corvette: America's Sports Car-Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow by Jerry Burton (founding editor of 'Corvette Quarterly' and one of the Corvette's most knowledgeable historians) is a 320-page history of one of the most popular of America's sports cars at home and abroad. Profusely illustrated with 700 images (500 of them in full color), readers will learn of how the corvette was conceived and its 50+ years of evolution and performance. Featured are exclusive interviews with many of the engineers and designers who defied conventional wisdom in creating a unique American automobile in terms of its design, engineering and racing performance. From its groundbreaking technologies to its impact on popular culture, the corvette set the standard for automotive freedom, speed, power, and fun. Jerry Burton's "Corvette" is an impressively detailed and informative reference and a strongly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library Automotive History collections.

I bought this book for my husband who loves Corvettes. He is very happy with it. Would recommend for anyone who would love a picture book about Corvettes. Covers the topic of Corvettes very thoroughly. It is a very nice book.

I was blown away when the mail arrived. This book is huge. The photography is phenominal. It has a padded leather like cover with a life sized chrome plated emblem. If you like , love, own a vette you should get this. It cost me less than the shipping, now that is stretching your dollars. I have not sat down to read it, yes it tells the Corvette story, I've just leaved through it. A good book for the winter snow and long nights, while I wait for spring to get back on the road! gk

*UPDATED*

There are 3 editions of this book all of which I have and cherish, 2006 red leatherbound with emblem on cover,2008(slighly updated w/blue devil ZR1) also leatherbound and same amount of pages,different pictures,artic white C6.R at Sebring 07'. and Finally As of Nov.2010 the 2010 Edition which can be purchased from the National Corvette Museum Store or from the publisher direct Rizzoli Usa/Universe, make sure before you get the 2010 Version that you are aware it Has the SILVER 1959 CORVETTE STINGRAY ON THE COVER as shown on Amazon for 2008 book, The back of the Book has the 2011 CORVETTE ZO6 CARBON EDITION,mistakenly inside it says 2008, same Isbn,same amount of pages,so make sure you ask about the cover,it is updated towards the end with Short Text/Page Spreads on ZR1,GRAND SPORT, AND 2011 Z06 CARBON AND YES THE TRANSFORMERS SIDESWIPE STINGRAY CONCEPT. this is the perfect gift for the Vette Head in your life.



Good "Flashy" Nice Leatherbound book with a Actual if not replica I assume Corvette C-6 Emblem that you can feel. Very Elegant first of its kind that I have seen done for Corvette. Nice pictures. Some already seen Before. Others I have not. Example Astro Corvette/Concepts, Etc. Huge book. weighs, couple Big Two Page Spreads. Book Retails for $ 75. I was lucky enough to get this baby for $12 +s/h shipped through a seller here, Despite it taking 3 weeks.
Thank God It came in Great Condition I struck it out!. Book has tons of pages, only other that I know has a couple more as of now is The Complete Corvette Every Model Since 1953 by Mike Mueller. This book Is done by Jerry Burton, America's Sports Car, Yesterday, Today,Tomorrow. BY HLLA and mbi. Get it.
Its worth it. (1st edition)

My husband read this book cover to cover. Contains many nice photos and is one of the most complete books out there.

This book is a great book for anyone that is a car lover or corvette lover. I bought this book for my boyfriend who owns a corvette and he absoulty loves the book. It is well done and well put together. The cover is neat with the corvette emblem on it and the leather is nice also. Defintly another book I will buy in the future for anyone of my friends.

Just seeing the cover is...ahem...enough to get your engine running!! We bought this book for my brother for his 50th birthday. He taught his kids the Corvette Pledge of Allegiance when they were little, so you have some idea of how much he loves them. He said this book is really cool--and has a LOT of very good photography. A fitting tribute to a devotee!