Customer Reviews

Harley-Davidson: The Milwaukee marvel (A Foulis motorcycling book)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While I commend Mr. Sucher for the extensive time and effort he obviously devoted to fact gathering and investigation for this work, I must state that the quality of writing, editing, and printing of the material leave much to be desired. The book is rife with glaring and distracting typographical errors. Sentences and paragraphs are often incomplete or otherwise mechanically unsound. Information is presented haphazardly and without a clear focus. And the type face itself is eye-straining, it being excessively cramped, poorly laid out and often fading as if it were issued from a printer that was low on ink. I found it particularly difficult to believe the text is in such a state in its fifth edition, and after numerous reprints. The writing style tends to be monotonous, even for a journalistic approach, and the information and verbiage is often redundant or crowded with insignificant facts that would be better relegated to an expanded set of appendices. Nevertheless, I must also say that this book offers readers a wealth of information on the history of Harley-Davidson and the development of its product over the years that probably is not available anywhere else. Diehard enthusiasts can gain from it invaluable insight into the mysteries of H-D, if they are sufficiently motivated to trudge through this unwieldy text.

If you like detail, this is the H-D book. The author has been around the block more than a few times, having traveled the world extensively to assist in gathering information for this exhaustive work. Of particular interest to me was that considerable information was included that provides insight into the personalities of the founding fathers, as well as many other key figures that influenced the course of H-D for the last 95 years. I got a little bogged down in some areas of the book, feeling somewhat side-tracked into loosely related areas I didn't feel were particularly pertinent. From the title, (the Milwaukee Marvel) I was expecting it would deal mainly with the mechanical and technical aspects of H-D motorcycles. But the text is packed with information the author has gleened from personal experience as well as countless interviews he has had with people formerly connected with the Motor Company. What I found revealing were factors that shaped company policy and manufacturing practices. Unlike "Official Publications" of H-D (which tend to contain information and historical facts that only reflect favorably on the company), I felt that this work presents an honest and objective history. For H-D gurus who are looking for all the historical details, this one is a "must-have" for your library..

While some may not be comfortable with a history of H-D written by an Englishman, I say NUTS! What I read was clear and to the point! No favoritism and no bias....The way it should be....BTW, Harry Sucher was a fan of "The Big Yank"...

For the real Harley and motorcycle fan. If you want a book of large color photos (many seen in other books & magazines) then don't go for this one. However, if you want an informative complete text of the history of the company, its ups and downs and the machinery it put out in the 20th. Century, then this is the book.

It contains many rare black and white photos from all ages of Harley, with reproduction of trade ads and extracts from manuals from various periods.

It is apparent why the author was the Offical Historian of the Harley Davidson Owners' Association (until the association was disolved by H-D when the company formed its own, factory sponsored owners' group). He tackles his subject matter in a historian's complete manner, but never loses sight of the fact it is an exciting ongoing subject he is dealing with and not some museum piece.

Unlike other reviewers (each to their own), I found this a great book and would certainly recommend it to Harley riders or fans of motorcycles who want to get a full picture of America's premier make and its models through the years.

I enjoyed this book so much the first time I read it, several years ago, that I am now reading it again and enjoying it all over again. I find Sucher's writing style very readable and interesting. The details are such that you are not going to find them in any other book on Harley-Davidson (this makes this book more interesting than the chearleading factory authorized versions of their history). I only wish Harry Sucher was alive to write about The Motor Co. in the 21st. century. If you enjoyed this book, you will also find Harry Sucher's "The Iron-Redskin" a very interesting read. It is about the meteoric rise and eventual fall of the Indian Motorcycle co. You may want to get stronger reading glasses for either of these books as the typeset is very small. I found the rare black and white images fascinating.