Customer Reviews

High Performance: The Culture and Technology of Drag Racing, 1950-2000 (Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are looking for a history of drag racing from its inception to the present day, this book is for you. It is a fascinating look at the sport from the outlaw street racing days to the highly organized events that we see today. Lots of information and stories about the personalities and organizations that have been involved over the years, including engine builders, drivers, chassis builders and backers. The origins of the major organizing bodies and their battles for supremacy are all recounted. Organizations formed by the drivers in their attempts to get a fair share of the money are covered as well. As far as the machines themselves go, the focus is on top fuel, but other classes are also covered, primarily funny cars. The book describes the major technological advances in terms of tires, engine placement, aerodynamics, etc., but overall is rather light on technical details. But that is not the thrust of the book anyway. It's intended to be a historical document, and it is a very good and entertaining one.

This is a very cool book- not just beacuse it is about cars, but because it is about the fastest, most expensive cars there are(that are powered by an internal combustion engine). Post(the author) gives valuable insight on racing, since he has been involved in it, but also mentions even the smallest details about drag racing- the kinds of things that you say," Hey, did you know that nitromethane can give a car that normally has 200 hp 300hp?" With these details, and all of the great pictures showing the danger and excitement of drag racing. In Short- THIS IS THE BEST RACING BOOK YOU CAN BUY!

This is the absolute bible for anyone wanted the real truth about drag racings past. There is tons of insight and some wonderful photo's in this, worth a look for any high performance fan. truly excellent

The first scholary written and well researched history of the development of drag racing, the cars, drivers, the organizers and promoters, and equipment suppliers, that I have ever read. The history is also full of personal insights and anecdotes which make for interesting and engaging reading. There is enought technical information and discussion for the serious motor heads. For a reader that wants to know how we got to 325 MPH in 4.5 seconds, this is the book.

If nostalgia racing is your thing, this is the one Must Have book to add to your collection. Ask any racer, anywhere, if he has a copy and I'll bet he does. I've sent copies to crew members who are too young to remember some of the heros we see at nostalgia events and all have said this book added new meaning to these nostalgia races and gave new insight into what the nostalgia movement really is all about.

This is the definitive history of drag racing -- you will not need a single other source for all that has happened in the sport for the last 50 years. This was written by a drag racer who is now a History professor at a university. This is one of a half dozen books on any subject that I have ever read.(incidently, I have a personal library of about 200 car books and 50 car themed DVD's)

This book is a comprehensive black and white format book that covers the sport more than any other i've owned. Lots of archival photos to supplement the reading.

This book shows how wonderful things can happen when a professional historian writes about a popular culture topic. Instead of the usual breathless enthusiasm and blind boosterism, a reader gets analysis and perspective. It is the definitive history of the sport of drag racing.

The striking parallels between the growth of NHRA and NASCAR, including the personalities of their respective founders, are clearly laid out. The last chapter includes a concise history of the periodicals that developed to cover the sport.

The writing is not too technical for the average reader and contains delightful quirks like the characterizations of the decision makers in the sport as the "high sheriffs".

For the serious drag racing fan! This is a big book, with facts you will find nowhere else!

I really enjoyed this book, I'm a front engine dragster fan and found the history very informative.It starts at the very beginning with the post WWII hot rod explosion and continues up to about 2000 or so. It is somewhat bookish but if you love drag racing I believe you will enjoy this book!!