Customer Reviews

How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step by Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot

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Great book. Entertaining, empowering, and even a bit misleading, but its priceless and has been a favorite resource of mine for over a decade. This book, a vw and some simple tools will change your life.

Christopher Sheridan (Cakeboy127@aol.com) These days, every time I walk into a bookstore I see more and more shelf space devoted to those "how-to" types of books that range from beer-making to astrophysics, with the title usually ending "...for Dummies." Whenever I see these books I can't help but remember my first encounter with the grand-daddy of all "idiot books": "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual Of Step By Step Procedures For The Compleat Idiot," by technical sage John Muir. I was stranded by the side of a desert highway after my recently acquired VW Microbus blew a tire. I found a copy of the book (generously left by the previous owner) wedged beneath the spare tire, which also turned out to be flat. While waiting for help to arrive, I was quickly drawn into the highly engaging narrative and plain English explanations of Volkswagen repairs. Known as simply "The Idiot Book"among Volkswagen aficionados, it was written in 1968 by Muir every day from 4:00 am to 2:00 pm, while his wife, Eve, and certified VW mechanic Tosh Gregg tested the procedures. Important details are expertly and humorously illustrated by Peter Aschwaden. Through the various "raps" on oil, timing, lights, etc., Muir's unique combination of Zen and horse-sense allows us to not only understand how a small air-cooled Volkswagen engine works, but how all internal combustion engines work. Muir's truisms about things mechanical are often found extending to things human and universal and this book's long success is due to Muir's masterful ability to inspire self-confidence, cautious fear, and the realization that your car's karma is a reflection of your own. Covering all carburated and fuel-injected VW Beetles, SuperBeetles, Karmen Ghias, Microbuses, Fastbacks, Squarebacks, Things, and even the less documented instructions for the 411 sedan and 412 wagen, "The Idiot Book" was first published just after Woodstock and quickly became the VW owner's bible. Over 25 years it has evolved through 16 editions, with additional chapters added to include Hi Performance Modifications, VW Club and Parts Suppliers, and how to keep your VW alive forever. This new edition comes with a heavy-duty spiral binding, and is strong enough to be kicked accidently through greasy spills. Whether you're nursing a hand-me-down Beetle through college, or have discovered an old Microbus behind your uncle's shed, this book is the first and most necessary beginning to a magical voyage.

I have had my copy of the 1968 edition through 7 VW's and have used it to the point of disintegration. Anyone with a VW should buy this book, if not only for the amusement value

I recently purchased a 1973 VW Super Beetle in a terrible state of disrepair. I personally consider my self to be mechanically DECLINED, flinching even at the word "pliers." But this book has built up my confidence in my ability by describing in great detail how to perform even the most difficult of tasks. In fact in the VW community, John Muir is referred to as St. Muir and this book is "The Bible" for VW owners.

If a book can teach me how to keep by bucket alive it can teach you too. If you own a Type I Volkswagen don't leave home without it. Yes, keep a copy with the car. One time I had a problem beyond my immediate ability and limped in to a garage. The mechanic used it and his tools and got me back on the road.