Leanings 2: Great Stories by America's Favorite Motorcycle Writer [Hardcover]

Peter Egan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2005

For legions of motorcyclists, the next best thing to riding or working on their bikes is reading the Cycle World columns of Peter Egan. His conversational, self-effacing style and adroit use of the language make his writing appealing to all types of riders.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Even the most die hard of motorcyclists can't ride--or work on--their bikes all the time. So in those moments away from that precious Triumph, Suzuki, or Harley, Cycle World columnist and writer Peter Egan comes to the rescue--taking all kinds of riders along with him on his journeys.

Part self-effacing humor, part philosophy, part nostalgia, Egan's pieces remind us not only of all that matters in the motorcycle world, but in the world at large. In Leanings 2, more of his writing (four features and 95 columns) is collected into one volume, giving readers another taste of his best work.

From a trip down the Mississippi to find the grave of blues artist Robert Johnson to rearranging his garage for optimal motorcycle ikebana, Peter Egan's stories hit home with all of us who define our good times with motorcycles. To get his view on how much your motorcycle habit really costs, which rock 'n' roll artists exemplify which bikes, the fine art of carrying motorcycle gear, and much more, crack open this book. It is for everyone who rides a motorcycle--and who has a soul.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Even the most die-hard of motorcyclists can't ride--or work on--their bikes all the time. So in those moments away from that precious Triumph, Honda, or Harley, Cycle World columnist and writer Peter Egan comes to the rescue--taking all kinds of riders along with him on his journeys.

Part self-effacing humor, part philosophy, part nostalgia, Egan's pieces remind us of all that matters, not only in the motorcycle world, but in the world at large. Leanings 2 collects more of Egan's writing (4 features and 95 columns) into one volume, giving readers another taste of his best work.

From a piece about a trip down the Mississippi to find blues artist Robert Johnson's grave to tips for rearranging a garage to achieve optimal motorcycle ikebana, Peter Egan's stories hit home with all of us who define our good times with motorcycles. To get his views on how much your motorcycle habit really costs, which rock 'n' roll artists exemplify which bikes, the fine art of carrying motorcycle gear, and much more, crack open this book. It is for everyone who rides a motorcycle--and who has a soul. "Peter Egan is well worth the read, even if you don't ride." - --Old Cars Weekly News & Marketplace "If you've been a fan of his Cycle World column over the years, you know what to expect. And you won't be disappointed." --IronWorks --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; 1st edition (November 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760321647
• ISBN-13: 978-0760321645
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #864,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In many ways, better than the original, October 31, 2005

By 

ONENEO (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Leanings 2: Great Stories by America's Favorite Motorcycle Writer (Hardcover)

After having devoured the first Leanings, (as well as the Side Glances collections)- I ordered Leanings 2 the moment it became available. This book focuses far more heavily on the columns of Peter Egan than the lengthier feature articles and color commentary. Some may be disappointed in this, but I found it to be a much more fluid read as a result.
Peter Egan writes with a grass-roots style that is description rich and highly enjoyable. Having his monthly columns organized chronologically maintains a rhythm that seems to get lost on a month to month basis in Cycle World. In other words, back to back the columns fuse into a nearly complete story in which the reader will begin to find attachment in the characters and the whereabouts of the various cycles occupying Peter's work shop.
The columns themselves are quick reads, in fact I polished the book off in a few nights (wishing there was more). Any fan of "slice of life" style writing will appreciate the witty antic-dotes and underlining passion Egan encompasses in his writing. It is immediately clear that Peter's travels and life experiences have integrated with his love for motorcycles and his ability to paint pictures with words. Fans of any facet of the motorcycling spectrum would do themselves justice in picking up this fine collection of tales from Cycle World's most enjoyable columnist.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please publish another book soon, November 29, 2005

By 

deepsouth (Lexington KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leanings 2: Great Stories by America's Favorite Motorcycle Writer (Hardcover)

A word of warning. If you love motorcycles, you will devour this book during a chilly night or two and be left wanting more. And you will be sad that Peter Egan is not your best friend. In short, magazine essay-length chapters, Egan evokes funny and warm and all-too-accurate images of motorcycling life and obsessiveness. Gratefully, he does not have the need to romanticize riding, as do so many writers who have followed Persig. No spirits, no transcendance, no self-actualization here, thank God. Egan comes across as a regular guy, with regular friends, and a very understanding wife, who loves a good motorcycle (or eight), Delta blues, and a cold Guiness. He is one of us, but he writes the story better. Read it slow and it will tide you over till spring.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For anyone who loves motorcycle stories, April 10, 2006

By 

B. Bates (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leanings 2: Great Stories by America's Favorite Motorcycle Writer (Hardcover)

Not as good as the first "Leanings", but an enjoyable read anyway. Peter writes in a way that I wish I could write to convey my motorcycle experiences. I also subscribe to Cycle World and have seen some of these same writings, but I throw away magazines, while I will keep this book forever and be able to re-read at my leasure. I would recommend this book highly.