Customer Reviews

Watkins Glen 1948-1952: The Definitive Illustrated History

5 star:		(6)
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Philippe Defechereux's book has had an effect on me similar to the madeleine cookie on Marcel Proust, reviving old memories of the colorful efforts of my father, Alec Ulmann, and his pals, to revive road racing in America in the late Forties and early Fifties. I was present at most of the races and knew many of the characters both of which are so rivettingly limned by Philippe. This book is genuine stuff, the smell of burning castor oil coming off the pages, to say nothing of the smoke generated by the behind the scenes political battles! If, like me, you were there, this book will transport you back to those earlier days. If you weren't, well, you missed something grand. You can, however, be heartily grateful to Philippe for bringing it all back to life in this thrilling narrative.

Edward F. Ulmann

Son of Alec Ulmann, Founder of the Sebring Race

A great book that covers not only the earliest races at "The Glen", but that also conveys the trials and travails that early sports car racing enthusiasts endured in America. I expected a history of street racing in Watkins Glen to be in the book, but I didn't expect such an encompassing history of racing to be included.

Philippe's coverage of "The Great Controversy" is very enlightening in view of the current rifts in American Road Racing. I had no idea the battle of the isolationists vs. the internationalists had its roots so far back in time. Highly recommended for an entertaining read.

No matter how one spells Philippe's last name most readers will remember his exciting book about the racer James Dean. And now in this book Philippe has uncovered little known facts about Watkins Glen, just as he did with James Dean. This book takes you back to the streets of Watkins Glen with Cunninghams, Ferraris and MG specials. If you collect motorsports history books as I do, your collection won't be complete without this one.

A great book that covers not only the earliest races at "The Glen", but that also conveys the trials and travails that early sports car racing enthusiasts endured in America. I expected a history of street racing in Watkins Glen to be in the book, but I didn't expect such an encompassing history of racing to be included.

Philippe's coverage of "The Great Controversy" is very enlightening in view of the current rifts in American Road Racing. I had no idea the battle of the isolationists vs. the internationalists had its roots so far back in time. Highly recommended for an entertaining read.

the author has done a great job of defining the times and of digging through the details of the renaissance of road racing in america. if you weren't there, you feel as though you had been once you finish.

Mr. Defechereux has captured the essence of the times. He has recreated and placed in context the rebirth of road racing in the United States. The names, the cars and the events are all carefully documented and the reader easily falls into the sense and mood of the era. It is fascinating.