Book review: All but my life – Stirling Moss face to face with Ken W. Purdy
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Positives
With the British GP on this weekend, I’ve been spending time looking through some older published books on Sir Stirling Moss. One that I had burrowed away in a pile of old books was “All but my life” which was published in 1963 very shortly after Moss retired following his accident in the Lotus. The book is basically an interview of Stirling by Ken W. Purdy (motor writer whose articles appeared in Playboy magazines in the 1950’s).
The book has 12 chapters, with the first Chapter tracing Stirling’s family upbring, early desire become a professional racer and in Chapter II talking through his some of his races including Grand prix and Millie Miglia.
Chapter IV, Stirling shares his views on other F1 drivers which is a good read if you looking for peer review of F1 drivers from the 60’s. Chapter V delves into his relationship with his first wife Katie. Chapter VII is about drivers and courage.
In Chapter VIII, Moss talks about girls, sex before racing and women drivers. You need to remember this was back in 1960’s so most of this content would now be frowned upon.
Chapter IX is an interesting discussion on a driver’s form, safety and the GPDA. Again, it’s interesting to hear Stirling’s views on seat belts in F1 cars then.
The last few chapters are really a recap of Stirling’s post Goodwood accident and mental thinking leading to retirement.
The rear section of the book includes detailed career race statistics from 1948 to 1962 with comments against each race.
Some readers might feel Purdy in some parts of the book over romanticizes Stirling with Enzo Ferrari’s comparison of Moss to Nouvolari. This is definitely not a book that a young modern F1 fans might find gripping – it’s more a look back at F1 in the 60’s and the old school “chivalry” and Moss’ philosophical view of racing as a dance or art form and some of his own faults and sacrifices to become the top racing driver of that time.
Wow Factor/Money shot: Broken steering wheel of Stirling’s Lotus
Suitable for: Moss and older F1 history fans
