Book review: Lewis Hamilton – Through the Lens by Bruce Hales-Dutton
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Positives
Negatives
Considering Sir Lewis Hamilton has clocked up 7 world titles equaling Michael Schumacher, it’s amazing that there are less books about Lewis compared to the German weltmeister. Maybe it’s that books are less popular now in favour of readily available online and social media content (staggering that Lewis has 24.5m Instagram followers) but nevertheless for […]
Considering Sir Lewis Hamilton has clocked up 7 world titles equaling Michael Schumacher, it’s amazing that there are less books about Lewis compared to the German weltmeister. Maybe it’s that books are less popular now in favour of readily available online and social media content (staggering that Lewis has 24.5m Instagram followers) but nevertheless for a driver who is arguably the GOAT in Formula 1, you’d expect there to be more to published books to read for fans to devour. In the last few years, there’s really only been Frank Worrall’s “Lewis Hamilton: Five Time world champion” and Bruce Jones’ 2015 updated book “Lewis Hamilton: Formula One World Champion“.
Dutton-Hales’ book covers Lewis’ career up until the start of the 2017 F1 season, so he’s already at 3 world championships and has just lost to Nico in Abu Dhabi 2016. At 110 pages, the first 60 pages of the book charts Lewis’ career up to 2008 – however to be honest, the best book which covers this period is actually Lewis’ own 2008 autobiography “My Story“.
Hales-Dutton’s narrative is relatively light and draws on previous source reference material like “My Story” and Autosport. Each season is only briefly skimmed with general references to important races during that year.
The strength of the book really is its presentation – a square hardcover with large splash pages of vibrant colour race images (the majority of which are great action photos from Getty Images) mixed with balanced page layouts with Hales-Dutton’s text in double column format. It’s very easy to read and also easy on the eye. There is very little white space in the book – it’s very similar to reading in dark mode on your browser or smartphone.
Currently, “Lewis Hamilton – Through the Lens” is one of the few mixed photobooks that also narrates Lewis’ Mercedes AMG career albeit only up to 2017. No doubt, when Lewis’ finally retires someone will publish the obligatory book covering all his races but until then, there isn’t really any other general introductory photobook on Lewis. So this title will probably pass as an ok read (or even a gift) to a younger Lewis Hamilton fan. Older fans are waiting for his memoirs when he does hang up the boots (we want to read all about Spygate 2007 and Rosberg rivalry in 2014-2016).
Wow Factor/Money shot: Monaco 2014 and 2015
Suitable for: Lewis fans
