Book Review: Murray Walker’s Formula One Heroes by Murray Walker and Simon Taylor

 
Murray Walker's Formula One Heroes Book cover
Murray Walker's Formula One Heroes Book cover
Murray Walker's Formula One Heroes Book cover

 
Overview
 

Title: Murray Walker's Formula One Heroes
 
Author: Murray Walker and Simon Taylor
 
Photography: Various (including LAT)
 
Publisher: Virgin Publishing
 
ISBN: 1-85227-945-1
 
Year/Edition: 2000
 
# of pages: 192
 
Photos: B&W and color
 
Cover: Hardcover with dust jacket
 
Size: 25cm x 30cm x 2cm
 
Author: ,
 
Publisher:
 
Narration
 
 
 
 
 


 
Visuals
 
 
 
 
 


 
Appeal
 
 
 
 
 


 
Total Score
 
 
 
 
 


User Rating
7 total ratings

 

Positives


Great photography

Negatives


Only very short driver profiles


2
Posted June 8, 2015 by

 
Full Article
 
 

I recently dusted off “Murray Walker’s Formula One Heroes” when re-arranging some older books in storage. Published in 2000, this book was typical of the F1 books from that era and in many ways is a book version of his later video ‘Murray Walker’s F1 Greats‘. For old BBC F1 viewers, the drivers included in this book are no surprise.

The usual great names of Fangio, Clark, Stewart, Lauda, Senna, Prost and Schumacher are all included. But there are some interesting omissions (Graham Hill) and inclusions (Hailwood & Brundle).

The full list of featured drivers & personalities includes:

  • Fangio
  • Ascari
  • Moss
  • Brabham
  • Phil Hill
  • Jim Clark
  • Dan Guerney
  • John Surtees
  • Mike Hailwood
  • Jackie Stewart
  • Mario Andretti
  • Ronnie Peterson
  • Niki Lauda
  • James Hunt
  • Alan Jones
  • Gilles Villeneuve
  • Keke Rosberg
  • Nigel Mansell
  • Alain Prost
  • Gerhard Berger
  • Martin Brundle
  • Ayrton Senna
  • Jean Alesi
  • Damon Hill
  • Michael Schumacher
  • Enzo Ferrari
  • Colin Chapman
  • Ken Tyrrell
  • Bernie Ecclestone
  • Gordon Murray
  • Patrick Head & Frank Williams

Each of the driver profiles are 2-4 pages covering background and Murray’s own views on their strengths and skills. At the rear, the book includes a short section on some lesser known name in the paddock and 3 “heroic circuits” – Monaco, Silverstone and Monza.

For Murray fans though, this book isn’t much like his autobiography “Unless I’m very much mistaken” with lots of TV “Murrayisms”. Its simply a compilation of some very good photos with Murray’s choice of drivers.

Wow Factor/Money Shot: The B&W LAT photos are the most interesting – Nuvolari, Fangio & Moss.

Suitable for: General F1 fans

 

Murrary Walker's Formula One Heroes book pages

 

 

 

 

 

Murrary Walker's Formula One Heroes book pages

 

 

 

 

 

Murrary Walker's Formula One Heroes book pages

 

 

 

 

 

Murrary Walker's Formula One Heroes book pages


f1nut

 


2 Comments


  1.  
    Martin

    I just read the book and below is my review:
    Murray Walker was part of F1 for more than half a century. He knew everyone, and a lot of the greatest drivers, constructors, team bosses and a lot of them were his friends.
    The book consists of his memories and overviews of the ones on top of his “hero” champioship.
    The start is dedicated to his 3 pre-war hero drivers – Nuvolari, Rosenmeyer and Caracciola. This was the most interesting part for me.
    The next and biggest (2/3 from the book) is, of course, dedicated to the drivers. The list is containing the greatest names until the 2000’s – Fangio; Stewart; Prost; Senna; Schumacher, etc. There are also few less successful in F1 drivers – Dan Gurney; Mike Hailwood; Gerhard Berger; Martin Brundle; Jean Alesi…
    Then follow few “Paddock heroes” – Ferrari; Chapman; Tyrrell; Ecclestone; Murray; the duo of Head & Williams. These are all people that shaped the sport – one way or another.
    “Backroom Boys & Girls” is a brief, but good commemoration of the unsung and anonymous heroes – mechanics, hospitality workers, PR gurus and journalists.
    Last is the chapter dedicated to “Heroic Places” – three vastly different but equally important circuits – Monaco, Monza and Silverstone.
    Overall, I expected a lot more personal memories and anecdotes in comparison with well known encyclopaedical information. There are titbits, of course, but they should’ve been more. On the other hand, the text is interesting and easy to read.
    The hardcovered and dust-jacketed “Celebration” edition is very well produced. The paper is thick and glossy, the pictures are many and with great print quality.




    •  
      f1nut

      Thanks for your review summary Martin! I agree, this book is really more of a photo book and if readers are wanting more personal Murray Walker stories, they should read his autobiography ‘Unless I’m very much mistaken”.





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