- Hardcover: 336 pages
- Publisher: Willow; 1st ed 1st printing edition (19 May 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007161808
- ISBN-13: 978-0007161805
- Product Dimensions: 23.8 x 15.6 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
215,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #61 in Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Motor Sports > Motorcycle Racing
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
‘He’s machismo on hot wheels, with irresistible cheek’ Daily Telegraph
‘One of the true greats of motorcycling …and a such a personality with it’ Murray Walker
‘An absolute legend, the glamour boy of his era’ George Best
Product Description
The definitive life story of the seventies world 500cc motorcycle champion Barry Sheene – the Brit whose death-defying crashes and playboy lifestyle made him the most famous bike racer on the planet. Written by the only journalist to have ridden on the roads with him, and featuring interviews with closest friends, teammates and former rivals.
Born in London’s Holborn district in 1950, Sheene was introduced to motorsport at the age of five, with his father Frank building him his first ever motorbike.
His story traces his humble beginnings as a maverick opposed to every educational influence, through an apprenticeship as a part-time rider and mechanic, to working for a number of privateer racers, with a host of diversions in pursuit of the opposite sex.
It charts his success between 1975 and 1982, a golden period during which Sheene won more international 500cc and 750cc Grand Prix titles than anyone, including the world 500cc title in 1976 and 1977. This despite the horrendous carnage from a series of near-fatal crashes from which Sheene miraculously survived and overcame, against all odds.
Outside the sport, Sheene discovered an acting talent in Covent Garden opera, the ITV show 'Just Amazing' , and in numerous TV commercials, making him a household name. On his retirement, he found fulfilment in Brisbane as an expert motorsport commentator and an accomplished businessman, despite the shock of being diagnosed with cancer in 2002.
This is the complete portrait of the greatest entreprenuer in motorcycle racing, perhaps the greatest circuit racer of them all.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book was cobbled together in a hurry and it shows. Most of the anecdotes and comments I have read before, sometimes many years ago, in the motorcycling press. The author is a journalist for Motor Cycle News and most of his sourcing can be attributed to this. There is very little fresh material and no new insight into Barry Sheene's character. What saves the day are the exploits of Barry as his disasters and achievements are a totally engrossing tale in themselves; they would be entertaining and easy to listen to even if related by some drunken pub bore. What is really required here is some fresh sources and more insight into the thoughts of this charismatic man. The book is written in an accessible journalistic style and its format is mostly chronological. It is a bit difficult to recommend as motor cycle racing and Barry fans will have heard all this before and as a biography it can hardly be thought of as definitive. However, if you are new to motor cycle racing and have an interest in the racers of yester-year, and Barry is easily the most famous among them, then this book would be a useful addition to your bookshelf.
Format:Paperback
This is not the greatest biography I have ever read . It has all the hallmarks of having been writen by a journeyman writer who believes the secret to successful biography writing is to patch together a series of quotations , from a variety of sources , in the hope this will pass muster as original writing . It doesn't . Barry deserved far better than this .
Format:Paperback
A well written book on one of the UK's iconic motor bike racing riders a must for bike riders to read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Barry Sheene - what a guy!
An interesting book about a true character, with some photos of Barry Sheene looking rather cute as a young man. Read more
Published on 12 Nov 2009 by stressedoutmumoftwo
A great read!
Barry Sheen was an interesting fella, maybe the first motor cycle mega star? I watched him race many times & he always put a smile on my face. Read more
Published on 8 May 2008 by Mr. D. N. Davies
Nice one
Being new to bikes and the Sheene phenomenon I found this book to be a good read. My only criticism however is that the reader is left feeling that the author did not really get... Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2005 by Mr. R. J. Neil
Fantastic reading!!!
I would first like to say, what a refreshing look at Barry Sheene's career. Not only was it not in chronological order, but it was grouped in a category fashion. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2004 by steve
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