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Product Description
Fully revised edition of the best-selling classic book that documented Donald Campbell's attempts to raise the world water-speed record in his "Bluebird" jet-propelled boat to 300mph - Written by the man who was with Campbell throughout all the preparations and the final attempt that ended in tragedy - Of great interest to all those that remember when Britain broke record after record - and when we once held the air, land and water speed records simultaneously - A book that recalls the triumphs of British engineering in the face of technological barriers - and not a computer in sight! - A remarkable story of the courage and heroism of one man that united the nation - Dramatic photographs, including rare ones never seen in any previous book, have been digitally enhanced for superb reproduction: close-ups of "Bluebird" and shots of record attempts at full speed - Includes a foreword by Leo Villa, Bluebird's chief engineer, plus considerable new material to paint the true story of Donald Campbell by those who knew him - including a unique feature on his daughter, Gina Campbell, and her own record successes in power boats. The legend lives on!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent book which combines Arthur Knowles' "With Campbell on Coniston" (published in 1967 and long out of print) with Graham Beech's more recent account of the recovery and restoration of Bluebird K7.
Knowles spent the winter of 1966-67 as an informal member of Donald Campbell's team as he made his last, and fatal, attempt to raise his own world water speed record to 300mph. Like most people who met him, Knowles clearly fell under "the Skipper"'s charismatic spell but this book is far from a hagiography; it's a frank and lucid account of the day-to-day frustrations Campbell experienced as he waited for the weather to clear, or the engine to perform, or the right water conditions to make a record attempt. These endless, tedious delays were punctuated by the breathtaking excitement of Campbell opening Bluebird's taps on the few occasions when the conditions were right, and here you get an eyewitness account of what made the waiting worthwhile: the stunning sight of Bluebird racing across the lake and the extraordinary guts of the restless, quixotic man strapped into her cockpit.
His account is bookended by Beech's introduction and a lengthy epilogue. The epilogue contains a detailed technical analysis of what caused Bluebird to crash as well as a particularly affecting summary of her final run by Ken Norris, Bluebird's chief designer. It concludes with the coroner's report into Campbell's death and an update on progress on K7's restoration.
Beech does an excellent job of marshaling the facts surrounding Bluebird's crash and the final chapters are a great complement to Knowles' account. Together they make a fascinating read and a memorable contribution to the literature on the life and death of Donald Campbell.
Knowles spent the winter of 1966-67 as an informal member of Donald Campbell's team as he made his last, and fatal, attempt to raise his own world water speed record to 300mph. Like most people who met him, Knowles clearly fell under "the Skipper"'s charismatic spell but this book is far from a hagiography; it's a frank and lucid account of the day-to-day frustrations Campbell experienced as he waited for the weather to clear, or the engine to perform, or the right water conditions to make a record attempt. These endless, tedious delays were punctuated by the breathtaking excitement of Campbell opening Bluebird's taps on the few occasions when the conditions were right, and here you get an eyewitness account of what made the waiting worthwhile: the stunning sight of Bluebird racing across the lake and the extraordinary guts of the restless, quixotic man strapped into her cockpit.
His account is bookended by Beech's introduction and a lengthy epilogue. The epilogue contains a detailed technical analysis of what caused Bluebird to crash as well as a particularly affecting summary of her final run by Ken Norris, Bluebird's chief designer. It concludes with the coroner's report into Campbell's death and an update on progress on K7's restoration.
Beech does an excellent job of marshaling the facts surrounding Bluebird's crash and the final chapters are a great complement to Knowles' account. Together they make a fascinating read and a memorable contribution to the literature on the life and death of Donald Campbell.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Great book and a tribute to a man dedicated to his goals whatever the cost.
A true British icon
A true British icon
Format:Paperback
This book includes the seminal original account of Donald Campbell's last ill fated record attempt by Arthur Knowles. It contains the superb photography of Paul Allonby, and represents an eyewitness view to events as they happened in the winter months of 1966 / 67. Usefully brought up to date in the early 2000's by Graham Beech, with a fair amount of new content. Worthy and very good value.
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