Review
UK biker website
Whenever you talk about the British motorcycle industry one man's name keeps popping up, that of Edward Turner. Some historians feel that he was the most significant designer since the First World War and that he had the most impact on the British automotive industry of anybody and was something of a design genius (he designed the V8 engine for the Jaguar and Daimler range of cars!). While the latter could be challenged nobody will disagree that this larger than life character ran a tight ship and under him the Triumph motorcycle brand in particular was very innovative and prosperous. He personally has been the subject of many a chapter in the various marque histories on Triumph, but now he gets a book to himself - 'Edward Turner - the man behind the motorcycles.' Well-known author Jeff Clew devotes all 154 pages to Turner in this official biography of the man who made Triumph great. This soft-bound tome is as you might expect liberally spread with photos and drawings, some from the family archive, and makes fascinating reading. Not only it is it Turner's story it is also a look at the British motorcycle industry and as such is a must-read for all those who want know what went on behind the scenes. An excellent read and good value at $34.95.
Vintage Motorcycle Club Journal
Magazine for the Vintage Motorcycle Club, UK
The official biography of the man who was probably the most important individual in the history of the British motorcycle industry. Whenever motorcycles are discussed amongst enthusiasts, the name of Edward Turner is invariably mentioned. Whilst known worldwide for his landmark designs, e.g. thefour-cylinder Ariel Square Four and the Triumph Speed Twin, etc., Turner remained an enigma, described by those who worked close to him as both difficult and charming, impatient, autocratic and brilliant. Born in 1901, Edward Turner was a truly gifted individual whose forceful character, design flair and business acumen drove Triumph from near bankruptcy in the mid-'30s to such heights of success that the company often struggled to reach the clamoring demand for its products worldwide. From the early post-war years Turner saw the potential of the American market and traveled there regularly to establish and maintain a large dealer network. Triumph achieved many sporting successes stateside, including the unofficial world motorcycle land speed record ... all of which greatly enhanced their sales figures.Embodying lightness with a powerful vertical twin engine, Turner's design of the 1937 Speed Twin was revolutionary, and so good that it remained in production for 29 years. Long overdue, this deeply researched work by Jeff Clew gets past Turner's irascible exterior to reveal the man, his life and work, and the huge contribution to his country and the evolution of the motorcycle. Featured are many images from the Turner family private photograph collection. This book is an excellent addition to any enthusiast's library.
Product Description
For the first time the life of Edward Turner, one of Britain s most talented motorcycle designers, is revealed in full, so this is much more than just another book about Triumph motorcycles. Although seen by many as an irascible man who ran a very tight ship, it is an inescapable fact that that his was a highly profitable company. His hugely successful sales campaign after World War 2 stunned America s own manufacturers and had long lasting repercussions on their own home market. As Bert Hopwood once said to the Author, Turner was an inventive genius who had the flair for pleasing shapes and an uncanny ability to perceive what the buying public would readily accept, to produce it at the right price. No one will deny the impact made at the annual Motor Cycle Show by his aerial Square Four in 1931, his superbly-styled single cylinder Tiger models in 1936, and his revolutionary Speed Twin that dominated the Show in 1937. Even more was to follow with his post-war Thunderbird and Bonneville twins.
