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Product Description
Product Description
THE BUGATTI QUEEN is the beautifully illustrated story of an indomitable and fascinating woman, a pioneer of motorsport who revelled in danger. Born in 1900 in a tiny French village, Helene Delangle, aka Helle Nice, became a dancer and a stripper before catching the eye of Ettore Bugatti. Seduced by the combination of machines and speed, Helle Nice went on to have an unprecedented career, competing in numerous Grands Prix and becoming the only woman to drive on the treacherous American speedbowls in the 1930s. She set new land-speed records before a notorious accident which almost ended her racing days. Re-creating her rollercoaster career with authority and panache from many previously unpublished sources, Miranda Seymour reveals the story of an unforgettable life and sheds new light on the extraordinary and reckless world of motor-racing between the wars.
About the Author
Miranda Seymour, author of the award-winning In My Father's House has written many acclaimed novels and biographies, including lives of Mary Shelley, Robert Graves, Ottoline Morrell and Helle Nice, the Bugatti Queen.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Bugatti Queen is a beautifully written account of a fascinating
twentieth-century woman. I found this book a thoroughly enjoyable and
compelling read, so difficult to put down once you have begun. As a keen
biography reader as well as a Bugatti enthusiast I thought Miranda Seymour's
account of Hellé Nice's life was compassionate yet informative.
twentieth-century woman. I found this book a thoroughly enjoyable and
compelling read, so difficult to put down once you have begun. As a keen
biography reader as well as a Bugatti enthusiast I thought Miranda Seymour's
account of Hellé Nice's life was compassionate yet informative.
This amazing woman who gained fame as an exotic model and dancer was to move
into the very male dominated world of motor sport in the 1920's. Although
her successful careers had bought her great wealth she had acquired a love
for extravagance. After a serious accident in 1936 her career came to an
end. The tragic side of the story is that in 1984 she died penniless and
alone.
I have no reservations in recommending this book to anyone, whether
interested in cars or not. This is probably one of the most enjoyed book on
our shelves of motor sport related books.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have never really got along with biographies - I always feel very detached from them. I think this is partly down my own lack of empathy, but also there is a tendency to place facts ahead of settings, leaving it difficult for the reader to get emersed.
The Bugatti Queen is a wonderful exception to this - an extraordinary life, beautifully told. There is a fair degree of detective work, and some guesswork, in this book and Seymour manages to fill in the gaps intelligently, without ever lapsing into dramatic gushing prose.
Helle Nice's life should not be forgotten, and with this book, Miranda Seymour has ensured it never will.
Format:Paperback
After reading Miranda Seymour's excellent biography on The Life & Loves of Virginia Cherrill, I thought I would proceed further to an earlier book by Miss Seymour, titled simply The Bugatti Queen. As it turns out this book was a captivating adventure about an obscure subject that was quite relevant between the two World Wars on the sport of motor racing that takes place primarily in France and other parts of Europe including the United States? The story revolves around the manufacturers of the early racing cars of Europe as well as the drivers, including one woman, Helle Nice, the subject of the book.
In reading this book, it was fascinating to find out when setting out to write this book, the authoress had very little research material, and through a few leads, was able to obtains precious documents loaned to her that originally belonged to Helle Nice, The Bugatti Queen, and then she was able to piece together the true story about a very interesting and very modern woman of the early part of the 20th Century Europe.
Besides reading this biography about a beautiful woman who excelled and won many races in motor racing during its infancy in Europe then dominated by men as now; it is Miss Nice's charm and craftiness, she was able to be easily accepted into the fraternity as she was loved by these men as well loved most of them both figuratively and literally during the 1930s.
I won't go more into the story other than to say this is an excellent read on biography of a very interesting woman in the world of motor racing and you won't be disappointed. Miss Seymour bring this period between the wars alive as if you were there yourself. I certainly learned about a lot of the early stages of motor racing, on both the rich and famous in Europe, who participated in seeking adventure; much like Helle Nice. There are many great photos that bring this biography more alive and animated.
In reading this book, it was fascinating to find out when setting out to write this book, the authoress had very little research material, and through a few leads, was able to obtains precious documents loaned to her that originally belonged to Helle Nice, The Bugatti Queen, and then she was able to piece together the true story about a very interesting and very modern woman of the early part of the 20th Century Europe.
Besides reading this biography about a beautiful woman who excelled and won many races in motor racing during its infancy in Europe then dominated by men as now; it is Miss Nice's charm and craftiness, she was able to be easily accepted into the fraternity as she was loved by these men as well loved most of them both figuratively and literally during the 1930s.
I won't go more into the story other than to say this is an excellent read on biography of a very interesting woman in the world of motor racing and you won't be disappointed. Miss Seymour bring this period between the wars alive as if you were there yourself. I certainly learned about a lot of the early stages of motor racing, on both the rich and famous in Europe, who participated in seeking adventure; much like Helle Nice. There are many great photos that bring this biography more alive and animated.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
a must read
i think jane fonda is quoted as saying, "don't accept what is, strive for what if." if you are interested in a biography of someone who did just that, then this is a book for you. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mr. John Miller
A nice little stocking filler!
Hellé Nice - or her given name Hélène Delangle - seems to have been quite a girl: as dancer, skier and racing driver her sense of glamour and bravery were only... Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2009 by Joolz
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