That Man’s Bikes Again 1950 -1980 by Peter McManus |
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| Friday, 16 December 2011 11:13 | |||
 Peter McManus has just got round to publishing a sequel to his first offering ‘One Man’s Motorcycles 1939 -1949’ having produced some other excellent tomes like ‘Motorcycles, Mosquitos & Merlin’s’ in between.If you have read the excellent first volume (or the above) you will know what to expect, but for those who have not, the author left a promising career with Rolls Royce at the end of the war to start a motorcycle business in Derby which he ran mainly with his wife for 50 years, with later a branch in Nottingham. This new companion volume covers the latter part of the story when the British motorcycle industry went from world leaders into oblivion. Obviously the book majors on life at the dealership, the bikes and information about some of the characters they came into contact with, but it also mentions world happenings as well in quite a light hearted manner. I am pleased to say it is a book about people as much as the inanimate objects called motorcycles and to an extent the cars mentioned, making it something of a social history as well. The format is good, with reasonably crisp chapters in order that the book can be dipped in and out of depending on the reading time available. As before the book is well illustrated with some excellent period black and white photos that have come from famous racers mentioned extensively in the book like Ivan Rhodes and many have not been seen before. It is about times many potential readers will remember only too well either with a smile or grimace, because for many his recollections will mirror your own memories. However, one thing is for sure, this second volume is likely to join the first (now reprinted) which regularly made a best seller list at the National Motorcycle Museum shop. A great read and a bargain at £17.00. ISBN 978 09542912 4 2 Available from the Vintage Motorcycle Club. www.vmccshop.com Review by Ian Kerr
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