Sammy Miller – Motorcycle Legend by Mick Walker |
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 When prolific motorcycle author Mick Walker started this series on some of the greatest racing motorcycle riders, he established a format that was hard to criticise. Although the book featured the particular rider, box-outs provided an insight to other personalities, events and machines mentioned in the well illustrated and laid out text with many excellent period images being used to illustrate. But, Sammy Miller is one of the few who can operate at both ends of the speed range, to world class level. The book explains why he moved across to the slower discipline and despite the fact there was no world championship at that time he would have won it, known all over the world for his winning ways in every major trials championship, or event. In fact it is no mean achievement by Walker than he has managed to condense Millers career into 300 plus pages without missing out any of his major achievements and making it readable. Sammy as this book shows, has not only excelled in the actual competition field, but has made his mark as an engineer, team manger and of course museum curator and bike restorer. Oh and I nearly forgot, motorcycle dealer! A winner of over 1200 trials in a career that is still going some 55 years on, S.H. Miller is still very much a living legend and human dynamo. Now in his seventies, he can still be seen riding rare and unusual bikes from and seeking out parts and machines for his museum, which must rate and one of the best in the world. One too that will live on as legacy to his talents long after he passes the chequered flag for the final time thanks to the fact he has put it in trust. Given the diversity of his motorcycling achievements, for which he was recently awarded an MBE for, this is book that will inspire you as you read about the man whose school teachers held out little help for. The book is just crammed with big names and manufacturers spanning the world literally who have been part of his varied and active life at the highest levels of motorcycle sport. I have the pleasure of knowing Sam and I have to say that Mick Walker has done him justice in the space allowed, because in reality you would need several volumes to chart the man who is really a living legend and still just as enthusiastic about motorcycling as he ever was! What else can I say, other than if you need a motorcycle boost, spend a modest £19.99 with the Derby Books Publishing Company and get a copy as soon as possible, you wont be sorry! ISBN 978 85983 763 4 Available from all good bookshops or from the publishers direct at www.dbpublishing.co.uk (Use Promotion Code SM02 at the Derby Books Publishing on-line shop and receive £1 discount and free postage and packaging discount) Review by Ian Kerr
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