Coventry’s Motorcycle Heritage by Damien Kimberley |
 |
 As most people with an interest in motorcycle history know, Coventry has played home to many motorcycle manufacturers, not least the original Triumph company.Many firms of course made just one bike and disappeared, others moved into car manufacturing, others combined with other manufacturers and the rear of the book lists a fascinating time line of Coventry’s motorcycle heritage. I would also suggest that this is also a definitive work on the subject given the depth and accuracy of the research. Each company is mentioned with their dates of being, along with their postal address. Where possible the text is illustrated with either a period advert for the brand, or an original image of a machine and or rider. Maps and pictures of prominent people are also included as in the case of Siegfried Bettmann in relation to Triumph and George Singer with Singer motorcycles. One of the first prominent women motorcyclist’s Muriel Hind is also profiled and you get a feel for the area as well as the motorcycle heritage that of course followed on from their many bicycle firms. Like many such works that appear at face value to be reference tomes, it is very readable and it is easy to dip in and out of as general read. The author has acknowledged help from the Coventry Transport Museum where he works as an Archive officer and I have to say that this book has now inspired me to visit there as a result. It is already in its second edition, showing I am not the only one to find it excellent quality and a well put together work from The History Press who have many other similar works. Very good value at £14.99 ISBN 978 07509 5125 8 Available from all good bookshops or direct from the publishers The History Press www.thehistorypress.co.uk Review by Ian Kerr
|
