Tony Lewin

The BMW Century, 2e, by Tony Lewin, is a richly illustrated and well-written history of BMW. Whether you're a BMW afficionado or generally just an automobile/motorcycle enthusiast, you will find a lot here to enjoy.

While the automobiles make up the bulk of the book there is a fair representation of BMW's contribution to motorcycle history. These are not, in fact, as separate as one might think, though more along the lines of mindset than design.

My personal favorites are the pictures of the older cars, some of the models that never made it to production, and of course the concept cars. Whatever areas interest you are likely well represented as well.

Admittedly my main interest in reading this was to help me decide if I wanted to get a copy for my BMW-loving friend. And a copy will be on its way fairly soon after publication, but don't tell him, it is a surprise.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (mehr)

BMW M: 50 Years of the Ultimate Driving Machines, by Tony Lewin, is a superb look at the evolution of BMW and in particular the M Series. With a nice mix of technical specs, history, and wonderful photography this book will delight both BMW afficionados as well as the more casual car enthusiast.

There was a brief period in my life when it seemed that a lot (in actuality only about five or six) of my friends had BMWs and four of those, plus mine, were M Series. I enjoyed that car quite a bit and this book brought back a lot of memories for me. I am not a particularly big auto enthusiast so books like this one that give a nice overview with just enough detail serves my purpose nicely. I like knowing a little more about iconic items, whether automobiles or toasters and everything in between, so these attractive coffee table type books are ideal.

I think there is enough of the specifications included that even the most mechanically inclined will enjoy the book, but not so much that someone like myself can't enjoy the narrative aspect while appreciating the technical. This is, after all, a tribute of sorts, not a detailed history book nor a detailed engineering book. As such, it succeeds spectacularly.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (mehr)