Book Reviews, May 1956, May 1956

“The Girl from Indiana,” by Jon Manchap White. 222 pp., 7¾ in. by 5¼ in. (Hodder and Stoughton Ltd., 1, St. Paul’s House, Warwick Square, London, E.C.4. 12s. 6d.)

The author of ”Mask of Dust” writes this story of an American girl, daughter of an Indiana motor magnate, who is persuaded from marrying into the English aristocracy by a wild racing driver who woos her with the aid of a Triumph TR2 and who, inevitably, is building a British G.P. contender of revolutionary design in his home workshop on slender resources.

There is one improbable pit-scene when American motor magnate rushes to the aid of boy-racer as an emergency mechanic, leaving his pretty daughter distraught in the grandstand believing that her hero has probably been burnt in a refuelling fire earlier in the race. Dad, although content with a seat in “Stand K” (whereas if you or I owned Universal Motors we should jolly well wangle a pit-pass), admires the driver/designer so much that he decides to finance his Peacock racers — so B.R.M., Vanwall and Connaught should be careful never to cold-shoulder heavy-jowled old men with American accents.

This is light stuff but a good story — buy it and pass it on to your wife, for her to read in bed while you toil in the garage. What, one wonders, would John Galsworthy have made of the motor-racing scene? — W.B.

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Herald Advisory Services, 3, Teevan Road, Croydon, Surrey, have issued a revised and enlarged edition of “Bed and Breakfast in South and South-West England, 1956.” It has a rather superior finish and contains an additional feature “Some Suggested Routes.” The price is a modest half-crown.

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“Roads Matter — The West Riding of Yorkshire” has been issued by the Roads Campaign Council, 15, Dartmouth Street, London, S.W.1, to emphasise the inadequacy of our roads in that area. It contains good photographs of road congestion to emphasise its purpose and is obtainable free on mentioning Motor Sport. Copies have been sent free to many influential persons throughout the Riding.

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The Photochrom Co. Ltd., Graphic Studios, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, have issued a series of six greetings cards for use between one motorist and another. They are folders which contain an amusing illustrated message when opened; they cost 9d. each inclusive of envelope and purchase tax.

Apology

Sir, 

Your recent review of Lieut.-Colonel Darell Berthon’s book “A Racing History of the Bentley” draws attention to the lack of printed acknowledgment to the books Colonel Berthon consulted in compiling his own history. In fact, the author was well aware of his indebtedness, in particular to “The Story of Brooklands,” and had prepared a list of books consulted for insertion. Because of certain changes in our staff while the book was in the press this list was inadvertently omitted, and we must accept responsibility for the error. We would assure your readers that all future impressions of “A Racing History of the Bentley” will carry the full acknowledgement which Colonel Berthon had prepared.

I am, Yours, etc., p.p. John Lane, The Bodley Head Limited, J. Buchanan-Brown. London, W.C.1.