General Automotive Reviews

I particularly enjoyed the wonderful technical detail, which is so eloquently described and an important part in understanding the TT. The TT Book was wonderfully written and adorned with some of the best automotive photography ever published. I give it my highest rating!

The best feature of the book by far is the photography. Included are several shots of the early prototypes and the show cars, as well as the final coupe and roadster production models. And the final section of the book is a series of promotional photos taken in Iceland. Putting a striking car like the TT in that otherworldly environment was truly a masterstroke.

On the flipside, the book does bog down somewhat in the technical details. But, as a "biography" of the TT concept, it does make "The TT Book" a truly complete work.

Jim McGrath, ASE Master Auto/Truck Technician, Electrical Engineer

The focus is on racing, which was the lifeblood of Bentley. Business and financial details, engineering, design and marketing are also extensively covered.

The book is profusely illustrated with original black and white photos, engineering drawings, blueprints, cutaways and racing scenes. There is also a beautiful section of color plates.

For the Bentley enthusiast this book is an essential. The organization is superb and the depth of coverage is excellent. It is a true delight.

I had a hard time putting this book down once I started reading. I felt Rog's pain every time he related breaking a part or smashing a finger, and shared his satisfaction with small successes.

He tells the story of the Woodpecker's resurrection with a style and wit that is down to earth; none of the "holier than thou" point of view that's found in so many other books on tractor restoration. This book is not a technical manual, and doesn't pretend to be. It's the simple, real life story of one man's victory over a piece of broken down junk.

I found it be very enjoyable reading, and would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the lighter side of life.

Roger Welsch's long awaited second book on tractor restoration has finally appeared. This one was written during his restoration of "Woodpecker" an old unstyled Allis Chalmers WC. The tractor was given to him by a friend after being salvaged from a remote wood lot where it had been left to die many years earlier. This was a restoration he undertook on a dare, to prove he could do it. He did it for the fun of it. Roger doesn't work at restoring tractors, he plays and learns. He finds neat little lessons all over his shop.

The book is log of his restoration efforts. He hopes to provide a newcomer with a guide of just how to expect things might go with a tractor restoration. It is full of mechanical tips and techniques as well as addressing the spiritual aspects of tractor work. He shows us how time in the shop can be healing, even when it might not appear overtly productive. His focus on the process of restoration, rather than the end results, guides his time in shop and shapes his attitude toward the whole project. Learning is not just a goal unto itself, it is also a great reason to buy even more new tools.

Many books tell us how tractors are restored, but only Roger seems to address the question of "why" tractors are restored. He truly portrays the "restoration as adventure" aspect of the hobby. The nature of the friendships that can form around this hobby is also reported.

What's different about this book? Roger Welsch examines the Zen or "head part" of tractor rebuilding. What else is different is that this book includes a lot about the wrong way to do things. The best lessons are learned from mistakes, and Roger isn't afraid to share with us how much he has learned. Additionally, he doesn't assume the reader knows as much as most of the shop manuals seem to assume. Many excellent mechanical tips can be picked up from this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it makes me look forward to my next tractor project.

Jim Pfrommer, M.D.

Waco, TX

goodwrench@easy.com

Good Luck to anyone who buys this book much success!!!

Good Luck to anyone who buys this book much success!!!