Author Topic: Special Obsessions by Les Brown  (Read 3462 times)

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Offline Paul Jaray

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Special Obsessions by Les Brown
« on: January 05, 2018, 05:43:53 AM »

    Author: Les Brown
    ISBN: 9781872955360
    Size: 260.00 x 209.00
    Publisher: Kirkdale Press
    Publication Year: 2017
    Edition: 1st Edition
    Language: English
    Pages: 240.00
    Illustrations: Black & White and Colour
    Format: Hardback - Published Without Dustjacket
   

Offline barrett

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Re: Special Obsessions by Les Brown
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2018, 12:23:14 PM »
This was one of the books I was most looking forward too, given the subject is so close to my heart, but I was terribly disappointed. There is no new information here and several silly errors. Lots of space is given to cars and products not at all relevant to 'specials'.

It's reasonably cheap and worth having, but there is still a big gap in the market for a proper comprehensive account of these cars

Offline Paul Jaray

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Re: Special Obsessions by Les Brown
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2018, 02:49:23 PM »
I still have to read it carefully but what I can confirm is that, from an Autopuzzler's point of view, there are no new info. But in my opinion this is not a flaw of the book...we know more, much more than the average. I exchanged few messages with the author and probably something more interesting will be in Volume II.

Online nicanary

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Re: Special Obsessions by Les Brown
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2018, 04:25:27 AM »
This was one of the books I was most looking forward too, given the subject is so close to my heart, but I was terribly disappointed. There is no new information here and several silly errors. Lots of space is given to cars and products not at all relevant to 'specials'.

It's reasonably cheap and worth having, but there is still a big gap in the market for a proper comprehensive account of these cars

Thanks for the warning. I was considering a purchase just to see if it contained a reference to that little blue coupe which has frustrated every car forum for the past year! I doubt if the book would help.
Whoever solves that conundrum will be the automotive hero of the decade.
I must be right - that's what it says on Wikipedia

Offline Carnut

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Re: Special Obsessions by Les Brown
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2018, 12:20:52 PM »
I have the book and whilst I like it there is really no new informtion in it and it does only deal with the better-known and most obvious specials. I did expect to find some that I'd never heard of but sadly that's not the case.
And any possible puzzles to be gleaned from it have already been used I'm afraid...

Hopefully Vol II will have some of the more obscure ones..
Interests in life:  Cars, cars, cars - oh and ..er..cars

Offline Johno

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Re: Special Obsessions by Les Brown
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2020, 03:21:34 PM »
I bought this book directly from Les Brown at a local car show. We had worked together in the mid 1970s. Having owned a Clan, Marcos and now a Midas it proved an interesting read, effectively tracing the history of an industry which preceded the manufacturers of the cars I have owned. I'm not expert enough to comment on the accuracy of every piece of text but I found the book both informative and educational. A good 'dip into' book whilst sitting in the sun instead of working in the garage.