BOOK OF THE MONTH - Classic & Sports Car, July 2006

"Few top-level drivers have the time, or can be bothered, to keep mementoes when at the height of their career, but Stirling Moss even hired someone to collate cuttings, photographs, and other memorabilia. The result was a fantastic record of the privileged life of a celebrity sports hero during the 1950s and 60s. Last year jaguar historian Philip Porter tapped into this rich source for his first scrapbook-style volume focusing on 1955, and its success has resulted in a second edition covering ‘61.

The chances of a full set are probably optimistic, but the format is again totally absorbing. Because Moss was hugely active in both single-seaters and sports cars, there’s plenty of variety mixed in with his hectic social life and myriad girlfriends. Rob Walker team cars feature prominently in this year with historic wins at Monaco and Goodwood for the blue-and-white racers. Moss comments about the Ferguson four-wheel drive after an epic win in the wet at Oulton Park against Clark, Hill and Mclaren in rear-engined machines are fascinating and illuminating: ‘I was going around the outside and saying, “Thank you.” Absolutely ridiculous. Whereas in an ordinary car you’d be fearing things, this was terrific.’ If you’re a Stirling Moss fan, this is a must-have book..." MW