This book gives a brief photographic history of competition cycles from approximately 1880 through 1994. The text is 176 pages long. Thirty four cycles are displayed and each set of photos is accompanied by some historical information. The author is not prejudiced by reputation-among the various riders can be found Eddy Merckx and Robert Prestat. Among the bikes are such diverse marques as Huffy and De Rosa with a representation of the author's favored French bikes. Hour Record machines share space with newspaper delivery cycles. There are many quality photographs of each bike. An excellent section on specifications gives the dimensions and other details on each bike.
Although much is accomplished in this book, likewise it will be found that much is omitted. Whatever its merits, this book cannot be regarded as comprehensive. Those whose favorite makers are included will be pleased, others may wonder why Joe Kopsky is included at the expense of Faliero Masi. Lovers of metal frames will rejoice at the omission of carbon fiber. Cycle racing enthusiasts will wonder why several pages are dedicated to the bikes and exploits of Georges Baudin, but Lance Armstrong's name is mentioned but once.
Furthermore, although a capsulized history is given with each cycle, the author gives us no overall theory of the evolution of the competition bicycle.
In short, this book is interesting, and well done, but limited in scope.
George
George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA