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More Than They Promised: The Studebaker Story
This lavishly illustrated book on the famous automobile manufacturer traces the Studebaker family from its arrival in America in 1736, to the beginnings of the wagon business under John M. Studebaker and his brothers in the nineteenth century, to the family's entry into the automobile industry in 1902, to the last Studebaker automobile to roll off the assembly line in 1966. The book, however, is much more than the story of a family business; it is also, in microcosm, the story of the industrial development of America. The Studebakers had always been industrialists in the sense that they made their living by manufacturing things, albeit on a small scale. When the Industrial Revolution hit the country with full force, spurred on by the Civil War, it transformed America from a rural-agrarian society into an urban-industrial one. The fortunes of the Studebaker family were transformed with it. As the title suggests, the Studebaker story was mostly one of success. Studebaker wagons and carriages were long noted for their quality and popularity, and so, too, were Studebaker automobiles. The 1953 Starliner and the 1963 Avanti, designed under Raymond Loewy's direction, are widely regarded as among the most innovative examples of American industrial design. The book deals in detail with the soaring prosperity of the company in the 1920s, the bankruptcy and miraculous recovery in the 1930s, the stupendous success of the early post-World War II period, and the eventual decline of the company's fortunes in the mid-1950s. It describes the development of such famous models as the Lark, Avanti, and Gran Tourisimo Hawk, with special attention paid to the Avanti II, a surprisingly successful spinoff from the dying company that continued to be produced until 1991. The final chapter, on why Studebaker died, is tightly reasoned and more convincing than previous theories. Throughout, the author has used personal incident and characterization to bring to life the rich, tumultuous history of one of America's longest enduring industrial empires..
Price: $39.66
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They Call Him Cale: The Life and Career of NASCAR Legend Cale Yarborough
Long before Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon ruled the NASCAR standings, the man they call Cale dominated the racetracks like no driver has before or since. Born William Caleb Yarborough in Timmonsville, South Carolina, Cale emerged from the grief of losing his father at a young age to become arguably the greatest stock-car driver of all time, blazing a trail through the sports landscape that helped turn auto racing into a multibillion dollar industry. The story of Cale's life, told for the first time ever in this authorized biography, is a tale of adventure, perseverance, and, above all, desire. After 43 years as a NASCAR driver and owner, Cale amassed a career record that remains staggering to this day: 560 races, 319 top-10 finishes, 83 victories, three NASCAR championships, and four Daytona 500 victories. Along the way, Cale would find himself rubbing fenders--and sometimes trading punches--with some of the biggest names in racing, including Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, and the Allison brothers. Written by lifelong NASCAR enthusiast Joe McGinnis, They Call Him Cale is the incredible true story behind one of the racing world's biggest stars and fiercest competitors, as well as the tale of a quintessential American who lives by one creed: "You can't work yourself to death, but you can work yourself to live.".
Price: $17.15
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Where Stuff Comes From: How Toasters, Toilets, Cars, Computers and Many Other Things Come to Be As They Are
No toaster is an island. In fact, as Harvey Molotch demonstrates in this sparkling tour of how things are created, the everyday objects of our life are a delicate and clever intermingling of design, timing and functionality that mirrors contemporary life. Where Stuff Comes From is about paper clips, post-its, bathtubs, cars and all the other stuff in our lives. It is about how these items were imagined into existence and made a part of the American material culture. From the designer to the manufacturer to the business owner to the consumer, Molotch guides us through the worlds of technology, design, corporate culture and popular culture, giving us a sense of how and why we want stuff. He rolls up his sleeves and goes behind the scenes at trade shows and in design studios to speak with the product-makers who gave us the Nike swoosh and Volkswagen's resurrected Beetle. A witty and surprising voyage into the aesthetic unconscious of the consumer, Where Stuff Comes From probes the meaning of the objects in our lives and what our possessions say about us. Ultimately, Molotch opens a fascinating window into our economy, society and culture by unlocking the complex strategies behind simple things..
Price: $19.97
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If They Only Knew
Part feminist, part superhero, Chyna has blazed a trail where no woman had gone before. She has gained the respect of the men inside the World Wrestling Federation, and the world at large. She was the first woman to wear the Intercontinental Championship belt, yet these were not her most significant battles. She has battled her entire life: against a controlling mother; against a scheming father; and against a world with a predetermined view of what beauty and success should be. She has battled and won her entire life. If they only knew offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the World Wrestling Federation, and a rarer glimpse of what it takes just to get there -- the hurdles that must be overcome... and the broken hearts and broken body parts that are suffered along the way. Chyna -- a.k.a. Joanie Laurer -- lets us in what it's like to live your dream and overcome your nightmares. Complete with insights from other WWF Superstars, this is a must read for any fan of the WWF and for anyone who wants to see how a real-life hero overcame adversity..
Price: $0.01
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...and They Walked Away: The B-I-G Accidents and the Drivers Who Lived to Tell the Tale
Motor racing is the most glamorous, most dangerous sport in the world, which is why millions around the globe watch it live on TV if they cannot get to the circuit The compulsion to be the fastest often pushes drivers past the edge of safety, sometimes with tragic consequences. Advanced construction techniques have made Formula 1 cars strong enough to enable drivers to survive high-speed, multi-car crashes. This book honors the skill of the engineers, and the courage of the drivers. It is a photographic celebration of the competitors' ability to survive some of the most spectacular and terrifying accidents in sports. This book brings together a collection of spectacular incidents from which drivers emerged without injury. From Luciano Burti barrel-rolling at the start of the Formula 1 German Grand Prix in 2001, to many a crash-strewn national event "... and they walked away!" Offers a selective journey through the sport's closest escapes. .
Price: $0.30
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Cars and How They Work (See & Explore Library)
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