Against Death and Time: One Fatal Season in Racing's Glory Years

Against Death and Time: One Fatal Season in Racing's Glory Years by Brock Yates Against Death and Time is factual and, á la Yates, well written and highly readable. It recounts all the tragic events of 1955 that had such a tremendous impact on motorsports for years to follow. Racers, even the purely amateur sporting set, recognize there are certain dangers inherent in the practice of their chosen activity. Normally the dangers involve the racers or their machines as courses and tracks are surely devised to offer spectators, and the crewing team members, safety from the gasoline hauling, speeding missiles. Yet, in spite of ever-increasing precautions and safety devices, the fatal accident(s) occur even into the millennium. Sometimes, despite those best laid plans, events conspire -- and so it was in 1955. Early in the year two drivers, a world champ and an Indy 500 winner respectively, died in the spring -- Alberto Ascari while running in the French Grand Prix and, just days later, Bill Vukovitch during the Indy 500. Come summer, again in France, during Le Mans -- miscalculations, accidents and cars off the track into the crowd with nearly 100 spectators killed. And then, only one -- but that one was so well-known with such a high profile that the world would hear of it. James Dean had wrapped the film he was working on so the studio could no longer forbid him to compete and he was enroute to the road race... but you know the story. And if you don't, the pages of Yates' book are a good place to start. Yates writes of all these events in a yarn-spinnin' style that gives background and entertains while informing. And, of course, all these news making "incidents" only fed the anti-racing press giving them new arguments to fuel their rhetoric. From the racing point of view, it didn't help that one of those against was pretty high profile himself. William Randolph Hearst was the owner and publisher of a major circulation newspaper, The Los Angeles Examiner, and often shared his views in print. Yates tells the story well making one wonder yet again why those books used to teach history are so dry and off-putting. Say, maybe if you share this book with a young person, he or she will find history an appealing subject. But do read it yourself before passing it along. Helen Hutchings, Copyright 2009 (Speedreaders.info)

The year 1955 was the ultimate nightmare for automobile racing, so much so that Switzweland banned the sport from its borders. Too many daring drivers and unsuspecting fans were killed in the line of fire. Quite a few well known race drivers lost their live in 1955 in pursuit of the elusive checkered flag. Racing legend Bill Vukovich died while leading the Indianapolis 500, well on his way to a possible third victory in a row. As well, it is estimated that 80 - 100 spectators died at the LeMans race when Pierre Leveghe's Mercedes was involved in an accident which ended when his car was literally launched into the crowd and exploded. Brock Yates delves deeply into the history of the 1955 racing year and amply describes the mayhem and loss which occurred. His story line is one which he both lived through and saw first hand. Included in this racing history are stories about sprint cars, the Indianapolis racers, LeMans and other championship racing events through the end of the year. He also writes stories about great drivers like Mike Nazaruk, Vukie, Alberto Ascari and Jack McGrath. To the true racing fan, this book is remarkable coverage of what awful things happened in 1955; however, you will probably have be a huge fan to know many of the famous names to appreciate Yates' treatment of them.

I remember the 50's and 60's racing era. There were many great drivers who paid with their lives. This account is a riviting read typical of Brock Yates

I knew nothing about auto racing & I've never been to a race. I recently bought a ticket to the Indy 500 & saw this book displayed in a book store in Avon IN, west of Indianapolis. As background & to prepare for my first race experience, I read this book. It is absolutley superb. An informative, history based, page turning, imaginative narrative. If you are a racing enthusiast I believe you will not be able to put the book down! It's a winner!