A searching and at times harrowing re-appraisal of the life of Evel Knievel, the seventies American icon and the greatest daredevil motorcyclist that ever lived.Born in the town of Butte, Montana in 1938, Robert Craig Knievel was an outstanding athlete, ski jumper and ice hockey player at school. His early jobs included working in the copper mines and driving a bus as well as a stint in the US Army, but he always subsidised his income through crime ('I could crack a safe with one hand tied behind my back quicker than you could eat a hamburger with two.')He used bikes to escape from the police and eventually hit upon the idea of jumping them after seeing a stunt driver jump cars at a state fair. His first jump took place over two mountain lions and a box of rattlesnakes, and he soon developed his act into the 'Evel Knievel Motorcycle Daredevils' before embarking on a solo career.Knievel suffered 37 breaks and fractures during his daredevil career. In 1967 he spent 29 days in a coma after an attempt to jump over the fountains outside Caesar's Palace casino in Las Vegas. While recovering, he decided to make his goal to jump the Grand Canyon, an attempt he was forced to abort by the US
Stuart Barker Knihy
Stuart Barker is a writer deeply immersed in the world of motor racing, channeling his lifelong passion into his work. His journalistic background, honed at Motor Cycle News, provides a sharp eye for detail and a compelling narrative style. Barker excels at capturing the essence of speed, the thrill of the track, and the personalities that inhabit this high-octane world. His writing offers readers an exhilarating journey into the heart of motorsport.
Focusing on the thrilling life of Barry Sheene, this biography explores the legendary 500cc motorcycle champion's daring crashes and glamorous lifestyle that captivated fans worldwide. The author, the sole journalist to have ridden alongside Sheene, provides an intimate perspective through interviews with his closest friends, teammates, and rivals, revealing the man behind the racing legend. This account not only highlights his racing achievements but also delves into the personal experiences that shaped his iconic status in the sport.
At high speed, everything transforms into something more challenging and beautiful. Racing at 180mph magnifies every detail, turning minor imperfections into significant obstacles and making the experience extreme and captivating. Valentino Rossi, the most successful and beloved motorcycle racer in history, embodies courage, risk, and daring. His unprecedented twenty-three-year career in the world's most perilous sport sets him apart as a modern-day gladiator, continually risking his life on the track. However, it is Rossi's charismatic personality that has allowed him to transcend the sport, earning him phenomenal popularity. Every race feels like a homecoming, as his signature yellow color fills MotoGP grandstands worldwide. Over two decades in Grand Prix racing, Rossi has experienced it all: the loss of friends and rivals, remarkable victories, serious injuries, immense wealth, and legendary on-track rivalries. Drawing on exclusive interviews with those who have witnessed Rossi's journey, acclaimed motorsport author Stuart Barker presents the most comprehensive account of the Italian superstar's life. This narrative of speed, love, and loss reveals the full spectrum of Rossi's extraordinary story, capturing the adrenaline-fueled essence of his career.