Stirling Moss: The Definitive Biography – Volume 1, 1929-1955
by Philip Porter
One may say that there are not too many new stories to be told or fresh information about the life and times of a man who has devoted his life and his name to the world of motor racing—Sir Stirling Moss. It is clear from the crowds that waited in line for autographs and “selfies” at the recent NEC Classic Motor Show in the UK that the great man is as relevant and popular today as he ever was.
Philip Porter, the author of this new tome Stirling Moss: The Definitive Biography – Volume 1, 1929-1955, is a self-confessed fan. So, is this book necessary, or is Porter just hero-worshipping for the sake of it? Not to be too critical, yes I believe the book leans a little toward the latter, although, everything considered, it is universally accepted Moss is an iconic figure. As far as its relevance is concerned, it is a precise chronological diary of the first 26 years of Sir Stirling’s life. Again, a criticism could be that it rigorously adhers to a time-line rather than telling a story. Researchers into the life and times of Moss will find this an easy document to glean facts from a particular time. However, this staccato fashion of writing can lead avid story readers to lose the plot as events are recorded as they happen rather than with fluency and focus on a particular racing series.
The above criticism in no way detracts from the immense amount of work and exhausting research that has gone into the preparation of this nearly 700-page Volume 1—Volume 2 is already in production for release in 2018. In summary, this is a book for all Moss fans, it is a book for all those who wish to study the life and times of a real racing driver of the period, however, while there are little vignettes to capture a reader’s imagination, I’m not too sure this book will appeal to the avid story reader.
Available for £35/US$59.95 directly from Porter Press International at www.porterpress.co.uk
