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Speed with Style: The Autobiography of Peter Revson
221 pages with a few photos. 5 3/4 By 8 3/4" 1974 Autobiography of Peter Revson
221 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 28, 2025
I wouldn't have called this an "autobiography". It's more the story of the 1973 racing season from Peter Revson's perspective. "Racing season", not "Formula 1 season" as Revson drove in CanAm, TransAm, F1, and USAC. As to Revson's life before the 1973 season, we get very little of it, and the little we do get is in various footnotes. I would have liked to learn more about him.
The book more or less alternates between chapters written by Revson and his co-author, Leon Mandel. I've read a few memoirs written by drivers. They're interesting stories, to me at least, but it's obvious they're written by drivers and not writers. Generally, we get short, dry recaps of every race the author competed in. Not exactly gripping reading. Here, Revson's chapters are good and Mandel's are superb.
The book covers in great detail the circus that is the Indy 500. Also well represented is the F1 race at Watkins Glen. Along the way, we get very good insights into many behind-the-scenes topics that I haven't found anywhere else, particularly the cost of operating an F1 team in 1973 and negotiations between drivers and teams.
This book was clearly written and published just prior to Revson's death in testing for the South African Grand Prix. Driver fatalities were commonplace at the time. In this book, the deaths of Art Pollard, Swede Savage, Roger Williamson, and François Cevert.
The book more or less alternates between chapters written by Revson and his co-author, Leon Mandel. I've read a few memoirs written by drivers. They're interesting stories, to me at least, but it's obvious they're written by drivers and not writers. Generally, we get short, dry recaps of every race the author competed in. Not exactly gripping reading. Here, Revson's chapters are good and Mandel's are superb.
The book covers in great detail the circus that is the Indy 500. Also well represented is the F1 race at Watkins Glen. Along the way, we get very good insights into many behind-the-scenes topics that I haven't found anywhere else, particularly the cost of operating an F1 team in 1973 and negotiations between drivers and teams.
This book was clearly written and published just prior to Revson's death in testing for the South African Grand Prix. Driver fatalities were commonplace at the time. In this book, the deaths of Art Pollard, Swede Savage, Roger Williamson, and François Cevert.
November 6, 2019
Speed With Style: The Autobiography of Peter Revson is a little book,a great little hardcover and a fascinating read of when racers were racers and racing was racing and everything was better. Although It seems the book is more focused on Revson' Open Wheel exploits It is very informative and not politically correct which I love as it could not be written today, I did not enjoy the AntiNixon references by Revson or the author himself. the book overall is a great add I would have enjoyed if they expounded more on the Brief Sunray DX Car he raced and more on His Can-Am but nonetheless I enjoyed it.
November 24, 2025
Fascinatingly archaic book on F1 from 50 years ago.
November 12, 2015
This is a book that should be read by any racing fan. Revson was one of the best drivers of his era, his perspective on his sport, from his inside view point is incredible. Well written, concise, and humorous.Its a shame it has been forgotten by so many. This is a must read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews