The Man Who Drove the Car

by Max Pemberton

The Man Who Drove the Car

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1910

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Max^^Pemberton

Sir Max Pemberton (19 June 1863 – 22 February 1950) was a popular British novelist, working mainly in the adventure and mystery genres. He was educated at St Albans School, Merchant Taylors' School, and Caius College, Cambridge. A clubman, journalist and dandy (Lord Northcliffe admired his 'fancy vests'), he frequented both Fleet Street and The Savage Club.

Pemberton was the editor of boys' magazine Chums during its heyday. Between 1896 and 1906 he also edited Cassell's Magazine, in which capacity he published the early works of R. Austin Freeman and William Le Queux.

His most famous work The Iron Pirate was a bestseller during the early 1890s and it launched his prolific writing career (see below). It was the story of a great gas-driven ironclad, which could outpace the navies of the world and terrorized the Atlantic Ocean. Other notable works included Captain Black (1911).

During January 1908, Pemberton had a story entitled Wheels of Anarchy published by Cassell & Company (London). This story was based upon notes that were written by Bertram Fletcher Robinson shortly before he died in January 1907. It is an adventure tale about anarchists and assassins that is set across Europe. The novel’s hero and narrator, Bruce Driscoll, a recent Cambridge graduate, appears to be modelled upon Fletcher Robinson. Wheels of Anarchy by Max Pemberton was republished in December 2010.

In 1920, Pemberton founded the London School of Journalism, wrote a biography about Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe and was knighted. He was married to Alice Tussaud, granddaughter of Madame Marie Tussaud and daughter of Joseph Tussaud.

Pemberton also wrote a biography of Sir Henry Royce published in 1934 shortly after Royce's death.

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded this on the Kindle; it was one of the many free public domain books. The several vignettes that make up the book revolved around a chauffeur during the brass era of the automobile. The author really gives you the feel of early motoring. That wasn't the point of the story, of course. It was instead a refreshing take on a mystery. There were no murders, and no robberies. Instead, each story revolved around a unusual occurrence involving the various people the chauffeur is driving. In each case somebody is running a con, and as the driver goes from thinking "something is up" to getting to the bottom of things and takes us along with him. A pity this book has been forgotten; it was a lot of fun.

[Jennifer Booth · Rating 1 out of 5]

One word, dull.

Even if it had of a chase between drivers could have saved the book! There was far too much talking, not enough action.