Reviews (8)

By far the most thorough resource on the subject
This is an excellent book for both the new guy and the veteran. At almost 500 pages, this is a very practical book that covers every aspect of truck driving and life on the road. In addition to basic operations, there is also plenty of detailed mechanical info on the inner workings of a truck. That will probably be of more interest to owner-operators than company drivers but it's good to know it's there in case you ever need it.My only complaint is that this book wasn't around when I started out. It definitely would've made for a much smoother transition into the 'industry'. Highly reccomended.

Great book for future Driver
If you have never driven a tractor trailer this is a great book. It covers everything from a drivers perspective. The truck itself including: Engines, Transmissions, Parts, Driving techniques, Hazmat, Airbrakes, Life on the road etc. What it does not cover in great detail is if you want to start your own trucking company, or authority. It touches on parts and mentions the D.O.T and FMCSR but mostly from the drivers interaction with those agencies, not as a trucking company. This book is for drivers behind the wheel on a day to day basis. Non-drivers will find it useful and insightful but if you are wishing to start your own company, It does not cover in detail the authorities you will need and actual details involved in doing so. The book never claims it does cover that information... this review is to let you know what is not in there in that regard. As a future driver, or someone interested in the actual day to day operations or the skills needed to operate a tractor trailer, this book is great and worthy of 5 stars.

Bumper to Bumper: the review
Bumper to Bumper walks the reader through the various parts of a "Big Rig" showing the reader how a tractor trailer operates, how to"hookup" and drive an 18 wheeler, and the necessary paperworkRead more

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - Trucks    3. Tractor trailer combinations    4. Transportation    5. Truck driving   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (1)

I LOVE CAR TALK
On Saturdays when I take a break for listening to CDs, I usually
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Subjects:  1. Audio - Nonfiction    2. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    3. Essays    4. General    5. Humor    6. Topic - Animals    7. Topic - Family    8. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    9. Humor / General   

Reviews (1)

For obsessive bike collectors, mechanics, or framebuilders.
The edition of "The Data Book" that I own has all of its text--what little there is--in Japanese. The book is almost all pictures, all of those line drawings, and most from the late French illustratorDaniel Rebour, the best technical illustrator that the bicycle world hasever been blessed with.I am a professional bike mechanic and an amateurcustom frame builder who reveres French machines of the 40's to the 60's. Most of the illustrations in this book are from 1948 to 1959--where thechronology stops.When I first purchase it, I looked through it severaltimes aday, now it's kind of a security blanket and in- spiration that Igrab after a hard day in the shop or before tackling a tough frame repairon one of my days off.The cyclist without a long time in the sport willread this and be shocked at the "nothing new under the sun"feeling the book will bring on.Anatomically kind saddles?Since the turnof the (last) century.Shock forks? 1935. Internally routed cables? 40'sand 50's. What can I say; no text and drawings only, and it has somethingto interest every cyclist. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cycling - General    2. Sports & Recreation    3. Transportation    4. 20th century    5. Automotive technology    6. Bicycles and bicycling    7. Europe    8. History of engineering & technology    9. Road & motor vehicles: general interest    10. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (17)

Make sure you get the right edition of this book.
I ordered this book from one of the Amazon partners and received the 1998 edition of the book.
How much did the manufacturers pay for this ad?
I've started a car audio retail business with my brother.He's the technical guy, and I'm the business guy (working on my MBA now).I thought that learning a lot more about the technical aspect of the business could be nothing but good for me, so I picked up this book (the only book on car audio that Border's carried).The book is organized like this:
Jack of all trades...master of none
I took a pretty optimistic approach when reading this book, waiting for the meaty stuff to begin...i was still waiting when i got to the index!
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Subjects:  1. Acoustics & Sound    2. Audio equipment    3. Automobiles    4. Automotive    5. Automotive - Customizing    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology    8. Audio processing    9. Road & motor vehicles: general interest    10. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Features

• Unabridged

Reviews (4)

Love the radio show, hate this cd
If you're expecting to laugh fuggetdaboudit.This cd is pathetic and I'm amazed they even released it as is.

Too Much Jabberin
The CD has too much of their own egotistical laughter and not enough of the great dialogue with callers about cars.In fact, this CD is not car talk, but talk about loosely related topics such as love affairs.Very disappointing.

Funny, they seemed funnier on the radio.
It's funny, but a few of the segments are just a bit
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Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Audiobooks    4. Automobiles    5. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    6. General    7. Humor    8. Maintenance and repair    9. Miscellanea    10. Topic - Family    11. Humor / General   

Reviews (1)

An entertaining book
The book's too short, but it's good and has some really funny stuff.Perhaps we can look forward to Volume 2 in the near future. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. Automobile Racing    3. General    4. Humor    5. Motor Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Topic - Sports    8. Sports & Recreation / Motor Sports   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (30)

Not very practical
This books gives you a lot of sites to see on your Road Trip but doesn't give you very practical advice how to get to them or their exact locations.There are a lot better books out there.

Make your trip eccentric and different!
A great source of ideas, oddball locations, and "home of the largest" collections, this book is nearly perfect for a long trip that needs some spice.
Sardonic putdowns ruin the content of this book.
I bought this book thinking it would guide me to fun and funky places to visit that were off the beaten track.Instead, it seemed to be more of an excuse to mock the very places it purported to be interested in.The topper was when Roadside America described the Aviation Museum in Ohio as if it were a joke, when in fact it is a memorable and inspiring museum.Overall, I didn't enjoy the tone of the book, which to me, seemed to be one of derisive put-downs.I think many of the places described in this book would be fun to visit, but it's hard to pick out the good from the bad, with the way this book is written. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobile travel    2. Automobiles    3. Curiosities & Wonders    4. Description    5. Form - Essays    6. Guidebooks    7. Touring    8. Travel    9. Travel - United States    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. Humor / Essays    13. Travel & holiday guides    14. USA   

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Reviews (1)

Truly classic!
Some terribly funny schtick! They even talk about cars once in a while. Great collection and topnotch delivery. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Radio    2. Audiobooks    3. Automobiles    4. Automotive - General    5. General    6. Humor    7. Maintenance and repair    8. Miscellanea    9. Humor / General   

Reviews (11)

Dangerous to cars around you
Yes. A fine tome of lore.
Manifold Dstiny - A Good Read
Manifold Destiny, how to cook on your car engine, is entertaining to read but practical in application.Imagine, if you will, dining on cajun shrimp in garlic rather than McFast Food while motoring to your destination.Recipes for Thruway Chicken Thighs, Hyundai Halibut, Merritt Parkway Veal Scalllopine or Safe-At-Any-Speed Eggplant suggest some of the haute cuisine which can be tucked under the hood of your car for an over the road treat.Presented with both culinary wisdom and a sense of humor, Manifold Destiny is fun to read but serves as a real cookbook as well.Rather than recommending specific cooking times, recipes note the number of miles you should drive before expecting you meal to be done.What a way to plan rest stops!A sure winner.

One of my favorite books
The first thing you are likely to wonder is why used copies of this book often go for [fifty dollars] or more in online auctions. Here's why. Once having read it, you'd really truly miss the ability to share it with disbelieving friends. I admit, I am biased, since I happen to have the same type of vehicle/kitchen used in the writing and testing of these recipes. If you own a different type of vehicle, your mileage may vary. Sorry, couldn't resist. It's hilarious reading even if you don't have the guts to try it yourself. The somewhat prosiac nature of the recipes, as derided by one reviewer, actually serves to heighten the surrealism. If you're attracted to the title, the book won't disappoint. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobiles    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Engines    6. General    7. Motors    8. Humor / General   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (2)

Hilarious! Click-n-Clack on Cars, Dads & Families
If you have either a car, a Dad or a family, then you will love this show!"Click & Clack" are always great on NPR, and this tape/CD compiles some of their best calls & rants loosely arranged around the themse of cars, Dad's & families.It's wonderful way to spend 90 minutes, especially if you're driving with your family (yes, Dad... you did that too... ;-).Enjoy!

Imagine a $50,000 Miata; Enjoyable but a Lousy Value
Car Talk's been on the air for a long time, and they must have plenty of great material for compilations like this.Unfortunately, what went on this edition, while funny enough, just isn't worth the high price. Save your money for blank cassettes and just record the regular show is my advice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    2. Humor    3. Topic - Family    4. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    5. Humor / General   

Reviews (22)

Quick read that is mildly entertaining
A quick read (less than one hour) that put a smile on my face.Author determined which cars to include based on his styling tastes, lack of performance on the part of the vehicle or size.I passed the book on to my brother; not really necessary to keep it in the library.

Richard Porter is too young and lives too far away...
...to make decent assessments on most cars in the book.I regret having paid the full cover price.It's a collection of humorous pot shots that he'd probably been considering since his teenage days, with little more thought. He's right, that there are many more to choose from, but he clearly does not appreciate the context in which many of these cars were produced, and should have selected others.The V6 Citation was actually very stable, and a huge step for our family from the gas-sucking, underpowered '72 Nova 6 it replaced.I don't recall a brake problem, but then, by the time Mr. Porter was tall enough to drive one, it was a decade old!And he clearly does not understand the Beetle as one might growing up in the '60's or earlier.Personally, I miss the utter simplicity of the '69 VW I drove in college - and my heater worked great - but wouldn't be caught dead in one trying to do 80 MPH on the highway today.He got a few right - the first Hyudai Excel, the K car, the Datsun B-210.I even tried to talk my mom out of an '87 Cimarron V6, but when I later drove it, Iwas amazed at how "Cadillac" it was.It felt heavy, had a wallowy ride, the cushiest seats, and was "loaded". I doubt the Cavalier ever felt like that. Pintos, too, were no gems, but my wife and I preferred our 12 year old Pinto to a new Suzuki Samuri. A 100 mile test drive was all we needed for the novelty to wear off.We bought a Honda CRX Si instead.Good choice, huh, Richard?

Well written... though I don't agree with every one of the assessments.
This is a cute little book and provides a light hearted view of a few of the more lemon-y cars.Most of the cars are there for obvious reasons and reading about them is quite amusing and informative. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. Automobiles    3. Automotive    4. Automotive - General    5. General    6. Humor    7. Transportation   

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Subjects:  1. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    2. Humor    3. Topic - Family    4. Topic - Relationships    5. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    6. Humor / General   

Reviews (7)

McCall's Genius Wearing Thin
The brilliant satirist and illustrator who gave us a billion terrific and memorable laughs in the pages of National Lampoon and "Zany Afternoons" is now, it seems, on autopilot. Bruce McCall hasn't lost his edge in the technical department, but this anti-paean to the 1950s reads less like a parody of car advertisements and more like a screed against the Evil Consumption Tendencies Of Straitlaced Anti-Communist Americans And Their Depletion Of Natural Resources, Curse Them! It is not, in a word, funny. On the flip side, if you're not familiar with his brilliant "Zany Afternoons" and don't feel like being gouged by the vultures who are charging $250 + for a good-condition copy, then this is a fair sampling of McCall's stuff. To get a real glimpse into his rapier wit, check out http://www.jamesgoodmangallery.com/mccall/pages/exhibframez.html for a gallery of his pieces shown about four years ago in New York. If the taste and style of the '50s and '60s are not your cup of tea and you want to see some hilarious spoofs, check out James Lileks and "The Gallery of Regrettable Food." But don't waste your money on this latest, weak offering from McCall.

Hilarious satire and superb drawings
Bruce McCall's "The Last Dream-O-Rama" is a wickedly clever satire of the 1950's dream car phenomena. Not as zany as Zany.
I always looked for Bruce McCall's brilliant work in the National Lampoon and loved the reprinted work in 'Zany Afternoons' (I bought two copies, just in case) and it confirmed that here was an unusual humorist, as good with a paint brush or typewriter.Read more

Subjects:  1. American wit and humor, Pictor    2. American wit and humor, Pictorial    3. Automobiles    4. Automotive - History    5. Caricatures and cartoons    6. Cartoons and caricatures    7. General    8. Graphic Satire And Humor    9. Humor    10. Humor / General   

Reviews (12)

The best car audio book I have purchased
This is the best book on car audio I have purchased or even read. I highly recommend it to anyone building a system or just replacing a head unit. It is well written, yes it does get rather detailed about things, but that is what I was looking for. Thanks Mr Yoder, Cliff "Cyclops" Bryant

No stars for auto audio
I would rate this book at 0 stars if I could, but 1 star is the minimum. Just think about the fact that this book has an infinite number of pages which narrate the history of car audio, the first amplifiers and how they worked, the first transistors,bla bla bla. - All of this without explaining some usefull information such as wire connections, amp channel manipulation, etc. I bought this book but I was very disappointed. I read a lot of books about auto audio, and I must say that this book is not usefull at all, especially to beginners. Dont repeat my mistake by buying this book.

Definitely worth its money... and more!
Believe me when I tell you I was a complete novice where auto audio is concerned. While I have setup several home systems, I have always got all of my cars' systems professionally installed, with the shop providing recommendations on what to buy, etc. I had no real understanding of amps, pre-amps, cross-vers, impedance, etc.I didn't even know what speaker specifications to look for.Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobiles    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - Customizing    4. Automotive Electronics    5. Engineering - Automotive    6. Radio    7. Radio equipment    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Stereo & Audio Equipment    10. Technology    11. Automotive technology    12. Communications engineering / telecommunications    13. DIY    14. Electrician skills    15. Road & motor vehicles: general interest    16. Technology / Acoustics & Sound   

Reviews (9)

Flying for Peanuts
"Flying for Peanuts" is a humorous book that celebrates the success of the low cost airline concept successfully and profitably practiced by Southwest Airlines in the USA for over a generation. The author uses an unorthodox writing style to pay tribute to his fascination about Southwest Airline's success based on the Airline's lack of textbook customer service protocol.
a fun book
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Marty on a Southwest Airline flight between Phoenix and Oklahoma City last year while I was still traveling as a Physician Assistant educator prior to the start of my Real Estate sales carrier. His book is as delightful, especially for all of us Southwest Airline commuters, as is Marty in person -- a fun unique read written by a fun unique guy.
Fun Insight To Southwest Airlines
Flying for Peanuts by Marty Thompson is a clever and humorous little book that provides the traveler with the ABC's of Flying Southwest Airlines.One of the most profitable airlines, Southwest treats its customers with fun and comedy, while cutting out the frills.If you have never flown Southwest, you'll find this book fun to read in preparation for your first flight with that carrier.If you are already a loyal Southwest customer, you'll find the book fun and familiar and you'll learn about the little lady named Irma who was the first commercial airline stewardess in 1922 and who helped form the customer service policy that works so well for the airline. This book is a manual telling any business owner how to establish successful customer service that allows the customer to choose his/her level of service and helps the workers and customers both find fun in the workplace.The book is a tribute to all Irma's astute observations taught the industry, making each trip on Southwest Airlines a fun and memorable laugh-in. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Airlines    2. Automotive - General    3. Aviation - Commercial    4. Humor    5. Reference - Guides (General)    6. Southwest Airlines Co    7. Southwest Airlines Co.    8. Transportation    9. Travel - General    10. United States   

Reviews (4)

Good help for Amateurs and up. Also....
This book may be a little complicated for begginers into the audio world.Also don't be fooled by the name of the book, this book does NOT tell you how to design and make speakers, rather, speaker systems.As in, 4-5 speakers and a subwoofer.Although, this book does touch on why speakers do certain things, along with distortions, and all those little goodies that rob you of true quatlity!It will also help you on designing different types of enclosures for all audio.

I had a lot of fun this book and it has not stoped
I like this book. It has a unique SUBWOOFER BIAMP FILTERED CROSSOVER project (It's easy to build, works very well) And it has a really cool Jeep CJ box, And you keep the back seat. Nice if your a Dad with little ones. Covers speakers from Madisound, Kicker and MTX. Note front and back speaker projects. Not just Subs. The people from Madisound I found to bevery nice too. This BIAMP FILTERED CROSSOVER is not the same one as from his first book. (Killer Car Stereo on a Budget.)

No fuss, no hassle, straight to the point.
A very good book with detailed custom-made speaker projects for the front, rear (flush and surface mount) speakers and boxed woofers explained in clear and simple terms. The tips on making and cutting your own mount boards are especially useful.Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustics & Sound    2. Audio equipment    3. Automobiles    4. Automotive    5. Automotive - Customizing    6. Automotive Electronics    7. Electronics - General    8. Engineering - Automotive    9. Loudspeakers    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Sound Systems Engineering    12. Stereo & Audio Equipment    13. Technology    14. Automotive technology    15. Electronic devices & materials    16. Technology / Electronics / General   

Reviews (2)

All the heavy lifting is done...
JM has done a great job of camping in the stellar, and not so stellar camping destinations of Georgia doing the heavy lifting for the rest of us.
Great resource and starting point; get out and see Georgia!
This book needs to have an online counterpart.The dearth of good (objective!) camping information online in this part of the country can be frustrating.
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Subjects:  1. Camp sites, facilities, etc    2. Camp sites, facilities, etc.    3. Camping    4. Georgia    5. Guidebooks    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Travel - United States    9. United States - South - East South Central (General)    10. United States - South Atlantic - Georgia    11. Travel / United States / South / East South Central (AL, MS, KY, TN)   

Reviews (1)

GREAT BOOK
This is the book to have if you are interested in Pa state campground camping w/o a trailer or RV.
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Subjects:  1. Camp sites, facilities, etc.    2. Camping    3. Directories    4. Guidebooks    5. Pennsylvania    6. Travel    7. Travel - United States    8. United States - Mid Atlantic - Pennsylvania    9. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    10. Travel / United States / Northeast / Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA)   

Reviews (1)

quick explanations of common roadside devices
This little book is best suited for a casual, recreational read. When you are wondering about the various electronic and electromechanical gadgets seen by the roadside. Some might be on posts, while others might be perched on tops of buildings.
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Subjects:  1. Accessories    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - General    4. Electrical Apparatus    5. Electronic apparatus and appliances    6. Electronics - General    7. Engineering - Civil    8. General    9. Highway Engineering    10. Roads    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Technology    13. Traffic signs and signals    14. Transportation    15. Highway & traffic engineering    16. Road & motor vehicles: general interest    17. Transportation / Automotive / General    18. USA   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (2)

Car Talk Maternal Combustion:
Was a real pick me up on a recent road trip. Lost my Mom 8 months ago and it was nice to hear how other mothers delt with the everyday problems we all experiance with our cars.

Fans and newcomers of CAR TALK won't be disappointed
The Magliozzi brothers (a.k.a. the Tappet Brothers) here answer calls about and from mothers, giving funny advice on cars in their latest issue Car Talk: Maternal Combustion. In case you don't know them or their show, the brothers narrate the award-winning 'Car Talk' radio broadcast weekly on National Public Radio stations across the nation, accepting call-in questions addressed with a heavy dose of humor. Fans and newcomers of CAR TALK won't be disappointed in the one hour program of hilarity offered on Maternal Combustion: Calls About Moms And Cars.
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Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. American Satire And Humor    3. Audio - Nonfiction    4. Automobiles    5. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    6. Engineering - Automotive    7. Humor    8. Maintenance and repair    9. Miscellanea    10. Mothers    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Technology    13. Topic - Family    14. Humor / General