Reviews (18)

Not for the converted
A fine little book, but not for anyone who has already decided to take the step to become carless or car-lite. This book is 10% manual, made up mostly of common sense ideas (never a bad thing), and 90% arguments and statistics meant to convince you to go car free. If you're on the fence about giving up your ride, this is a great read. If you're looking for a book about the experience of being car free or a good instruction manual on doing so, maybe not the way to go. An interesting little read, though.

A book ahead of its time!
This is a tremendous, hard hitting work on many, many levels. Above all, Balish's appeal for freeing ourselves from the tyranny of our automobiles will resonate with a wide readership - those wishing to save money, (LOTS of money), those wanting to simplify their lives, and those wishing to build a more sustainable future.
A book for the times
How to Live Well Without Owning a Car is a book whose time has come.Cast off the chains of car ownership! Chris Balish does an excellent job on the economics of car ownership.He also goes step by step on the nuts and bolts of a car-free life, covering not only the expected (like getting to work and getting your groceries) but also dating and vacationing.This bookis a wonderful resource for anyone who is seriously thinking of living without a car. But there are many people who are just playing with the idea, and it is those people for whom I will be buying the book.Chris has a light touch when he talks about the lifestyle choices that keep people tied to the economic millstone that is car ownership.We choose to live on a bus line or not, we choose to work far from home, we choose to set our lives up so we have to buy things every day rather than plan.I have to laugh as I read my words - as a recent convert to a car-free life, I tend to beat people up with these ideas!Chris makes those points in an easy, non-confrontational way.This is a great book.
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Subjects:  1. Automobile ownership    2. Automobiles    3. Automotive Transportation    4. Business & Economics    5. Consumer Finance    6. Economic aspects    7. Finance, Personal    8. Personal Finance    9. Personal Finance - General    10. United States    11. Reference works   

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (61)

Troubling
In STORM the Germans are an impersonal calamity, like Katrina.We see French of every class and sort scatter like ants whose anthill has just been stepped on. There's good sardonic social observation here and I'm afraid it's probably accurate.But as a reader you sit and feel rather smug at the spectacle.In DOLCE we meet the German occupiers. They are not the evil Huns we have met hundreds of times in the war movies. They have names, faces and, be it confessed, impeccable behavior.(The irony of what was in store for the author is heavy here.) But the troubling part is how naturally so many of the French in this particular village fall into the routine of collaboration.Without judging or condemning, Nemirovsky shows us how it must have happened.The scenes are so vivid here you can't help placing yourself there, and wondering if you would have been a whit more heroic. Or, for that matter, if you had been one of the Germans, would you have been much different than they? Be honest.
How it was possible
Reading these two novellas was, for me, like standing for hours, looking at painting after painting by a great artist.For every page, every chapter was filled with amazing colorful details; the details that make up the lives of those populating these novellas--lives torn apart by the terrible earthquake that results from a defeat.
Novel of the year
Storm in June is the best book I've read since Vikram Seth's An Equal Music.The second part of Suite Francaise is good, but Storm in June is a gem everyone will love.I didn't expect to laugh out loud with the Nazi's at the door.Happy reading.I'm wondering when Nemirovsky's earlier novels will be translated into English. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Fiction - General    2. Audiobooks    3. Fiction    4. France    5. Historical - General    6. Literary    7. Romance Literature    8. Unabridged Audio - Fiction/General    9. War & Military    10. World War, 1939-1945    11. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (2)

A Great Start
From many angles this is a good start for the serious hobbyist or professional tech. The info is explained clearly and logicly organized.The pictures are clear, simple and helpful.If read cover to cover this is a good way to get in to automotive technology.

Great book!!
As an automotive student I found this book to be very helpful. It deals with all the basics of todays advanced automobiles. It cover all areas from: basic electricity, ohms law, engine performance, ignition, cooling, emissions, transmissions, brakes and even a little auto body. It deals with the different subjects from beginning to end.You don't have to know anything(exept read)to understand them. A must for any automotive enthusiast. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobiles    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    4. General    5. Maintenance and repair    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    8. Technology    9. Automotive (motor mechanic) skills    10. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (6)

The ideal engine rebuilders book at a bargain price.
After I had read both books on Nissan engines by this author I bought this book too.This book is set out so you can diagnose faults first to determine if you need to rebuild or not.Then it goes into engine teardown in detail.It describes the rebuilding process.The cylinder heads are covered in a separate chapter which the author explains.
Sometimes it helps to just read the instructions.
Having built several motors for my cars and helping a few friends (each) build a few motors, it was good to just solidify what I knew, and double check those "I thought so" things. I mean you won't learn 20 years worth of experience from any book, but this one is well written and kinda lets you know when you are leaving some horses out on the bench.

Engine builders
I purchased this book for the mention in the title of degreeing cams, I DO NOT deal with automotive engines- I am a Motorcycle Mechanic.I still found this book informative and interesting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobile Engine    2. Automobiles    3. Automotive    4. Automotive - General    5. Automotive Maintenance And Repair    6. Engineering - Automotive    7. Maintenance and repair    8. Motors    9. Reference    10. Technology    11. Automotive technology    12. Engines & power transmission    13. Transportation / Automotive / General    14. Vehicle maintenance   

Subjects:  1. Automobiles    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - General    4. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    5. Engineering - Automotive    6. Maintenance and repair    7. Transmission devices, Automatic    8. Transportation    9. Automotive technology    10. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Subjects:  1. Automotive - General    2. General    3. Technology & Industrial Arts    4. Transportation    5. Automotive technology    6. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (10)

One of my Favs
It is everything and more than I expected to find in a Mercedes tome. Having read several books on the subject I find this one to be the most informative. The early years are covered well.

Truly Exquisite
This book is a joy to have. Well written and beautifully illustrated, I found this book a pleasure to own. As a dedicated Benz owner, I can appreciate the attention to detail that exists in this book.
Almost as heavy as the car!
The amount of factual material lavished in this tome about the origins of the motor car and the search for excellence via the Mercedes Benz brand should keep the afficianado glued for hours.The pictures are also excellent.Written in about three or four languages within the same book, the descriptions are backed by photographs - good ones charting the evolution of the Merc from the 19th century right to the modern sleek saloon.I think this is very much for the Mercedes buff or collector and I bought it as a gift.I think this book would be good if it showed how the Merc could grow some wings and start being more in harmony with the Earth's environment based on what sort of fuel it burns and fuel efficiency rather than just talk about technical specifications in self congratulatory terms.Still this book is about "man's" achievement with the motor car and there are things in this which you could admire. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - General    2. Automotive - History    3. Automotive - Pictorial    4. Transportation    5. Automotive technology    6. Road & motor vehicles: general interest   

Reviews (1)

Excellent Service!
The item arrived very well packaged and protected.5 Star service~Great seller ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - History    3. Automotive - Pictorial    4. Transportation    5. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (1)

Great Porsche Book
This book is a must read for anyone who owns or even just admires an early, mid, or late year 911 and enjoys its performance.
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Subjects:  1. Automobile Engine    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - Foreign - High Performance & Engine Rebuilding    4. Automotive - General    5. Transportation    6. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (10)

TEXAS STATE OF MIND
Billy Gibbons Rock'n Roll Gearhead is really fantastic for all of those who love the Texas culture ... do you need something more?

GRAB THAT SLAB AND GRIND ME A POUND!
DAt's what BFG say.The man is a GENIUS.This book is a fascinating read, and shines a whole new light on that little old band from Texas. I've always loved ZZ Top, but now I have a whole new respect for Billy Gibbons- the guy just oozes soul, is so understated yet so creative.This book shows how detail oriented, how creative, and how cool the man is.A great artist, a gearhead, and most importantly a genius on the gee-tar.Gotta love his life story.Buy it!

ZZ Top Fan Must Read!
If you are a ZZ Top fan,this book is a must read for you--it shows some of the private side of "The Reverend Billy G" and some of his passions on guitar and car collecting--although not really diving into the bands personna as much as I would have liked, seeing this side of one of Rocks "Major" influences was a very nice read---plus it is a nice bargain at Amazon--I was very pleased to get this book--I first saw this book at a guitar show in Orlando and when I was upset at myself for not buying it at the show I went to the Amazon site and purchased it for 15 bucks cheaper!Shazaaam!I had a friend of mine once tell me that before I buy any book to always check Amazon first--I guess she wasn't wrong--anyway--a really nice book that will draw much attention if left on a coffee table when guests are over-- ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - Customizing    2. Automotive - General    3. Biography    4. Genres & Styles - Rock    5. Guitarists    6. Music    7. Music/Songbooks    8. Rock musicians    9. United States    10. Biography: film, television & music    11. Rock & pop    12. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (4)

i think the book is great and informative
i want to see where the starter is located on the 1989 toyota camr

Terrible choice!!!!!! I'll try to return it!!!!
One star is way too much for this book. I got the newest version three days ago and it was like getting a repair manual for a toy. I've got a Camry 91 with a v6 engine and this book had virtually nothing I could use.Not even a decent set of diagrams and instructions to replace the sparkplugs...!!!! Forget about anything else like a CV boot replacement or atiming belt replacement. I hope the publisher sees my review.

AWFUL! Do not buy this book!!!!!!
This must be the most useless book I have every seen on auto maintenance and repair. If you're looking for any info on your Camry, look elsewhere. Due to the nature of the book (13 years of camry), you will not find *ANY*specifics on your particular model. No part numbers listed anywhere in themanual. Diagrams are ambiguous at best. Instructions read like they werepulled from a high school auto shop manual. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    3. Camry automobile    4. Foreign Auto And Light Truck Repair    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Maintenance and repair    7. Transportation    8. Automotive technology    9. Transportation / Automotive / General    10. Transportation / Automotive / Repair & Maintenance / General    11. Vehicle workshop manuals   

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - General    3. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    4. Domestic Auto And Light Truck Repair    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    7. Technology    8. Transportation / Automotive / General    9. Transportation / General    10. Vehicle workshop manuals   

Reviews (5)

Bad Reference!!
This book is chock full of errors. I don't have any faith in the contents of this book. Color codes of wires are incorrect in troubleshooting areas, and there is poor coverage of all model years, especially newer ones. The book tells you what fault codes are but it does not tell you how to access them. I own two Hondas and I end up using the internet to get the information this book, more often than not, neglects to include. Purchase at your own risk -- it's too bad that it is the only book on the market for many Honda models.

Better than Hays
This is a fair book. Deffinatly better than Hays. Where hays explanes things in one sentence Chilton uses an entire paragraph. However it does not contain all the diagnosis I wanted and it is plagued with misprints andoccasionaly contridicts itself.

Poor graphics, lack of detail, poor coverage of all models.
This was disappointing.The "Total Car Care" repair manual had non-detailed drawings instead of photos leaving you with only a vague idea of where the part that you are looking for is in relation to the rest ofyour car.The text was about as good as the graphics... it could have beenmore detailed and/or descriptive.Another probelm was that the graphicsgave only a single example of the procedure being described (as shown forthe '84-'87 CRX... not very helpful to orient you to a 95 Civic).Comparedto the other manuals that I have seen (Haynes and Clymer mostly) this oneleft alot to be desired at about twice the price.This one will give you aballpark idea of what you will need to do to fix your Honda, but I wouldconsider purchasing a single-model specific repair manual at a cheaperprice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    3. Domestic Auto And Light Truck Repair    4. Engineering - Automotive    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Honda Civic automobile    7. Honda automobile    8. Maintenance and repair    9. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    10. Transportation    11. Automotive technology    12. Transportation / Automotive / General    13. Transportation / Automotive / Repair & Maintenance / General    14. Vehicle workshop manuals   

Reviews (1)

Great Book!
I was looking for a book on body work for someone that has never done it before; I found it!
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Subjects:  1. Automobiles    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - Buyer's Guides    4. Automotive - General    5. Bodies    6. Maintenance and repair    7. Painting    8. Techniques - Painting    9. Transportation    10. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (7)

Hot Rod Pin Ups
I love this book.It shows fashion from various eras and adds the rough style of classic cars.The history is a good added bonus, but the pictures are more interesting to look at.Very colorful and exciting.

Cool cars and cool girls
Great photography,with some great babes draped over cool cars.
David Perry strikes gold with Hot Rod Pin Ups
David Perry not only gets the Hot Rod Kulture, he's part of it! and luckily, for us, he captures it on film, with mastery.
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Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - Pictorial    3. Glamour photography    4. Hot rods    5. Photography of women    6. Pictorial works    7. Pinup art    8. Transportation    9. Motor cars: general interest    10. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Subjects:  1. Automobiles, Foreign    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - Foreign - Repair & Maintenance    4. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    5. Foreign Auto And Light Truck Repair    6. General    7. Handbooks, manuals, etc    8. Maintenance and repair    9. Transportation    10. Automotive (motor mechanic) skills    11. Motor cars: general interest    12. Transportation / Automotive / Foreign / Repair & Maintenance    13. Transportation / Automotive / General    14. Vehicle maintenance   

Reviews (1)

VERY Good
Have NOT finished but I can see this is a very well thought out book.For instance, the content page contains a thumbnail to identify the car: Great idea, for quick ref. if you do not know the model name/number.The index is full, the trailers show races won in order.The details of each is large and althought I cannot vouch for all accuracy of info. the items I DID know were accurate enough.The book is small, and compact enough to keep along with you....kind of like a bird-watchers field manual.
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Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - History    3. Automotive - Pictorial    4. Transportation    5. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (3)

Beetle Manual
The manual was clear and to the point. Finding information was not hard. The book had more info than I though it would.It was layed out nicely too.

Not quite what I was looking for
I must qualify that I am not a mechanic by training but enjoy doing a lot of the work in our cars. That said I found this manual disappointing in that it really does not offer any kind of help in the maintenance of the car for people with little mechanical training.By "Service Manual" I understood that there would be detailed information of how to do certain things like working on the AC components, transmission, etc, that is more that just changing your oil.It is not there!.It just gives you pictures of part by part components with little descriptions of procedures. I can get the pictures in the Internet! going to a bookstore does no good because this is one of those sealed books until you buy.I just did not like it and will sell it as soon as I can :^(

Great Purchase
Very detailed text for repairs and maintenance. Makes even the daunting task relatively easy. To have 5 stars, it should have more detailed pictures. Color would receive a 6th star. Best manual on the market. Worth it 110% ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - General    3. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Maintenance and repair    6. Transportation    7. Volkswagen New Beetle automobi    8. Volkswagen New Beetle automobile   

Reviews (1)

Incomplete
I am a professional mechanic so I work on my own vehicles, to save some money over buying the repair manuals offered by Dodge I decided to purchase this manual for a rear anti-lock brake problem I'm having. When I found the correct section of the book,I thought that I had it made, the codes were there, pictures of the componets were there, great, I thought. So I began reading the text on obtaining trouble codes to isolate my vehicles problem. It tells you how to get the codes by shorting the diagnostic terminal to ground then read the codes on the ABS light on the dash, cool! Where's the connector? And which terminals at the connector once you find it!!! No pictures or descriptions of where this connector is located what it looks like or how many wires it contains. So thought I'd go to the wiring diagrams and at least find the terminal numbers or wire color codes to the ABS computer maybe that will help, NOT! All the wiring diagram shows is the feed wire from the engine computer to the ABS computer with a block that says "to ABS computer"! Not even a diagram of the ABS system! Not much help!!! And very frustrating!! BUY THE MOPAR BOOK FOR 129.00!! Thats if your going to do anything past oil changes and spark plugs!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    3. Automotive - Trucks    4. Automotive Maintenance And Repair    5. Chrysler automobile    6. Dodge trucks    7. Handbooks, manuals, etc    8. Maintenance and repair    9. Transportation    10. Automotive (motor mechanic) skills    11. Transportation / Automotive / General    12. Vehicle workshop manuals   

Reviews (3)

Chilton's Jeep CJ/Scrambler 1971-86 Repair Manual
As always, Chiltons manuals are one of the best for reference to a vehicle. They are usually on the mark for information and "how to" things. This particular manual is a little weak on the V-8 304 CID engine and I believe that there are mis-prints throughout on the numbering and figures that are drawn out. The electrical diagrams are the best there are but I think that the identifying the part that you are looking at could use a little more detail. All in all, the Chiltons repair manuals remain the best.

a good book
good for do it your self mechanic

Absolute necessity for Jeep 'Wheelers!
A very comprehensive manual. I have worked on my various Jeeps dozens of times and have found this manual to be indespensible. Based on a complete tear down and reassembly of the Jeep vehicles that are discussed. Aninvaluable resource. Although I can buy it considerably cheaper down at thelocal parts store. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    3. Domestic Auto And Light Truck Repair    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Jeep automobile    6. Maintenance and repair    7. Transportation    8. Transportation / Automotive / General    9. Transportation / Automotive / Repair & Maintenance / General