Product Description

This lively and lavishly illustrated book tells the extraordinary history of the bicycle, an invention that precipitated nothing short of a social revolution. Recounting a story replete with disputed patents, brilliant inventions, and missed opportunities, David Herlihy shows us why the bicycle captured the public's imagination and the myriad ways it has reshaped our world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #264040 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

Review
"The bicycle itself is a wonderful invention, one of those that has - quite simply - made the world a better place. David Herlihy and the Yale University Press are to be congratulated for doing it proper humour." Sunday Telegraph "A comprehensive genealogy of the two-wheeled saviour of mass transit... Herlihy takes what could have been just another history book and makes it a story worth telling your friends about." Publishers Weekly "Immensely absorbing... Herlihy's prodigious research is always entertaining, as are the period illustrations that copiously grace the volume." Edward Koren, New York Times Book Review "Lovingly written and beautifully illustrated." David Schoonmaker, American Scientist "A delight." Robert Messenger, Wall Street Journal "Bicycle is a good read for all and a must for the cyclist's home library." Joe Simnacher, Dallas Morning News "One of the best cycling-related books I've seen in the past decade." Joe Lindsey, Mountain Bike"

The Western Daily Press, Febraury 5 2005
'....Herlihy has delivered a comprehensive book on the genesis of the bike.'

About the Author
David V. Herlihy is a historian and freelance writer. His work has been featured on National Public Radio and Voice of America and in the New York Times, the Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, and Historic Preservation. In 1999 Herlihy received the McNair History Award from the Wheelmen, the preeminent American association of antique bicycle collectors.

Customer Reviews

A Transatlantic Revelation
I was bought this book by my Canadian son-in-law, a sports fanatic like myself. My first thoughts on opening the book were, "Oh no, it's all American". I overcame my prejudices and ploughed into the book, and I was well-pleased that I did. Cycling was big, really big, Stateside in the nineteenth century, and its rise and final near demise are a whole story in itself. However this book isn't just an American slant, and its chapters on the development of the bicycle technically are well written indeed. Don't expect anything revealing about the development of the machine or the sport over the last fifty years or so, but the rest of the book is excellent, and very well produced into the bargain. I wouldn't have bought this, but I am very pleased to own it now, and would recommend it without reservation to anyone who has any interest in the subject.

Looks good
I ordered this book as a christmas present. It arrived promptly - could have been more protected wrapping wise - a few scuffs on the cover of the book. It looks very smart with good illustrations.