Book Review

“The Early History of the Motor Car, 1769-1897,” by R. W. Kidner. (The Oakwood Press, 6s.)

This little 59-page book covers briefly the birth and early development of the motor car and is considerably enhanced by a large number of black-and-white sketches of the early vehicles. Chapters dealing with the work of Cugnot, Murdock, Trevithick, Hancock and others, with steam haulage from 1842-1880, with light steam vehicles of 1859-1879, with early petrol cars, with electric cars of 1888-1897, and with later steam vehicles, make for quick reference. A further volume covering 1898-1946 is promised, and we look forward to it — but it is very ambitious to attempt to cover this period of history in one book.