The Death of Ayrton Senna
Paperback, 224 pages
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.co.uk ReviewRichard Williams leaves no stone unturned as he examines the life and the untimely death of Formula One legend Ayrton Senna.; he gets deep into the psyche of this complex Brazilian as he analyses his character and attempts to discover the reasons behind the driver's burning desire to win. It was, Williams believes, a desire which a precious few drivers have--an inherent belief within Senna that he had the divine right to victory.
Senna's faults are covered as equally as the good side to his persona, and the author manages to accurately define the Brazilian hero's character like no other has.
The events leading up to and in the months and years following Senna's fatal crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix are examined in detail. The views of various experts and Formula One drivers are revealed in the book and many of their thoughts about the remarkable driver make a fascinating read.
Williams gets closer than anyone else to producing the ultimate story of a racing driver whose thirst for success and unparalleled ability led him to the heights of his chosen discipline--and ultimately his death.
This all-encompassing examination of the death of a superstar and a legend in his own right is an intimate yet pragmatic volume that will satisfy the reader's desire to discover the explanations of what really led to the death of the most thrilling driver of modern times.
Reviews
(Rated 3 out of 5)
As a relative newcomer to Formula 1 who wanted to find out a bit about its history, this book was not too complicated a read which didn't get too bogged down with technical jargon. However, I thought it was too light on detail, with whole racing seasons going by with the turn of a page; so as a whole I felt like i didn't really learn anything about Senna that i didn't know already. I'd read more interesting theories on his death from the internet and expected this book to expand on them, but it didn't. As a whole, i thought the book was alright, but can't help thinking that there's better books about Senna out there.
(Rated 5 out of 5)
Richard Williams has structured this book very well. He dips back and forth in time, building up a well rounded picture of this complicated man and his incredible talent.
there are accounts of his most famous races, his incredible feats on the track, and his passionate personality. I came away from this book feeling I understood Senna that little bit more.
An excellent, excellent book that also reveals a great deal about the workings of motorsport. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(Rated 5 out of 5)
This book doesn't dwell on a race by race description of Senna's glittering career - instead we get an insight into the mind of the man, his motivations, his hopes and dreams. Williams writes with economy of prose yet evokes strong feelings and emotions - the overriding theme is one of nostalgia, of mourning that which is lost. Highly recommended.
(Rated 5 out of 5)
There are many books about the dangers of F1 and this particular tragedy, but none that I've read have come close to this. Not only is it an eloquent analysis of the accident, the trials and the subsequent changes made in Formula One, but it is also a poignant reminder of what Senna meant to the F1 world and to the people of his native Brazil. Williams covers every angle - he does not try to deify Senna, yet he still manages to write a fitting testimony to one of the greatest drivers in F1 history.
For the F1 fan, an excellent read, one which I highly recommend, but for the Senna fan, an absolutely essential book - you will never read anything that paints a truer picture of your hero.
(Rated 5 out of 5)
The first half is for Ayrton's dramatic motor racing life and the second half for description of his fatal accident. Both are full of fascinating anecdotes and thrilling facts without emotional excess. The name of "Senna" always stimulates our imagination altough for the first time I feel realizing what kind of humans he is(was) like after reading this book.