 | Home > Off Topic > Ben Fogle book - 'Land Rover' |
 
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324  
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I'm about half way through it at the moment and must confess that I'm not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. Apart from a number of factual errors and typos (proof reading, anyone?), the writing is very disjointed
 Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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14th Jan 2017 4:27pm |
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| Chopperone Member Since: 13 Nov 2016 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 396
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I , too, am about a third into the book. ALR friend said it was a really good read so I splashed out about 6 quid for it from Amazon. It has has sat by the side of my bed for 2 or 3 weeks untouched.
So, therefore, it ain't that good. Shame really given the potential of the subject matter. Guy May your life be like toilet paper ; long & useful. Last edited by Chopperone on 14th Jan 2017 11:26pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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14th Jan 2017 5:10pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17372 
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In all honesty, what do you expect? Fogle is a TV presenter and "outdoorsman", not an author, not a petrol-head, not a researcher, and not an historian. If you want an authoritative book on Landrover buy one written by someone who knows how to research and write, there are several excellent books to choose from.
Fogle's topical "celebrity status" gave this book a disproportionate marketing presence aimed at the mass-market, short-attention-span sector rather than the discerning enthusiast. I can't personally decide if it was written from a genuine sadness at the end of an icon, or in an attempt (possibly agent suggested) to jump on the "end of Defender" bandwagon. It is neither one thing nor another, being part (flawed) history, part personal reminiscence. It is a disappointment, and not a good book. For benchmark technical history, books like John Smith's definitive "Land-Rover, the Formative Years 1947 -1967" knock the socks off this effort. |
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14th Jan 2017 5:13pm |
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| Huttopia Member Since: 23 Feb 2016 Location: West Midlands Posts: 1972
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Totally agree, its a really poor effort, lazy desktop research, a few crap anecdotes and loads of typos. A bit like the man himself, style over substance....
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14th Jan 2017 5:15pm |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8024  
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book marks has sat at start of ch4 for two weeks now..... Cheers
James 110 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop |
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14th Jan 2017 5:20pm |
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| natyeo Member Since: 27 Jan 2013 Location: Bentham Posts: 136 
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Well gents good to here saves me buying
 2014 2.2 90 hard top , Warm M8000 , Scorpain winch bumper, Ashcroft rear atb
2012 2.2 tdci 110 Utility 1993 110 CSW Warn M8000 , Scorpain winch bumper , 2" lift , Roamerdive overdrive, on going 1971 Hybird 200tdi, 2 x truetracs,Extrem winch bumper, M8000, GKN overdrive & Coils 2" lift, Glynn Lewis cranked rear trail arms 1971 Series 3 88, Perkins 4203,M8000,SATs,O/D, |
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14th Jan 2017 5:54pm |
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| Teario Member Since: 04 Aug 2015 Location: Merseyside Posts: 153 
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I saw a bit about it in a magazine where he was asking people with interesting stories to get in touch, so I assumed it was going to be a lot of small chapters focusing on one particular interesting story each. There was a bit of that in there, with the coffee shop and a few others but they were skimmed over pretty quickly. Not really the main basis for the book like I had assumed.
I did recognise a lot of the content from things I've come across on forums or Facebook groups, but I don't know enough about the history of LR to see the big factual error everyone else has mentioned. A not insignificant amount of the content was reused almost word-for-word between different chapters, which I found strange. The cynic in me wondered if he had some sponsorship from Nene given how often they are mentioned. I found the use of Land Rover, Series and Defender as interchangeable terms quite infuriating. I first started reading it assuming there was some sort of timeline or relationship between the chapters, but it quickly becomes apparent that it's better to see each one as completely self contained. All in I wouldn't say it's bad. It's an easy and quick read with some interesting anecdotes and if it's only 6 quid I wouldn't turn it down. |
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14th Jan 2017 6:38pm |
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| Ellisboy Member Since: 13 Oct 2013 Location: Deep South Posts: 539 
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Not the best read
 good for lighting the wood burner though 
Stephen. |
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14th Jan 2017 9:26pm |
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| Doc P Member Since: 03 Apr 2016 Location: Midlands Posts: 565 
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Got it for Christmas from the other half - and got about half way through it. Sympathise with the above comments.
She also bought be 'Norwegian Wood' by Lars Mytting - loads more interesting! |
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15th Jan 2017 12:11pm |
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| petestaunch Member Since: 19 Nov 2016 Location: Wales Posts: 65 
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Same as Doc P. I've struggled to about the halfway stage. I have only just bought a Defender and know very little about them so am in no position to comment on accuracy. It's a poor read, quite boring. I don't think it knows what it wants to be.
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15th Jan 2017 3:57pm |
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| TimDaw Member Since: 13 Dec 2015 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 43 
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Agree with all of the above - It isn't often I notice typos but did in this book, looking for the next one gave reading it more interest. Even the pictures were not great.
Not a terrible book just not a very good one- I know most people on here are real Defender nuts and so we might not be his target audience but I don't think his editor ever worked out who he was writing for apart from the Christmas gift market where I imagine it did very well. What else do you buy the grimy handed man in your life/ |
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15th Jan 2017 9:03pm |
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| Slideywindows Member Since: 09 Sep 2016 Location: North Essex Posts: 1283 
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Yes, bought by a relative for my Christmas present as they know I "like Land Rovers".
(Has anyone actually bought this book for themselves  )
It still lies un-read on the stairs until I can think of someone to give it to. |
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15th Jan 2017 9:26pm |
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| MGCarr Member Since: 18 Nov 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 59 
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SWMBO bought it me for Christmas and I have read the whole book, I am a voracious reader, like many others have commented it is quite a disappointing read.
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16th Jan 2017 1:31am |
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| simon67 Member Since: 18 Jun 2015 Location: west sussex Posts: 569 
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What annoyed me is I love my 90, even have a Purdey picture on it on the office wall
Ben Fogle goes on about loving Land Rovers, but then buys a Jeep. His first ever Land Rover 90 he sells because he couldn't afford to keep it, but bought a Discovery instead. Keep the 90 and buy something cheaper Gets Nene to build him a bespoke Landy of his dreams and then I'm sure it was up for sale on here shortly after Me thinks its a marketing exercise by somebody who likes the idea of being a Defender fan but really just wants a bit of comfort and a nice T shirt |
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16th Jan 2017 9:09am |
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