24 Hours
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24 Hours
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Narrated by:
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Richard Attlee
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By:
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Richard Williams
About this listen
The event was created by a group of Frenchmen in 1923 and remains uniquely compelling to spectators, to the major motor manufacturers who continue to see it as an opportunity for priceless publicity, as well as to drivers hoping to add their names to its distinguished roll of honour. Between the wars, those manufacturers included Bugatti, Bentley and Alfa Romeo. Subsequently, Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Ford, Porsche, Audi and Toyota have all been serial winners, guaranteeing the continuation of ferocious inter-marque rivalry.
Over the decades the race acquired a rich folklore, including stories of leaking petrol tanks being sealed with chewing gum, one competitor making his last pit-stop for a fill-up and a glass of champagne, or the woman who drove her MG through the night wearing a fur coat. Competitors have included princes, debutantes, drug smugglers and a Nazi spy. Leading Hollywood film-makers lured to the romance of the race include Steve McQueen, who conceived and starred in Le Mans in 1971, and James Mangold, who made Le Mans ’66 in 2019. But in 1955 it had also been the scene of the greatest tragedy ever to befall motor racing, when 82 people were killed by a competing car, an accident that for a while threatened the sport’s entire future.
From the Bentley Boys of the 1920s, through record-breaking multiple winners Jacky Ickx and Tom Kristensen to modern stars such as Allan McNish, 24 Hours celebrates the skill, courage and technical brilliance of the men and women who gave the race its worldwide renown.
©2023 Richard Williams. All rights reserved. (P)2023 Simon & Schuster, UK. All Rights Reserved
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What listeners say about 24 Hours
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 13-05-24
Excellent
A fabulous account of the history of Le Mans. The Greatest race of them all, by far.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Adam Ellson
- 19-10-24
a fascinating and entertaining book
a fascinating and entertaining book, it had me gripped from the start, a facinating history in great detail, which taught me, opened my eyes too, and reminded me of the pure brilliance of the world greatest race,
i thought i knew a lot about le mans before this book, i can honestly say i didn't know a thing,
i can't recommend more, for motorsport fans or fans of history in general, this book takes us through the highs,the lows, the good, the bad, the dark times of both world wars, and it's recovery and to the things that created the legend
highly highly recommended
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- C. Dixon
- 03-06-24
Wonderful Book
Really interesting book, covering year by year history of the worlds greatest race right up to 2023.
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