Unconventional intertwining theme of Nazism and car racing. The author Neal Bascomb has done a wonderful job of combining these two unconventional themes. Written in three parts, the author has masterfully carved out the themes, interlinking them to each other. Though Lucy and Rene meet at the end of the second part, the rumblings of their meeting is skillfully arranged by the author without losing the plot focus. With Rene joining Lucy Schnell and participating in the Pau Grand Prix 1938 season in Delahaye 145 and then defeating the Nazi car team, it is n this race that the book gets its titular justification. The unconventionally exciting theme is sprinkled with the Nazi history and propaganda along with the infiltration of racial discrimination in the peace sport of car racing. The book is a worth read and I highly recommend it.

This one is a whirlwind trip, and story you probably don't know. In 1933 a former top race driver, an heiress, and famous car worked together to outdrive Hitler in Paris. A great story, it will leave you breathless.

FASTER

Author Neal Bascomb brings a snapshot of auto-racing history into sharp focus in his book, <i>Faster: How a Jewish Driver, an American Heiress, and a Legendary Car Beat Hitler’s Best</i>.

As the world descended into madness in the years leading up to World War II, formula racing emerged as another theater where nationalistic fervor and the battle for hearts and minds played out. In exchange for enhanced military manufacturing capability Hitler nationalized and supported German automakers Daimler-Benz and Auto Union, leading to the respective developments of the “Silver Arrows” and P-Wagen race cars—both dominating the formula racing scene. More, racers for both companies were required to become members of the Nazi paramilitary groups SS or NSKK. Meanwhile, brewing international tensions also manifested themselves at various Grand Prix events where teams were seen not just as representatives of the race car manufacturers but also of the countries where they originated.

Against this backdrop, <i>Faster</i> recounts the story of the Delahaye 145, a race car developed by the eponymous French carmaker that surprisingly bested the German cars at the 1938 Pau Grand Prix.

In some ways it’s a typical underdog story: a group of outsiders band together and overcome outrageous odds to defeat a well entrenched opponent. Delahaye was an automaker about to go out of business and so made a last-gasp effort at building racing cars. The heiress Lucy Schell, an accomplished race and rally car driver in her own right, wanted to prove that she could manage a racing team that could compete with the best of them. For his part, driver Rene Dreyfus had to show that he still had a Grand Prix or two in him after being shut out from the German and Italian racing teams just because he was born Jewish. Against them: Rudi Caracciola, Germany’s racing champion, and the entire Daimler-Benz organization.

<i>Faster</i> appeals on multiple levels. Gearheads will find an engaging peek into formula racing since the early twentieth century, and marvel at how far the sport has come in the days since (especially where safety is concerned). More broadly it is also a niche history of the pre-World War II years that provides perspective on how Hitler’s rise to power affected society and industry in ways that were not necessarily obvious.

At its core, though, the book is also about races, which is where Bascomb’s writing shines. Whether writing about a Grand Prix or rally event and the heated competition amongst the champion drivers of the day, Bascomb captures the inherent excitement and drama. The spectacle that is racing is adeptly translated to the printed page to capture anyone’s imagination. Indeed, when Bascomb describes Rene Dreyfus willing his Delahaye 145 to go ever faster, readers will believe they are there alongside the ace to witness history.

For those who say politics should be kept out of sports…..consider Faster. The time is the 1930s in Europe. Hitler is on the rise and so is the world of motorsport, particularly Grand Prix auto racing. Neal Bascomb takes you into the personalities who raced the cars, and those who financed and built them. Competition was cutthroat on all levels: personal and national. Bascomb shows how all were driven (bad pun) to succeed at great cost to health, money, relationships, and even honor. The most exciting parts were the races: the reader can almost feel the car vibrations. The most technical parts were the car innovations to achieve peak performance….even a non-gearhead can get the basics. The most surprising parts were how intertwined the sport became with the rise of the Nazis and fascism.

Bascomb focuses on Rene Dreyfuss (a Jewish-born Frenchman) and his “”patron” and car builder, Lucy Schell who dare to challenge the German dominance, ideas about feminism, and national pride. Other excelling car racers also get a fascinating treatment. Fasten your seatbelts and hang on for the ride. Recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this copy to review.

Social and cultural history of the world's love affair with speed, and the races that tested the endurance of the drivers. The author presents a highly readable history of the companies, the cars they developed, the drivers, teams, the families and the politics of the 1930's. The focus of the book is on the people, but the information on the design and improvements made to the cars was easily understood. Definitely recommed to those interested in cars and cultural history.

Thank you to Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin for providing a free ARC in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

I love classic cars, and I love history, but I don't always love historical nonfiction-- but this book had me enthralled from the very beginning. Neal Bascomb does an absolutely brilliant job of bringing this glamorous but oft overlooked part of sporting history. The thrilling narrative and heart pounding descriptions of races kept me riveted, but the key lives Bascomb highlights were fascinating. Their life stories were encouraging, empowering, and inspiring.

Well-written, this book will appeal to teens and adults alike who are fans of history. It's also ideal for all your gear-heads out there, even your more reluctant readers. Loved it!