The quest for the land speed record in the 1960s and the epic rivalry between two dynamic American drivers; Art Arfons and Craig Breedlove. "Interesting and complex. . . .The best job Ive seen done on the subject so far." -- Craig Breedlove Until the 1950s; the land speed record (LSR) was held by a series of European gentlemen racers such as British driver John Cobb; who hit 394 miles per hour in 1947. That record held for more than a decade; until the car culture swept the U.S. Hot-rodders and drag racers built and souped up racers using car engines; piston aircraft engines and; eventually; jet engines. For this determined and dedicated group; the LSR was no longer an honor to be held by rich aristocrats with industrial backing -- it was brought stateside. In the summer of 1960; the contest moved into overdrive; with eight men contending for the record on Utahs Bonneville Salt Flats. Some men died in horrific crashes; others prudently retired; and by mid-decade only two men were left driving: Art Arfons and Craig Breedlove. By 1965; Arfons and Breedlove had walked away from some of the most spectacular wipeouts in motor sport history and pushed the record up to 400; then 500; then 600 miles per hour. Speed Duel is the fast-paced history of their rivalry. Despite the abundant heart-stopping action; Speed Duel is foremost a human drama. Says author Samuel Hawley; "It is a quintessential American tale in the tradition of The Right Stuff; except that it is not about extraordinary men doing great things in a huge government program. Its about ordinary men doing extraordinary things in their back yards."
#2399935 in eBooks 2012-06-04 2012-06-04File Name: B008A6KY0M
Review
1 of 11 people found the following review helpful. I like the lookBy K. KIRSHNERI like the look. but the shoe is poorly constructed. Obviously the quality control and materials have been cheapened. I am on a blood thinner and can hemorrhage. get hematoma and die as a result of a fall due to slippery heels and soles without adequate traction. These boots were no bargain when I had to pay $38 to a shoe repair shop for new heels and new soles with traction. Clark will go out of business if people sue due to falls from their defective shoes/boots. made in China obviously. and not concerned about safety! Terrible! The boots are attractive. but they have no arch support either and they are loose even though they are my size. and they pull my socks down into them. for an uncomfortable walking experience. I do not recommend them!
