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Features
The official biography of Edward Turner. • Previously unpublished photos from the subject’s personal collection. • Deeply researched biography of one of Britain’s most outstanding motorcycle designers. • record of every motorcycle designed by Edward Turner. Description
The deeply researched biography of the man who was probably the most important individual in the history of the British motorcycle industry.
In the words of Triumph's famous sales slogan, Edward Turner designed "The Best Motorcycle in the World". Records details of all the world famous motorcycles designed by Edward Turner. Synopsis
For the first time the life of Edward Turner, one of Britain’s most talented motorcycle designers, is revealed in full, so this is much more than just another book about Triumph motorcycles. Although seen by many as an irascible man who ran a very tight ship, it is an inescapable fact that that his was a highly profitable company. His hugely successful sales campaign after World War 2 stunned America’s own manufacturers and had long lasting repercussions on their own home market. As Bert Hopwood once said to the Author, Turner was an inventive genius who had the flair for pleasing shapes and an uncanny ability to perceive what the buying public would readily accept, to produce it at the right price. No one will deny the impact made at the annual Motor Cycle Show by his Ariel Square Four in 1931, his superbly-styled single cylinder Tiger models in 1936, and his revolutionary Speed Twin that dominated the Show in 1937. Even more was to follow with his post-war Thunderbird and Bonneville twins. Independent Reviews
Review by Ian Kerr for inter-bike.co.uk, 2008
Whenever you talk about the British motorcycle industry one man’s name keeps popping up, that of Edward Turner. Some historians feel that he was the most significant designer since the First World War and that he had the most impact on the British automotive industry of anybody and was something of a design genius (he designed the V8 engine for the Jaguar and Daimler range of cars!).
Whilst the latter could be challenged nobody will disagree that this larger than life character ran a tight ship and under him the Triumph motorcycle brand in particular was very innovative and prosperous. He personally has been the subject of many a chapter in the various marque histories on Triumph, but now he gets a book to himself – 'Edward Turner – the man behind the motorcycles.'
Well-known author Jeff Clew devotes all 154 pages to Turner in this official biography of the man who made Triumph great. This soft-bound tome is as you might expect liberally spread with photos and drawings, some from the family archive, and makes fascinating reading.
Not only it is it Turner’s story it is also a look at the British motorcycle industry and as such is a must-read for all those who want know what went on behind the scenes. An excellent read and good value at £17.99.
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Review by Mark Holman for Beaded Wheels, February 2008
Magazine for the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
Long overdue, this deeply researched work by Jeff Clew gets past Turner's irascible exterior to reveal the man, his life and work, and the huge contribution to his country and the evolution of the motorcycle.
Featured are many images from the Turner family private photograph collection. This book is an excellent addition to any enthusiasts library.
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Review by Ian Kerr for www.inter-bike.co.uk, 2007
UK biker website
Well-known author Jeff Clew devotes all 154 pages to Turner in this official biography of the man who made Triumph great. This soft-bound tome is as you might expect, liberally spread with photos and drawings, some from the family archive and makes fascinating reading.
Not only it is it Turner’s story it is also a look at the British motorcycle industry, and as such is a must read for all those who want to know about what went on behind the scenes. An excellent read and good value at £17.99.
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Review from Peckham Society News, Spring 2007
UK quarterly magazine
The book is packed with photographs including Chepstow Motors in Peckham Road which was his first business venture.
Anyone who is interested in motorcycles will be fascinated to read this well-illustrated official biography of Edward Turner written by such an expert as Jeff
Clew.
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Review from MPN magazine, May 2007
The official biography of Edward Turner, the power behind the Triumph motorcycle brand and a leading British industrialist of his era, has been published by Veloce Books. Written by Jeff Clew, the book covers the life of Edward Turner, rather than being just another book about Triumph motorcycles.
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Review from Moto-Euro magazine, Winter 2006
'Edward Turner the Man Behind the Motorcycle' is the first biography of the most influential individual in the history of the British motorcycle industry. It is written by Jeff Clew, an active motorcyclist and former editorial director of the Haynes Publishing Group. This 160-page paperback has over 140 photos, many from the Turner family collection.
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From Real Classic Magazine, December 2006
TURNER RETURNS! OK, so Edward Turner hasn't actually risen from the grave, but he has come back in a softback reprint of Jeff Clew's excellent biography. This reprint has a slightly different title to the original hardback so make sure you're not buying a duplicate - but if it's not already on your bookshelf then you have missed out on a comprehensive profile of the man and his machines.
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Review by Jonathan Hill for The Visitor Magazine, December 2006
The official biography of the man who was probably the most important individual in the history of the British motorcycle industry.
Long overdue, this deeply researched work by Jeff Clew gets past Turner's irascible exterior to reveal the man, his life and work, and the huge contribution to his country and the evolution of the motorcycle. Featured are many images from the Turner family private photograph collection. This book is an excellent addition to any enthusiast's library.
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Review from Motor Cycling Club, November 2006
For anyone with more than a passing interest in Triumph motorcycles this book is essential reading and good value with many well-reproduced photographs.
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Review from Vintagebike.co.uk, October 2006
This is the first official biography of Edward Turner, one of Britain’s most talented and respected motorcycle designers of yore. In fact it is one of remarkably few books dedicated to the individuals within the industry rather than to the bikes themselves. When you consider the tremendous influence that characters such as Edward Turner have had on the development of the motorcycle, it is remarkable that such a book has not been written before now.
This book is not a book based on opinions and hearsay, but a well researched comprehensive biography based on information supplied by people who knew and worked with him. It is full of intriguing detail of his work and his life, and makes for a very interesting and enjoyable read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially the pictures – many of which seem to be previously unpublished. It leaves me (as a relatively young man….!) quite astonished that a single individual can leave such a heritage; The Speed Twin, Bonneville, Square Four, Thunderbird, Tiger 100, Terrier etc etc etc. He certainly, perhaps above all, had the ability to perceive what the buying public would accept and matched that with some of the most elegant designs.
There is a super colour gallery in the book (a feature often either not available or simply omitted from many similar books) including some great pictures from the family album.
The author, Jeff Clew, was the editorial director of the Haynes Publishing Group and is a regular contributor to many of the UK’s classic biking magazines.
And what a cover picture including no less than Rita Hayworth!
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Review by Jonathan Hill for the Vintage Motorcycle Club Journal
The official biography of the man who was probably the most important individual in the history of the British motorcycle industry. Whenever motorcycles are discussed amongst enthusiasts, the name of Edward Turner is invariably mentioned. Whilst known worldwide for his landmark designs, e.g. the four-cylinder Ariel Square Four and the Triumph Speed Twin, etc., Turner remained an enigma, described by those who worked close to him as both difficult and charming, impatient, autocratic and brilliant.
Born in 1901, Edward Turner was a truly gifted individual whose forceful character, design flair and business acumen drove Triumph from near bankruptcy in the mid-'30s to such heights of success that the company often struggled to reach the clamouring demand for its products worldwide. From the early post-war years Turner saw the potential of the American market and travelled there regularly to establish and maintain a large dealer network. Triumph achieved many sporting successes stateside, including the unofficial world motorcycle land speed record ... all of which greatly enhanced their sales figures.
Embodying lightness with a powerful vertical twin engine, Turner's design of the 1937 Speed Twin was revolutionary, and so good that it remained in production for 29 years.
Long overdue, this deeply researched work by Jeff Clew gets past Turner's irascible exterior to reveal the man, his life and work, and the huge contribution to his country and the evolution of the motorcycle.
Featured are many images from the Turner family private photograph collection. This book is an excellent addition to any enthusiast's library.
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