Car - The Definitive Visual History of the Automobile

Tracing the history of the automobile, from the first prototypes to the super cars of today, Car covers the technological developments and manufacture of cars, the cultural backdrop against which the various models arose, and the enduring impact the car has had on society as an object of curiosity, symbol of luxury, and item of necessity.

The most lavishly illustrated treatment of the subject on the market, featuring the most noteworthy cars of each decade in beautifully photographed catalogs, Car is truly an international view of the automobile through time, with histories of the men and machines that created brands which are now household names.

Hardcover: 360 pages

Publisher: DK; 1st edition (May 2, 2011)

Language: English

Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 1.3 x 12.2 inches

Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds

Reviews

"'Definitive' is an ambitious goal, but one this hefty book tackles with élan perhaps the way a 1965 Gordon-Keeble might tackle a winding country road."
- The New York Times

"This volume is jam-packed with information, loads of pictures, some rare and not seen elsewhere, all in a fun, enticing format!"

- J. Bradley

"This book was beyond my expectations. Can't wait to read it through to the end. I am impressed with the detail of the drawings and the excellent photographs."

- John Mackay

"My husband and I fell in love with DK (especially the Smithsonian line) during a trip to the Smithsonian museums. The books are filled with an immense amount of information which is presented in a fascinating, readable way. Of course the author couldn't include absolutely every single detail about the subject at hand, but they still did a wonderful job. The photos are gorgeous and a perfect complement to the information being presented. The books themselves have sturdy binding and stout construction."

- Melissa

"This is a great format for presenting images of the great and unusual artworks of the automotive industry. The photographs are excellent, and the selections are terrific. The quality of the pictures is so high that any car nut looking at it may want to be careful not to drool on the pages. Good information about the cars, too, but you buy it for the pictures."

- Jackleg

"I bought this book for a friend who is into antique cars, so I didn't actually read the book, but I did browse the photos. And what photos there are! I love the early cars that are as much sculpture as engineering. Those cars were not just something to get you somewhere. They were something to be proud driving and riding in, and people took them out on the road to be seen. Cars today are so plentiful, car ads so insistant, that we take them for granted. But back in the early days of the automobile, there were only a few on the roads, and people took notice when one went by. This book has them all."

- Carole L. Presberg
...

About the Author

DK was founded in London in 1974 and is now the world's leading illustrated reference publisher and part of Penguin Random House, formed on July 1, 2013. DK publishes highly visual, photographic nonfiction for adults and children. DK produces content for consumers in over 87 countries and in 62 languages, with offices in Delhi, London, Melbourne, Munich, New York, and Toronto. DK's aim is to inform, enrich, and entertain readers of all ages, and everything DK publishes, whether print or digital, embodies the unique DK design approach. DK brings unrivalled clarity to a wide range of topics with a unique combination of words and pictures, put together to spectacular effect. We have a reputation for innovation in design for both print and digital products. Our adult range spans travel, including the award-winning DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, history, science, nature, sport, gardening, cookery, and parenting. DK’s extensive children’s list showcases a fantastic store of information for children, toddlers, and babies. DK covers everything from animals and the human body, to homework help and craft activities, together with an impressive list of licensing titles, including the bestselling LEGO® books. DK acts as the parent company for Alpha Books, publisher of the Idiot's Guides series and Prima Games, video gaming publishers, as well as the award-winning travel publisher, Rough Guides.