A book that has been sitting on my bookshelf for many years is a 1968 copy of
How To Be a Motorist and Stay Happy' by George Haines. It is a very funny look at the trials and tribulations of car-ownership and how to survive it. Although I have never actually been a driver (I've driven a steam locomotive further than I have a car - never let your dad try to teach you!), the subjects covered seem quite familiar, such as learners, the Sunday driver and even down to avoiding authority and road rage, everything I suppose, except speed cameras. (I do recall reading of an early motorist, caught speeding by two constables using a stop-watch, however).
It was the illustrations accompanying the text that have always attracted me, the artist being Brian Walker, who, according to the notes on the dust-jacket, was better known for his 'decorative atmospheric drawing' and can play the tuba. A Google search reveals that he later drew for DC Thomson comics, and later for IPC in Whizzer & Chips. His drawings seem to capture the period well. Enjoy.
This looks like my kind of blog! I love the illustrations, so typical of the period. Brian Walker has captured the Morris Minor and the Bedford perfectly. I look forward to many more gems!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ian; some even better pictures were unfortunately spread over two pages and too big to scan, in particular a fine view of a tram holding up a line of traffic in the fog.
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