Re: Tom Farndon - a new book
Book reviews as on this site:http://www.inter-bike.co.uk
Tom Farndon: The Greatest Speedway Rider of Them All
by Norman Jacobs & John Chaplin
REVIEW BY IAN KERR:::
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When this soft-back book arrived I was fascinated as I would like to think that
a few years ago at least I was clued up on the world of Speedway, but I had not
heard of Tom Farndon. I used to go to Speedway every other week and was actually
brought up close to one of the best teams of the time. I have attended a few
world finals, as well as reading quite a few books on the subject, but this was
a name that had escaped me until now.

Written by prolific Speedway authors and historians Norman Jacobs and John
Chaplin it tells the story of Tom Farndon who managed to rise from obscurity in
1929 to superstar in just five years. He was then a national celebrity, with
status matched only by todays highly paid sporting idols like Beckham et al.
As you read through the 130 pages you get the picture that his skill, daring and
remarkable ability saw him achieve fame and fortune unsurpassed on the speedway
track at the time and it could be argued since. He had good looks backed up by
charisma that brought him a huge following, particularly among young women.
But, more importantly, it was his incredible talent for speedway racing brought
him not only the admiration of his peers, but the solid achievement of winning
every dirt-track championship there was to be won. Throughout it all he remained
a nice guy, both in victory and it must be said, the rare times he was defeated!
In 1935, just as he had reached the height of his fame, tragedy struck; he was
killed in a track accident at the age of just twenty-four bringing to an early
end what could have been the greatest records in the sport. However, there will
be many who will argue against such a statement, but as I read through the well
illustrated pages I certainly began to think the title is very accurate.
I have to say as well this was book that I originally intended to flick through
and read later, but ended up reading from cover to cover, gripped by the account
of the life what surely was a role model for the `Boys Own' comic of that era. I
can also say that this is book that is well worth a read no matter what area of
motorcycling you favour.
It is without doubt well worth the £14.99 cover price and should be high on this
years reading list and I am pleased to say, I now know who Tom Farndon was!
ISBN 978 0 7524 5140 4
Available from all good bookshops or direct from the publishers the History
Press 01235 465500 who publish a whole range of excellent Speedway titles.
www.thehistorypress.co.uk