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James Hunt: The Biography
James Hunt burst on the Formula One scene with a reputation for reckless driving, and a reckless lifestyle. Tragically his life was cut short at the age of just 46 by a heart attack. Triumphing against all the odds to become the Formula One World Drivers' Champion, Hunt sank into a period of decadence and depression…only to be rejuvenated when he found love in his personal life. With personal contentment came a renewed zest for life resulting in one one of the most colourful and controversial figures in Grand Prix racing being best remembered by those close to him as a fun-loving, caring man who had a genuinely uplifting presence – qualities that shine through in Gerald Donaldson's compelling and moving account of his life.
384 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1994
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About the author
Gerald Donaldson
23 books3 followersBesides being an avid and devoted frogophile, Gerald Donaldson is co-author of The Exercise Book, and The Book of Days and author of The Walking Book.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 19, 2025
Biografia Jamesa Hunta je skutočnou jazdou plnou emócií, ktorá ma zasiahla oveľa viac, než som čakala. Donaldson sa podujal na náročnú úlohu priblížiť život tohto neobyčajného pretekára, a to nielen jeho profesionálne úspechy, ale aj jeho osobné boje, vďaka čomu sa kniha stáva nielen príbehom o automobilových pretekoch, ale aj o človeku, ktorý nikdy neprestával bojovať, aj keď jeho život bol plný chaosu.
Kniha ma úplne pohltila a priniesla mi nielen nové informácie, ale aj fascinujúce pohľady na Huntovu osobnosť. Autentické spomienky priateľov, rodiny a kolegov dávajú čitateľovi hlboký pohľad na človeka, ktorý sa nikdy nezastavil, vždy išiel za svojím cieľom, aj keď sa na začiatku zdalo, že nemá šancu. Hunt bol rebelskej povahy, nenávidel pravidlá, čo mu neskôr prinieslo povesť nebezpečného pretekára, ktorého nie vždy bolo ľahké pochopiť, no jeho vášeň a nezlomnosť boli obdivuhodné.
Okrem jeho úspechov na trati, ako bolo senzačné víťazstvo v majstrovstvách sveta v roku 1976, Donaldson bez okolkov ukazuje aj tie temnejšie stránky Huntovho života, jeho boje so závislosťami, alkoholom a búrlivým životným štýlom. Tieto pasáže sú skutočne silné, pretože čitateľ vidí nielen víťazstvá, ale aj to, aký veľký tlak tento muž niesol. Zaujalo ma, ako autor podrobne opisuje Huntovu nervozitu pred pretekmi – jeho záchvaty úzkosti, ktoré si musel vyvážiť bujarými večierkami. Bolo to ako pohľad do života človeka, ktorý sa nestratil ani v najtemnejších momentoch, hoci na povrchu to tak niekedy nevyzeralo.
Hunt a Niki Lauda, jeho najväčší rival, boli nielen súpermi na trati, ale aj priateľmi, čo robí ich príbeh ešte viac fascinujúcim. Donaldson zachytil túto komplikovanú vzťahovú dynamiku s takým súcitom a precíznosťou, že ma to donútilo premýšľať o tom, aké silné je priateľstvo, aj v tom najostrejšom konkurenčnom prostredí. Nehoda Nikiho Laudu, ktorá otriasla celým motoršportom, je opísaná s takou intenzitou, že som si na chvíľu myslela, že som sa ocitla priamo na trati.
Kniha nie je len o pretekoch, ale o živote, ktorý bol plný rizika, ale aj zábavy, nástrah a intenzívnych pocitov. Huntova cesta je plná momentov, ktoré sú odvážne, vtipné, ale aj smutné. A hoci kniha niekedy mohla ísť ešte hlbšie do niektorých temnejších stránok jeho života, zostala pre mňa výnimočnou, plnou nepredvídateľnosti, nádeje a lekcií o tom, ako bojovať za svoj sen, aj keď svet hovorí, že to nejde.
Ak hľadáte inšpiratívny príbeh plný emócií, humoru, drámy a obrovského odhodlania, táto biografia je pre vás. Nezáleží na tom, či ste fanúšikom motoršportu alebo len máte radi príbehy o výnimočných ľuďoch – táto kniha vám ukáže, že cesta k úspechu nie je nikdy rovná, ale je to práve ten strmý, náročný výstup, ktorý robí život nezabudnuteľným.
Kniha ma úplne pohltila a priniesla mi nielen nové informácie, ale aj fascinujúce pohľady na Huntovu osobnosť. Autentické spomienky priateľov, rodiny a kolegov dávajú čitateľovi hlboký pohľad na človeka, ktorý sa nikdy nezastavil, vždy išiel za svojím cieľom, aj keď sa na začiatku zdalo, že nemá šancu. Hunt bol rebelskej povahy, nenávidel pravidlá, čo mu neskôr prinieslo povesť nebezpečného pretekára, ktorého nie vždy bolo ľahké pochopiť, no jeho vášeň a nezlomnosť boli obdivuhodné.
Okrem jeho úspechov na trati, ako bolo senzačné víťazstvo v majstrovstvách sveta v roku 1976, Donaldson bez okolkov ukazuje aj tie temnejšie stránky Huntovho života, jeho boje so závislosťami, alkoholom a búrlivým životným štýlom. Tieto pasáže sú skutočne silné, pretože čitateľ vidí nielen víťazstvá, ale aj to, aký veľký tlak tento muž niesol. Zaujalo ma, ako autor podrobne opisuje Huntovu nervozitu pred pretekmi – jeho záchvaty úzkosti, ktoré si musel vyvážiť bujarými večierkami. Bolo to ako pohľad do života človeka, ktorý sa nestratil ani v najtemnejších momentoch, hoci na povrchu to tak niekedy nevyzeralo.
Hunt a Niki Lauda, jeho najväčší rival, boli nielen súpermi na trati, ale aj priateľmi, čo robí ich príbeh ešte viac fascinujúcim. Donaldson zachytil túto komplikovanú vzťahovú dynamiku s takým súcitom a precíznosťou, že ma to donútilo premýšľať o tom, aké silné je priateľstvo, aj v tom najostrejšom konkurenčnom prostredí. Nehoda Nikiho Laudu, ktorá otriasla celým motoršportom, je opísaná s takou intenzitou, že som si na chvíľu myslela, že som sa ocitla priamo na trati.
Kniha nie je len o pretekoch, ale o živote, ktorý bol plný rizika, ale aj zábavy, nástrah a intenzívnych pocitov. Huntova cesta je plná momentov, ktoré sú odvážne, vtipné, ale aj smutné. A hoci kniha niekedy mohla ísť ešte hlbšie do niektorých temnejších stránok jeho života, zostala pre mňa výnimočnou, plnou nepredvídateľnosti, nádeje a lekcií o tom, ako bojovať za svoj sen, aj keď svet hovorí, že to nejde.
Ak hľadáte inšpiratívny príbeh plný emócií, humoru, drámy a obrovského odhodlania, táto biografia je pre vás. Nezáleží na tom, či ste fanúšikom motoršportu alebo len máte radi príbehy o výnimočných ľuďoch – táto kniha vám ukáže, že cesta k úspechu nie je nikdy rovná, ale je to práve ten strmý, náročný výstup, ktorý robí život nezabudnuteľným.
August 13, 2013
It's respectful without falling into hero-worship, and it's informative without succumbing to excessive verbosity: if you only read one James Hunt biography (and with Rush due to hit theatres soon, many probably will), make it this one.
Gerald Donaldson brought his "A" game for this one, putting together a densely-packed, highly readable summary of the extraordinary life of James Hunt, best known for sensationally winning the 1976 Formula 1 World Championship, for being a gorgeous poster boy for the anti-establishment counterculture of the 1970's (in the UK at least), and for living as the hedonist's hedonist for much of that time.
Donaldson's book covers all of that, and plenty more, with an affectionate and good-natured tone that is a pleasure to read. He neither glosses over Hunt's more appalling moments, but nor does he condemn them, being more interested - the mark of the true biographer - in understanding his subject's mind in such moments. There's also hardly a page in it that isn't aided by a quote from someone who was there, and although many of them are in Formula 1's "public domain", much of it doesn't show up anywhere else - most notably Alastair Caldwell, McLaren's engineering chief in the forgotten era before Ron Dennis.
To me the book's only real flaw is that it shies away from really delving into the darker part of Hunt's life in the late 1980's. Some have speculated that, like Heath Ledger, his extraordinary energy was a result of bipolar disorder. I have no idea if this has been established medically, but it's an intriguing idea that should have been explored. Certainly nobody realised how much James was driven by his own inner demons until after his death, and the later chapters should have shone a newer, darker light on his mid-70's heyday of partying, substance abuse and seat-of-the-pants driving. But it doesn't, and the book is slightly one-dimensional as a result.
But nevertheless, if the movie has you pumped up wanting to read more about the life of one of Formula 1's most famous (or infamous) personalities, look no further. Gerald Donaldson has you covered.
Gerald Donaldson brought his "A" game for this one, putting together a densely-packed, highly readable summary of the extraordinary life of James Hunt, best known for sensationally winning the 1976 Formula 1 World Championship, for being a gorgeous poster boy for the anti-establishment counterculture of the 1970's (in the UK at least), and for living as the hedonist's hedonist for much of that time.
Donaldson's book covers all of that, and plenty more, with an affectionate and good-natured tone that is a pleasure to read. He neither glosses over Hunt's more appalling moments, but nor does he condemn them, being more interested - the mark of the true biographer - in understanding his subject's mind in such moments. There's also hardly a page in it that isn't aided by a quote from someone who was there, and although many of them are in Formula 1's "public domain", much of it doesn't show up anywhere else - most notably Alastair Caldwell, McLaren's engineering chief in the forgotten era before Ron Dennis.
To me the book's only real flaw is that it shies away from really delving into the darker part of Hunt's life in the late 1980's. Some have speculated that, like Heath Ledger, his extraordinary energy was a result of bipolar disorder. I have no idea if this has been established medically, but it's an intriguing idea that should have been explored. Certainly nobody realised how much James was driven by his own inner demons until after his death, and the later chapters should have shone a newer, darker light on his mid-70's heyday of partying, substance abuse and seat-of-the-pants driving. But it doesn't, and the book is slightly one-dimensional as a result.
But nevertheless, if the movie has you pumped up wanting to read more about the life of one of Formula 1's most famous (or infamous) personalities, look no further. Gerald Donaldson has you covered.
October 8, 2024
Engaging and capturing the emotional depth behind Hunt’s career, this biography reveals the man behind the F1 rock star image. Hunt was known for his charisma, risk-less driving style, and playboy persona, but I had no idea how insecure he was despite his bold, fearless image on the grid. His talent could have cast him as a mythic figure, yet he remained as human as any of us. James was true to himself! He did struggle with the pressure of his rivalry with Niki, a flawless driver. I loved how James and Niki eventually became true friends, despite their intense competition. It’s also heartbreaking how soon Hunt retired—not just a playboy who partied, smoked, and drank all the time, but a man who felt the heavy burden of the racing world. In the end, he proved his greatness and gracefully stepped away as a legend.
April 13, 2013
James Hunt's Formula One career was brief but memorable, and never more so than in 1976 when he challenged Niki Lauda for the World Championship, a gripping story soon to be told on film in Ron Howard's upcoming (September 2013) film "Rush." Donaldson, previously the author of a well-written biography of Canadian Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve, was working with Hunt on this book at the time of Hunt's untimely death of a heart attack in 1994. Hunt's life and racing career are covered ably, as is his life after racing, when his calm baritone voice and crisp analysis became the antithesis to Murray Walker's often wacky enthusiasm on BBC F1 broadcasts. Donaldson does not back away from the fact (as indeed James did not) that Hunt was a man with demons - sex and substance addiction, massive depression coupled with periods of mania, and yet reveals ably that James also was in his own way a good man who loved his children, adored his dog Oscar, played the trumpet well, raised champion budgies, and prayed regularly. Towards the end of his life Hunt got to grips with his problems, and it would be interesting to know if he took advantage of the new antidepressants coming in to use at the time. In fact, Donaldson would have been well advised to get some commentary and analysis from a psychologist or two on just what propelled, motivated, and obsessed Hunt. This paperback edition is somewhat indifferently proofread, but will give readers an absorbing introduction to James Hunt and his life in and out of Formula One.
August 11, 2012
When Formula 1 racing was real racing (no electronic controls etc. just sheer power and pilot control) there were people like Hunt. From a struggling and little promising career in the lower formulas to the thrilling 1976 F1 title. A flat out biography that present an involving human side about Hunt unknown to many...
July 25, 2014
to be honest I am not a big fan of motor racing so I am not sure why I thought I would be interested in this book.
having seen the movie 'rush' I can only assume it was because I wanted to know more of the story behind the film.
the book was ok from what I read and I got a basic understanding of what kind of person hunt was.
I do recommend for the formula one fans who remember hunt
having seen the movie 'rush' I can only assume it was because I wanted to know more of the story behind the film.
the book was ok from what I read and I got a basic understanding of what kind of person hunt was.
I do recommend for the formula one fans who remember hunt
February 7, 2013
The first half of this book is the best thing I have ever read, the second is dull dull dull. Buy it, read half of it and walk away having had a bloody good time.
August 2, 2023
Hľadáte tip na dovolenkové čítanie? Radosť čítať túto biografiu! Gerald Donaldson prostredníctvom spomienok, vtipných a poriadne korenistých historiek, rozhovorov s rodinou, kolegami a priateľmi Jamesa Hunta prináša celistvý obraz neobyčajnej životnej cesty tohto kontroverzného a talentovaného pretekára. Bez zbytočného velebenia alebo zatvárania očí nad jeho démonmi ukazuje, aký bol James Hunt nielen z profesionálneho hľadiska, ale aj z ľudskej stránky.
A je to riadna jazda! Z Hunta podľa mnohých nikdy nemal šancu byť profesionálny pretekár (prezývka “Hunt the Shunt” nevznikla len tak náhodou) a on v roku 1976 porazil Nikiho Laudu a vyhral majstrovstvá sveta Formuly 1.
Obdivovala som, s akým odhodlaním preskákal cez všetky problémy v začiatkoch a išiel za svojím snom. Huntova cesta však nie je len o prekonávaní prekážok, ale aj o užívaní si života naplno, a tým naplno myslím bujaré večierky v 70. rokoch, kde nebola núdza o ženy a hektolitre alkoholu, návykové látky.
Tlak, ktorý na pretekoch zažíval, predsa nejako musel vyvážiť… „Pred každými pretekmi som bol nervózny, zvlášť keď boli pre mňa dôležité… Než som vôbec nastúpil do auta, ogrcal som všetko naokolo a na rošte zo mňa zostala len trasúca sa troska.”
Bezpečnostné štandardy boli v tých dobách predsa len iné ako dnes a škaredé nehody neboli výnimočné. Aj Hunt sa občas skrvavený nevyhol hospitalizácii. „V snahe rozveseliť ho najali kolegovia z Formuly 3 Jamesovi „špecialistku” s odbornými znalosťami v oblasti starostlivosti o zranených jazdcov na nemocničnom lôžku. Keď sestrička vstúpila do izby, šokovaná našla Jamesa, opäť s veľkým pivom v ruke, a dámu uprostred špeciálnej a intímnej liečebnej procedúry.”
Veď vravím, rozhodne sa nebudete nudiť… ;)
A je to riadna jazda! Z Hunta podľa mnohých nikdy nemal šancu byť profesionálny pretekár (prezývka “Hunt the Shunt” nevznikla len tak náhodou) a on v roku 1976 porazil Nikiho Laudu a vyhral majstrovstvá sveta Formuly 1.
Obdivovala som, s akým odhodlaním preskákal cez všetky problémy v začiatkoch a išiel za svojím snom. Huntova cesta však nie je len o prekonávaní prekážok, ale aj o užívaní si života naplno, a tým naplno myslím bujaré večierky v 70. rokoch, kde nebola núdza o ženy a hektolitre alkoholu, návykové látky.
Tlak, ktorý na pretekoch zažíval, predsa nejako musel vyvážiť… „Pred každými pretekmi som bol nervózny, zvlášť keď boli pre mňa dôležité… Než som vôbec nastúpil do auta, ogrcal som všetko naokolo a na rošte zo mňa zostala len trasúca sa troska.”
Bezpečnostné štandardy boli v tých dobách predsa len iné ako dnes a škaredé nehody neboli výnimočné. Aj Hunt sa občas skrvavený nevyhol hospitalizácii. „V snahe rozveseliť ho najali kolegovia z Formuly 3 Jamesovi „špecialistku” s odbornými znalosťami v oblasti starostlivosti o zranených jazdcov na nemocničnom lôžku. Keď sestrička vstúpila do izby, šokovaná našla Jamesa, opäť s veľkým pivom v ruke, a dámu uprostred špeciálnej a intímnej liečebnej procedúry.”
Veď vravím, rozhodne sa nebudete nudiť… ;)
January 6, 2024
Z (pre mňa) neznámeho Hunta sa stal človek, ktorý mal svoje lepšie aj horšie chvíle, ktorý bol húževnatý, nevzdával sa a videl cieľ, ktorý chcel dosiahnuť veľmi jasne. Autor Gerald Donaldson opisuje život Hunta od detstva, cez kariéru až po koniec jeho života. Dozvedela som sa mnoho informácií, ktoré som nevedela a doplnili mi kontext niektorých udalostí. Hunt a Lauda boli rivali a zároveň aj priatelia. Autor opisuje napríklad aj udalosti Laudovej nehody.
Autor nepíše len tak povrchne, snaží sa preniknúť pod povrch a toto jeho písanie čitateľa jednoznačne musí chytiť za srdce. Spojil (a podľa mňa to autora muselo stať naozaj veľmi veľa námahy) rôzne výroky, spomienky, útržky z rozhovorov s priateľmi, rodinou aj kolegami. Častokrát sú spomienky veľmi vtipné, niekdy až neuveriteľné historky veľmi dômyselne dopĺňajú celé rozprávanie a životnú cestu Hunta.
Knihu odporúčam nie len fanúšikom F1 , dovolím si ju odporučiť aj ľuďom, ktorí majú radi šport ako taký, či radi čítajú biografie. Kniha "Hunt" nebude krok vedľa. Zistíš, že ísť si za svojim cieľom naozaj prináša výsledky a zistíš aj, že príslovie 'všetkého veľa škodí' naozaj platí. Tento príbeh je inšpiratívny, vtipný a občas aj pritiahnutý za vlasy, ale taký bol život Hunta.
Autor nepíše len tak povrchne, snaží sa preniknúť pod povrch a toto jeho písanie čitateľa jednoznačne musí chytiť za srdce. Spojil (a podľa mňa to autora muselo stať naozaj veľmi veľa námahy) rôzne výroky, spomienky, útržky z rozhovorov s priateľmi, rodinou aj kolegami. Častokrát sú spomienky veľmi vtipné, niekdy až neuveriteľné historky veľmi dômyselne dopĺňajú celé rozprávanie a životnú cestu Hunta.
Knihu odporúčam nie len fanúšikom F1 , dovolím si ju odporučiť aj ľuďom, ktorí majú radi šport ako taký, či radi čítajú biografie. Kniha "Hunt" nebude krok vedľa. Zistíš, že ísť si za svojim cieľom naozaj prináša výsledky a zistíš aj, že príslovie 'všetkého veľa škodí' naozaj platí. Tento príbeh je inšpiratívny, vtipný a občas aj pritiahnutý za vlasy, ale taký bol život Hunta.
October 18, 2025
I am ashamed to say I was gifted this book a few years ago but had no intentions of reading it. I ended up giving it away to a local train station (a give a book, take a book kind of thing) and hadn't thought about it since.
Skip forward to recently reading the Biography of Murray Walker by Maurice Hamilton and it mentions on a few occasions how much Murray respected James. It got me intrigued.
All I ever knew about James Hunt was what the movie Rush shows us, dramatised, then some random bits and bobs from YouTube videos about Formula 1 in general. I wish I had read this earlier.
James Hunt has now become one of my favourite drivers from F1 history, along with others like Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda and Jim Clark, to name a few.
If you have an interest in Formula 1 then I recommend this book. But also if you have an interest in intriguing people. A truly great read.
P.S. I chose to read this biography as Murray Walker recommended people to do so after he read it after it was initially released.
Skip forward to recently reading the Biography of Murray Walker by Maurice Hamilton and it mentions on a few occasions how much Murray respected James. It got me intrigued.
All I ever knew about James Hunt was what the movie Rush shows us, dramatised, then some random bits and bobs from YouTube videos about Formula 1 in general. I wish I had read this earlier.
James Hunt has now become one of my favourite drivers from F1 history, along with others like Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda and Jim Clark, to name a few.
If you have an interest in Formula 1 then I recommend this book. But also if you have an interest in intriguing people. A truly great read.
P.S. I chose to read this biography as Murray Walker recommended people to do so after he read it after it was initially released.
March 1, 2023
Hunt wasn't always the most likeable fellow, but he was fiercely independent and a definite free spirit. He did what he wanted and to hell with whether you liked it or not. He could also be very charming. Even though he had a relatively short F1 career he was only really successful in one season. But as someone said, he packed more into his 45 years than most of us do in twice that. I don't know what it was about the writing but it always felt a little restrained.
November 7, 2018
The definitive James Hunt biography
This book is packed full of interviews with friends and family and even Hunt himself. Donaldson has clearly done a lot of research which really adds to the narrative.
The book feels really comprehensive covering the whole career. It is an read and a great insight into the character of a very interesting man.
This book is packed full of interviews with friends and family and even Hunt himself. Donaldson has clearly done a lot of research which really adds to the narrative.
The book feels really comprehensive covering the whole career. It is an read and a great insight into the character of a very interesting man.
August 18, 2017
Interesting insight into the life and career of a sporting superstar
February 20, 2020
Great read!
Absolute detailed account of the magnificent life of James Hunt! Well worth the time to sit back and read! Must read!
Absolute detailed account of the magnificent life of James Hunt! Well worth the time to sit back and read! Must read!
September 3, 2020
I agree with Dean - what a character Hunt was!
October 6, 2018
Fantastic read - what a character Hunt was.
February 21, 2010
Donaldson totally nails James Hunt the man and James Hunt the racer in this definitive biography of Britain's 1976 World F1 Champion. Hilarious, sad, moving and nail biting - all in one book. Sublime.
May 13, 2013
As "sports bios" go, this is one of the very best. Donaldson combines his own writing with alot of very valuable "oral history". The result is a portrait of a man-in-full. Hunt was a larger-than-life-character and is, unlike so many sports figures, worthy of a biography.
October 19, 2013
Read the biography after watching "Rush". James Hunt undoubtedly is a legend in his sport and his short life is as dramatic as the film itself. His racing against Niki Lauder in1976 is something to remember and it is a pity that James went downhill afterwards and never get back to the top again.
October 7, 2014
I wish the movie Rush had portrayed the real Hunt instead of the detuned version. A real character never to be seen in Formula One again or any major sport for that matter due to corporatisation and political correctness.
June 5, 2008
A talented waste. Money and bad advice - insecurity and poor support.
April 3, 2014
Very good book on the life of a great f1 driver.
April 17, 2017
An amazing account for an amazing man taken too soon.
November 28, 2015
Brilliant ,Brilliant, Brilliant book on a Sporting legend ,superbly written, one to re read ,I v read its the "definitive" account of his life ,I can easily believe it .
December 28, 2015
James Hunt's life makes for very interesting reading.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews