The Eddie Stobart Story: A Remarkable Rags to Riches Biography of a British Haulage Icon

by Hunter Davies

The world’s greatest haulier – a rags-to-riches tale of British entrepreneurialsim.

If you’ve never seen an Eddie Stobart truck, you’ve never driven down a British motorway.

This is the extraordinary story of a multi-million pound business that spawned a middle-class motorway game. Of dynastic struggles that ended in a merchandising shop opposite Carlisle cathedral.

A quintessentially British tale – written by the inimitable bestselling writer Hunter Davies, and with the full support of Eddie Stobart himself.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2001

About the author

Edward Hunter Davies OBE is an author, journalist and broadcaster, and a former editor for the Sunday Times of London. He is the author of numerous books, including The Glory Game and the only authorised biography of the Beatles. He was born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, to Scottish parents. For four years his family lived in Dumfries until Davies was aged 11.

His family moved to Carlisle in northern England when Davies was 11 and he attended the Creighton School in the city. Davies lived in Carlisle until he moved to study at university. During this time his father, who was a former Royal Air Force pay clerk, developed multiple sclerosis and had to retire on medical grounds from a civil service career.

Davies joined the sixth form at Carlisle Grammar School and was awarded a place at University College, Durham to read for an honours degree in History, but after his first year he switched to a general arts course. He gained his first writing experience as a student, contributing to the university newspaper, Palatinate, where one of his fellow student journalists was the future fashion writer Colin McDowell. After completing his degree course he stayed on at Durham for another year to gain a teaching diploma and avoid National Service.

He lives in London.

Reviews

[Jo Hurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started off well. The history of the haulage and transport industry was surprisingly interesting and I really enjoyed the history of how the company started. However it seemed to lose its way around halfway through and it became harder to read and less interesting. It started to seem like Hunter Davies had run out of interesting stuff and had to use a lot of filler. However it’s worth a read if you are a Stobart fan even if it only goes up to the year 2000, as it was written for the 30th anniversary.

[Janet Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyones seen these trucks so to read about the family history I found really interesting, whilst I agree with other reviewers that it's overly long.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A low four. Clear, basic history of the firm. Some of the stuff towards the end did seem to be padding. Published in 2001 so not up to date.

[Robbie Bond · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started off as an exciting read. The history of the haulage industry and how Eddie Stobart became brand recognizable without even trying was fascinating. The simple rags to riches story through determination and hard work is inspiring. Towards the end of the story it felt like Hunter Davies had run out of interesting stuff and had to use a lot of filler, or reference to previous stories. However it’s worth a read if you are a Stobart fan!
Unfortunately it only goes up to the year 2000, and doesn't cover the filming of the TV series.