The Boy: Stirling Moss: A Life in 60 Laps

by Richard Williams

'Captures the bold, engaging spirit of one of Britain’s best-loved sporting heroes' Sunday Times'A fascinating read and sure to be the definitive account of his life' Mark KnopflerSHORTLISTED FOR THE SPORTS WRITING BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDEven in the midst of a global pandemic, the death of Stirling Moss on 12 April 2020 at the age of 90 made headlines, almost 60 years after he retired from Formula One. In The Boy, Richard Williams assesses what made him such an iconic figure.Told in 60 brief chapters, Williams builds a fascinating and revealing portrait of a driver who was a hero to millions. As the long years of war began to recede, sport in Britain was getting moving again and there was a need for heroes. Denis Compton and Stanley Matthews were in their pomp, playing to packed houses. But Stirling Moss was a fresh face, just 17 years old when he first emerged in 1947. Too young to have served and been scarred by the war, he was soon revealed to possess not only an unearthly degree of skill but the qualities of courage and resolution noted in the generation that fought in the air and on land and sea. Their youth had been stolen; his was new and unspoiled.The Boy explains how and why he came to occupy such a unique place in the esteem and the affections of the nation. Why him, rather than some of his contemporaries, such as Mike Hawthorn and Peter Collins, who shared a role in the rise of Britain as a power in international motor racing? Moss may never have been world champion, but he created a remarkable and enduring legacy, and Williams brilliantly shows just how he did it.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2021

About the author

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This is Richard^Williams, a catch-all for authors who can't be matched to one of the other specific ones.

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was born well after Sir Stirling Moss’s retirement, but I was aware of him and admired him from an early age. Partly because he was a national hero, but also because I was fascinated by the era of motorsport he came to represent. I was even lucky enough to see him drive several times, at Goodwood.

This book isn’t a detailed biography, or an exhaustive account of his races (surely there were too many?). Instead in 60 very short chronological chapters, each covering a different event or aspect of Moss’s life, some significant - some less so, some in a racing car and some not, the author builds a engrossing picture of Moss’s life, the person he was and the choices he made. And, because this is a Richard Williams book, there are many fascinating asides and anecdotes about various aspects of motorsport history.

This is, simply, a wonderful book. The author’s love & respect for Sir Stirling shine through every page. Is it objective? I think so, but honestly I don’t care, and I don’t think that’s really the point of this book.

[Jeremy Ainsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am old enough to have seen Moss and his rivals Hawthorn & Collins race. This book is a very balanced modern take on Moss's heyday. Like other reviews this one makes clear his limitations as well as his strengths and the the demands of driving 170 - 180 mph F1 cars on skinny tyres and the the attendant arcane skill of the true four-wheel drift.. A race I remember was the 1958 British Grand Prix which Peter Collins won comfortably. Moss broke his car trying to catch him. Hawthorn car started to burn oil having damaged his engine for similar reasons.. Moss survived them both to race in a more modern era
....

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much of an insight into how things were in motor racing in the 50s and 60's as a biography of Sir Stirling Moss. The later chapters were probably more interesting, as they mostly featured behind the scenes stories from both Moss's life and the races he entered, whilst the earlier chapters were a little too technical for my liking. But overall an interesting read.

[Kieran Atter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really well written biography of a flawed genius. This book details his miraculous achievements but also briefly details his rather unsavoury views. I love the brevity of the chapters too, which keeps the book from slowing down its pace.

[Diogo Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life of one of the greatest drivers of all time told in 60 small episodes of his carreer and personal life. A unique perspective over the genius who never got the world, but whose wins largely cross the limits of the track

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read describing a fascinating racing career. Probably the most gifted driver never to win the formula 1 world championship.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interestingly, there is no chronological organization to this biography, making it very difficult for me to follow it. Lots of great stories and facts, though.

[Mark Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Knew Moss was a legend but never really knew why. Brief but entertaining run thru his life.

[Keith Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A enjoyable book about the life of the great Stirling Moss. Well resourced and giving a balanced account of his life and time.