Eibach Motorcycle Springs

A wickedly funny and astute chronicle of the 1996 presidential campaign--and how we go about choosing our leaders at the turn of the century. In it Michael Lewis brings to the political scene the same brilliance that distinguished his celebrated best-seller about the financial world, Liar's Poker. Beginning with the primaries, Lewis traveled across America--a concerned citizen who happened to ride in candidates' airplanes (as well as rented cars in blinding New Hampshire blizzards) and write about their adventures. Among the contenders he observed: Pat Buchanan, a walking tour of American anger; Lamar Alexander, who appealed to people who pretend to be nice to get ahead; Steve Forbes, frozen in a smile and refusing to answer questions about his father's motorcycles; Alan Keyes, one of the great political speakers of our age, whom no one has ever heard of; Morry Taylor--"the Grizz"--the hugely successful businessman who became the refreshing embodiment of ordinary Americans' appetites and ambitions; Bob Dole, a man who set out to prove he would never be president; and Bill Clinton, the big snow goose who flew too high to be shot out of the sky. We watch the cliches of this peculiar subculture collide with characters from the real world: a pig farmer in Iowa; an evangelical preacher in Colorado Springs; a homeless person in Manhattan; a prospective illegal immigrant in Mexico. The politicians speak and speak, often reversing positions, denying direct quotations, mastering the sound bite, dodging hard questions, wreaking havoc on the English language. Spin doctors spin. Rented strangers (campaign workers) proliferate. One particular toe sucker goes awry. Ads are honed tomisrepresent and distort. Money makes the world go round. And the citizens are left dumbfounded or cheering empty platitudes. When trail fever breaks on Election Day, half of America's eligible voters stay home.

A French Kiss with Death: Steve McQueen and the Making of Le Mans: The Man--The Race--The Cars--The Movie examines the life of actor Steve McQueen, the films in which he appeared and his love affair with the many cars and motorcycles he owned during his lifetime. The book details the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the backgrounds of Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lola, Matra and Porsche leading up to the 1970 Manufacturers' Championship Series. You're there when Steve hones his driving skills in his Porsche 908 at Willow Springs, Phoenix and Riverside; and at the 1970 Daytona 24 Hours, 12 Hours of Sebring, and 24 Hours of Le Mans, on which the film Le Mans was based. A major portion of the book gives a detailed behind-the-scenes account of the making of Le Mans--from start to finish--with insightful and entertaining stories from some of the key players involved in the making of the film, both from behind the cameras and behind the wheels of the more than 25 cars used during the production: Alfa Romeos, Corvettes, Chevrons, Ferraris, Porches, Lotas, & Matras. Chapters: 1. Author's Notes 2. Foreword 3. Wheels & Reels 4. The Man and the Machine 5. Twice Around the Clock 6. Havin' A Ball 7. Rules & Regulations 8. Alfa Romeo 9. Ferrari 10. Lola, 11. Matra 12. Porsche 13. 24 Hours of Daytona 14. Getting Competitive 15. 12 Hours of Sebring 16. Test Weekend 17. Cracks in the Facade 18.