In 1798; Napoleon Bonaparte; only twenty-eight; set sail for Egypt with 335 ships; 40;000 soldiers; and a collection of scholars; artists; and scientists to establish an eastern empire. He saw himself as a liberator; freeing the Egyptians from oppression. But Napoleon wasn’t the first—nor the last—who tragically misunderstood Muslim culture. Marching across seemingly endless deserts in the shadow of the pyramids; pushed to the limits of human endurance; his men would be plagued by mirages; suicides; and the constant threat of ambush. A crusade begun in honor would degenerate into chaos. And yet his grand failure also yielded a treasure trove of knowledge that paved the way for modern Egyptology—and it tempered the complex leader who believed himself destined to conquer the world.
#38313 in Books 2010-06-17 2010-06-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .86 x 5.31l; .70 #File Name: 0547336055336 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Why aren't there ten stars?By Philip W. MayFor people addicted to the car disease this is one super book. I thought I was pretty tuned in back when Hank Deuce decided to go for Ferrari's jugular. But this book revealed all kinds of stuff I missed-- big and little. Big stuff; like the fact that Enzo Ferrari had an illegitimate son. Little stuff like Bruce McClaren having one leg shorter than the other. Also a detailed description of Carroll Shelby's Cobra and Mustang GT350 operation at Los Angeles airport. And a lot of new info on Ken Miles-- one of my heroes because of his MG Specials. And so much more. I worked for an ad agency on Wilshire Blvd. in L.A. in the mid-'60s and would drive my MG TC home to Redondo Beach on Pacific Coast Highway every night for two reasons: 1. To hear the car's neat exhaust sound in the tunnel under LAX's runway. 2. To drive past the parking lot for Shelby's operation to see row after row of finished Cobras and GT350s. And I would covet them! Big time! Please don't tell God. Weekends were spent at Riverside; Goleta; Laguna Seca and other tracks watching names in this book race. I didn't give Mr. Baime's book Arsenal of Democracy" a very good review because; unlike this Ford/Ferrari book; I didn't really learn anything new. Maybe that's because I've read a lot about Ford in the last 60 years. But Go Like Hell is really one helluva book so go like hell to order it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Go Like Hell. And Then Go FurtherBy BcorigFirst of all; being; or having been; a race car nut is helpful if you wish to enjoy this book.In 1970; after the Ford assault on LeMans I came interested in American Sports Car racing. In '70 - '72 I did some work; nothing to really speak of; with the SCCA out at Bridgehampton through friend at work named Rick Holzer.In that my interests were A through G class sports car racing; FIA Group 5 Sport and Prototype; F-1 Trans Am; Can Am and IROC. NASCAR; INDY and Formula 5000 not so much. I read avidly of the 917; 512 T20 racers but got to the tracks (Watkins Glen; Mosport; Riverside) after they they had been outlawed although I did get to personally witness Roger Penske's Sunoco Porsche 917 essentially destroy the Can Am Series in 1973. I had a subscription to Competition Press/Autoweek for 10 years.My interest in this book was piqued by a man named Jim King; who gives daily tours at the Shelby American dealership; factory and museum just south of the Mandalay Bay Casino in Paradise Nevada.This is the history of two men and their cars. Enzo Ferrari and Henry Ford II as well as that amazing racer; car builder and salesman; Carroll Shelby.Reading it is a pleasure and provides a sentimental journey; through what was a very exciting time in international Sportscar and Formula 1 Racing. However; it is just a sampler and points you in various directions at the end of the book.Baime gives you a glimpse into how this period of time and particular circumstance foreshadowed the Global Economy; the Reckoning of Japan's automotive influence; the ascendancy or Ralph Nader and the personality of Carroll Shelby; to name a few. If you want more you'll have to read more. For example; next on my list "Inside Shelby Racing" by John Morton.So; "Go Like Hell" provides a valuable and entertaining jumping off point for a variety of topics that pertain to; or were influenced by; Sports Car racing in the United States as the country went through radical changes in that period of time known as The Sixties.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Gear-Head's Delight!By ReadalotsEveryone who knows me; knows that I am a consummate car-guy. Specifically; I lead the pack in a Dodge. Everyone; also; knows that in the history of auto racing- Chrysler's Hemi continues unbeatable. No Fords; Chevros; or Ferraris; around here ever pass my Challenger without permission!That said... I find AJ Baime's "Go Like Hell" (2009 304-page hardback) absorbing. This brilliant text is a quick read for the auto racing enthusiast. The book is well-written from interviews; book research; and the author's personal touring of the car racing world. It is comfortably resourced with 23 pages of end notes and eight helpful pages of period black-n-white and color photographs.Baime presents the fast paced; colorful; story of Enzo Ferrari's and Henry Ford II's early and mid 1960s battle for the face of Formula One auto racing. Their fight across the race tracks of Europe and America; posited curiously by the author as an extension of World War II; reveals Ferrari's personal nationalism and Ford's familial obsession to win regardless. The story is dramatic; tragic; exciting; and memorable.Author Baime brings statistics; celebrity conversations; colloquial expression; sports analysis; and personal reflection to this gripping ride through Ford's herculean efforts to beat Ferrari. Readers meet Lee Iacocca; Carroll Shelby; Phil Hill; John Surtees; Ken Miles; Phil Remington; Dino Ferrari; Giovanni Agnelli; Bruce McLaren; Mario Andretti; and many more. The various 1959-1967 Ferrari and Ford racing models are reviewed from tread to top and bumper to bumper. The development of Ferrari's 4 liter V-12 and the birth of Ford's historic 427 cid (7 liter) motors are told with reverence and insight.Baime relates brilliant victories (at Indy; Daytona; Riverside; Sebring; Monza; Le Mans; and many more); pit row personality conflicts (between Goodyear and Firestone contractees); auto industry management mistakes (don't race a Ford with and Italian gear box!); fiery race car crashes; and "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat"; as Jim McKay used to say. An informative history of Le Mans wheels adeptly through the story like a Ferrari 330 P3's romp down the Mulsanne at 210 mph. This book is a gear-head's delight!Baime's writing style is quick; concise; and forward; much like the race pilots of which he writes. You won't want to put this book down. Beware; there is some gruff language here (steering the book away from a fifth star) mostly in quotes. But; what else would one expect from the hard running-win at all cost-racing scene (and a "Playboy" magazine editor writing about it)?If you have a spouse; relative; friend; or acquaintance who loves auto racing this book is an excellent gift candidate. If you're a gear-head wanting to learn about the face of racing in the 1960s this book is a must-read.
