The Life of Senna (The Life of Senna - Tom Rubython)

Member Name: Palmer89

Product:	The Life of Senna - Tom Rubython
Date:	19/06/09 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Compelling read about one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, lots of background information

Disadvantages: Any?

As an avid Formula One fan I've always heard a lot about Ayrton Senna, I started watching the sport in 1996, 2 years after his death and have always been interested about what happen on May 1st 1994 at Imola, I was told to read this book by a fellow F1 fan and it's the best F1 related book I have read as well as the best biography about the life of what many people perceive to be the greatest Formula One driver of all time.

The book is written by Tom Rubython who has been involved with Formula One with many a year now whom tracks the Senna story from his karting days until the aftermath of his death. I like the way the book starts, it's interesting that it starts with his death briefly before going into the chronological order taking us through his life. I have had a somewhat fascination with Ayrton Senna since getting into Formula One and this book is a great read for any fan of the sport.

The book covers most aspects of his life from his early days, his love live, his family, homes and even his housekeeper. The chapter about his death is compelling and horrifying as Rubython writes down what professor Sid Watkins saw as he lifted the helmet off Ayrtons head, it's a disgusting read and images that shouldn't really be planted in your head. He also talks about how numerous drivers such as Berger went in to see Ayrton and the emotion running through the weekend is portrayed in the book extremely well, you don't realise the background and aftermath of his death until reading this book such as what was going through his girlfriends mind back in Brazil who was told whilst on the plane that he had died.

I was also very intrigued to read that there are actually pictures taken by an Italian photographer who had taken pictures of Senna with his helmet off whilst sat in the car, of course these have never been published and albeit many large offers having come in for them have never been sold, I feel slightly sadistic in the sense that I'm sure they'd be interesting (perhaps the wrong word) to look at, I guess it's all part of the human curiosity.

The book also has 3 sets of pictures to view from his early day, to his Mclaren and Lotus days to his final days with Williams, some very interesting and chilling pictures.

A compelling read for any major F1 fan

Summary: The Life of Senna is a great read