by: David G. Styles
Paperback: 160 pages
Dimensions (in inches): 0.44 x 9.64 x 6.81
Publisher: Motorbooks International; (January 2001)
ISBN: 0760310041
wBW Moto Guzzi Book Reviews: Moto Guzzi – The Complete History from 1921 | Moto Guzzi: The Racing Story | Moto Guzzi Story | Moto Guzzi Twins Restoration | Moto Guzzi V-Twins: The Complete Story | Moto Guzzi: Forza in Movimento | Moto Guzzi Big Twins | Guzziology | wBW Moto Guzzi Page
Moto Guzzi: Forza in Movimento (“Force in Motion”) is a small book but has a wealth of information and photographs that cannot be found in other historical books on the marque. MBI Publishing is well known for its accurate and complete motorcycle and automobile books, and the combination of David Styles, an author of several books on historical automobile marques and MBI makes for a very good read.
I’m not sure if the MBI connection was responsible for the collection of photographs in this book, but there are many that were completely new to me. The book is almost a photographic history, albeit in black and white, but it’s filled with high-quality photos and illustrations of many rare Moto Guzzi motorcycles.
The photographs include Moto Guzzi scooters (I had not seen photos of these before in this detail); many racing bikes; the odd three-wheelers; and many rare models from the ’50’s and ’60’s, including one-off prototypes.
The history of Moto Guzzi is described in a way that brings it to life, rather than the dull narrative of most books. It starts with Carlo Guzzi and ends with the V11 of the late 1990’s, and includes chapters on Moto Guzzi’s racing history and the struggles to enter the “new era” from the 1960’s on.
I’m a “Guzzi Groupie” — one of these days I’m going to own one, but until then, if I had to choose from only one Moto Guzzi book, this would be it.
wBW Rating: 