Wednesday 5th October 2022

BOOK REVIEW By Peter Baker

S.F. Edge: Maker of Motoring History 

The most valuable commodity we have in terms of history, is first-hand knowledge. Therefore, it is important, nay imperative, that we put on record biographies while the subjects are still living and breathing.

I’m not saying this book is not factually correct but, by its very nature, is no more than a cold list, lacking intimacy. I read this book wanting to know what made Edge tick. Was he generally a good bloke, for example? And in that regard, I learned nothing. For his or her £45, the reader is entitled to walk away feeling he/she has actually met the man, and formed an opinion. So, the point is, not what Mr. Edge achieved, which was much, but the manner of that achievement. Was he a grumpy old bugger, hard to work for, or was he, as I’ve already mentioned, a good bloke?

Selwyn Francis Edge, born in 1868, lived through the invective age of the motor car, but ignored the insults. Instead, along with the likes of Du Cross, Napier and Lawson, ‘SF’ set to and rapidly created an effective British motoring infrastructure that we all now refer to as the ‘industry’. He was a keen cyclist, and later a skilled racing driver, winning many times for king and country. Even before Brooklands had officially opened in 1907, he had used the track to break records. Naturally, as most entrepreneurs did in those early days, he flew aeroplanes, invested and in most cases, both with cars and aviation, made a profit, sufficient certainly to buy himself a big house in the country, surrounded by acres of arable land. Mr. Edge then enjoyed later life acting out the role of gentleman farmer.

This is a very well-written book with, as far as I can tell, no mistakes, written by a Napier-owning Simon Fisher, and published by Evro. Sadly, they have omitted a dust jacket, which, at this price, is a bit penny-pinching. Nevertheless, as the evenings begin to draw in, I recommend this book and a glass of wine, both to be enjoyed in front of a blazing fire. Five stars.

S.F. EDGE: MAKER OF MOTORING HISTORY
Written by Simon Fisher
ISBN 978-1-910505-79-3
Published by Evro Pubishing
Price £45.00