Books Archives | Wind Burned Eyes

Book Review – ‘The Complete Book of Ducati Motorcycles, 2nd Edition: Every Model Since 1946’ by Ian Falloon

There’s a certain romance to Ducati motorcycles, a blend of Italian artistry and engineering wizardry that seduces riders and enthusiasts alike. Ian Falloon’s The Complete Book of Ducati Motorcycles, 2nd Edition: Every Model Since 1946 isn’t just a book; it’s an ode to that passion, a comprehensive chronicle that captures Ducati’s DNA in glossy pages and meticulous details.

Falloon’s reputation as the Ducati historian precedes him, and this book delivers on every promise. Spanning from the early Cucciolo engines that put Ducati on the map to the V4 Panigale beasts dominating today’s superbike arena, this second edition is more than a timeline—it’s an encyclopedia of dreams.

Book Review – ‘McQueen’s Motorcycles: Racing and Riding with the King of Cool’ by Matt Stone and Dave Ekins

Few cultural icons have ever fused the worlds of motorcycles, Hollywood, and rebellion as effortlessly as Steve McQueen. In McQueen’s Motorcycles: Racing and Riding with the King of Cool, authors Matt Stone and Dave Ekins take readers on a thrilling ride through McQueen’s deep passion for motorcycles.

More than just a casual hobby, McQueen’s love for two wheels was as integral to his persona as his acting career, and this book captures the essence of that connection.

Book Review – ‘Total Control: High-Performance Street Riding Techniques’ by Lee Parks

Total Control: High-Performance Street Riding Techniques by Lee Parks is a definitive guide to mastering the art and science of motorcycle riding, but it’s far more than a manual of “how to.” It’s a testament to the thrill of riding and a roadmap for any street rider wanting to ride fast, safe, and steady.

Book Review – ‘The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire’ by Charles M Falco and Ultan Guilfoyle

The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire by Charles M. Falco and Ultan Guilfoyle is nothing short of an ode to the two-wheeled marvels that have been capturing hearts and igniting wanderlust for over a century.

This is a coffee-table book of grandeur—a piece of art itself, designed to celebrate the soul of motorcycles through the ages. But be warned, it may just pull you into a world of chrome and combustion you never knew you needed.

Book Review – ‘The Art of the Vintage Motorcycle’ by Serge Bueno and Gilles Lhote

In The Art of the Vintage Motorcycle, Serge Bueno and Gilles Lhote dive deep into the stories and craftsmanship that elevated motorcycles from mere machines to cherished works of art. If there’s a book out there that captures the raw romance and untamed spirit of these two-wheeled legends, this one’s it.

As you turn each glossy page, you get the sense that Bueno and Lhote understand something rare and almost poetic about motorcycles—they’re pieces of history wrapped in chrome and steel, built by hands that aimed for something both functional and beautiful.

Book Review – Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well by David L. Hough

Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well by David L. Hough is widely regarded as a must-read for motorcyclists seeking to improve their riding skills and safety.

David L. Hough, an experienced motorcyclist and educator, brings decades of expertise to this manual, which covers essential riding techniques, risk management, and strategies for handling real-world situations on the road.

Book Review – ‘Hell’s Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga’ by Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter S. Thompson’s Hell’s Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga (the book that gives this blog its name) rides into town like a rumbling, oil-streaked Harley, kicking up dust and leaving you staring down the road after it, half-wondering what just happened. Thompson, the man who practically invented “gonzo journalism,” dives headlong into the chaos of California’s most notorious motorcycle club—the Hell’s Angels—like a daredevil at full throttle. What emerges is less of a documentary and more of a high-octane, first-person blitz through America’s shadowy underworld of beer, blood, and black leather.

Book Review – Jupiter’s Travels by Ted Simon

There’s a special breed of man who sees a road winding into the distance and feels the tug. Not just any road—the kind that stretches beyond the horizon, beckoning with the promise of something unknown. Ted Simon is that kind of man. And Jupiter’s Travels is the story of his response to that call—a 78,000-mile odyssey around the world on a 500cc Triumph Tiger that was more grit than grace, more heart than horsepower.

Book Review – Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig is not the kind of book you expect to find on a list of must-reads for motorheads. It’s not filled with the crackling excitement of tearing down a winding road on a vintage Triumph, nor does it offer tips on fine-tuning the carburetor on your ‘57 Chevy. No, Pirsig’s masterpiece is an entirely different beast. It’s part memoir, part philosophical treatise, and part motorcycle manual, wrapped in the serene hum of an engine at idle. And yet, for anyone who’s ever felt the pull of the open road, this book is essential reading.