The driving machine A design history of the car

An architecture critic considers the evolution of the automobile, celebrating a century of innovation in engineering and design while mourning the apparent end of the romance. Like buildings and cities, the prolific Rybczynski's usual topics, cars reflect "cultural preoccupations" and showcase humanity's talent for technological advancement through repetitive iteration. They are also our companions, antagonists, objects of desire, and trusty friends, fondly remembered. Supplementing his narrative with hand-drawn illustrations and patiently listing vehicle specifications and crediting automotive engineers, Rybczynski celebrates the vehicles of his life. He loved his 1969 Citroën, woefully underpowered and fire engine red. His beige BMW 1600 was a low-key marvel, a "good sheep dog" that gave joy via its impressive functionality. His 1985 GMC Jimmy pushed through snowdrifts and transported wholesale quantities of Quebec apples. Marveling at the many ways designers have solved the problems that limited prior models, he complains that today's digital car is "too smart for its own good, a bossy nanny." Recently retiring his final car, a faithful 24-year-old Mercedes 300E, Rybczynski insists he doesn't miss driving. But his affectionate history suggests otherwise.

A design specialist looks under the hood of some of the most iconic and beautiful cars ever to hit the road. Rybczynski, an architect by profession, has written many fascinating books about design, looking at buildings, furniture, and tools. The author is particularly interested in the intersection among functionality, aesthetics, and economics, so turning his attention to cars was a natural step. He has owned numerous cars through his life, and he uses their stories to frame the narrative. He also delves into early automotive history. It was a long road to a working vehicle, and there was a lengthy debate about the best power source. Gasoline eventually won and became the model for the following decades. In the postwar years in the U.S., the popularity of cars exploded, and they got bigger and more ornate. In an exhausted Europe, where taxes made gas expensive, the trend was toward small, cheaper cars, although later BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Fiat produced some design classics. Rybczynski has respect for Japanese cars, although the emphasis on efficiency has led to a global homogenization of automotive design. He devotes a section to high-end sports cars, which at their best can look like streamlined sculptures on wheels. In the past decade, minivans and large SUVs have taken over the roads, although the author cannot really bring himself to like them. He understands the reasons for greater safety and energy efficiency, but he laments that digital tech in cars has taken much of the enjoyment out of driving. "Cars are machines," he writes, "but like buildings they are also cultural artifacts." Throughout, the author presents a breezy, entertaining package that will be a fun read for a wide audience--not just car enthusiasts. Rybczynski has some great stories to tell, and his love for his subject shines through on every page. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.