The Mechanic’s Tale
The Mechanic’s Tale
Formula One Grand Prix mechanic Steve Matchett takes the reader on a compelling journey through his life in the pit-lane, from his beginnings as a young apprentice, through his time at Ferrari and BMW to his later success with Benetton. He gives eye-witness views of the great drivers, including Michael Schumacher, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. He also talks of key Benetton personalities, and explains how the team was transformed into a strong, competitive organisation, winning three World Championships. His determination and frustration in trying – and eventually succeeding – to break into the high-pressure world of Formula One leaps off the page.Formula One Grand Prix mechanic Steve Matchett takes the reader on a compelling
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A quite unique book: witty, informative and very funny too!,
Steve Matchett’s second book, The Mechanic’s Tale, is a quite extraordinary work, in essence the memoires of a Grand Prix mechanic throughout his ten year career with the Benetton Formula One team. That an engineer has written such a fascinating and entertaining account of his life inside the somewhat secretive world of Grand Prix racing is unique in itself, but what makes this book so outstanding is the authors original approach to the subject and his natural flair for writing: his style is witty, rhetorical and very readable. “Every so often in the endless stream of biogrophies churned out by the Formula One book industry,” says Motoring News, “something different emerges. This is it.” Matchett touches on all aspects of this prestigious job, describing the incredible effort that the team are expected to give; the dangers and high stress of the pit stops; the myriad of famous drivers he worked with; and how Benetton and Schumacher stormed the world championships – amid great controversy – throughout 1994 and 1995. But The Mechanic’s Tale is more than a collection of derring-do racing escapades; through his occasional digressions Matchett takes the reader on many colourful diversions, including an ill-fated ballooning trip; his views on the future of computer technology; and his slightly surreal comaprisons between Formula One and Orwell’s 1984. All of that, combined with his attempts to make reason of Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwoky, make this book anything but predictable.
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|Steve Matchett’s: The Mechanic’s Tale,
I buy about 10-15 books a year related to racing. I also have many subscriptions to racing magazines. I have put off getting this classic for some unknown reason. I have always wanted to get it but this book has eluded me until recently. I have to say that this is one of the best racing books I have ever read. Matchett is a much better writer than people give him credit for. His use of blending incredible detail with humor is amazing. Mark my words, you will be reading this book and have moments in which you will find yourself in tears from laughter. This book is also very informative and is not your average racing book. I have also read his first book, which is also a classic, but I feel that this is the better of the two. I found myself not being able to put it down and anyone who loves racing will be in the same situation. The book starts out with how Matchett started his career as a mechanic and a brief history of how he was able to break into Formula One. I actually got an idea from the book that I now use everytime I’m looking for a new job. Anyway, the chapters go over the years he spent in F1 and gives you the true story of what F1 team members go through. On the outside it looks like they live a glamorous life, but you get to see the side that most people don’t get to see and the true appreciation for their efforts is realized. Bottom line is that this is a must read for anyone that is a racing or grand prix fan.
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|A look at the human side of F1,
If you are looking for a blow-by-blow account of a F1 season, you would be better served by Matchett’s “Life in the Fast Lane” an inside account of Benneton’s crazy 1994 season. If you want to learn more about F1 technology, then try “The Chariot Makers.”
However, if you want a very human and personal account of one man’s journey from being a road car mechanic to mechanic for a Formula 1 world champion in a half decade, this is the book for you. Matchett describes his cautious entry to the sport, the great Benneton personalities he meets (most of whom have now gone on to senior positions all over the sport), the insane hours, and the holiday antics in the off-season. The book is peppered with Matchett’s insight about the workings of Formula 1. Interestingly, he strongly disagrees with the Benneton’s sacking of Schumacher’s teamates every year and believes stability in the 2nd driver position would have improved the team. Ironic that Ferrari has used that exact strategy: Schumacher has had 3 teamates in the last 11 seasons…
A must read for anyone whose interest in Formula 1 goes beyond glossy driver biographies and flashy magazines.
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|Formula is formula, but here’s why I picked this one.,
I switched my baby from breast milk to formula and breast milk in a bottle around six months. I was really devastated that my supply just wasn’t cutting it anymore. The week it took me to pick a formula was one of the craziest and worst weeks of my life. But looking back I realize it’s not that big of a deal.
While I am aware that all formulas are essentially the same, I really wanted to avoid corn by-products if possible, and preffered milk from the US. (which Baby’s Only is as far as I know). The brown rice syrup was difficult for my baby to get used to. We pre-mix four bottles at a time and add about an ounce of prune juice to each to counter any digestive problems. Though it is fine now, I’m not sure she could have handled it before six or seven months. ( if you’re switching from formula containing corn syrup you may need to add and gradually decrease some corn syrup (or prune juice) as corn syrup is a natural laxative, and taking it away suddenly may cause constipation.)
At about nine months, we switched completely to this formula (with prune juice) and solid food. Everything seems to be great. She sleeps well and looks healthy and chubby! (She’s regular too!)
The formula tastes great too. I tried it out of curiosity, and it tastes as good (if not better) than any ordinary adult vitamin shake /drink tastes.
Hope this helps, and if you’re freaking out about formula like I was…try to relax. You’re going to have a happy and healthy baby no matter what you do. Obviously you care enough to stress yourself out reading all of these wacky formula reviews.
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|Perfect formula for an organic family,
Love this formula. All of the nutrition, none of the ridiculous crap.
My son started to self-wean around 8 months, which was devastating for me since I know the wonderful benefits of human milk for human babies. I researched a TON–from goat’s milk, to raw milk, to every formula under the sun. This was the best option I could find. The ease of not having to refrigerate it, combined with it being the closest to human milk as you can get–even down to tasting slightly sweet. Yes, I tasted it.
I love that they have a lactose-free option that isn’t soy. Soy mimics estrogen and should not be fed to infant boys. Or girls, for that matter.
It does tend to be foamy when you shake it up, but we just scooped it off with a spoon–no biggie. Even if we didn’t remove the foam, son didn’t get gassy from it.
I know it says it’s a Toddler Formula for 12 months and up, but that is because the company is a proponent of breastfeeding for the first year. I actually think it’s admirable for them to do that. This company’s obviously not like the mass-market big brands.
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|HIGH ARSENIC LEVELS,
****As of 2/16/12 since the news of the elevated arsenic levels, we are searching for an alternative.
The Nature’s One brand of Baby’s Only, both Dairy and Soy based formulas, have been mentioned as being the highest of the brands tested.
This information was published on several different media sites that I was able to find. Although the scientific results and brands were not released, I’ve found from several different sources that this brand is far higher than the others, contrary to the statement posted on the Nature’s One website.
**3/13/12 For anyone interested, we have officially switched to the Holle brand of infant formula. Our daughter has been on this formula for almost 2 weeks, and she took to it right away. There is plenty of information, along with user reviews from around the world, online.
Unfortunately, it is not available for sale here in the US.
Please see the source I have been ordering from in Germany that offers relatively moderate shipping fees in the comments.
If you have any questions about the Holle products, please leave a comment, and I’ll get back to you at my earliest convenience.
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ORIGINAL REVIEW:
I ordered this formula because my wife is starting back to school in a couple of weeks, and won’t have the ability to breastfeed or pump as she has been doing. I have read much of the info from the manufacture’s website, and the many online reviews. Even with the occasional constipation some users have had, we decided to give this a shot.
Our 4 month old daughter (wow does time really fly with them) took right to it. My wife tasted the formula, and said it is sweet like breast milk tends to be. We had tried another brand since we get free samples, and it must have been awful. Our daughter didn’t like it one bit.
We haven’t had an issue with constipation, however she is still receiving breast milk, which may be helping with that. We are hoping that my wife will be able to pump enough in the mornings and evening, before and after class, to keep a supply, and only really need to supplement with the formula, which is only twice a day currently.
I also really like that the manufacturer is an advocate of breastfeeding, and that is why they label their products for 12+month infants.
You also can’t go wrong with the 3 pack price that Amazon offers. Plus is comes with free 2 day shipping using Amazon Mom Prime.
UPDATE:
Our daughter is now on this formula exclusively. She hasn’t had constipation issues as other reviews have mentioned. Her bowel movements are firmer, and more solid, which makes clean up easier, and still regular. I wouldn’t say she has any pain associated from this though.
She still also takes to it wonderfully. There was never any problem with her distinguishing between breast milk and this formula.
As a note, Amazon’s price on this only saves us 1 cent per can compared to the local Whole Foods price. However, we do not regularly shop at Whole Foods as it isn’t very convenient for us. The 2 day shipping is great, and very convenient. Just make sure to stock up while Amazon has it in stock. They seem to sell out quite often.
ANOTHER UPDATE: 11/6/11
The Amazon price has increased on the 3 pack of this formula. It is no longer feasible to buy from here, so off to Whole Foods we go. Somewhat disappointed, as Amazon was saving us money, and valuable time.
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