• Faster

  • How a Jewish Driver, an American Heiress, and a Legendary Car Beat Hitler's Best
  • By: Neal Bascomb
  • Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
  • Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (201 ratings)

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Faster  By  cover art

Faster

By: Neal Bascomb
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
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Publisher's summary

For fans of The Boys in the Boat and In the Garden of Beasts, a pulse-pounding tale of triumph over Hitler’s fearsome Silver Arrows during the golden age of auto racing.

They were the unlikeliest of heroes. René Dreyfus, a former top driver on the international race car circuit, had been banned from the best teams - and fastest cars - by the mid-1930s because of his Jewish heritage. Charles Weiffenbach, head of the down-on-its-luck automaker Delahaye, was desperately trying to save his company as the world teetered at the brink. And Lucy Schell, the adventurous daughter of an American multi-millionaire, yearned to reclaim the glory of her rally-driving days.

As Nazi Germany launched its campaign of racial terror and pushed the world toward war, these three misfits banded together to challenge Hitler’s dominance at the apex of motorsport: the Grand Prix. Their quest for redemption culminated in a remarkable race that is still talked about in racing circles to this day - but which, soon after it ended, Hitler attempted to completely erase from history.

Bringing to life this glamorous era and the sport that defined it, Faster chronicles one of the most inspiring, death-defying upsets of all time: a symbolic blow against the Nazis during history’s darkest hour.

©2020 11th Street Productions, LLC (P)2020 Recorded Books

What listeners say about Faster

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Wonderful

What a great story. For those of us that experience the world of automobiles and racing as an integral aspect of our humanity, this book captures all of it. This was the most joy I have had listening to an audio book in some time. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a keen sense and appreciation of modern history, and a love of cars and auto racing. You will not be disappointed.

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Great read!

Story was excellent and the narrator did a fantastic job with the car terms and locations!

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Racing history told incredibly well

Bascomb tells a compelling story that weaves interesting automotive history, just enough history of the time, with character stories that all blend together wonderfully well. A must listen for anyone with any automotive or racing interest. The reader was excellent and only added to the interest. In all one of the best audiobook experiences I've encountered.

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What a great listen

Bascomb's vivid storytelling x Ballerini's masterful narration = most enjoyable listening experience all while learning something new.

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Great story on racing history

The flow and content of the story was outstanding. As a racing enthusiast, I was fascinated to hear about the personal and technical aspect of prewar racing culture. The narrator was very clear and had good timing on delivery of sentences.

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B4F1 Not commercial circus reality TV

Real Grands Prix history not today’s made for TV circus. Two VERY Different Things . One a sport, one a spectacle. Both valued by millions.

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Fantastic book!

This is my second Neal Bascomb book. He is a fabulous writer! The performance is excellent too. Enjoy!

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Wow, surprised I’ve never heard this story

More than just a book about racing, this story wonderfully describes the personalities, cars of the golden era of Grand Prix racing, all set against the backdrop of pre-WWII Europe

Amazing story!

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When history was black and white

Great detail on the early days of speed. The right words bring more color than WW1 and WW2 footage.

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non-race fans won't like it

I loved this book, but I think if you bore of the back and forth in racing, or descriptions of the hairpins and chicanes, you won't like it. I found I cared about the people and lived the racing with them. Good writing and narration.

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1 person found this helpful