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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 629.2222
EAN num: 9781845841485
ISBN number: 1845841484
Label: Veloce
Manufacturer: Veloce
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 128
Printing Date: February 01, 2008
Publishing house: Veloce
Sale Popularity Level: 633504
Studio: Veloce
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
What started off as an idea from Swiss watchmaker Swatch eventually evolved into the successful launch of the smart brand, now an integral part of the Mercedes-Benz family and -- in its very first ten years -- achieving sales of more than three quarters of a million cars around the world. It hasn’t all been plain sailing for smart, though. Well-publicized financial woes, the launch of at least one inappropriate model range and the subsequent rationalization of the entire product line-up meant plenty of problems along the way. But throughout it all, fans of the smart concept have remained loyal to the brand and sales of the fortwo city car continued to prosper. These days, the future looks rosier. An all-new for two model range was launched in 2007, along with the announcement of the long-awaited debut of the smart brand into the American market for 2008. The latest model is more sophisticated and more in tune with today's buyers tastes, while losing none of the inventiveness, practicality and sheer chic appeal of its predecessors. In 'The Little Book of Smart,' author and smart fanatic Paul Jackson guides us through the entire history of the brand, its highs and lows, its successes and failures, and on to yesterday -- with the very latest for two line-up promising major sales worldwide and, of course, helping to pave the way for a future for smart in the USA. It’s a fascinating tale, told succinctly and in an entertaining style, and complemented by full colour photography throughout.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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I own a smart, so I'm not a basher. I also am not a star struck reviewer like the others who reviewed this little book. I was really hoping for a more in-depth look at the company. This is a rather disappointing picture book compiled with photos and captions that read right out of advertising literature. I could have cut and pasted this book from info readily available on the web in less time than it took to read it. A shame, really. The writer seems like just another owner/enthusiast with a knack for gathering pictures. There is no concept or historical background and little if any behind the scenes info. If you like a pablum-esque picture book, tiny enough to fit in a glove box, go right ahead. If you're looking for a story of the smart, written by someone actually involved with the product in some way, look further. The only saving grace was the $10 price. Any more than that and it would indeed be a ripoff.
Rated by buyers 
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This little book is perfect for the glove compartment of a SMART forTwo, which I currently have on order. The book traces the SMART car line from its beginnings to the current day (DEC 2007/JAN2008) and so is a good source for those interested in the car. I bought two copies, one for the car and one for my desk, and I will likely buy a scale-model of the car for my desk also.....I'm HOOKED
Rated by buyers 
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Naming a car "smart" is a bold move invoking the question "What's so smart about it?"
My reply is "What's so chevy about your car?" The brand name smart started as a short form of "Swatch Mercedes Art." The inherent word meaning was a bonus.
Like the brand, the book title is all lower-case letters. the little book of smart is compact, at 5 1/2" square with 128 pages and over 100 photos. The book is packed with pictures provided by smart and smart car enthusiast Paul Guinness. Most of the copy is picture description, making this a quick, light read. Were it not for the small size, I would describe this as a coffee table book. I carry mine in my smart and show it to people when they ask about the car. It fits nicely in the dashboard storage tray.
Jackson's book covers the model history of this unusual vehicle. While the smart was only introduced to the United States in 2008, the brand has been available around the world since 1998 and in Canada since 2004. The brand now offers only the fortwo coupe and cabrio, previously known as the city coupe. Other models have come and gone, including the roadster, roadster coupe, forfour and the crossblade.
The author touches on the smart clubs, focusing on the UK club [...] but misses the largest smart club in North America [...]. Jackson also discusses fun smarts like the forfun2 monster truck as well as prototypes such as the crosstown and formore. He touches on safety, focusing on the Tridion safety cell and active systems such as stability control. As well, he celebrates the fact that like the old VW beetle, the smart is a pallet for artists and enthusiasts who want to create a statement.
For Americans not familiar with smart, the book is a fun introduction. The book is available direct from Veloce, but North American buyers will probably prefer Amazon or some other US-based online book store.
Rated by buyers -
This book is a good read, for one who already knows about the cleverly designed smart cars or wants to learn some of the interesting story of the line's very first decade. Loads of clear, interesting images and well written text, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Rated by buyers -
the little book of smart
by Paul Jackson
Upon a very first glance, it would be easy to assume that the little book of smart by Paul Jackson is just a photo album, since the dimensions of the book is a square measuring 5.5 inches and a rather large picture of a smart fortwo cabriolet spans most of the glossy front cover. All thoughts of this just being another picture album are immediately forgotten the moment the reader cracks this glossy cardboard cover to reveal the 128 pages of very detailed and accurate data that accompanies the superb colored pictures that adorn virtually every page. The fact that the pages of the book are also a glossy paper similar to the finest new car brochures found at car dealerships just makes this book's photographs look all that much more impressive. Because the publishing company chose to incorporate a folded over cardboard flaps on both the front and back cover of the book, the book seems much more substantial than most paperbacks when being handled and held. This additional thickness and stiffness almost gives the reader the sense of looking at a thin covered hardback book, which serves to enhance the feeling of `quality' that this small book exudes.
The book's diminutive size is a very apt match for the tiniest car being sold in America. Paul Jackson's narrative is concise, informed, and best of all, extremely accurate. One of the pet peeves of most smart fortwo owners is that so many reporters and writers try to do a fair job of representing the vehicle and its decade long history but often attribute so many incorrect facts to their story that owners feel they "just don't get it". Mr. Jackson definitely "gets it" when it comes to writing about this little car and having the most correct and up to date information.
Each time I look at my little book of smart and re-read its pages, I come away impressed by a different facet of knowledge that it contains. Not only does the book pay tribute to the vehicles that have been produced in the past but also includes those that have recently been discontinued. Even those discontinued models are represented by the same level of excellent photos as the newest and latest models showing them from different angles and the different configurations in which they were available.
There are times I think the book's best feature has to be the magnificent and relatively large pictures that grace almost every single page. Then at other times, I am astounded by the details and how many things are included that only the real followers of smart's history may even be aware of, such as spy photos that preceded the latest 2008 models, or the tiny toys in the shape of smart cars that are available. Mr. Jackson also includes detailed pictures of the different engines that have been installed in smarts over the years. In short, there seems to be something for everyone who's interested in the smart car family or history.
I have purposely placed this book in several different locations in and around my home just to see how many people will pick it up and peruse it. It has been on my coffee table in the living room, the side door pocket inside my smart passion cabrio and even placed near the toilet in the bathroom as `library' material. One thing is for certain, people are drawn to this little book just like they are drawn to take a closer look at the little car. Anybody that's seeking to purchase a book about the smart car that is up to date, comprehensive, and a pure joy to behold should purchase this one. It's a giant of a book even though it's tiny.
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