Author |
Message |
allsidius Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2010 Posts: 1475 Location: Norway
|
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 12:28 pm Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
Grant Reiling wrote: |
Yes indeed; thanks for posting this mif; bid placed...wish me luck. |
Ended at £240 ($316) which is pretty close to $299 which was the original post listing, which was ended inexplicably without a sale. This time it was a real auction, so I guess we know what the going rate for "Birth of the Beetle" is these days. About a tenfold increase from the $35 original sale price.
The German version is still in print, at a bargain price of about 15 Euros. _________________ 1973 1303S w sunroof Click to view image
1978 1303 convertible (sold)Click to view image
1966 1300 RIPClick to view image
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Grant Reiling Samba Slow-Change Artist
Joined: November 28, 2003 Posts: 491 Location: behind the wheel
|
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
allsidius wrote: |
Grant Reiling wrote: |
Yes indeed; thanks for posting this mif; bid placed...wish me luck. |
Ended at £240 ($316) which is pretty close to $299 which was the original post listing, which was ended inexplicably without a sale. This time it was a real auction, so I guess we know what the going rate for "Birth of the Beetle" is these days. About a tenfold increase from the $35 original sale price.
The German version is still in print, at a bargain price of about 15 Euros. |
My copy was delivered today. Yay! I'm going to eagerly dive in and savor its pages... _________________ 1952 Azure Blue 12G (LHD Deluxe 3-fold sunroof Sedan).
"What you really know is possible in your heart is possible.
We make it possible by our will.
What we imagine in our minds becomes our world. That’s just one of many things I have learned from water."
Misaru Emoto
The Hidden Messages in Water |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Martin Southwell Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2010 Posts: 984 Location: Bath, England
|
Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 3:40 am Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
On the back of all of this feeding frenzy, I've ordered the book from Germany, obviously in German, for around £20 delivered, to see what all of the fuss is about. Is Chris Barber still alive? It's difficult to find out on-line here in the UK, as we have a famous jazz man, who has been around since the 50's, also with the same name, and most things point to this man. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
67ctbug Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2016 Posts: 3619 Location: CT
|
Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 4:21 am Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
Still living, born 1941. Was awarded the MBE in 2007 for service to the community in South Wales. _________________ '67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'73 Dodge W200
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016
KentPS wrote: |
...or the PO envied the terrorists' bus in "Back to the Future". |
mukluk wrote: |
He's fine, just waiting for the dragon in winklepickers to move out of his lane. |
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jack O'Neill Samba Member
Joined: March 23, 2009 Posts: 102 Location: Israel
|
Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:49 am Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
I wonder why it doesn't get at least an e-book version, since there's obviously demand for it. I understand that it may be a little cumbersome to "port" to some electronic format, but it's better than the big pile of nothing that I currently have =(
I'm actually one of those from the whole world driving the demand up, but here in my country the chances of me ordering it and the thing actually <i>arriving</i> are close to zero. Even if I had the $$, I would not risk it. As it is, a price $299 is nearly 1k of what we pass for money back here... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
usariemen Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2004 Posts: 1745 Location: Germany
|
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 12:03 am Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
There is one again.
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Birth-of-the-beetle-by-Ch...SwNchZ9PFH
Not too expensive.
If one still looks for one of those. _________________ Master of my domain!
Last edited by usariemen on Fri Nov 10, 2017 6:09 am; edited 2 times in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
favguy Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2012 Posts: 235 Location: England
|
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 4:35 am Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
What would be really nice for us all would be for a kind owner to scan and upload an English edition of this book to the samba for reference |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mandraks Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2004 Posts: 7047 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
|
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 7:37 am Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
favguy wrote: |
What would be really nice for us all would be for a kind owner to scan and upload an English edition of this book to the samba for reference |
maybe even with the kind author's permission? _________________ regards
Uli
----------------------------------------
'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ZENVWDRIVER Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2008 Posts: 3340 Location: N.E. Oklahoma
|
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 8:27 am Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
I am getting up there in age and don't want to leave my (much younger) wife with a lot of meaningless old VW stuff... sold all of my old book collection at a swap meet last summer. Kept Garwood volumes, oval parts book and 1954/55 shop manual... nice to have the space back. _________________ 5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON
All super-heroes, wear a MASK |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Grant Reiling Samba Slow-Change Artist
Joined: November 28, 2003 Posts: 491 Location: behind the wheel
|
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 12:24 pm Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
mandraks wrote: |
favguy wrote: |
What would be really nice for us all would be for a kind owner to scan and upload an English edition of this book to the samba for reference |
maybe even with the kind author's permission? |
It is very good of you to point this out Mandraks; it seems to be a common assumption of the internet era to simply presume that anyone with a scanner can simply disregard the intellectual property rights of the author (and in this case; the publisher)...and nab and openly 're-publish' anything it contains without recourse to those whose livelihood depends on book sales. [In fact, I may have infracted upon that just re-typing even that little stipulation..but hardly see that as worthy of action.
The Dedication page clearly states
" © Chris Barber 2003
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from Haynes Publishing."
Haynes Publishing, Sparkford,Yeoville, Somerset BA22 7JJ, UK
Tel 01963 442030 Fax:01963 440001
E-mail:sales @haynes-manuals.co.uk
website:www.haynes.co.uk
(Ironically no mention of getting the AUTHOR'S permission; just the publisher).
If anyone wants to go to that extent, by all means post and share.
I am thoroughly enjoying this book and am glad to have the pleasure of reading it; there's a tremendous wealth of fascinating details on our favorite "Car that nearly didn't happen". ...And that's enough for me. _________________ 1952 Azure Blue 12G (LHD Deluxe 3-fold sunroof Sedan).
"What you really know is possible in your heart is possible.
We make it possible by our will.
What we imagine in our minds becomes our world. That’s just one of many things I have learned from water."
Misaru Emoto
The Hidden Messages in Water |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jack O'Neill Samba Member
Joined: March 23, 2009 Posts: 102 Location: Israel
|
Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:30 am Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
I've actually took the trouble of writting them an e-mail.
My e-mail:
To: whatever e-mail is in their webpage presently
Subject: "Birth of beetle - new edition on e-book... pretty please?"
Message: "Hi there!
My name is Rafael Ruivo, and I would like to know if there’s any plans to release na e-book version of “Birth of the Beetle”. The book is legendary in the VW community, but the only way to get one now is in the second hand market – were a copy could fetch ludicrous prices.
I understand that a reprint for a book may be inviable if the demand is low (a few die-hard petrolheads may not be enough to justify a physical new edition), but what about an online version? The book is a treasure trove on the history of VW, and a very interesting look in that conturbated time period - or so I've heard, of course, since I don't own a copy =)
Please, consider this idea – the price of na used one is almost the price of a licensing deal!
Best regards"
The answer:
"Hi Rafael
Thanks for your interest in Haynes manuals, however there are no plans at present to reissiue this manual.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Regards
Marion
TBS on behalf of Haynes Publishing"
So, it seems that queries on this subject are directed to the "not gonna happen" heap straight away. A pitty, but it seems that those absurd prices will only go up. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Grant Reiling Samba Slow-Change Artist
Joined: November 28, 2003 Posts: 491 Location: behind the wheel
|
Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 10:16 am Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
Jack O'Neill wrote: |
I've actually took the trouble of writting them an e-mail.
My e-mail:
To: whatever e-mail is in their webpage presently
Subject: "Birth of beetle - new edition on e-book... pretty please?"
Message: "Hi there!
My name is Rafael Ruivo, and I would like to know if there’s any plans to release na e-book version of “Birth of the Beetle”. The book is legendary in the VW community, but the only way to get one now is in the second hand market – were a copy could fetch ludicrous prices.
I understand that a reprint for a book may be inviable if the demand is low (a few die-hard petrolheads may not be enough to justify a physical new edition), but what about an online version? The book is a treasure trove on the history of VW, and a very interesting look in that conturbated time period - or so I've heard, of course, since I don't own a copy =)
Please, consider this idea – the price of na used one is almost the price of a licensing deal!
Best regards"
The answer:
"Hi Rafael
Thanks for your interest in Haynes manuals, however there are no plans at present to reissiue this manual.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Regards
Marion
TBS on behalf of Haynes Publishing"
So, it seems that queries on this subject are directed to the "not gonna happen" heap straight away. A pitty, but it seems that those absurd prices will only go up. |
Well, thank you for inquiring.
A troubling response; but at least you received a reply.
I have done so myself on previous occasion though without reply. _________________ 1952 Azure Blue 12G (LHD Deluxe 3-fold sunroof Sedan).
"What you really know is possible in your heart is possible.
We make it possible by our will.
What we imagine in our minds becomes our world. That’s just one of many things I have learned from water."
Misaru Emoto
The Hidden Messages in Water |
|
Back to top |
|
|
usariemen Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2004 Posts: 1745 Location: Germany
|
Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
That is not even a manual, is it?
I think "Marion" had no idea what you where talking about and did not want to care about this question and sended you that answere just to get rid of you.
I do not need one. The german version I get here for peanuts.
But for the english speakers, how about contacting Chris Barber? He might get an second edition running? _________________ Master of my domain! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 34003 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
|
Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 10:40 am Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
The descriptions and chronicling of the development are fascinating; but also the pictures are one if its best attributes. In that case, the cheaper German version will suffice, and you can use google translate on the photo captions. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
oldtimervw Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2015 Posts: 38 Location: Germany
|
Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
Yes, good idea.
I am bilingual so my German language version is just fine. I only paid €14 for a new one.
Use google translater or whatever to read what you want. Its a lot cheaper than what the used English language ones are going for.
Its a great book.
I wonder how many others have used it for their reference when writing their own VW books?
Mike |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jack O'Neill Samba Member
Joined: March 23, 2009 Posts: 102 Location: Israel
|
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
usariemen wrote: |
That is not even a manual, is it?
I think "Marion" had no idea what you where talking about and did not want to care about this question and sended you that answere just to get rid of you. |
I had the same feeling - I haven't reached the proper channel, that's for sure. I'm tempted to just pester them until I get a proper answer, but i'm no Bjo Trimble (the lady that pestered NBC until they brought Star Trek back in 1968).
Does anyone here know (or know anyone who knows) Chris Barber? If Terry Pratchett ever taught me anything is that every author wants to reach their audience. Maybe he can indeed get an e-book or even a second edition going. At the very least, he would be able to pester them (I quite like this word!) with more authority.
Now for a stupid question: the German edition (Der Käfer: Ferdinand Porsche und die Entwicklung des Volkswagens) is still in print, right? Is there an e-book edition? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
scottyrocks Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2016 Posts: 2661 Location: Long Island, NY
|
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
I'd pay 14 quid for an english version. _________________ “If you care for a thing long enough, it takes on a life of its own, doesn't it? Mending old things, preserving them, looking after them – on some level there's no rational grounds for it.”
– D. Tartt, 'The Goldfinch' |
|
Back to top |
|
|
oldovaldriver Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2003 Posts: 258 Location: Mid-Atlantic
|
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 9:39 pm Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
Can anyone provide contact information to buy the German edition? I just checked on Bookfinder.com in Germany and nothing came up. What is the German title, Geburt des Kaefers? I'd consider selling my English version and trading for the German. Reading German is a kind of fun challenge for me, and certainly seems appropriate to the subject! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
srm1956 Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2008 Posts: 245 Location: Huntington Beach, CA.
|
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 11:11 pm Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
oldovaldriver wrote: |
Can anyone provide contact information to buy the German edition? I just checked on Bookfinder.com in Germany and nothing came up. What is the German title, Geburt des Kaefers? I'd consider selling my English version and trading for the German. Reading German is a kind of fun challenge for me, and certainly seems appropriate to the subject! |
PM sent _________________ Der
Blitzkrieg
Kafers
My VW motto is - Out with the OLD. In with the EVEN OLDER !!!!!!!!!! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Blue Baron VW Aficionado
Joined: June 16, 2006 Posts: 24059 Location: Southeast USA
|
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 12:23 am Post subject: Re: Birth of the Beetle by Chris Barber |
|
|
Forget a reprint, how about a revised edition? If you cull through the vintage photos in this forum, there are a wealth of new KdF-era photos.
I'm sure there's also new information that must have come to light in the last 15 years.
Here's a rogues' gallery of greatest hits:
And of course my favorite.
This photo alone would be worth a revised edition! _________________ We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.
Heinz Nordhoff |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|