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Watching the Wheels: My Autobiography Hardcover – 8 Sept. 2016
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2016 marks the twentieth anniversary of Damon Hill's coronation as Formula One World Champion. For the first time ever he tells the story of his journey through the last golden era of the sport when he took on the greats including Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher and emerged victorious as World Champion in 1996, stepping out of the shadow of his legendary father Graham Hill.
Away from the grid, Watching the Wheels: The Autobiography is an astonishingly candid account of what it was like to grow up as the son of one of the country's most famous racing drivers. It also tells the unflinching story of dealing with the grief and chaos that followed his father's tragically early death in an aircraft accident in 1975, when Damon was 15 years old.
Formula One drivers have always been aware of their mortality, and the rush that comes with the danger of racing was as intoxicating for Hill as it had been for his father's generation, until he came face-to-face with catastrophe when his team-mate, Ayrton Senna, was killed in 1994. The swirling emotions that Hill was faced with in light of the death of Senna was a defining moment for his generation of drivers and for the first time ever Hill talks candidly about the impact that Senna had on his life, even as he watched his own son step into motor racing.
Courageously honest, and hugely rewarding, Watching the Wheels is a return to the last golden era of F1 racing, whose image still burns ferociously for those who love the sport for what it reveals about human skill in the face or near certain death.
- Print length384 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherMacmillan
- Publication date8 Sept. 2016
- Reading age18 years and up
- Dimensions16.2 x 3.5 x 24.2 cm
- ISBN-101509831908
- ISBN-13978-1509831906
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About the Author
Damon Hill is a former Formula One World Champion who raced against some of the legends of the sport from Ayrton Senna to Michael Schumacher. The son of racing legend Graham Hill, Damon entered Formula One in 1992, racing for Brabhams and then Williams and took over as team leader when Senna died in 1994. Having lost the 1994 World Championship to Schumacher by a single point, Hill was crowned World Champion in 1996. He is also the author of his autobiography, which was a Sunday Times number one bestseller.
After retiring in 1999, Hill pursued various business ventures as well as becoming president of the British Racing Driver's Club in 2006. He now works as a commentator on Sky Sports' award-winning coverage of Formula 1.
Product details
- Publisher : Macmillan; Main Market edition (8 Sept. 2016)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 384 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1509831908
- ISBN-13 : 978-1509831906
- Reading age : 18 years and up
- Dimensions : 16.2 x 3.5 x 24.2 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 239,934 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 139 in Racecar Drivers Biographies
- 156 in Formula One
- 7,587 in General Sports, Hobbies & Games
- Customer reviews:
About the author
![Damon Hill](http://web.archive.org./web/20240831004249im_/https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/01Kv-W2ysOL._SY600_.png)
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the character traits interesting and self-deprecating. They also appreciate the political content as a pretty good insight into the mind of an enigmatic driver. Readers describe the reading experience as great and the content as surprising and honest. They praise the writing style as well-written, funny, and easy to read.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book a great read, that becomes more fluid and fascinating as they read on. They also say it's perfectly laid out and well-thought out.
"...This excellent book is an amazing story of triumph, against the odds, over this tragedy and demonstrates that however long it might take you can..." Read more
"...anecdotes about his childhood, but it becomes more fluid and fascinating as you read on: The most revealing parts I found were Damon's account on..." Read more
"...since childhood; every single page is perfectly laid out and well-thought out...." Read more
"...Damon, well done on everything you've done in your life, the book is great, you deserve the title of being a former F1 World Champion; and good luck..." Read more
Customers find the book provides an insight into the mind of an enigmatic driver striving to uphold the Hill. They also say it provides a true reflection of family life and is refreshingly grounded. Customers also say the book dispels myths about Damon's character and reveals behind the scenes politics that they were not aware of at the time.
"...A great guy, family man, brave, determined and deservedly successful, Mr Hill I salute you." Read more
"...for grammar/punctuation mistakes, but all-in-all this is a deeply fascinating - and at many times very witty - read. A splendid book." Read more
"...The book is a really really good read, great insights..." Read more
"...Don't give up!It's easy to recognise and empathise with the human element in this story...." Read more
Customers find the content surprising and honest. They also say it's an honest account of Damon's life, warts and all.
"This is a great book. Interesting, enjoyable and honest...." Read more
"...I couldn't put this book down. It seems to be searingly honest and yes, is self-effacing, hugely thoughtful and engrossing...." Read more
"A refreshingly honest autobiography from Damon, with almost forensic like analysis of his own psyche which can't have been easy to pen...." Read more
"...Set against the back drop of those events the book is a fascinating, honest, insightful, warm and often light hearted tale of life's struggles which..." Read more
Customers find the writing style honest, refreshingly self-effacing, and clever. They also describe the author as very nice, funny, and an easy read.
"...but all-in-all this is a deeply fascinating - and at many times very witty - read. A splendid book." Read more
"...Now he has, and my goodness it was worth the wait. Excellent writing, structured brilliantly and no subject left off the table, Damon tells his..." Read more
"...The best motor racing autobiography since Niki Lauda's 'To Hell and Back.'..." Read more
"...Overall it is well written in an honest and refreshingly self-effacing way that draws you into the book as the ups and downs of his life are recalled..." Read more
Customers find the character traits in the book fascinating, admirable, and honest. They also appreciate the passion, commitment, and honesty of the author.
"...not only gives us a complete and comprehensive life story but is totally honest and open about so much more, including very personal accounts of..." Read more
"A great insightful autobiography from a very honest world champion...." Read more
"...decent man and in this book he has been very frank and not afraid to admit his shortcomings...." Read more
"...Clearly written by Damon himself and very honest. He's not afraid to say it how it is...." Read more
Customers find the storyline fascinating, engrossing, and gripping. They also say it keeps them hooked throughout.
"...Damon not only gives us a complete and comprehensive life story but is totally honest and open about so much more, including very personal accounts..." Read more
"...which is good seeing as he's done so much in his life - and keeps you hooked throughout...." Read more
"...aside this is more than a book about motor racing, it’s a fascinating journey through Hill’s psyche." Read more
"...I found this book fascinating, but as an F1 fan and someone who followed Damon's career, I guess I was keen to find out a bit more about him and his..." Read more
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![Really disappointed as I bought this for a gift](http://web.archive.org./web/20240831004249im_/https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/transparent-pixel._V192234675_.gif)
Really disappointed as I bought this for a gift
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Damon is explaining his personal life and how that influenced his Formula 1 career. How he got there,
what where the challenges and what he had to face with. There is a lot of things about his
personal life and his family.
I have been Williams fan for more then 20 years and this was very interesting to read, to see how the things worked
on the inside of the Formula 1 world, what was happening behind the curtain. Plus value is added to the book that is
written personally from Damon Hill with help from Maurice Hamilton.
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20240831004249/https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/amazon-avatars-global/default._CR0,0,1024,1024_SX48_.png)
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On the other hand, Damon has been giving back thanks to his charity work that helps people better understand the needs and the lives of kids and adults with Down syndrome - his son, Oliver, lives a happy life thanks to a program promoted by his family and other great people.
But the book is also about Damon and his love for music, his dive into depression and his dissatisfaction with the racing world, eventually overcome by maturity and a good dose of detachment from the environment. Last, but not least, an amazing page where he describes what can only be called a peek into enlightenment. Well written and superbly researched, I'd love to thank Damon for this book and for being a real Champion on the racing track and in life.
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l'ordine. Per quanto riguarda il libro, nonostante il mio inglese a livello scolastico l'ho trovato molto interessante. Soltanto Damon Hill, poteva
scrivere un libro così avendo vissuto la formula 1 dagli anni 60 tramite il papà Graham formidabile pilota e campione del mondo e aver
frequentato campioni del calibro di Jim Clark, Stewart e tanti altri. Un libro per appassionati di corse, andrebbe tradotto in tante lingue.