Tab Article

ratings: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Automotive / Transportation / History

Book Review:
John Carroll's 4x4 Vehicles is a well-crafted, informative, and engaging guide to the world of four-wheel-drive vehicles, written by someone who clearly knows and loves his subject. Carroll is not just a journalist; he's an enthusiast who owns and drives the vehicles he writes about—a 1958 Series I Land Rover and a CJ3B Jeep. This practical experience shines through on every page. The book covers the history and development of 4x4s, from the wartime origins of the Jeep to the modern luxury SUVs. Chapters are dedicated to the American Jeep, the British Land Rover (with its own passionate following), vehicles from other countries, and specialized categories like commercial, military, and competitive 4x4s. A final chapter on the enthusiast scene captures the community spirit that surrounds these vehicles. Carroll's experience accompanying the British Team on the 1991 Camel Trophy event adds a unique and exciting dimension to the book. The photography is excellent, with contributions from multiple photographers. While the book was published in 1996, it remains a valuable resource for those interested in the history and development of 4x4s up to that point. Highly recommended for enthusiasts and collectors.