Brooks Compendium
Brooks Compendium of Cycling Culture
edited by Guy Andrews
Saddle manufacturer Brooks England have been a British household name and an international cycling icon for 150 years. What continues to motivate and inspire this classic marque? With the help of a variety of writers, artists, journalists, designers, photographers and illustrators, this eclectic compendium of cycling’s joys depicts Brooks’s unique and idiosyncratic view of the wide-ranging impact of the bicycle and its place in the world, alongside their dedication to function, quality and style.
While Brooks is, at its heart, a British company, the team explore the bicycle as a worldwide phenomenon that has connected people. The result isn’t a book about a saddle maker, but a collection of fascinating contributions from leading creatives from a broad cultural spectrum who are as passionate about their work as they are about their cycling.
“A thoughtful almanac of essays, interviews and photography that is as comforting for the brain as the British brand’s saddles are for the posterior”
“Unusual, entertaining and a surprising mix of stories about the culture of cycling and its place in history”
“A fascinating read”
“The feel of the book, reflecting Brooks’ place in the cycling market, is one of quality … it is chock-full of fascinating articles covering all aspects of cycle culture”
“A visual treat that captures the essence of Brooks without bothering with detail. I liked this book, really: it’s got all the wonderful production values you expect of anything that involves Guy Andrews and Bluetrain (Bike Mechanic, Magnum Cycling, Greg LeMond – Yellow Jersey Racer, Tom Simpson – Bird on the Wire)”
“Reading about eccentric inventors tinkering in their backyard workshops and coming up with something marvellous is fun”
Published in 2017 by Thames & Hudson
ISBN 978-0-500-51960-8