Twenty Cars that Defined the 20th Century

On the 29 June 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo triggering events leading to the outbreak of the First World War. Less well known is that the car he was in was a borrowed Graf + Stift Double Phaeton, that the route was published in advance, and the decision to lower the hood was only taken at the last minute. As with the other events in this book, the car played a central role, yet its history is largely unknown. These cars not only had their own stories in terms of design, ownership, and the role they played but they are also a way of telling the story of the events themselves – they are literally a vehicle for history.In this book James Morrison takes 20 cars involved in twenty key 20th century world events and examines their involvement and history to provide a new angle and fascinating insights.

James Morrison CMG is a former British diplomat. James has spent his professional career in senior roles in London and Brussels working on some of the thorniest foreign policy issues facing the UK and the EU. Throughout, he always relied on two things: a good knowledge of history—helpful in understanding the underlying motivations and drivers behind most foreign policy issues—and good written and oral communication skills, enabling him to influence the course of policy. Cars, by contrast, have always remained a private passion.