From Roman Holiday to Quadrophenia, the Vespa scooter has long been a symbol of youthful independence as well as one of the most recognizable pop culture icons of the 20th century. Immortalized as a design classic, the ever-growing ranks of Vespa dealers and scooter clubs worldwide attest to its enduring popularity at the street level. For the first time, the complete history of this chic mode of transport is celebrated in Vespa: Style in Motion. Fully authorized by and drawn from the archives of its manufacturer, Piaggio, this mighty volume tells the Vespa's story from its birth, right after World War II, to the brand new Granturismo model. Vespa is filled with hundreds of film stills, advertisements, and period photographs, offering a visual homage for any fan of Italian flair. Specifications and diagrams of all 41 scooter models, plus in-depth profiles of 15 classic Vespas, provide a detailed reference for true aficionados. Always in vogue, the Vespa remains the ride of choice for hipsters and internationalists everywhere. This, for them, is the last word.

Made in Italy, the mini-motorcycle called Vespa never proved much of a success in the U.S. market. But it made its mark around the world. Since 1946, the Vespa has kept its shape mostly unchanged from its original conception. Some 16 million have been sold as both basic and, at times, chic transport. Researched and written with the full cooperation of its manufacturer, Piaggio, this book documents Piaggio's rise and the development of the little "wasp" in all its permutations. The presentation is lighthearted, colorful, and thoroughly entertaining, with hundreds of archival photos and a complete listing of all models produced over the years. Most motorcycle history books ignore or, at best, look down on the lowly "scooters," so this information is not usually available elsewhere. Rising gas prices and a developing "hipster" image may yet bring the Vespa new success in this country, where there are currently 70 active dealerships, mostly in metropolitan areas. Recommended for transportation collections in all libraries.-Eric C. Shoaf, Brown Univ. Lib., Providence

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