For many years this was the only book-length history of the 917 from conception through Can-Am. It covers each race in the 917's career through 1973. Most European race weekends get at least a 2 page treatment with photos. Coverage is more extensive for Le Mans and Daytona. The Can Am series race info is handled with a narrative of each year but there's also good treatment of car development. The prose is tight and you never feel like you're plodding along with the story. A lot of the photos are unique to this book. Another highlight is the collection of line drawings showing the evolution of the 917s bodywork.
The book was written during the 917's competitive career. As a contemporary account it's valuable in itself though there's greater depth in the newer works by Peter Morgan, Gordon Wingrove, et. al.
Jonathan Thompson wrote as well as illustrated the book. "Peter Hinsdale" is a pseudonym intended to obscure that this started as a vanity publication. Thompson was a long time contributor to Road & Track.
