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They were two men bound together by their daring, their vision-and their erotic power over women. Racecar driver Angelo Perino rose from an immigrant family to a life on the razor's edge, where fast cars and faster women were his for the taking. Loren Hardeman is the titular head of a giant automotive empire-and of a family sliding into decadence, adultery, and destruction. In the face of opposition from Hardeman's bitter grandson-the current president of the company-the patriarch and the show more driver conspire to build the world's most advanced automobile. They call it "The Betsy," after Hardeman's great-granddaughter-one of the women who has also caught Perino's eye.From Detroit to the lavish estates of Grosse Pointe, Miami, and the Riviera, the pair of men work to create their wonder car. To achieve their dream, they will risk everything they have.The inspiration for the 1978 film of the same name, "The Betsy" explores the shocking world of the automobile industry-of savage ambition, searing passion, and breathtaking fortunes won or lost in a desperate struggle for power. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I have no idea how, but in 1972 at the awkward age of 12 going on 30, I got a hold of this book, with its campy 70s titillating cover and proceeded to take it with me on my first commercial airplane trip (which also happened to be a solo one). I don't remember the contents of the book, in spite of what had to have been such a personal coup into the secret adult world, but I do distinctly remember the alarmed expressions of a couple of grownups on the plane.
Recalling this made me laugh today. I was a rascal.
Recalling this made me laugh today. I was a rascal.
The Harold Robbins blockbusters (this one is about the auto industry) haven't aged particularly well.
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Lists
Publisher's Weekly Bestsellers - Part II - 1940 - 1979
355 works; 5 members
Author Information
94+ Works 6,601 Members
Awards and Honors
Distinctions
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Ullstein Buch (3198)
Work Relationships
Is contained in
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Betsy
- Original title
- The Betsy
- Original publication date
- 1971
- Related movies
- The Betsy (1978 | IMDb)
- Dedication*
- De Giganten - Dit boek is opgedragen, met al mijn liefde, aan mijn vrouw, Grace
De Avonturiers - Aan mijn vrouw Grace die zoveel dingen mogelijk gemaakt heeft, waarvan dit boek wel het minste is. - First words
- I was sitting up in bed, sipping hot coffee, when the nurse came into the room.
- Original language
- English
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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Statistics
- Members
- 346
- Popularity
- 90,847
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (2.93)
- Languages
- 13 — Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Russian, Slovak, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 56
- ASINs
- 20
