This is a most readable book and even if you have no interest in racing you will find highly entertaining. Luckman would have made a good living at anything he tried. He was popular, hard working and not afraid to take a chance - in fact no-one deserved more the title of 'man of the world'.

Sadly Dick Luckman does not tell us much of his family background. In addition he does not give more than passing mention to William Clegg, 1816 -1895 who with his father, Thomas 1776 - 1846, was a highly respected publisher and book-seller. Thomas appears in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, with a mention of his son.

These are the details of Luckman's family. He was born in the early months of 1859 at Highbury, North London and christened Andrew. His parents were Charles James and Mary [née Mills], both born 1819. They married at the end of 1842. Both parents died in 1890. The family home was at 8 Highbury Grange but a move, necessitated by Charles James bankruptcy in 1878, was made to 66 Rectory Road, London.

Luckman's grandfather practised at Mulberry Court, Manchester and died in December 1858 aged 73. His misfortunes began when he was charged in August 1838 with obtaining money by false pretences.

Dick Luckman died in the early months of 1819 - aged 59.

The above details, when read in conjunction of the early chapters of the book, will bring the story into sharper focus.

Eric C Graham

milbarton@hotmail.com