This is a bulky Coffee Table Book produced quite attractively. It isalso a pleasure to read through it all the way. Recounting the story of motortransport in India ,authors Muthaiah and Gopalan describe the period around 1907 when the beginningstarted happening. This section has particularly engaging photos like ofSpencer and of a private bus. Next section narrates the lives of two companiesviz Leyland of Lancashire and Ashok Motors of India. Interestingly, togetherwith the growth of business the authors also write about the growing politicalinfluences and activities leading to the setting up of a factory way down Southin Ennore village of Madras by RaghunandanSaran, a Punjabi entrepreneur associated with the Indian Freedom Struggle. ThusAshok Motors Ltd was born. The two chapters that follow show the birth oftoday’s Ashok Leyland. This made the world recognise madras as ‘Detroit ofIndia’. In 1980s the British government privatised the industry. Many Indianindustrialists were keen to acquire Ashok Leyland. It was Hindujas, togetherwith IVECO of Italy made a successful bid. They put in much needed investmentand technology in Ashok Leyland. The economic liberalisation in the countryaccelerated its development to an amazing extent. The book has the company’scurrent Managing Director R.Sheshasayee neatly describe the distinct phases ofthe company’s growth. It reflects the travails of a growing industry in India sustainedby lofty ideals of its freedom fighters. The difficult journey during theperiod overshadowed by licences and permits and the bureaucratic administrationis plainly revealed and the final global outlook acquired is joyous end to thestory of India ’swheels. For a Coffee Book, photos are important and sepia coloured vintageimages and the latest black and white and coloured photos can keep a readerriveted till the end.