Vespa: Style and Passion by Valerio Boni is a fun look back at the history of this iconic vehicle. Full of great pictures and information, this is ideal for anyone from a Vespa lover to one with just a casual interest.

Of the two extremes I mention above I fall closer to being one with a casual interest. I have only ever been on a handful of Vespas and while they were fun I rarely lived any where that it would have been utilized. My primary interest is in them as cultural and societal icons. Well, until this book. Now, while I may not be ready to go out and buy one, I have come to appreciate all of the little things that, together, have made them such a success.

I was concerned that when going from model to model I would lose interest but the subtle changes and the rationales behind them made even someone with no mechanical background in scooters or motorcycles pay attention.

The organization of the book worked very well for my interests. The history of the company and the line, told as a single narrative, served to increase my curiosity. The models, as I mentioned, are far more diverse than I had thought. then the advertisements and their place in popular culture rounded the book out for me in the very areas I have the greatest interest.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )