Second Look at Two Classics About John Deere and Antique Gas Engines
Between the Bookends
Leslie C. McManus
July 2010
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Building a reference library to support your hobby? Give this pair a look. Depending on your interests, either book provides a strong foundation of reference, supporting material and historical background.
Devereux Books and Voyageur Press
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Building a reference library to support your hobby? Give this pair a look. Depending on your interests, either book provides a strong foundation of reference, supporting material and historical background – and you could win them! Click here to enter the book giveaway.
From big to bigger
If the green-and-yellow hues of John Deere tractors are the colors you gravitate to, The Bigger Book of John Deere is your go-to book. An updated version of The Big Book of John Deere (published in 1999), The Bigger Book covers every aspect of John Deere equipment from 1892 to models new off the line in 2009.
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Authored by Don Macmillan, The Big Book has long been considered the authoritative, comprehensive reference on John Deere tractors. Detours off the main route dip into toys, brochures and related collectibles, all presented in very handsome photographs by renowned photographers Andrew Morland and Randy Leffingwell.
The Bigger Book is essentially a reprint of The Big Book, with the addition of one new chapter focusing on tractors produced from 2000 to 2009. Packed with photos showcasing immaculately restored tractors, rarely seen literature and photos from the Deere & Co. archives, and handsome photos of toys and models, The Bigger Book is a solid resource for the John Deere enthusiast – especially if you’re just getting into the hobby or starting to build your reference library.
The Bigger Book of John Deere: The Complete Model-by-Model Encyclopedia Plus Classic Toys, Brochures, and Collectibles by Don Macmillan, 2010, hard cover, 9 by 12 inches, color photographs, Voyageur Press, $40, available through Farm Collector Books.
Birth of the engine era
Beautiful Engines: Treasures of the Internal Combustion Century is another farm collectibles classic. While books on tractors make up a broad category, stationary gas engines only rarely star in print. Stan Grayson’s book more than makes up for the oversight, examining hot tube ignition, flame ignition, hit-and-miss, make-and-break, diesel and jump spark engines.