In the little book of smart, author and smart fanatic Paul Jackson guides us through the history of the brand, its highs and lows, its successes and failures, and on to today – with the very latest fortwo line-up promising major sales worldwide and, of course, helping to pave the way for a future for smart in the USA. It’s a fascinating tale, told succinctly and in an entertaining style, and complemented by full color photography throughout.  128 pages packed with 100 color pictures & entertaining text make this a great little book.

What started off as an idea from Swiss watchmaker Swatch eventually evolved into the successful launch of the smart brand, now an integral part of the Mercedes-Benz family and -- in its first ten years -- achieving sales of more than three quarters of a million cars around the world. It hasn’t all been plain sailing for smart, though.

Well-publicized financial woes, the launch of at least one inappropriate model range and the subsequent rationalization of the entire product line-up meant plenty of problems along the way. But throughout it all, fans of the smart concept have remained loyal to the brand and sales of the fortwo city car continued to prosper.

These days, the future looks rosier. An all-new for two model range was launched in 2007, along with the announcement of the long-awaited debut of the smart brand into the American market for 2008. The latest model is more sophisticated and more in tune with today's buyers tastes, while losing none of the inventiveness, practicality and sheer chic appeal of its predecessors.

In "The Little Book of Smart," author and smart fanatic Paul Jackson guides us through the entire history of the brand, its highs and lows, its successes and failures, and on to today -- with the very latest for two line-up promising major sales worldwide and, of course, helping to pave the way for a future for smart in the USA. It’s a fascinating tale, told succinctly and in an entertaining style, and complemented by full color photography throughout.

onsmart.co.uk, January 2008
Review by Gavin Chapman
online smart car magazine and smart car owners club

This is a diminutive book, as you can see below, but that, is so it'll actually fit in a fortwo! I joke, but it is a small book, packed with a lot of information.

It might be small, but it contains a lot of information. It goes through the history of the smart from it's concept, through development, marketing, through to the latest model. It covers the fortwo, roadster, forfour and concepts like the crosstown and crossblade.

The book is written in a concise and friendly style, has lots of pictures, and goes into the modifying scene as well. The book is easily readable, and is pretty much essential for a smart enthusiast!

Tiscali Motoring, February 2008
UK website, Tried and Tested section
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/shopping/triedandtested/motoring.html

Well researched, with plenty of color pictures of various Smart models. There's nothing little about the amount of information that Smart fan, Paul Jackson has squeezed into this book. Unlike other books on the Smart brand, this focuses on both the successes and failures of the brand and there's also a section on the new Smart fortwo which was only launched in the UK last year.

Disappointments are few, but I do wonder whether Jackson has relied too heavily on the Smart UK press office? At least 90% of the pictures I had seen before and some of the text reads like it has been lifted straight from a release. And if you think you've seen some of the other pictures by Paul Guinness before, you'd be right as they were in his book The Smart Story.

Overall, it's a little book with a big amount of information. If you own or are considering buying a Smart, I think its well worth a look, especially at the $14.95 price.

Paul Jackson has been a smart fanatic since the model’s debut, and purchased one of the first officially imported examples in the UK. Since then he has owned a succession of city-coupés and fortwos, as well as a roadster-coupé. He is actively involved in the smart scene, and has accumulated a large collection of smart photography, brochures and paraphernalia. This, the little book of smart, is Paul’s first motoring book, which makes full use of his archives, his experience and his expertise.

In the little book of smart, author and smart fanatic Paul Jackson guides us through the history of the brand, its highs and lows, its successes and failures, and on to today – with the very latest fortwo
line-up promising major sales worldwide and, of course, helping to pave the way for a future for smart in the USA. It’s a fascinating tale, told succinctly and in an entertaining style, and complemented by full color photography throughout.  128 pages packed with 100 color pictures & entertaining text make this a great little book.

Publisher: Veloce Publishing
Imprint: Veloce
Distributor: MBI Publishing Company
Publication Date: 02-01-2008
Pages: 128
Measurements: 5.50in X 5.50in X 0.38in X 0.44lb