BOOK REWEWS
Page 33
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Container guide Container transport has developed so rapidly, and over such a large area geographically, that it is difficult for users and operators to keep pace and to preserve a sense of perspective. The need for a reference book to "capturethe state of the art and fit the pieces of the container jigsaw together is well met by a new book, Container Guide 1968-69, which is intended to be the first of an annual series produced by Containerisation International. This 141-page book, measuring 11 +in. by 8-fin., is "published for the professional traffic manager, freight forwarder and transportation consultant, designed also to serve as an efficient, up-to-date container guide for exporters and importers everywhere". It outlines the true purpose of containers, the best ways of obtaining and using them, methods of moving and handling them, and the documentation and insurance aspects involved. The book collates essential facts concerning container sizes and capacities for land, sea and air use; types of containers; leasing arrangements; pooling schemes; weight and size limitations throughout the world: packing and loading requirements; and damage control.
Also listed in this volume are world ports and their container services, container-carrying shipping companies, and cranage'facilities at container ports throughout the world—which put New York and Antwerp at the top of the league.
The authors explain clearly how containers fit into the total distribution concept and make some interesting suggestions for future developments, such as the overnight use of London's underground for container transport between depots.
As a reference book the guide would benefit from hard covers, but it is extremely well produced and contains a valuable glossary and index. It costs 50-s from National Magazine Co. Ltd., 22 Armoury, Wandsworth, London,
SW18. H.B.C.
Claims cases A new edition, the sixth, of Bingham's Motor Claims Cases has been published by Butterworths, price E5 15s. Mr. J. A. Taylor, the editor, has considerably rearranged the subject matter so that, to the greatest possible extent, all cases touching on a particular topic appear together. More than 150 new cases are included..,
Although this standard reference work is indispensable to those dealing with insurance claims, transport managers and serious students of road transport will find much of value in its 800 pages. A knowledge of court decisions in decided cases would often avoid reams of fruitless correspondence and, perhaps, expensive litigation. Though some of the court decisions quoted have already been reversed on appeal, the book is undoubtedly of great interest; the chapter on specimen awards tor damages will be specially valuable.
J. D.
A modern wayfinder
Road maps, town plans and beat-the-traffic tourer maps are the features of a new Sunday Times /RAC Road Atlas which will be of most value to commercial vehicle operators, but the gazetteer of 3,000 places in the British Isles may prompt some new touring thoughts among p.s.v. operators. They may not, however, take very warmly to the breezy style of the gazetteer—though it makes a change from some of the stuffier ones.
The atlas is toughly bound and contains 93 pages of four-colour maps covering the whole British Isles, 100 town plans and a 29,000name index. The two latter features in particular will commend the book to transport men, but if only the town plans had been just a little bigger ...
The road maps include the MoT's latest classification, and all developments up to March this year. A special London section shows through-roads, main suburban routes and Central London in detail. An excellent inset card explains how to deal with roadaccident injuries, while two pages of get-youhome hints should not be needed by any self-respecting lorry driver; but who knows?
The price is 3gns and the atlas, which is 8in, by 11 in,, is published by Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd., 36 Park Street, London, Wl.
H. B. C.
Motor industry statistics
In 1967, commercial vehicles totalling 385,106 were produced by the British motor industry, the lowest figure for eight years; the 1966 total was 438,675. Last year, 5,739 tractive units for artics over 26 tons g.t.w., and 9,451 for artics below that weight, were produced. Output of trailers in 1967, at 37,777, showed a drop of 3,287 on the previous year's total. The total number of goods vehicles on Britain's roads in 1967 reached 1,618,094.
These and a host of other figures concerning vehicle production, registration and taxation are contained in the 433-page annual, The Motor Industry of Great Britain 1968 just published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers, Forbes House, Halkin Street, London, SW1. Members receive a copy free on request, additional copies cost 2gns, while the price to non-members is £2 15s post free in the UK. H. B. C.
Knowing the motorways
Separate maps of 15 British motorways or sections of motorway, plus a general motorway map of the whole country, are printed in a leaflet Know Your Motorways just published by the RAC. It also contains a guide to motorway signs, regulations and breakdown procedure, plus a list of RAC emergency control points with their phone numbers, The leaflet, which is on one large sheet that folds to form a booklet 51in. by 8+in. is free to RAC members. H. B. C.