The Fast Set

<P>The remarkable story of the Speed Kings, a group of men who achieved international notoriety as they pursued their common goal: to travel faster than anyone had ever done and claim the coveted Land Speed Record for their country, and for themselves. <br> Charles Jennings'' fascinating new book brings to life this eccentric collection of oddballs and enthusiasts, united only in their desire to succeed: Henry Segrave, as famous as he was fearless, who drew tens of thousands to his Florida record attempts; Malcolm Campbell, ''the feckless d''Artagnan of modern days'', whose risk-taking behind the wheel was only matched by that of his love life, a salacious cocktail of sleaze, scandal and bad behaviour; and John Cobb, the taciturn reclusive, who eventually broke the record he described as ''just a matter of keeping going''.<br> What made these men invest their lives and fortunes in the pursuit of speed? What fuelled their desire to be named ''fastest man on earth''? This is their riveting tale; a startling phenomenon that filled the inter-war years and burnt out as suddenly as it had arrived.</P>