David Bull Publishing is known for its specialised books on historic race cars and the people who drove them. To quote Mr. Bull, the company features "top-flight authors who know their subjects; entertaining and informative writing; superior photographs and artwork; the highest-quality design and printing." A glance through the catalog would seem to confirm his claim. Among the nine new titles for 2006, one in particular caught my eye because of its appeal to young folks just tuning in to the magic world of automobiles. The Alphabet and the Automobile includes an array of famous racers, roadsters, sports cars and sedans, shown in brilliant watercolor illustrations and accompanied by summaries of what made each one great. Essential specs are at the bottom of each page. Incidentally this "alphabetic trip through automotive history" is equally enjoyable for grown-up enthusiasts like you and me. The small format and reasonable price ($17.95) would make it an ideal gift for a young person on your Christmas list. Yes, I know, it's too early to be thinking about Christmas, but think of the fun you'll have flipping through the pages while you wait.