Book excerpt: Karl Ludvigsen's careers as an auto industry insider and motorsport journalist gave him rare access to auto racing's greatest drivers. In this series of lavish coffee-table treatments from Haynes Publishing, the author offers race fans insightful biographies, rare anecdotes, and a wealth of archival color and black-and-white photography detailing motor racing's all-time greats. Beginning with the legendary Argentinian's early car-building days, Ludvigsen examines Fangio's F1 strut at Alfa Romeo, where he won his first world championship in 1951 at age 40; his dramatic success with Maserati in 1953, as well as his victory at Carrera Pan-Americana; his ensuing F1 world championships with Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari; his epic battles with Stirling Moss; and his ill-starred appearance in the Indianapolis 500. Also discussed are Fangio's 1958 kidnapping in Havana.