The American Motorcycle Girls
Doobie Brother Pat Simmons’ wife, Cristine Sommer-Simmons, has authored a large format hardcover book documenting the history of women motorcyclists. Fully entitled The American Motorcycle Girls: 1900 to 1950 – A Photographic History of Early Women Motorcyclists, the book will be released on June 10th, and is available for pre-order at Amazon.com.
Cris Sommer Simmons, something of an American motorcycle pioneer herself, has been collecting photographs of women motorcyclists for nearly thirty years. A long time rider, often on a Harley-Davidson, she has scoured photo collections across the country and spent hundreds of hours researching the contents of the photographs. This book is the best of her veritable treasure trove. ‘Charming’ is the best word to describe each and every shot. Equally, one might say ‘informative’ or even ‘evocative’ but in truth this is a hugely significant work that seeks to charm and inject the reader with nostalgia for a surely bygone era.
- Download the official press release here (PDF), for a small preview of the book.
- Pre-Order it on Amazon.com now!
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Comments
Comment from Andrew
Time: May 20, 2009, 9:12 am
I look forward to purchasing this book when it is released in Canada hopefully this summer as well.
Being an avid Harley owner/rider for many years it would be my pleasure to add this book to my collection.
I am sure my wife will enjoy reading it thanks Chris.
See you guys in July in Southern Ontario.
Andrew
Comment from Todd
Time: May 20, 2009, 12:31 pm
When is the new recording getting released! I am so looking forward to it!
Comment from From Dave Again
Time: May 20, 2009, 12:37 pm
I almost forgot. I have been waiting for the new recording for like 2 years now too. Im hoping it is going to be out of this world
Comment from Colin
Time: May 25, 2009, 9:09 am
Hi from Liverpool, UK…. Are the Doobies ever gonna return to the UK for a small tour.. Great to see you finally gettin together with Ted Templeman, a return to form is predicted.. The once was vices album is my all time favourite, timeless classic.. So guys take a deep breath and come over, pleeeeease.. regards to all, Colin Campbell, beatle city…
Comment from DoobieHolly
Time: May 27, 2009, 9:14 pm
I am very excited to get my hands on this book on classic women bikers. It is going to be the only book on my coffee table.
Thanks for doing this project Cris…I am sure it is going to be a winner.
Peace, Holly
Comment from Aaron
Time: June 1, 2009, 4:40 am
I bought this book for my father because he has sent me three or four motorcycle books that he wrote. I wonder if this book is the first one written from the female perspective.
Comment from Sasha
Time: June 1, 2009, 3:56 pm
Cris is an icon and a huge inspiration to all female motorcycle riders. This book will be iconic, too. Best wishes!
Comment from Liz Edmundson
Time: June 18, 2009, 9:10 pm
I just got back from the concert here in Memphis tonight. It was incredible. Great performance, great muscians!
Thank you!!!!
Comment from Alice
Time: June 22, 2009, 2:45 am
It is going to be the only book on my coffee table. I wonder if this book is the first one written from the female perspective.
Comment from Bobby Arnold
Time: June 25, 2009, 8:13 am
The book looks fantastic, Cris, and I am really happy that my 81 year old Mom, Ruth Baer Arnold, made it into your book. My grandfather, Fritzie Baer, would have been thrilled with your book as motorcycles were his life.
Comment from Rabecca Turner
Time: July 24, 2009, 7:52 pm
I’m the luckiest girl in the world to be brought up with this amaizing music. My dad was a legand! He loved these guys. He was lucky enough to be the CEO of Warner Music Australia, and he brought these guys to our shores. My dad is a forgoten legand, unlike these guys!!!!!
Comment from Charlie Simmons
Time: July 25, 2009, 11:46 pm
Cris,
My mom was half sister to Adeline and Augusta Van Buren. My cousin Bob Van Buren’s website: vanburensisters.com. I think you will find of interest. I look forward to getting your book.
Comment from Bob Van Buren
Time: July 26, 2009, 6:58 am
Congratulations Cris, glad you included Augusta and Adeline in your book. It looks great.
Comment from Gina Woods
Time: July 28, 2009, 8:00 am
Cris – can’t wait to see the book – see you in Sturgis 
Comment from Mike
Time: September 21, 2009, 5:46 pm
We love the book. I bought it for my wife’s birthday as she has been riding since she was a kid and is a road racer and instructor in California. So many great stories and pictures. There are reprints of many old advertising posters that promote big motorcycles to women. It seems that there has been far less marketing to women in more recent decades. But that is changing fast. If you are planning a book from 1950 to present… women buyers are the fastest growing segment in motorcycling and hope you include many of the racing women from Tammy Kirk on dirt ovals of the 80s and 90s to motocross champions, to the many fast women racers of today. The AFM in would be a good place to start… Also a lot more women’s riding clubs are getting started like Curve Unit in California.
Anyway, that’s future fodder. This is a beautiful book that we’ll enjoy reading for years.
mike
Comment from Eric Halbeisen
Time: September 27, 2009, 9:35 am
Looking for the wine I saw TV with the cars on the lable . I think the white wine has the woody on it is the one I would like to find. Can I get this wine at my local wine store. Thank
Comment from Dave
Time: May 20, 2009, 7:56 am
When i met Pat, Tom and John in Washington D.C. at the XM Satelite studio radio taping a few years back i didn’t get any with me to have autographed but just being there was so great and having a photo taken with them was excellent. This book looks really nice and i hope Chris will do a signing with Pat for the folks. I have given up my motorcyle cause i was hit by a Delta 88 and it wasn’t an airplane but in 1979 they were big cars. Never the less, i will always love motorcycles.