2003-08-29 A very good story from 1910

In this sequel to Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle, Tom purchases the motorboat used by the gang in their nefarious activities. In the midst of his competition with Andy Foger, Tom discovers that someone is tampering with his boat. Who is tampering with the boat, and what are they up to? As usual, Tom combines his love of things mechanical with his boyish energy and big heart to help his friends and bring the villains to justice.

Once again, this book is also a wonderful window on the United States of 1910. While reading, you can see the comparative simplicity of mechanical devices back then, and the simplicity of life. Tom Swift presents a good role model, which is a definite plus, and the story is quite fascinating.

Eradicate Sampson, the African-American character is back, but this time the racial epithets are missing, which goes a long way towards making the story acceptable. This book begins with a synopsis of the first one, so let me suggest that this book may actually be a better starting point for reading the series. Overall this was a great book, and I highly recommend it.