Book Review: My Cool Caravan by Jane Field-Lewis & Chris Haddon

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for this review. I did not receive any payment and was not required to write a positive review. Links marked with (eBay⇒) or (Amazon⇒) are affiliate links. This means I get paid a small commission if you buy something after clicking on the links. This money helps to pay for the running of the website.

Modern life is often driven by the idea that newer must mean more desirable. In many cases this is true – I wouldn’t want to swap my laptop for a 1990s model – but it is not always the case. There can be a certain spiritual and aesthetic joy in owning and using old things; a satisfaction that cannot always be got from new items.

My Cool Caravan is a book that applies this ethos to the world of caravans, and takes a first-hand look at the current fashion for retro caravans. It’s a stylishly-presented hardback and is packed with good quality colour photos spread across 160 glossy pages.

My Cool Caravan is divided up into nine sections which represent different types of retro caravan. Some of the categories overlap somewhat but there is no doubt that the caravans portrayed highlight the range of uses to which a classic caravan can be put, even if traditional caravanning doesn’t attract you. Examples in My Cool Caravan include offices, guest bedrooms, children’s playhouses and woodland retreats. Not all of the caravans pictured ever move but some are in regular road use, often by classic car enthusiasts who want caravans that complement their cars (and their passion).

This book was an absolute pleasure to browse through and is expertly written by people who are passionate about design (and retro caravans). The emphasis of the book is on style and design, not technical detail, but the mixture of faithful and imaginative finished restorations illustrated in the book should provide hints and inspiration for any aspiring caravan restorers. There are even a few campervans – and the authors’ next book, My Cool Campervan, is due out in May 2011!

You can get a taste of what’s in the book – including some great pictures – by visiting the My Cool Caravan website.

Buy My Cool Caravan on Amazon (Amazon⇒) or get a signed copy direct from the authors (for a few pennies more)

Title: My Cool Caravan
Authors: Jane Field-Lewis & Chris Haddon
Publisher: Pavilion
ISBN: 978-1862058781