In "The Race to the Future: 8,000 Miles to Paris — the Adventure That Accelerated the Twentieth Century," author Kassia St. Clair explores the significant 1907 automobile race from Peking (now Beijing) to Paris. This 8,000-mile contest was publicized by the French newspaper Le Matin. The event was not only a test of early automotive technology but also a spectacle featuring challengers like the Italian Prince Scipione Borghese and the French-born Charles Godard. Borghese, who drove an Itala motor car, emerged as the winner of the race, which was fraught with physical and logistical challenges, including navigating nearly impassable terrains and arranging for fuel deliveries in remote locations.
St. Clair's book delves into the broader implications of the race, indicating how it reflected and influenced technological and cultural transformations during the early 20th century. Additionally, it touches on the decline of alternatives like electric vehicles due to societal and industrial preferences for gasoline-powered cars, a choice that significantly shaped modern transportation and urban landscapes. The book is published by Liveright and spans 384 pages, retailing for $24.99. This historical re-examination of the 1907 race juxtaposes the past and present technological advancements and their societal impacts.