An incredible and moving story... a combination of competition, friendship, and an adventurous spirit... The race from Beijing to Paris has begun.

On June 10, 1907, five cars set off on a desperate race across two continents, in a time of change. An Italian prince and his chauffeur, a French racing driver, a swindler, and various journalists battle across steep mountain routes and through the barren expanse of the Gobi Desert. The contestants need teams of helpers to carry their early cars through narrow gorges, lift them over rough surfaces, and traverse rivers. Gasoline is almost impossible to find, roads are scarce, and armed bandits and wolves lurk in the forests.

Their progress reports, sent by telegram, are anxiously consumed by millions, in one of the first global news stories. Their destination: Paris. Beyond its many adventures, the Beijing-Paris race triggered profound change. The world of 1907 stands at a crossroads between old and new situations: communist regimes will replace imperial ones in China and Russia, the telegraph is transforming modern communication, and the car will soon replace the horse.

In this book, author Kassia St Clair retells the thrilling stories of two interconnected races—the courage (and sometimes deceit) of one of the first car races, within the context of a broader geopolitical and technological study towards the future, as competitions grow between countries and empires, leading to events that changed everything—the First World War. "The Race to the Future" is the incredible true story of the struggle against terms that shaped the world we live in today.

Pages: 384, Year of Publication: 2021, Dimensions: 12.8x12.8cm