The Cyclist's Manifesto: The Case for Riding on Two Wheels Instead of Four

[June 2009] From the title, I was expecting a brash "bikes rule" rant similar to an urban "critical mass" ride. Instead, I found a very balanced book that brings all aspects of cycling in to their historical context. From the cycling roots of Henry Ford and the Wright Brothers to oil crunches and government bailouts, the book covers a lot of ground in a short amount of space.
The authors style is very casual and somehow manages to wade through all sorts of heated while acknowledging the benefits of each side's arguments. It is a great book for getting background in bikes (and transportation in general) without having to subscribe to a particular idealogy.