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A causal remark , made during an interview in Ferry Brouwer’s workshop was the very cautious beginning of this book. “Margriet and other people think that I should write a book. But I have no idea how I should do that.” After the interview, during which Ferry touched every possible subject, it took a while before I heard from his Nijkerkerveen home again. The message that reached me weeks later, felt like a great honour. “We would appreciate it if you wrote that book.” The faith that remark showed, touched me. After all, there are many journalists who are much closer to Ferry and Margriet than I am.
The many conversations – they were often so much more than interviews – with Ferry in Spikey’s Bar were fantastic. To him these conversations were quite exhausting. Being interrogated about your past from 10 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon is like running a mental marathon. But although these conversations were tough, they were also enjoyable, fun, enrichting, moving, provocating, inspiring and motivating. I learnt a lot from Ferry.
I also learnt that many people highly appreciate Ferry. Not just his friends, but also people with whom he has had problems – which are quite a few – speak of him with a lot of respect. The name Ferry Brouwer opens doors. The people I interviewed for this book, have all welcomed me with a remarkable hospitality and openness. This not only says someting about those people, it especially says something about Ferry. Those doors did not open because of me, but because of him.
Ferry, Margriet, Naomi and everybody else who has talked to me so hospitably and helped me: thank you very much! It has been an honour and a pleasure.
I would like to mention a special word of thanks to Hubertine van den Biggelaar (who made exactly the right remarks with her red marker), Frank Weeink (who prevented me from making blunders) and Malcolm Wheeler (who was a critical reader).
Natascha Kayser (author of the book That Boy).
This book can be ordered by sending an e-mail to; www.yamaha-classic-racingteam.nl the price is €.24,95 excl postage.
It is available in Dutch and English. |
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