John Muir (1918-1977) was a writer, mechanic, and expert
on the maintenance and repair of Volkswagens. Originally a
structural engineer working for the National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics, in the 1960s he quit his job to become a writer and
car mechanic in Taos, New Mexico.
In 1969, Muir collaborated with the artist Peter Aschwanden to
create the definitive manual for Volkswagen owners, How to Keep
Your Volkswagen Alive; A Manual of Step-By-Step Procedures for the
Compleat Idiot. The first edition sold more than two million
copies.
In November 1977, Muir passed away from a brain tumor. His
self-published first edition is considered one of the most
successful self-published books in history, and his manual remains
the definitive guide for VW owners.
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