Racing Books

Bart's book is absolutely hilarious and inspiring. His stories are witty and humorous. I was laughing out loud at the Taco Bell story, the cross country bike story, and the bare buns run! Great read, I couldn't put it down. Bart is a legend.

This book cracked me up. Bart is inspirational, funny, and crazy. All the making's of a runner:)!

Bart Yasso's stories are funny (he is a pun master) and entertaining,while inspiring the reader to get out and run a lot of miles! I read excerpts from this book in Runner's World, bought the book, and have given copies as gifts. Everyone I know who has read it really likes it.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. I just started running again to get back into shape and his stories inspired me challenge myself more. His stories are also very funny. The story about his experience running in the nudist run made me chuckle out loud. I definately recommend this book!

This book, captures the essence of what a runner can experiance, and hope to be. Bart is a great story teller, who's compassion and grace shines through!

What I like most about Pfitzinger's and Scott's book is that it is a very friendly efficient book that gets right into the subject matter and it breaks down what others describe in more complex fashion, like VO2 Max, into much simplier terms making the comprehension easy and in far fewer pages. Although written in the very late 90s, this book is still an excellent guide for HS and runners virtually up to local elite status. "Daniels Running Formula" is probably mote satisfying, and more detailed for top guns but Pfitziner and Scott give you a lot of the same information with a variety of workouts based on goal times at various distances. The authors even quote Daniel's research and others so it still is in the game. If you want a quick grasp training book that is top knotch, pleasant to read with examples and pictures, then this is your book.

Pfitzinger's book finally delivers on what I always want from a book on a complex subject, simple explanations and simple solutions. Why write 800 pages when 188 will suffice. If you are only looking to train for 5K's then you can skip the section on 10K and marathon training and get even more concise explanations. This book gives short, simple explanations to the key elements of a training program. We now know everything we need to know about VO2 max and lactate threshold training, their relative importance, how to improve them and how to incorporate them into your training program. Pete indirectly points out how most of us are doing no lactate threshold training (by running most of our daily runs to slow) and doing all of our interval work to fast. I recommend this book to anyone looking to improve his or her racing times.

I would also suggest buying "Daniels Running Formula". I bought it last summer and my 5K's times went down from 19:40 to 18:50. I bought "Road Racing for Serious Runners" to basically get a second opinion on Daniel's theories. Actually these are not opinions or theories. These are time-tested methods back by sound science. I'm 43 years old and I'm living proof that random training will yield random results. Both Pfitzinger and Jack Daniels book will eliminate the "lets try this" approach to training. Both books cover the same topics and both authors come up with the basically the same training program. Daniels book breaks his schedule into 4 six-week phases while Pfitzinger has a 10-week and an 11 phase. When you look at both plans it becomes obvious and almost laughable on how easy it is to improve on your racing times (and in my case actually cut back on the training intensity).

I would buy both books so you can really feel good about your new training methods. Pete's book is simpler and has separate schedules for some of us low 20-40 mile per week folks. Daniels book has slightly more science and covers more topics. Daniels also has been around longer and has trained more athletes. There are only a few contradictions in Pete's book. He states on page 21 that your volume of Vo2 max workouts (your hard intervals) should be 1 workout per week with a total distance covered of 4 to 8K with the possibility of adding a second lower volume session each week. This corresponds with Daniels book where he has 2 Vo2 max sessions each week (or 1 Vo2 Max and a race). But when you get to the detailed 5K schedules for the 20-40 miles per week you only see 6 Vo2 max workouts scheduled in 21 weeks, despite them being listed as the number one priority. Also only 5 threshold workouts are scheduled in the last 11 weeks for the 20-40 mile schedule. I guess Pete is no dummy. He knows that Bill Rodgers may not use his book and that it will be geared towards people like me. He knows that I'm going to sneak in a combination of ten 5K and 8K races this fall before I attempt to peak in early December. The Daniels book just encourages it and has those realities clearly shown on the schedules. Just buy both books, start training smarter and in some cases a little easier. I've bought bad unhealthy lunches for [PRICE]. If you run this will be the best [PRICE} you will ever spend.

Very good book for learning to race everything from 5k to marathon distances. There is no fluff, just the facts on how to prepare for a specific race distance. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is the authors schedules are a little too general for those of us who must have a detailed schedule. This book is not a beginner's book. To get the most from it you need to have some experience running races, even if you are a slow runner.

I can't imagine a better, more concise book on running training for distances over 1500m. A great introduction to the physiology of endurance racing, and how to apply this knowledge directly to your own workouts.

If Jack Daniel's book is the bible of running, this book is a close second. Clear, concise, and with good training tables, this book is a nice tweak on Daniel's book.

Using the methods espoused in these two books has improved my race times dramatically. Instead of random training, every training run now has a purpose; be it a slow easy run or speed workouts at the track.

the book was interesting but she kind of wrote it twice within one book, short and easy. read in one day.

I purchased this book over the Internet. I had followed the careers of Smarty Jones and Barbaro as a devoted fan--Barbaro's death really effected me after so many months of hoping and praying.I thought that this book would give me more information on the lives of the owners, the races of the horses and their appeal to the nation. I would have to say that it was much more than that--it is a CLASSIC. I learned SO much about thoroughbred racing, its traditions, its audience, its attempt to help horses and their legacies. What a powerful and wonderful read!!!! Kudos to the author!!

This is one of the BEST books EVER written about these 3 outstanding, magnificent Thoroughbreds! Their greatness that touched millions, was gone all too soon, tragically for these 3 youngsters...the author captures every aspect and the research done to compile such a GREAT masterpiece, is like no other! Reading this book, makes you feel like you are a part of it and you just can't put it down! As a Thoroughbred owner/rescuer and avid follower of racing greatness, I learned some things that I did not know or fully understand...the book made me see it more clearly. I only wish the author, who could not have then known, that another untimely death in TB Racing, was about to make history...if that story could have also been incorporated into this book. The "Eight Belles" tradgedy...another story of SUPERB GREATNESS needing to be told; another book for Linda to write? THANK YOU LINDA HANNA*****

I purchased this book in great anticipation of savoring the stories of three wonderful horses whose careers I have followed from youth(with Ruffian) to adulthood with Smarty Jones and Barbaro. The book more than surpassed my expectations. The writer is a natural who draws you into the times and the people...each story brought tears to my eyes but in a good way for the wonderful magic and sport that we witnessed in these horses. The book is for everyone-from 9 to 99-horse-lover or eager fan. I thought I would like the book but it ranks up there with one of the best that I have ever read. I will be anxiously waiting for Hanna's next choice-I sincerely hope that one's in the making. A great gift, too.

Ms. Hanna has written an interesting, informative, and heart warming book about three of America's most captivating horses. Her approach to their individual stories clearly demonstrates her love of and knowledge about horses. She tells her stories so you feel you are there with Barbaro, Ruffian, and Smarty Jones as they experience their triumphs and their defeats, two at the cost of their lives. You find yourself smiling as she describes their winning efforts and close to tears when they no longer can do what they loved the most; run like the wind.

Even though I am a NASCAR fan, I would recommend this book to anyone, a racing fan or not. The life of Curtis Turner was full of ups and downs, whether in his racing career or personal life. All of this is chronicled in the book, which focuses on the very beginning of Turner's life running moonshine to the end of his (short) life. The man was always up for adventure, whether wrecking rental cars, intimidating competitors on the track, or trying to land a plane around a residential area. Full of details and reflections by NASCAR greats of an earlier era, this book never fails to keep a reader's attention. I must admit, I had never heard of Curtis Turner before reading this biography, but I wasn't able to put it down once I started reading it, and neither will you!

While Turner's name is revered in the USA, it's a non-entity elsewhere, so it's easier for me to be objective. For an avid motor-racing fan it lacks insight and depth on the racing side, but there's a lot of research into the man. I can imagine he'd rub me up the wrong way as an overconfident careless larrikin, but get my admiration for his obvious courage and skill. The author lacks the story-telling knack that should enthrall and entertain, and believe me, Turner had a life full of retellable tales. Wish someone more entertaining wrote it. Dismissing the first ever "car-in-swimming-pool" feat in a few lines is a sin! These yarns could be spun out for hours!

An excellent book if you are interested in the history of NASCAR. Curtis Turner was one of the great drivers of the 50s, and played an important role in the growth of NASCAR. He lived life hard.

Let me preface this review by stating that I don't consider myself a fan of NASCAR or car racing in general. So when a friend suggested I read "Full Throttle" I was reluctant. My reading preference is usually fictional narrative with occasional reference books. My friend insisted that I would enjoy the read though, and since I trust him I took the plunge. And I am so glad I did.

From the opening scene it's clear that the author not only knows his subject but is a superb storyteller. Until reading this book I frankly had no idea of the existence of Curtis Turner but I feel now that I have intimate knowledge of this interesting figure. His life was full of passion and adventure and Edelstein does a masterful job of giving us a firsthand view of the man, from the perspective of family and friends as well as sitting in the passenger seat through several thrilling races and crazy side trips. From his early days behind the wheel of bootlegging vehicles to the creation of NASCAR and beyond this is a great read and it's obvious that it was exhaustively researched.

Whether you have a love of the subject matter or simply enjoy a great read, "Full Throttle" is well worth your time and money. One of my favorite books of the year...

Fans of car racing in general and NASCAR in particular won't want to miss Robert Edelstein's biography of driver Curtis Turner in Full Throttle: The Life And Fast Times Of Nascar Legend Curtis Turner. Racing fans receive a fast page-turner about one of the most dynamic stock car racers in history. Access to the files of Turner's widow supplement motorsports writer Robert Edelstein's fascinating coverage, adding depth to his survey of Turner's legendary life and many achievements.

Very well written story on the life of Gilles and full of tons of facts on his races and the way he lived his life . I still can't believe he lived that long while reading this book . Check out Curtis Turners book " Full Throttle " for a perfectly written story that's imposible to put down , with an emotional ending on probably the first " Intimidator " . You won't be disappointed .

The sad fact is that, despite the popularity of F1 now, nobody since has demonstrated Gilles' control.

This book is a good representation of him- it doesn't fawn on him, he's not without his flaws and I think it does a pretty balanced job of showing all sides of the man. If you're into Villeneuve's style, and want to know more about him, you will not do better.

In Montréal on GP weekend, they've a display of Gilles' suit on Crescent Street. The guy looks all of 5 feet all...a tiny giant among drivers...

This book is impossible to put down, if you are or are not a
Gilles fan this is a must. The book is very well written with
tons of insite to his years of racing as well as lots of
liitle known information about him and his family. I found myself
making time to get a few more pages in before I would have to
put it down. I was at six of the races mentioned in the book,
Watkins Glen and Canada, not only did it bring back great
memories, but I learned more about those races than I knew then
when I was there live. Buy it and god bless Gilles

I've read a lot of racing books, but never one better than this. It is at the same time gripping, compelling and very well written.

Donaldson's masterpiece is recommend without hesitation.

Let me be clear: this is simply the best racing driver biography ever written. It's complete, well written, touching and objective at the same time, respectful to the dead. It's an amazing book. No doubt the writer is a big Villeneuve fan, but he managed to avoid being totally partial.
It's full oof data, anecdotes, funny parts, tragic parts, competition, brief technical analysys of the cars, a lot of famous drivers in diverse categories... Well, this is the book.

High Steaks is a story that is ultimately about people. You get to meet a full spectrum of characters in this book, all of them equally fascinating, quirky and engaging. Mr. Loughran has the great talent of inciting emotion in the reader. I found myself loathing some characters and wishing I could buy a drink for some of the others. The story is fast-paced and immediately engaging. I highly recommend this book.

Rob Loughran's career has consisted of working in restaurants. HIGH STEAKS is his first novel, and is the winner of the Fourth Annual Mystery Award.

Davis O'Kane's ex-wife wants custody of their twin daughters, the house, and to make his life miserable. He adores his twins, and his restaurant isn't doing so well either. He is a certified member of Gambling Anonymous. But when Wanda Marie, his on and off girlfriend, is found dead in the freezer in the restaurant of Nightingale, Nevada, Davis begins to wonder if there isn't a conspiracy out to get him. Freddy Finnegan, the town drunk whom Davis feeds a nightly steak, turns up in the trunk of his car, and the IRS comes knocking at the door. All the while, notes from Wanda Marie are addressed to the friends of Davis urging them to bet on a horse named Future Glue that barely qualifies for its races. Something doesn't smell right:

"No one's stupid enough to have a horse work out the morning of a race. Davis fumbled with the HumVee's door and walked to the trailer-Woody monitored his actions in the mirror. Future Glue lolled against the padded and blanketed side of the trailer, held up by a bridle and three straps. The horse's tongue lolled, gray and dry, from the side of his mouth. Davis jogged back to Woody. 'You've been doping Future Glue?'"

HIGH STEAKS is a mystery packed with many subplots all leading to the same conclusion. Davis is a nice-guy hero who is surrounded by misfits; spies; mobsters; and bad cops. The plot is driven by vignettes involving the various characters and their motives, and the denouement is a squirmer for anyone who loves animals and horses in particular. HIGH STEAKS exposes yet another seamy side of horse racing and the greed that usually results in beautiful horses being destroyed. Throughout the story, the drifty but celestial writings of the deceased Wanda Marie provide insight and depth to a well conceived plot.

We can't help but root for Davis to put his life back together, and the lovely Tasha appears just as things are at their bleakest. All's well that ends well, and Davis becomes a humble hero in the end, inviting a sequel. The reader gets to see Davis win and stay unaffected. A good read.

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer

Everything about this book is slick. It ain't like reading, it's like listening to music. It just flows through around-and-through-you. It's slick. I read a lot of mysteries and they're somewhat contrived--I love the town of Nightingale; I care about the people who live there. The minor characters in this book complete this book. They all have souls and friends and families I care about. I actually forgot this was a murder mystery--I cared that much about Wanda Marie, and Zenny, and Davis, and Rohn and John. I really did. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. You'll be delighted. I've never reviewed anything; ever. But this is such an entertaining and delightful book I must.

This will be a movie; hop on the bandwagon early and read this book.

Never have I read such an intelligent dissection of white trash mentality. High Steaks exposes the mores and foibles of Nevadan society--but lovingly. There is a humorous juxtaposition between the slick prose and what that prose describes that is wickedly clever. Very visual book; I can't wait for the movie.

Swiftly moving, gripping, heartfelt, intelligent, funny, sensitive, emotional, and brutally honest down and dirty. Rob takes you on a journey with masterly crafted interwoven plots, but doesn't let you get lost in them. He gives just enough info to portray the scene and to make the reader feel up close and personal with the characters, but does not overwhelm the reader with unnecessary and excessive detail. And boy could he. Who has this depth and scope of knowledge of so many topics?? Again what intelligence! The characters are all so different and fleshed out really well, you really feel like you're there with them - a sweeping scope of human existence in many of its forms. An intriguing plot hard to put down...It felt as though I was watching a movie. Can't wait to see it! Keep em' coming Mr. Loughran!

Men And Speed is an informative survey of NASCAR racing history and is written by a journalist who had exclusive access to Roush Racing, a large motorsports operation. Miller spent a year on the NASCAR racing circuit with owner Roush and his drivers: the result is an epic of racing events.

This book is a must have for any and all Roush Racing/NASCAR Fans. Every page I read sent chills up my spine and tears down my eyes. G. Wayne Miller gets up-close and personal with the Roush Guys and tells all the stuff we want to hear and all the stuff some of us would never come close to knowing. He is a super writer and a great person as he keeps the Roush fans up-to-date with his continuing adventure with the Roush guys. I hope he would consider a Pt. 2 because I know it would be just as great! Thanks for this wonderful insight!

Interesting look into the workings of a NASCAR Winston Cup team.

This book gives the reader a wonderful glimpse inside the 2001 NASCAR season as seen from the eyes of the drivers of Roush Racing. This particular season can be seen as the breakout year in which NASCAR gained much prominence for the following reasons: 1) the death of Dale Earnhardt 2) the intense media scrutiny regarding safety 3) the heightened public awareness and growing fan base 4) the relative under-performance of many racing teams.

This book will give you the inside story on all of these events and more. Highly recommended for the NASCAR fan and casual observer alike!

This is an awesome book. Somehow, Miller manages to write a compelling review of a year in racing which is enjoyable by both NASCAR novices as well as diehard fans who don't make non-race related appointments on Sunday. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about NASCAR from the inside. The anecdotes are exciting and amusing. The overall view of the Rousch racing endeavor is fascinating. I couldn't put the book down. Great job Mr. Miller!

If you'd like to learn about the history of racing but want it on a more personal level, this is the book for you to read.

Love the book, gives just enough history of the sport and enough current information mixed in with fun stories about the past and present drivers.

A must for all fans of NASCAR, whether casual or hard-core. This book traces the sport through the lens of a witty, sophisticated, Springsteen-loving, private-school-educated woman. Liz Clarke is hardly your average NASCAR writer, and this is far from your average NASCAR book. The brilliant character studies here of champions like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt show Clarke's resolve to part NASCAR's curtain and reveal the men who made the sport so much more than simply turning left. Read it and you will be glad that Clarke -- who has written about the sport for years, starting at The Charlotte Observer and now at The Washington Post -- has embraced this sport with her uncommon insight. What this book needs more than anything else is a sequel!

I'm delighted with the book and had a great "ride" reading it. I recommend it to anyone who is a newbie to NASCAR (like I am) or has enjoyed it's growth.

I saw the book report of this book by the author, Liz Clarke, on BOOK TV a few weeks ago and throughly enjoyed it. I am a NASCAR fan of lots of years so naturally I wanted the book. I am so glad I got it for it is one of the best reads I have ever experienced. I would recommend it to anyone, NASCAR lover or not. I have shared the book with some fellow NASCAR followers and each of them has had the same opinion, GREAT READ!

THIS BOOK IS FOR HORSE-LOVERS!
With the Kentucky Derby on her mind Katie is stressed to the limit. She wants to the jockey of Willow King, her horse. She had been practicing but someone else has come into view. A jockey named Mark is new to the riding academy and wishes to ride Willow King in the Kentucky derby. Evryone thinks it is the best for everyone, but Katie has other plans.

This book was even better than Willow King and I didn't think that could be possible! It's realistic and is written by a real Jockey so it's no wonder I could feel my own feet in the irons. Katie Durham is a true hero who shows real mettle in this unputdownable novel.

This was a great book!! I absolutly loved it! I think that it deserves 5 stars more than any other book. It is about a girl named Katie who wants to take her horse Willow King to the Kentucky Derby and ride him in it. Katie is a girl thet was born with one leg shorter than the other. In the 1st book, Willow King is born with crooked legs and is going to be put down. But Katie knows how he feels and saves him and turns him into a race horse. Along the way (in the sequel) she meets a blind girl Camela and has to deal with Mark, the jockey who wants to ride Willow King in the derby. I also reccomend the 1st book, Willow King. I hope you read this book because it is a awesome, awesome book.

Arter reading the firse one about Willow King and Katie, I just had to read the second one and was not disapointed. After wiining the Futurity, Willow King is pointed to the Kentucky Derby. Katie dreams of becoming his jockey and riding him in the Derby. She works super hard and eventually, makes it to being a jockey. While in the mean time, meets Camela who is Cindy's cousin who is also blind. Together, they are able to learn a bit from the other.

This novel, sequel to the original story of Willow King, I strongly recommend to anyone interested in horses. It is the story of a young girl who comes from behind with her horse Willow King to go for a million dollars in the famous race at Belmont, the Kentucky Derby. It shares her feelings as she trains to be a jockey despite the discrimination and hard work involved on her way to the top. Despite everything, she works hard to achieve her goals while dealing with her uncertainty and strenuous training. I recommend this book and the original to everyone as a truly moving and heartwarming duo of the world of women jockeys.

I really enjoyed reading Lisa's book, "Running With Champions". I thought it gave a great "insiders look" at what it really takes to run the Iditarod. As a reader, it was overwhelming to read about the physical preparations it takes just to get your gear and dogs ready... the endless hours of running the dogs, and of course, learning how "NOT" to do things. That is ALL before you get to the Ceremonial Start in Anchorage!

I thought that her writing style was engaging, and she was more than willing to share the ups and downs of her adventures. I enjoyed her sense of humor about the goof ups, and accidents she had during training. I thought her insights into living with and training with one of the "Big Dogs" of mushing, Jeff King, was fascinating. I have often wondered what makes these mushers tick.

I have read other books by other female mushers, and by far, Lisa's book was the most engaged, and engaging. Very thoughtful, warm and fun... Thanks for writing this book for us middle-aged gals!

Lisa was the tour guide on our 9 hour Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali NP in September and did a great job. Great on stories, history, and of course her dogs. The book is just like talking to Lisa. She has a very outgoing personality and a true love of Alaska - this comes through clearly in her book as well. This book also makes a great gift.

As others who reviewed this book, I too met the author and her husband, but not in Alaska, but in Belize, Central America of all places! After a sailing trip in a group, my friend and I had breakfast with them one morning. Off-handedly, she mentioned the experience and book. 7 months later after looking at some photos, I was reminded of it, and sent for it.
What a nice surprise! I Loved it! Not only was it interesting and inspiring, but the girl can write too! I cried several times and cheered her on. I'm passing it on to my neighbor for her trip this weekend. My only regret is that I hadn't known about her or her book before we met briefly. I would have talked her ear off with questions. So, when's the movie coming out!

I visited Alaska this year in early March during the week before the Iditerod and went to Lisa Frederic's book signing, bought the book, and absolutely loved it. She has the insight, humility and sense of humor to convey the exhilaration and the strain of this adventure. She was also very accessible and easy to talk to, brought her dogs with her, and read just enough of the book to make me want to buy it and read it. This book helped me understand and appreciate the race and the time I spent in Alaska. I can not recommend it enough.

On a recent trip to Alaska's Denali National Park, my wife and I were fortunate to have an extremely knowledgeable tour guide who had spent the last 27 years in Alaska, first as a commercial fisherman(or fisherwoman) and now as a dog trainer/fisherman/tour guide. Only in passing, at the end of our delightful 8 hour tour, did she mention that she had completed the Iditarod (at age 42). Seeing this obviously healthy, energetic, and outgoing person and hearing this rather incredible story certainly piqued our interest. As we were leaving, she also mentioned that she had written an account of her adventure "Running with Champions". At our first stop, at the Denali Wilderness Center, we found the book and both of us read it in the next three days. I only hope that Alaskan travelers can have the pleasure of Lisa's company on the Denali tour and share in her story and extensive knowledge of this great state and National Park. If Alaska isn't in your plans, please read this book and share Lisa's love of life, dogs, and the challenges of the Alaska frontier.