Racing Books

Mr. Donovan has turned his reporter's eye on a dimly lit corner of the civil rights story and brought it to life. With superb story telling and exhaustive research, Mr. Donovan lays bare the racial hatred and bigotry rampant in the closed world of dirt track racing a generation ago. Jackie Robinson had it easy compared to the daunting wall of racist hatred faced by Wendell Scott. It's a true story that reads like a thriller. A story filled with the grit and determination of one man to overcome innumerable obstacles the only way he knew how--to win races. Its a factual account of a poor black man's rise from obscurity to the winner's circle set amidst the roar of engines and the dust of deeply racist Southern tracks. Through Donovan's voice, we get a whole new meaning of race in America.

I never knew or cared about race car driving (still think it's a waste of precious fuel), but when I was given this book to review, I couldn't put it down. It is the story of Wendell Scott, the courageous and remarkably dogged driver who broke NASCAR's color bar in 1952, and what it took out of him. It should be required reading for anyone of any color who appreciates the human spirit - and especially for teenagers who are too young to remember Jackie Robinson, and don't grasp what the Civil Rights Movement was all about. Read it, give it to your friends, your relatives, your kids' athletic coach. And make sure your library has a copy of the book. Richard Pryor starred in a fictionalized biofilm about Scott called "Greased Lightning" (1977).

Hard Driving is an apt title for the life story of Wendell Scott. Scott, an African American, was determined to race even though his efforts were thwarted by nearly every one involved in the racing industry of the 1950's and 1960's. The author follows Scotts travails from his youth in Danville, Virginia as a daredevil on bicycles and roller skates, through his brushes with the law as a bootleg whiskey runner, to his two decades running an unsponsored effort to race with the rapidly expanding organization NASCAR. Through his in-depth research, Donovan has put together the story of a black mans determination to do something he was very good at, despite the constant roadblocks put in his way. This book, like Scotts life, is inspiring, infuriating, and ultimately a heck of a ride.

Another gem from Dick Francis. Though it may be vintage, it was new to me and I enjoyed every bit of it! I listened to the audio production and was interested the whole time. Francis' clever use of language is as much a part of of the entertainment as the plot. Clever, quick, descriptive, concise-- never a dull moment.

This vintage (1975) Dick Francis thriller/mystery centers on Steven Scott who supports his race horse owning hobby by inventing toys, very expensive and very popular toys. When he finally realizes that his trainer has been stealing from him - stealing for a long time and on a grand scale he announces that he will be changing trainers immediately his life begins to get complicated. First he discovers that he had been taken for even more money than he had thought, then is shocked when the now former trainer steals his horse and tries to run him over in the process. He then discovers that public opinion is firmly on the trainers side! The complications continue at a rapid pace, involve a romance and expand from England to Florida.

When you purchase a Dick Francis novel you get a known product. The heroes are all young men, attached in some way or another to the racing world, who get caught up in intrigue and romance. The other known quantity of a Francis novel is that they are well written, the plots are clever with the clues fairly laid out for the reader to follow, the characters become real and sympathetic and the reader is in for a few very enjoyable hours.

"The Honest Rainmaker" is the best of A, J. Liebling, a reporter who wrote for the New Yorker Magazine for many years until his death in 1963.

It chronicles the life of James S. A. McDonald, a sports writer who used the pseudonym Col. John R. Stingo as told (for the most part) by McDonald's reminisces and tales of skulduggery.

It's difficult to talk about this book without quoting long stretches of it. Suffice it say that, as Liebling says, "when Col. Stingo departed from the truth, he improved upon it."

One of the funniest books I have ever read.

Although less well-known than the "Earl of Louisiana" and the recently-rescued-from-neglect "Between Meals," this sly and rollicking account of a Gentleman con-man is among Liebling's greatest achievements in form and in style. No follower of AJL's work can fail to note the author's bag of tricks or his own con game within the story, both of which illustrate Liebling at the top of his game. Purportedly a reporter's account of an aged confidence man, the work is in fact a running gag. Liebling was well-versed in the lore of American fun-and-games, an erudition that breaks forth in these pages with unalloyed glee. He contributes an account of gunfights in newspaper offices that some readers will recognize as an offshoot of a Twain story (which was also worked over, without gunfire, by Mencken).

The structure is simple: an aged newspaper man (the Colonel) recounts his life in "the Fourth Estate," complete with race tracks, swindles, marks, boobs and baloney. Charming scams are told in an engaging, orotund style in the hands of a master reporter and portraitist whose skills are sorely needed today. Liebling's delight in his world are evident, and an attentive reader will view the modern era with a more mirthful eye when he finishes the book. It is also worth pointing out that, as an example of a well-told story, this book is unsurpassed. The details are perfect and the timing is exquisite. Seasoned readers of Red Smith, Joe Mitchell and Damon Runyon (to pick only three)will noticed many inside jokes that only increase on re-reading. One fears this work has been neglected because it is just too damn clever and too damn good. Now that a humorist has been awarded a Nobel Prize, perhaps America will awaken to the fact that fun and wit have some revealing things to say. But do not let the fear of portentious Truth deter you from this book: you need gain nothing but fun.

The Naadam, an annual festival held throughout Mongolia that features horse racing, is thought to be one of the world's oldest sporting events, second only to the Olympics. Told from Ted and Betsy Lewin's point of view and based on events during their journey to Southern Mongolia, the story highlights one of those horse races across a fourteen-mile stretch of the Gobi Desert. At a camp of horse trainers about 800 miles away from the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, a nomad family has kindly offered the Lewins their hospitality. The reader also meets a nine-year old member of this family, Tamir, who is hard at work training his half-wild race horse in preparation for the upcoming Naadam. Much of the book chronicles the way of life for this family in the desert, the practice of "sweating up" the horses for the race, and the enormous excitement on race day.

Although the book focuses on the horse race competition and the question of how Tamir will perfom as a jockey, the authors have carefully woven in a set of economics lessons related to natural and human resources. For example, the family members use the milk from their mares, sheep, cows, and goats to make a variety of food and drink items. Also, the abundance of horses in Mongolia (there may be three times as many horses as people), helps to explain the popularity of horse racing. The intricate illustrations further help to convey how the family maintains its livelihood in the desert. Children and adults alike will appreciate the book's exciting plot, strong substantive content, and unique focus on Mongolia.

This book is absolutely wonderful for children, teachers, parents, anthropologists, and Mongolia enthusiasts alike! Ted and Betsy Lewin creatively captured the spirit and splendor of Naadam, a vibrant festival showcasing Mongolia's talented sportsmen and women. This book transports readers to the vast Mongolian steppe and lets them imagine what it would be like to stand shoulder to shoulder with locals, cheering for horses and young jockeys crossing the finish line after an emotional and exhausting race.

ITs about a boy named Mike and he bought a horse that went into the Maryland Hunt cup. Viking won the Hunt cup. When Mike might Viking's old owner. They start traning.

ITs about a boy named Mike and he bought a horse that went into the Maryland Hunt cup. Viking won the Hunt cup. When Mike might Viking's old owner. They start traning.

Highly recommended reading for dedicated car enthusiasts, Hot Rod Milestones: America's Coolest Coupes, Roadsters, and Racers offers an excellent selection of America's historical sports cars, covering twenty-five of the most influential and innovative vehicles in the automobile industry. Co-authored by automotive experts Ken Gross and Robert Genat, Hot Rod Milestones is a 204-page book enhanced with large pictures and great descriptions of each of the featured automobiles.

Excellent collection of the best hot rods of the past 60 years.
Terrific photography and descriptions. One of the best(of many) hot rod books I have.

I remember Andy Southard,jr. when I had a custom body and paint shop in Oakland California. Andy was doing pinstriping and taking photos for some of the leading "Hot Rod" magazines. The amazing thing about Andy's photos, the quality is superior and really shows the true colors of the "Candy Apple" and Pearl paint jobs done by some really talented people, including the late Bill Cushenbery.

Andy was right there during the "Cool Days" of Rod and Custom car building in the 1950s-60s. I only regret that my own custom paint work was not in his collection (He was back east at the time). Andy's books are a real asset to anyone who loves the superior craftsmen that built these works of rolling art.

Excellent photography, well written, and, by a man who "knew them all" -- Andy Southard Jr. - wow! He has captured the custom car and hot rod culture of the 60's as no other could, with his fabulous photographic library and unparalled knowledge of the special vehicles and the personalities he writes about.

This is a "must read" for all who are interested in the history and art form of hot rods and custom cars, whether they be past or present enthusiasts. It is truly a "trip down memory lane" for all who participated either as an owner of one of these unique vehicles or who just enjoyed them as a spectator.

I can't wait for his books on the 70's and 80's that will hopefully follow! Congratulations to Andy Southard Jr, for a very well-done book!

Aside from winning the "Best Art Book" in the 2000 MIPA Book Achievement Awards and placing as a Finalist in the ForeWord Magazine "Book of the Year" awards as Best Art Book, "Hotbloods" also won a PMA Benjamin Franklin Award. Additionally, shots from the book won two National Press Photographer's Association "Picture of the Year" awards. The book is an outstanding example of documentary photojournalism taken to an art form. Congratulations to Jon Kral for the work.

Jon Kral approaches the camera the way an artist approaches the canvas, and works with light, shadow, framing and imagery the way an artist uses paint, brush, and perspective. Hotbloods: Beyond The Winner's Circle is a visual celebration of the "back stage" race horse environment. The images of horses, people, equipment, stables, and race tracks are superbly crafted in full-page black and white photography. Hotbloods will be thoroughly enjoyed by all horse racing fans as well as photography-as-an-artform enthusiasts.

Lets face it. Not many people hot rod Corvair engines these days. However, if you are one of the few, then this book is a mandatory addition to your automotive library. Covers 105% of what it takes to build horsepower in the flat 6. Various chapters are dedicated to specific areas of the engine such as cooling and supercharging.Also, the book includes chapters on handling improvements on both the early and late model cars.

You can buy reprints of this book that is essential for every Corvair owner, whether or not you want to improve the performance of your car, from Clark's Corvair Part for less than... See Clark's website... The book is considered the indispensable reference in addition to the main GM shop manual and its model year supplements, for rebuilding, modifying and repairing all Corvairs. Engine builders adhere to its procedures, which extend far beyond the shop manuals and are carefully and logically presented in great detail. If you own a Corvair, you need this book.

This is a well written, easy to follow book that provides a lot of information about the Iditarod. Beautiful pictures make the reading even more enjoyable. It's broken into chapters so it can be read bit by bit, but it reads like a novel and I read it practically all in one sitting! I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking to learn about The Last Great Race!

Iditarod; The Great Race to Nome, is a informative book with abundant and excellent pictures to supplement the text. Iditarod; The Great Race to Nome, provides information about the gold rush, early sled dog races, and how the Iditarod dog sled race got started and more! It also includes tidbits of information about various topics that relate to the Iditarod, such as mushers. Wonderful pictures make the book even more memorable and worth buying. Overall this book is a great and informative book for all ages and is a personal recommendation if you need information about the Iditarod.