Racing Books

What kid hasn't listened in on the telephone? Bill Davidson's children did just that, but didn't realize they hold the key to their father's killer.
Alan York loves racing and left home in South Africa to follow his dream. When he emerged from the fog of a steeple chase race he didn't find his friend a winner, but dead in a manner that was no accident.
Greed and fixed races were behind Bill's death and leave Allan the owner of Admiral and fighting for his own life.
Dead Cert is one of the riveting reads of a long career. Enjoy!
Nash Black, author of SINS OF THE FATHERS and QUALIFYING LAPS.

I never know what to expect when I begin a new Dick Francis novel - but I always enjoy the ride. This one is no exception.

This is the first Dick Francis mystery and I like it the second best. I like "Nerve" slightly better, but only slightly. This "Dead Cert" contains several impressive scenes. The most impressive is the climax in which the star horse "Admiral" plays an unexpectedly spectacular role. It is definitely THE MOST SPECTACULAR scene in ALL Francis mysteries. Highly Recommended.

I was amazed to learn after reading this one that it was Dick Francis' first novel. Francis was a very successful jockey--racing for the Queen Mother in the 1950's--and after a career-ending injury, he penned his memoirs. Following that success, he developed and incredibly successful second act as a novelist.

I discovered Francis' work last summer--and I have plans to read everything he's done. In the 3 books I've read, his heroes are all gentleman sleuths--full of character, empathy, and wits. In Dead Cert, the trend continues with Alan York, a young amateur jockey trying to uncover the mystery of why a copper wire was intentionally hung to trip his fellow jockey. York is on his own resolving this caper, having failed to fully convince the police that this was anything more than an accidental death.

The writing is of a high caliber, the characters are wonderfully drawn, and I always learn a thing or two about horses--and England--when I read Dick Francis. There's also something quaint about reading a book set in an age before computers, cell phones, and DNA evidence. Grade: A-

In yet another gripping story of mystery, murder and British steeplechasing, Dick Francis continues his amazing streak of hit novels.

His real appeal is not racing or mystery however, it is his ability to create characters who are admirable, honorable and self-reliant. If you're looking for troubled, self-loathers who "somehow" overcome their weakness and become unwilling and unwitting heroes, don't look here. Francis' heroes revel in their abilities to withstand evil, overcome it, and end up smiling in spite of it all.

Kudos once again for Dick Francis and Dead Cert!

THIS BOOK IS WORTH IT'S WEIGHT IN GOLD. IF YOU HAVE EVERY CONSIDERED RACING, THEN BUY THIS BOOK. IT WILL SAVE YOU ALOT OF TIME AND MONEY.

this book is incredible. For anybody remotely interested in car racing of any type they should read this book. It is the best source of information for getting started in racing with any budget even if if's a five hundred car. Must read !!!

I ordered this book expecting a great book, and I got one. When getting started in the club racing scene, whether it be SCCA or NASA, it's difficult to know where to go, what to get, and how much to spend. Dave's book is an awesome and straightforward read about exactly what you need to get started. He tells you flat out where you need to go and what you need to do. I loved this book!

THIS BOOK IS ABSOLUTLEY FANTASTIC!!

I have a good friend that's been racing SCCA for the past 8-9 years and for the past couple years he's been on my case to give SCCA racing a shot. I've ALWAYS been a car guy and have always been big in to drag racing and American muscle cars. Well, this past August I finally gave in and took part in a PDX at Mid-Ohio in my daily driver SRT4. MAN-O-MAN what a blast!!!

SOON thereafter I started seriously thinking about picking up a full-fledged SCCA race car, but I initially resisted. That's around the time I purchased/read Dave's book and that was the "clincher", I was HOOKED!! Soon therefter I was on the lookout for a SSB/SSC/ITA/ITC race car and within a month bought an SSC Focus. I'm looking forward to driver's school this April. THANKS DAVE for a great book!!!!!!

If you are like me and have an interest in going racing someday, this book really shows you what you have to do to get into the sport on a decent budget. I read the book in a day (which is a HUGE feat for me - I never liked books very much). It is very informative and sometimes humorous. It's laid back, but provides the advice and teachings that would prove very helpful when the time comes. Gran, the author, even goes into explaining how to prep a car... Anyway, I really liked this book. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in Autocross, SCCA Club racing, or just interested in racing.

Awsome book! dident know it existed, but now i have it and its super nice.

Obviously, this is an important book to just about any skateboarder, myself being one. However, I'd like to reiterate that this story is universal and can be inspirational to anyone of any lifestyle. The overall theme of this book is different from many other "overcomming the odds" style of autobiographies. Although Rodney's achievements in life are truely astounding, the true message throughout the book is that self-expression and self-acceptance are two of the most important things you can ever achieve in life. At least that's my take on the whole story.
I would recomend this book to anyone struggling to find themselves in life. This book, disguised as a simple skateboarder's autogiography, might just be the eye opener you've been waiting for.

I'm 27 years old and grew up watching all the legends like Rodney, Tony Hawk, Stacy Peralta, Tony Alva, etc. This is an amazing book not just because of it's relation to skateboarding, but because it tells a story of what it's like to sacrifice everything for what you love. If you are passionate about anything in your life and especially if you are young, facing opposition, reading this book may inspire you to follow your heart and what you believe.

I can relate to this book a lot because my father and Rodney's were of the same batch. I also felt that we had similar struggles as misfits in life. I highly recommend this book to anyone. It's an interesting read and a great story of someone who succeeded in life.

If your a fan of Rodney Mullen this book is a must own, as soon as it came in i couldn't put it down me being a Skater and a fan of Rodney this was a real treat. The book talks about Rodney's early life, the beginning of his career and his rise to fame, and with all the drama along the way.

Possibly the best book I ever read. Although the history of skating through Rodney's eyes is fascinating, the true treasure of this book is seeing the world through Rodney's eyes. It is a beautifully told story with generous honesty. Being a skater is irrelevant to liking this book. If you've ever been young and had dreams, then you should be reading it.

This book is a rare combination of entertainment and information woven into a fast-paced narrative. The author is an experienced newspaper sportswriter, and that background gives her writing a pace and focus that perfectly fits the subject matter.

NASCAR's history is complicated; it is unique in American sports because it is wholly owned by a single family, the Frances. The actual racers are, in effect, independent contractors who perform day labor at the various racetracks that the France family franchises. The author makes all of this clear in one of the best analyses of the business of car racing that has ever been written.

At the same time, she explores the background of NASCAR's original stars, the good 'ole boys from the South, many of whom souped up cars to haul moonshine liquor during the Prohibition era. As the sport matured into the business it is today-- mostly because the France family made it do so-- those drivers were replaced by Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, David Pearson and the like. Finally, today, the drivers are not only skilled professionals but corporate spokesmen as well. This could have been boring material, but the author's news writing skills turns it into an exciting narrative.

This is an excellent look into the history of NASCAR and into the current operations of the sport. It contains a wealth of material that the real fans will find valuable, and it clearly explains the sport for the casual viewer. I recommend it highly.

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.

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!

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.

Let me say first that this book only remindedd me of the 94 Brickyard where me & my wife sawd him whiles we was tryin to get an autograph. I must tell you that there are so many facts & numbers that it will make your head spin,kinda like being in the infield at Daytona after a case of Busch beer. It made a good addition to our Earnhardt wall clock

I normally try to avoid describing a book in ways that might be seen as hyperbole, but this book defies that rule ! An incredibly thorough statistical breakdown of the career of one of NASCAR's greatest drivers and most beloved stars, John Regruth's book is worthy of being called awesome. Accompanied by more than 80 color photographs, this book begins with a complete listing of his career statistics and records, then chronicles his races year-by-year, then finally his results at each track. Starting position, finish, laps, money, Cup points.... it is all in here. Quite simply put, the absolute best statistical record of Dale Earnhardt's career available. Superb !

This book has them all. Year by year,track by track,track type breakdowns, percentages. The numbers boggle the mind. An excellent statistical record of Dale's career.

I beleiv I speak for all race fans when I say Dale Earnhardt was a great man. He drove better than anybody. He was number three. He was called the inimidater. Then he crashed which is a trajity.

A must be read book for all true race fans.

Let me say that I am a NASCAR and huge Dale Earnhardt fan! This book is a must have for ANY Dale fan. There are other stat books in the making by the same author of other great NASCAR drivers like Jeff Gordon. I had to have this book. This book is a testimonial of how great of a driver Dale was. You can't compare Dale to Richard Petty and you can't compare Jeff Gordon to Dale because of the different eras and technology in stock car racing but Dale was the best of his era and many other great NASCAR drivers like Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson think he was the best ever. I agree!!! This book has every imaginable stat of Dale. From year by year to track breakdowns and even his IROC stats. A must have for any Earnhardt fan. We miss you Dale! Thanks for the memories!!! Rest In Peace!