Tracks Books

Circle a track once. Fast as you can. Faster than anyone. Do that as your country asks'What are you?' 'Who are you with?'
If the 400 meter run is magic, Frank Murphy is a magician of a writer. He tells the story of Lee Evans, a quarter miler running for the U.S. at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. The Olympics where raised fists caused fits. Heroes and villians stride through Murphy's story, but better still, there are people captured in time, making choices without certainty as to their impact, only as to the justness of their cause.
For those who lived in that era, The Last Protest is a fresh look at men America asked to bring home gold medals, display them when asked, but not ask too much for themselves.
For those who only remember seeing a photo of two men, gloved hands clenched above them, the book is a way to understand them by understanding one man that circled that track.
The race sequences alone are worth the price of the book. Murphy writes with a novelist's voice, drawing you along with Evans as he runs through the duties he accepts and the distractions he endures. He places those battles in the context of this era "There was a time when a black man driving from one end of a southern state to the other, Alabama for example or Louisiana, would pack a lunch and carry his drink in a thermos."
This is history writ well.

"LIFE IN THE SLOW TRACK" is a delightful and charming way to learn a little more about "how it was" back in 1939. The exuberance and dreams of three spirited young lads are aptly described in the tale. The boys' idea of riding their bikes from Baraboo, Wisconsin to The New York World's Fair comes to life as Wichern recounts the story of their preparation and planning, the actual journey, and the trip back home.

The simple story-telling style is captivating as the author shares some thoughts, emotions and conflicts involved in forming an alliance with two other people as the three of them pursued their common goal. The writer seems eloquently truthful and non-defensive as he relates mistakes made and lessons learned. He brings to light the goodness of people met along the way, some very special friendships that developed, and of course the fun they had on their quest for "New York, or Bust." The creativity used for funding the trip and the boys' love of music and talent for harmonizing are woven throughout the story.

The epilogue brings more history and human interest from the wartime era, and the pictures scattered throughout are one more way of skillfully capturing the feeling of what it was like for three young boys experiencing "Life in the Slow Track."

Wow, before opening this book I had never heard of Helen Stephens, and now that I've finished Sharon Kinney Hanson's fine book about her life, I feel as though I have known her forever! They called her the Fulton Flash because of her great speed, and her ability to sprint took her out of Missouri and catapulted her to the great stages of the world. Like a comet streaking across the sky she represented the United States in the now legendary Berlin Olympics of 1936, where she appeared in front of Adolf Hitler and, no doubt, gave him a few ruminations about the power and speed of America. The Olympics were actually far from a rout for Germany, as Kinney Hanson reminds us. Nowadays we think that because of Jesse Owens and other great Amerucan performances, that Germany had its ass handed to it at the games, but far from it, they actually did very well and Hitler must have been quite proud! In women's track events, Germany won seven medals, the US only two--both courtesy of Helen Stephens. Conceivably she could have won more medals, but some events later open to women competitors in later Olympics were closed to them in 1936 (like shotput, at which Stephens was a great champ).

Photos show she was an astonishing beauty, with great bones, perhaps a little Amazonian and androgynous. Some people thought she was a man, and this irked her no end. She sued LOOK magazine and the funny comeuppance for LOOK she went out on a date with one of LOOK's lawyers. After several drinks things got hot and heavy. As the author reports, "Helen told her friend Gertrude Webb, 'I had a sense he was trying to find something. So this ole country girl let him roam around awhile 'til he found what he was lookin' for. I just wanted to settle it then and there!"

Nevertheless, Stephens was a lesbian in a homophobic society and stood her ground with dignity and courage. It was hard for such a woman to 'come out' but inevitably she did, or almost did. The whole tragedy of women's sports in the twentieth century is a story that Sharon Kinney Hanson tells with distinction and clarity. She brings all her skills to her on-point account of the apparently intersex sprinter Stella Walsh, killed by a robber's gunfire in 1980, and because of the violent death was subject to an autopsy in Cleveland of all places, which revealed her ambiguous genitalia. Stella Walsh, one of the greatest Olympic heroines, was one of the closest friends of the Fulton Flash, and her death apparently had great impact on Helen. I won't reveal any more of the story, except to say, it is an amazing one, the kind that makes you put down the book and just say, "Holy Moly."

This is a very cute book! The airplane is made of board book paper and fits, much like a puzzle piece, into the front cover. There is a sturdy ribbon that keeps the plane attached to the book. It is long enough to move the plane on the pages. My 15 month old daughter loves this book. The plane fascinates her and she is able to "fly" it around the pages. The illustrations are bright and cheery. The text is short and simple- perfect for a busy toddler!

The front cover of this book features a cardboard train with a ribbon attached that pops out. As you read the very easy story line about the train's progress, you can move the train along the tracks on the page. My seventeen month old daughter truly enjoys when I read it to her and moving the train through the book.

This book had all the key characteristics of a good book on running. Not only was it truly inspirational it had in it the time and splits that you should be running for a mile, 2 mile and an 800. This is definitly a must buy for any coach or runner looking to get better.

The Birdsville Track is one of the best known - and lonliest - tracks in Australia, and for twenty years Tom was the mailman, battling the searing heat, floods and mechanical breakdowns. He made the run every fortnight, and was a lifeline to the isolated settlements and stations along the way, delivering everything from letters to essential supplies.

The Track is still just that - a track through the desert and sandhills. Tom began in the days before reliable vehicles, good communication and air access in case of emergency. He made running repairs to his trucks, he loaded and unloaded tons of stores to ferry his cargo across flooded creeks. He kept people in touch with the outside world - and was sometimes caught up in the grief of a lonely death.

Tom Kruse always got the mail through - come drought, hell or high water. This is truly a classic Australian story, and captures part of our history that is fast vanishing.
--- from book's back cover.

From the first page I laughed until I cried! Trisha's talent for description is awesome. I couldnt read fast enough to find out what Peggy would do next. Her character comes to life on the page and carries the reader on a hilarious as well as a suspenseful journey. Trisha skillfully blended witty, realistic dialogue with fantastic description. I felt as if I were literally there, feeling everything right along with Peggy and viewing Ireland first hand. And the ending doesnt let you down! More hysterical laughter and heartwarming drama right to the end makes this book a definate copy to keep on your shelf to read again. I'd like to think there's a little Peggy in me as she makes tracks in search of a break from her stagnant life. But as the story unfolds, I began to realize that the grass is always greener on the other side. The mother in-law bit had me in stitches! Trisha nailed it to a tee. If you want to laugh, cry and enjoy a great suspense along the way, I highly recommend Making Tracks by Trisha!

Review by Elliot Love
Author of Night Brigade
www.nightbrigade.wetpaint.com

MAKING TRACKS: UNIQUE RECORDING STUDIO ENVIRONMENTS is a gorgeous display of unique recording studios which are all special, from million-dollar facilities spread over acres of land to small studios in cities. They are housed in all kinds of structures from modern office and new construction to old churches and sawmills, and the author interviews studio owners and users alike in a survey which considers the physical attributes of the recording environment. Color photos of interiors and exteriors compliment working analysis of how they were developed, architectural insights, and how they were engineered to craft a working studio environment. From insights on musicians who have recorded at these studios: their styles, their recordings, their memorable moments - to strategies for promoting both label and studio, MAKING TRACKS: UNIQUE RECORDING STUDIO ENVIRONMENTS is packed with involving discussions.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I have bought beginning harmonica books and watch harp players on you tube for the last 3 years. One of the instructors on you tube recommended Dave's website and he had all of his books online to review. He even has short audio files to listen to before you make a decision to buy. I recommend all of his books. It is like having a music instructor. If you wants to know all of the ins and outs of reading music, learning rhythm, and all of the playing techniques these books are for you. Keep in mind that Dave has 3 levels, so you will need to buy all of his series to progress. Amazon did a great job, they shipped quicker than advertised, they got the order right, and I will buy from them in the future.