Racing Books

This book really goes into the fine points of the Discovery I's history. It goes into the background of why this great car was built they way it is. I recommend the book to all Disco I owners.

Getting into the Land Rover brand is not an easy task... For the first time buyer, it is easy to get fooled and buy a lemon... Which will be very expansive to keep on the road. In order to make sure my purchase would be a good one and my investment a sound one, I read a lot of books and articles on the matter.

I finally ended up buying a 1997 Serie 1 Discovery SE. I purchased this book at the end of my purchasing process, which lasted more than 2 years. It helped me put everything together and focus on my needs and budget. I recommend this book to anybody who wants to get acquainted with the Discovery.

happy reading.

It is about the "old" Discovery (1989-1998) and James Taylor is probably the best person to tell us the story of this great vehicle. Every Discovery owner must have a copy of this book to understand the project evolution since 1989, with good information about its changes along those years (engines, gear boxes, electronics etc). There are good tips for those who want to buy a good second hand Discovery. In the end, Taylor describes the "New Discovery" project launched in 1999.

I read this book on the 'plane from Seattle to Chicago a week or so ago. Given the period '89-'98 that the book covers, I was pleasantly surprised to see the included material on project 'Tempest' (Discovery II) released in 1999.

The author clearly had personal contact with many of the Landrover engineers and project staff for all three Discovery projects, and this added immensely to the value.

Much of the material is apparently leveraged from earlier magazine articles which likely helped it be factually accurate based on Land Rover staff available when the article was first published.

Thoroughly recommended for the Land Rover fan.

If you own a Discovery, irrespective of the country you are in, you will get a lot of info from this book. The Author has researched it well, and covers all the issues I wanted to know about my vehicle. Some of the photos are great, I esp. like the convertible model - a shame they were never put that one into production - I want one of those! This is not a technical manual as such, but it still has a lot of facts & figures. It is also helpful if you are considering options from other models and want to see what they look like. I have an ES model, but would like to get the factory wheel arch flares, and I know what they would look like... Recommended for a Discovery or Land Rover enthusiast, or if you intend to purchase one and want to do your research.

I would recommend the bood Land Speed Racing to any young child who is infatuated with high speed racing. The purpose of the book is to inform people on facts and statistics about the book. Inside it also tells broken speed records, but at the same time it tries to send a message that no matter how fast you are going, you should always take safety precautions.
Kody C.

Land speed racing is a race that sees whos motorcycle or strem liner car can go the fastest. There has been several records set for the fastes times and the cleanest bikes etc. There are also different clases depinding on the size of the motor and durability of the frame of the bike. The engine sizes range from 50cc to 3000cc!
Lance M.

The purpose of this book is land racing. I would recomend this book to any body who likes racing motorcycle's, and landliners. This book is good for all ages to read or even have someone read it to you. They travel up to 200(MPH). When traveling at high rates of spee you have to waer special gear.

John M

I would recomend this book to all who like to race, especially motorcycles. It is meant to inform you about racing motorcycles. I tells you all of the places to race like "el mirage." It tells you the records of the fastest speeds. It tells you about the kinds of bikes and the types of engines there are that you can use. It is a great book to read if you want to learn about racing with motorcycles for top speeds. It is very informative.
Michael L

The book explains the rules to land speed racing, to make it safer.It also list the types of engins the bikes use. The book also tells where they race. Also how the trackes were established. It also tells about the saftey procaution to racing.
Seth C

It took me until 2003 to read this book. As the book says Lil E. Tee had a dime store pedigree and I figured that being the case this book could not be that good. Boy was I wrong. Eisenberg researched this Lil E. Tee's story thoroughly. He loads the book with detail yet it reads like a novel. It is a fascinating creation. I could not put it down.

In May 1992, I sat down to watch the Kentucky Derby expecting to watch the coronation of a horse named Arazi as the best horse since Secretariat. However, a horse I had never heard of before, Lil E. Tee, pulled a shocking upset of Arazi and won the Run for the Roses. After Lil E. Tee failed to win the Preakness Stakes, he was forgotten in my mind. That was until I picked up this book.

John Eisenberg's story of Lil E. Tee is one of the most fascinating horse racing stories you will ever read. A horse with suspect breeding, chronic colic problems, bad legs and who changed hands several times (including once for a mere $3,000) went on to win the Kentucky Derby over several royally-bred colts plus the so-called unbeatable Arazi. He also gave an accomplished jockey, Pat Day, his first (and so far, only) Kentucky Derby winner, when Day himself thought Lil E. Tee was one of his worst Derby mounts ever.

John Eisenberg has provided a well-researched tale of the life of Lil E. Tee prior to the Derby. Interviews have been conducted with pretty much all of the principles of his story and those tales have been woven into an entertaining story that reads almost like fiction.

"The Longest Shot" isn't quite the masterpiece of Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit", but I think that this book might have great potential as a movie, because it really is a true equine "Rocky"!

I purchased this book on a whim, let it sit around for a while, and randomly picked it up on my way to bed, thinking that I would read a little bit and then quickly fall asleep. Little did I know that I would be up all night, my usually short attention span completely riveted, as time flew by. This book provides a wealth of information about Lil E Tee's origin, racing career, and the people around him.

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the author had a tendency to introduce characters out of sequence. For example, sometimes background information would be provided on a person who was not involved in the progression of the story until several chapters later. By breaking up the sequence in this manner, the flow of the story was impaired and choppy. The author's sentence structure also tended to be loose and brief. Also this oversimplification made reading the story easier and faster, I did feel like the book was written for a younger audience.

Again, the subject matter was facsinating and the author obviously did a lot of work to uncover a wealth of information on the life of a relatively obscure racehorse. If you're interested in racing trivia, or are simply looking for a captivating sports story, then this book should cater to you!

As one of millions who was caught up in "Arazi" fever following his stunning Breeders' Cup Juvenile win, this book provides a fascinating look at a horse which most people totally over looked.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Longest Shot. I found it at my local library but have since purchased a copy for my growing horse library. I've been a horse nut my whole life but had not been following racing too closely. However, reading this book rekindled my interest. The author weaves the story of the horse and his people. There was always someone who believed in the horse and his career continued. The trainer, Lynn Whiting, and the jockey, Pat Day are particularly interesting as they help this horse towards the top of the equine world. One does not have to be an expert in the racing world to enjoy the book, but at the same time it does not speak down to the reader. I have recommended the book to my family members who have accompanied me on my adventures to Kentucky to visit Lil E Tee. A very well written book which will bring tears to your eyes as you realize that the horse and his connections will actually WIN the Kentucky Derby. An excellent sports book. As well written as a John Feinstein book. Read it!

This book sat on my shelf for two years before I finally read it. I was suspicious that the writing would be workmanlike or that it would be merely admirable. Similarly, I'm not a big reader of sports biographies as many tend to be shallow. All of those concerns were quickly allayed when I began reading the book. Not only is the story extremely compelling, but Ritchie actually does a wonderful job of exploring Taylor's life and times. I found it difficult to put down, and upon finishing it I can say the book definitely merits another read. The story is painstakingly researched (and Todd Balf's biography on Taylor that is immanently coming out must rest on Ritchie's shoulders). Occasionally Ritchie does squander potential usage of suspense and sometimes he repeats himself. But these are minor quibbles. The only real difficulty with the book is reading about Taylor's demise. After reaching protracted heights of fame and heroism, the way his life ends is very sad indeed.

If you liked this book, also see "Unforgivable Blackness," the documentary by Ken Burns about the boxer Jack Johnson--an amazing film about another black champion living in racist America.

As Ritchie points out himself, it is surprising that it took a white englishman to compile such a comprehensive history of an American black man who was one of, if not the first black world champion in any sport and one of cycling's orginal superstars.

While the book makes for a good short history of the early years of cycling as a sport and how it has evolved, Taylor's transcends the sport of cycling and provides a rich glimpse into early 20th century racial issues, the development of transportation in the US, the twighlight of the Guilded Age and the onset of the Great Depression. Ritchie weaves all of these together in a compelling manner.

In hindsight, while the likes of Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson are often credited with being the original trailblazers for black athletes, they owe much to the brave steps taken by the now sadly little remembered Major Taylor. This book is long overdue.

This is a very enjoyable book. Very well researched and documented (almost to a fault). Anyone who is serious about the history of bicycle racing in the USA must add this book to their library. After reading this book one must wonder how great Major Taylor would have been if the playing field was equal. Highly Recommended!!

I found this story of a black man in this early 1900 era extremely fascinating. His beliefs in fair play, extrodinary dedication to his faith and his hobby made him a role model for any and all to follow. his persistance in perfecting his beloved sport despite all of the negativity of this era, to me was unbelieveable. I read few books cover to cover but I have had the pleasure of reading this one 4 times. Ritchie has this book so well documented that anyone reading it would have no problem of becoming totally engrossed in it. A well done from me.

This book was originally published by Bicycle Books in San Francisco. I would hope that it would still be available, even though 5 years ago hardback copies were selling at chain bookstores for as little as $4 a copy. The Ritchie book is written not just from the perspective of bicycling history (although it is well-researched from that point of view), but as an important social history. In addition, it reminds us of the history of the development of transportation and how bicycles were eventually pushed out of the public vision of having right-of-way to being relegated to the closed track of the velodrome so they wouldn't get in the way of the growing automobile culture. Major Taylor's career is important in the history of racism and attempted and often effective exclusion of Blacks not just from racing opportunities, but from the subsequent business opportunities that followed on the heels of the age of the turn-of-the-century racers. The largest reason that Major Taylor died a pauper was because he was not allowed to participate on an equal level with White businessmen in the developing automobile industry, according to Ritchie's research. Turn of the century bicycle racers, as Ritchie points out, were instrumental in contributing to the design of the shock system and the use of pneumatic tires, among other features, of the emerging American automobile. They also were some of the large investors in the industry upon their retirement from active racing status. Taylor wanted to participate in the design process and applied to a university for formal education in engineering, but was denied access, despite his hard-won efforts, previous inventions in bicycle design and testing, and celebrity status. The fact that the man died early of a stroke and alienated from his family and community in the end can only speak of a man who, after putting out his entire life, had finally been broken by the pressure of living in a racist society. Yet, writing his autobiography and selling it door to door evokes the phoenix-like quality of many members of the Black community who survive and thrive in spite of great hardship, even in our present times.

TELLS THE STORY OF A TRULY GREAT CHAMPION WHO LOVES HIS SPORT, AND REMAINS MODEST EVEN HAVING REACHED THE PINNACLE OF MOTOR RACING. THIS BOOK BRINGS YOU THE EMOTION AND DRAMA FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS RIGHT UP TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP YEARS AND BEYOND. A MUST FOR SCHUMACHER FANS, WHO IS WITHOUT DOUBT NOT JUST ONE OF THE GREATEST F1 CHAMPIONS THIS DECADE, BUT ALONGSIDE SENNA THIS CENTURY.

Although the book does not go as in depth as I first hoped, it is still a rare look into a man that seems as separated from F1 fans as a head of state is separated from the general public. Many insights were given that explained alot of what we see over the short T.V. bursts that we get here in the States. If you admire Michael now, you will adore him after reading this book. If you are neutral about him I bet you will be cheering him on at the next GP you watch. If you hate him now you at least will understand a lot of what he thinks about himself and why. I really enjoyed it.

I have read this book i bought it because i am a michael schumacher i never went to bed until i read all the book, its a must for all schumi/ferrari fans,its a kind of book you dont want to put down check it out and you will see i am right.

For one who loves formula one racing and of course when your favourite driver is none other than the Michael Schumacher, Derick Allsop's book on the twice world champion provides every detail from the start to what Michael is now. It is so splendidly written, one can't help but increase their admiration for Schumacher, least to say put the book down

THIS BOOK IS AWESOME! everything you need to know about , and don't need to know about the greatest driver in all times , MICHAEL SCHUMACHER. the book tells about everything!

Many racing rule books are just too complicated and have a hard time bridging the gap between the official rule book and the explanation. Paul Elvstrom does just that - this is the only book on the subject you will ever need.

Yes, it's getting close to the end of 2008, but get either this book or the next version, for some real study on the mechanics of the rules and case studies.

In the case studies, is where this book really earns its price. There are clearly illustrated scenarios that make you understand the rules _in application_.

I can't see how a serious racer can get by without this book in their arsenal. It won my boat a protest just a few weeks ago in a situation with two port boats and a crossing starboard boat!

Besides being a great resource, it has the plastic cut-outs so useful in explaining the rules or recreating scenarios on the water.

I like this book so well my son is going to order his own copy.

This book has become the usual refernce source for every racer and Race Officer

anyone who is a race fan should read this book. This goes to show people that the Petty family is a very remarkable family! And what a great way to honor their late son Adam with Victory Junction. they ate truley a remarkable family!!!! and this book just shows you that.

This is one great book. Tons of never before seen pictures and great stories from friends,fellow drivers and family members. Its worth every penny!

Adam was my sister's age when he died. I personalized him so much it was good to see pictures of him and the family growing up. It also chronicles NASCAR growing up. There have always been the Pettys in NASCAR. Sadly, that might not be true in the future. It's a great book and a wonderful cause.

This book made me feel as though I was sitting in the Petty's living room looking at old photos and reminising.A great tribute to Adam Petty with the proceeds going to the Victory Junction Camp. Great idea and great photos...Thanks to the Petty family for letting me into their lives.

I ordered this the day I heard it was coming out - it is a truly wonderful book - lots and lots of never seen before photographs. It is actually a tribute to Adam and proceeds go to a great cause!!!

For years there was a void in the horse book market about Racehorse Care. With Landers book the void is now filled. This book is unbelievable in its content. I've never read a better Ho -To book in my life on any subject as that of PROFESSIONAL GROOMING & CARE OF THE RACEHORSE. The reader will become a better all around horseperson after completion. I reccommend without a doubt

This book is an excellent sorce of information concerning both Thoroughbreds & Standardbreds,As an owner I now have a good insight as to the level of care my horses should get while on the racetrack , Thanks to Landers. I truly reccommend this book to anyone remotely connected with horseracing.

This book has got to be the best HorseCare book on the market. Easy to read and understand, Anyone connected with racehorses should read it. The author puts you in the place of a groom and indicates the important role of the groom in a racing stable. It is sad that the professional groom gets little recognition for their efforts but this book surely places the spotlight on their skills. Anyone can learn how to perform the skills stated in the book by following the step by step instructions and illustrations. A must have book for any horseowner,

I have received Professional Grooming And Care Of The Racehorse, and it was much much more than I expected it to be. The best literature on this topic that has ever been published. Hands down. Never have I seen an author put so much meticulous time, effort, and knowledge into creating an informative book. Everything you could possibly want to know about racehorses is just a few pages away.

here at last is a reference volume that deconstructs all the mysteries of how and why we work around horses. starting with the premise that the reader knows nothing, it goes step by step though every process that a groom would ever have to perform. although written for the racing industry, this book belongs in the tackroom of every owner, trainer and groom - regardless of discipline! constantly stressing safety for both horse and groom, it cannot help but impart a competent professionalism to those who chose to read it and practice these techniques.

The Smarty Jones story comes to life in this funny and informative book. I had ordered a copy for the holidays, and have now purchased another as a father's day gift. This is a new edition of the book, with bigger print, larger size, nice photos, and some new information. You will laugh, be amused, and just plain feel good as you read this book. It has lots of facts and quotes that make you feel like you were there for Smarty's ride to greatness. This is more than a horse humor book, it's a story that will make you say, "Smarty is one of us!" This is an excellent book for grown ups and kids who like to read. If you are looking for some prime summer reading to take to the beach or up in the mountains, this book will make your day.

Smarty Jones' story is not told in this book. Instead, you hear what Smarty thinks about all he's done from his own humorous point of view. I laughed at his technique and small jokes that made the book so loveable. Although, of course, the book is not written by Smarty, I appreciate the author's attempt and, I have to say, did a good job of it. This book is nothing serious. Although at numerous points it tries to be. This book is delightful to all readers, despite your association with horses or not. I have to say, this is the only book that makes you think for a moment you're in school and should be paying close attention. So, before you read this book, make sure you take out a notebook and pencil, fore, as Smarty says, "There will be a quiz at the end of the book". His is a fun ride, a pleasing class. Have fun, everyone.

This was a delightful read. It is light and funny, and very insightful in places. The author obviously had access to Smarty's connections, and so is able to give us a realistic glimpse into Smarty's daily life. There are some very cute photos too. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that the print quality of the photos is very poor. It looks like they were reproduced on a xerox machine. Even so I still recommend this book for all Smarty Jones fans.

I am a fan of Horse racing but first and foremost a horse lover. I love to see them run and be free , the way they were meant to be. Over the years we have seen many great horses come and go and we were lucky enough in our lifetime to get to root for the ancestor of the Great champion , Secretariat , The one and only Smarty Jones, just the name brings a smile to my face. I'll never never forget the excitement of watching Smarty run his way to the top and into our hearts. I wanted Smarty to win the Triple Crown just as badly as anyone but when our wish didn't come true our heart's all felt the dissapointment. Smarty's loss taught us one thing , as long as you do your best, that is all that counts. Smarty made our blood pump as we watched him sweep the preakness and warmed our hearts when we realized just like the people we love sometimes we will be dissapointed by those we love but we love them anyway. Bob Merz's book brought it right back, except this time we get it straight from Smarty! his ride to the top , his brush with near death and his recovery. We see inside the soul of our hero Smarty Jones. The book is filled with great a great story line, easy to read for even kids and has lots of pictures of Smarty in all kinds of situations ( I love the bath ones!) what a beautiful,pampered boy he is! The book goes behind the scenes telling the inside sccop about the Chapman's, John Servis, Stewart Elliot and all the behind the scenes people like his groomer Mario who keeps him looking like a million bucks and made it all happen thru faith in Smarty and lots of hard work. I smiled as I fondly remembered the happiness and excitement Smarty brought into my life as well as the lives and hearts of America. If you love Smarty Jones and love to laugh, you will love this book!! All the Horse lovers should have one under their Christmas tree this year.

I read this book and then gave it to my 10 year old daughter. We both laughed. It's funny to read it as if it were coming from 'the horse's mouth."
It also has lots of inside stuff on Smarty Jones that wasn't in the press.
It's sort of like listening to a modern day Mr. Ed. Good pictures with funny captions too.

This book combines Perfect Storm with Into Thin air. The story of how to beat the bureaucracy of the old Soviet system to get the project started; then handle the biggest challenge of raisng the capital to feed the machine,without knowing the capitalists system; to finally test Poseidon in the toughest sailing challenge on the planet!

On September 2, 1989, the sailing yacht "Fazisi" launched into the Whitbread Round the World Race and nautical history. She became the first every (and only) boat from the former Soviet Union to enter one of the most challenging and prestigious endurance races the world has to offer. Built in the Soviet Union, equipped with Western sails, rig and electronics, sponsored by Pepsi-Cola International, and co-captained by Skip Novak, the Fazisi bravely challenged the most treacherous waters on the planet. Author Vladislav Murnikov was the Fazisi's project manger and designer, and tells this remarkable and memorable story from a firsthand, eyewitness perspective. Race To Freedom is highly recommended for readers who appreciate true life adventure at its very best.

It seems like I set this book on my table and the pages started to turn by themselves. The book disappeared: I fell into a world of history, courage and bold determination. I held on to my chair as Fazisi pounded the waves. I felt as if I were trying to break out of Russia. Not only is this book a great around-the-world-race story, but it is filled with history. Yes, the tale is impossible, but it happened. I purchased more and sent them to friends who can't stop thanking me.

This is one great book that touches one deeply. Emotions, drama, adventure, extreme sailing, danger, travel all over the world, and on the top of it all, Russia and Russian life from the unusual prospective. It is hard to put this book aside, it is a great story. I recommend it highly!

A good sailing story needs to be about more than simply sailing, and Vlad Murnikov's book "Race to Freedom" is just that kind of book. True, it's about sailing, in fact it's about one of the last great sailing adventures, the Whitbread Round the World Race, but it is much more than that. It's a personal story about Vlad's transition from life in communist Russia, to a life on the free streets of America. It's a story of hope and struggle and inspiration, perspiration and desperation, and through it all Vlad weaves the story of the first ever, and by happenstance, the last ever Soviet Whitbread entry. And who better to tell this wonderful story than the man who started it all. As Vlad tells it; "I was traveling through the night on a train from Moscow to ........... reading an outdated copy of Sail Magazine. I had found the magazine at a book store in Moscow. It was a rare find in those days, but lucky for me it was a bonus issue about the 1995/96 Whitbread race." As his train swayed across the dark landscape, a germ of an idea firmly planted itself in his resolve. Vlad vowed to field a Soviet entry in the next Whitbread race. It took a man a rare courage and blind optimism to think that he could pull it off, but once you have read "Race to Freedom," you will come to realize that Vlad is indeed a man of rare courage and unwavering optimism. How else could he have designed, built, found sponsorship and raced his yacht around the world at a time when the Soviet Union was barely learning to crawl into democracy and capitalism?

I have a personal affection for this book. Indeed I was lucky enough to be invited by Murnikov to race the first leg of the Whitbread on board the boat. I must admit to being surprised when Vlad leapt into the rubber dinghy moments before the start of the race, and waved us goodbye as we sailed over the horizon. I only discovered later that he was returning to shore to continue the never ending search for money, that ingredient key to any successful sailing campaign. It was this type of selfless determination (he would rather have been sailing than fund raising) that saw the Fazisi project through to the end and placed it squarely in the history books.

While the book takes the reader through the struggles of organizing a project of this scale, it also delights the reader with vivid descriptions of life on board and introduces them to the cast of colorful characters that made the trip happen. Their personal narratives are woven into the story and add depth and perspective. One of the most important figures is Vlad's wife Tatiana, without whose support the project would have faltered on the drawing board. She adds a chapter of her own to the book, and it is a beautifully written insight into her own personal misgivings about the campaign, and her voyage to freedom in the west. Vlad and Tatiana now live in the US, forsaking their homeland for pull of America and a life without limits. You will enjoy their story. It is told with candor and a hint of a Russian accent. Mostly you will be inspired to have adventures of your own, realizing that anything is possible if you just have the courage to dream.