Racing Books

With his stirring underdog triumph in the 1987 America's Cup, Dennis Conner earned a large measure of forgiveness for having been the first man (in 1983) to lose the cup in its then 132 year history. Although he is less active these days, his name still resonates among sailors and non-sailors alike and his journey from middle class roots to the pinnacle of the rich man's game of international sailing makes fascinating reading.
Whether it be hours spent wet sanding the bottom the night before a regatta, or countless repetitions of each crew movement, Dennis Conner is a detail man. His mantra goes something like this; Maybe it's true that after the first few feet at the bow, the boundary layer of water becomes detached from a boat's hull as it moves, rendering the relative smoothness of the bottom moot. But, just in case it isn't true, you can be sure his underwater surfaces will be perfect all the way to the transom.
Of course, this means yours will need to be too - if you hope to compete psychologically.
As you would expect from such a man, detail is what sets Sail Like a Champion above the others. Drawing on Michael Levitt's encyclopedic knowledge as well as friend and long-time tactician Tom Whidden's sailmaking expertise, Dennis Conner covers the topic of sailboats and racing from A to Z. Simply put, everything you could possibly want to know, and more, is here. Whether you are a complete beginner or an accomplished racing sailor, Sail Like a Champion is a must for your library.
Art Tirrell - author of The Secret Ever Keeps - March 07 from Kunati Books.

Sailing like a champion is an excellent composed book. Each case is described using at least one of the author's real-life events and is written in a plain and uncomplicated way. But what fascinated me the most is not the theory of the sail trim (which is by all means one of the best) but the unmatched dedication of Dennis Conner and his unrivaled desire to win. Aa advice from a living legend..., Thank you DC!

I found the first chapter too egocentric: Dennis Conner explains that he is a good sailor, and that we have a lot to learn from him. The rest of the book is smooth reading and very well written. I had expected the book to be advanced, but the book seems to be very targeted at the beginner. Still, there is much useful information in the book.

In my mind, the book has four main parts: Part 1: boat design and building (including sails) is basic, but written in a way that makes it enjoyable to read. It is invaluable to anyone who without prior knowledge wants to buy a good boat. Part 2: boat handling and maneuvers is mainly for the novice. If you have been racing there is probably not much new here. Still the style of writing is good, and the checklists are easy to understand and follow. Part 3: strategy, is a good part. However, if you have attended a Smart Course by North Sails (or read their book) you will not find anything new here. Part 4: rules and tactics: Nothing really exciting here. The rules are old by now, and the tactics are the ones you learned in sailing school as a kid.

If you are about to enter your first boat, this is the book for you. However, if you have won a few Wednesday night club races you will probably ask for more advanced stuff than what you find in this book. A champion like Dennis Conner should be able to write a book that is much more advanced and thus more valuable than this book.

Mr Connor explains everything a sailor needs to know to satisfy his/her desire to race or cruise to the best of his/her ability. He does it by also explaining the jargon that stiffles most books on the subject, making them hard to read or follow. Unless, of course, if you were born with a "silver tiller" in your hand.

Sean Clancy's Saratoga Days is a must read for horse people, and anyone interested in the beauty and history of Saratoga Race Course and Saratoga Springs, New York. Sean takes the reader into the rewarding and unpredictable world of horse racing, as well as the magical town that is so difficult to describe. Sean does this extremely well. The book is truly insightful, realistic and an absolute pleasure to read. Sean, please document additional years.

Sean Clancy cites Red Smith as one of his literary heroes. Well, if writing were a horse race, Mr. Smith would have to look out. Sean Clancy's Saratoga Days is one of the most informative, engagingly written, literate, and absorbing books ever written on racing. Himself a steeplechase jockey, Clancy shows us the world of Saratoga as we've never before been shown in -- it's like having a private guided tour with a funny, humane, intelligent tour guide. There are stars here -- Beautiful Pleasure, More Than Ready, Lemon Drop Kid -- as well as names not known to the casual follower of racing -- Amarettitorun, Bourbon Belle, and of course, the great Succeed. Their stories are the fabric of Saratoga, and this book IS Saratoga in August.

If you want to get a sense of the place that is Saratoga, you need to read this book. You'll learn so much about the place and racing in general. As a porofessional jockey/journalist Sean writes with a perspective that most racing writers would kill for. This is my favorite book about racing since William Murray's THE WRONG HORSE.

Ever been to Saratoga? Well, even if you haven't, Sean Clancy's Saratoga Days will not only transport you there and give you a feel for the place, but it will also give you a guided tour from the perspective of a professional rider and writer.

The Saratoga Race Course meet may have ended Labor Day Weekend, but the spirit of the meet and the town lives on in the hearts of racing fans everywhere. Saratoga Days is the kind of book that can take you back to those magical August days at any time of the year. Read it after the meet to get that nostalgic feeling - then read it again come this spring to prepare yourself for next summer's adventures.

A very enjoyable read from beginning to end

If you are a regular at the race track, or even if you only have seen 1 or 2 horse races in your life, than you will love this book as I did. I read the book and found the stories so great that two weeks ago I went to Saratoga Raceway for the first time in my life.
In the very first race the starter did something wrong and they had to refund all the money bet on horse number 1.
It made the stoties in Saratoga Tales as true as could be.
I loved these stories and I will remember them whenever I go to the races again.

I bought this book, along with another collection of race track stories for my husband. He really enjoyed it, and since he is a trainer and a vet, that is an excellent recommendation.

I grew up near Saratoga, and I've always liked the way Bill Heller writes about racing. Too many sports writers cover racing and only want to cover the statistics. Bill Heller gets to the heart of racing; the stories of the horses and the people involved who love them.
Barbara Livingston has contributed photos which really add to the book. Even though they are in black and white, she has a way of capturing the soul of the subjects she photographs.
This book just makes you fall in love with horse racing. If you already love racing, you will love to hear what your favorite jockeys, trainers and owners have to say about your favorite horses. Also, there is no negativity in this book. It would be so easy in some of the tales to come down hard on those involved, and no one does that. I like that this book looks at those who are often overlooked in the racing industry. Credit is given to everyone from the track superintendants to the starter and the gate crew for doing their jobs well. Let's face it, no one notices the gate crew or the maintenance people until something goes wrong, and then it's too easy to jump all over them.
Anyway, I think this is a very enjoyable book, and easy read and it really makes you want to vacation in Saratoga this year, just to be a part of the magic that is Saratoga in August.

This story is compelling from the moment you begin to read. The successes achieved while enduring so much hardship is a testament to the passion Miller has for the sport. This story is a true eye-opener, and reveals a lot about how our society has evolved, but also illustrates how much farther we still need to go.

This is a genuinely human story of triumph through adversity, and is inspirational whether you're a motorsport fan or not.

Highly recommended!

Leonard Miller's story is one of tremendous courage and perseverance in the face of prejudice that will inspire anyone who reads it. It was amazing to me how much prejudice still exists in what is now a mainstream sport and disappointing that no large corporation has had the vision to support someone who is one of the truly inspirational African American role models of our time.

Mr. Leonard Miller is a true vanguard in motorsports! This colorful page-turning account of his life as an African-American in the sometimes brutal world of racing is truly inspirational and eye-opening. From his childhood, Mr. Miller channeled his love and passion for cars and racing into a lifelong pursuit of being the best in motorsports and overcoming near impossible odds to field top racing teams. His struggle to triumph over racism, death and various other issues during the course of five (5) decades is expressed in clear detail.

This book is a timely read given the current attention to diversity in NASCAR and other racing formulas. Most of the current crop of active NASCAR African American drivers were trained and had their best results and greatest successes under Mr. Miller's racing teams, which in itself is a testimony to both his spirit, commitment and racing acumen.

I highly recommend this book as a real life success story of a great man that has climbed an extraordinary mountain that few have dared to try. It is good to know that he is still climbing with as much vigor now as when he first started.

As a Brit with an interest in motor racing, particularly racing history, I bought this book over here on a friend's recommendation. I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised by this memoir.

From Miller's humble beginnings through to his ownership of a NASCAR team today, the story is an enticing account of triumph in adversity and should bring shame on many of the racing sponsors who still ignore the achievements of African-Americans today.

This is one of 3 books written by author Robert Schleicher.This title covers advice on building cars,race tune cars,driving techniques,building scenery,organizing races,etc.

This book has several b&w photos but they should have been colour.

For anyone starting out with Slot Cars this is the first book you should consider.

If you have caught the slot car bug, this book should be a must have to get you up to speed. It has a nice selection of track designs that span across all current track manufactures(There is also a chapter for those wanting to create permanent tracks).

You can tell Robert Schleicher has been active in the hobby since the beginning. His descriptions and writing style are easy to understand. As well as up to date.

He goes into custom modification of tracks, and is appropriately detailed without boring you into a coma.

The only ding that I can give the book is it's frequent use of black and white photographs. The book uses heavy, quality paper throughout. All color pictures would have been nice.

Good book. Well worth the price

This is a very well done book on the slot car hobby for the beginner, novice and advanced enthusiast. I particularly found the information on various track layout designs, car tune-up and custom car building to be excellent. This book focuses on 1/32 scale and provides limited HO scale coverage. It has rekindled my interest in the hobby.

This is a must have . If you are an avid slot fan or have ever owned slot cars you will appreciate this book. Robert did a great job....

Overall a very informative and useful guide book to those who wants to start a home track or race at clubs competitevely with RTR cars. Rob did a good job in explaining into details mostly, what beginners miss out when preparing their cars to put on the tracks.

Great Book for slot enthusiast.

Slot Car Racing: Tips, Tricks, & Track Plans
Excellent informations for begginers and experienced "racers". I recommend this book!!

I bought this edition first.Yes,its the next book in the series and this is another title you should have.

This edition takes you further into detail on tracks,driving tips,etc on slot cars.An impressive book that will help you build and race your cars.
This edition and the author's first book,"The slot car bible" are must have books for all slot car owners.

OK, so it's a hobby sport and not a real race car: that doesn't mean slot car racing is a kids' sport - far from it. Over the years it's become one of the most popular hobbies of adults, and Slot Car Racing: Tips, Tricks & Track Plans provides an excellent set of details on how to fine-tune one's cars for optimum performance. From modifying and maintaining slot cars to putting together over fifty offered track plans, slot car enthusiasts receive a guidebook packed with tips which come from a slot car enthusiast himself. Learn how to build your own slot car and gain the most from the models available with this outstanding guide.

Found this book in our library and was excited about learning more of Dick Francis. I did get lost at times when he wrote about the race courses, but it was a thrill to get to know him. It is not a mystery, but there are some questions he still does not know the answer to. He writes a book a year, and I could read 4 or 5 of his books a year if he could write them that fast! Nice read.

This book is a must have for any Dick Francis or horse racing fan. This was the first book of his that i have read and now i have all of his so far. What i was looking for was a book to tell me about this little known sport. Now i know a great deal about it. I'm hoping for a newer version to tell about what has happened since the book waas written. I read the older 1950's or 1960's print with the pictures of Devon Loch in the Grand National. That was what most intrigued me about the story and what made him fall like that. Like i said this is an excellent book and very informative!

My passion for horses and horse racing was apparent even when I was a child. Dick Francis' books allowed me the experiences I dreamed of through his words. I learned more through his books than I could have anywhere else in the United States. It is said that truth is stranger than fiction, and Mr. Francis' autobiography is testimony to that! I now own a 5 year old (retired) Thoroughbred, and Mr. Francis' adventures are in my thoughts!

This book was originally written shortly after Francis' retirement from racing. It chronicles his life in detail up to that point (1957), and all fans of his mystery novels will enjoy seeing the germs of his books in the events of his life. I won't give the really surprising ones away here, but an example is the story in the autobiography of Francis' experience flying during WWII. Readers will understand where he got the knowledge to create several heroes who are pilots. The only reason I don't give this book a 10 is that it is very early Francis--his first book, as near as I can tell, and the quality of the writing as a bit uneven. The edition I read (1982) had no photos--a terrific disappointment, but there were apparently photos in other editions, as Francis refers to them once or twice in the text of the book. Try for a different year! The end of the book is an addendum bringing fans up to date on his life between 1957 and 1981; I've ordered the 1995 edition hoping for a little more added material. If you love horseracing or Dick Francis' books, read this!

A nice retelling of the classic Aesop's fable, "The Tortoise And The Hare," with two siblings in the race, instead of two critters. Cute! (ReadThatAgain)

I was very pleased with how quickly I recieved my book. I cannot begin to tell you how much the recipient enjoyed this book, she was my aunt who passed recently (cancer) and this was her favorite book in the whole world! Thank you!!!

The story of Stella's and Roy's fun in the park is entertaining, and the illustrations are outstanding. You and your child will enjoy following the kids around the circular path and examining the illustrations for their details.

Growing up in San Francisco produces a complex reality for most young readers. Although books convince the child that summers are a time for swimming, fire flies and warm weather activities, any native child knows that summertime is a time for fog. In the winter it doesn't snow, despite books portraying this event. Ashley Wolff has given kids a West Coast book in which Golden Gate Park shimmers in the sunlight on a winter day, kids roller skate, matrons walk their dogs...a delightful book, sure to charm both natives and our many visitors.

If you love NASCAR like I do you will love this book of 'toons. The Dale Earnhardt 'toons are priceless!! Enjoy :)

StockcarToons: Grins And Spins On The Winston Cup Circuit is a wry, lighthearted, and chuckle-inducing collection of cartoons drawn and captioned by Mike Smith about the good, the bad, and the ugly of car racing on the Winston Cup Circuit. The simply executed black-and-white 'toons completely capture the emotion and essence of the ironies in the sport, and how recent events such as a ban on cigarette advertising have affected it. StockcarToons would make a superb and greatly appreciated giftbook choice for any dedicated auto racing fan.

This book is a MUST HAVE for any NASCAR fan. It is hilarious! Mike Smith has a great sense of humor. Don't believe me? Check out his most recent "stockcartoons"...
You'll really like this book if you are an Anti-Jeff Gordon fan....although Mike Smith is nice to Gordon a few times.

The first thing I do every Friday is go to the website of the Las Vegas Sun and downloaded Mike Smith's latest cartoon on the previous NASCAR race! This book is a absolute must for the NASCAR Fan. Mike treats the reader with tongue in cheek humor and he handles the hard times in Nascar with comforting insight. His ability to draw our heroes is unparalleled! This is the perfect gift for any NASCAR Fan on your list. It will definitely be under my tree this Christmas....and I've probably seen them all!!!

I had bought this book in hopes that it would provide information that wasn't readily available in every other racing instruction book. This book is well laid out, with information provided just as a thorough and qualified instructor would give you. If you are truly a professional driver looking for those gems of information to help you get to the top, you won't find it here either. The nutrition section is all right, it provides some information, but I feel you really would need another book on sports nutrition to create a worthwhile plan for yourself. Sections on resources are painfully short; Sponsor information is general and nothing but common sense, the formula for working with your team isn't always practical and once again general. Once again a wonderful book for beginners or regional drivers looking to feel more professional.

Altho' not even an aspiring racecar driver, I read Metcalf's book, so I am approaching it with a "street car" mentality. With the first page of this book, he piqued my interest with his innovative approach to a disclaimer. His approach to racing is experienced, educated, informative and, as as added bonus, entertaining, with an understanding of to whom he is speaking -- you as the reader -- and you as a driver. It IS a very technical book on the art of race car driving. However, even readers like me can glean both an understanding of the race track with all its finer points, and some helpful hints on driving busy or clogged interstates, deduced from his knowlegable and insightive writing. I understand he has a novel in the works.

I have been racing most of my life and this book contains information I have never seen in print anywhere else. The other books I have read on this subject tell how to start racing but this one tells you how to get good at it. Metcalf explains everything from from how a driver should prepare himself mentally before going on the track to how sponsorship really works and how to get sponsored. He has chapters on driving, chassis setup, offensive and defensive passing manuevers, selecting the best car and class to race, running a team, planning a championship, physical fittness and more that are each directly related to what a driver must do be be successful. My girlfriend read this book and now she seems to have a better insight into why I race and the things I and all drivers must face. Because of her reaction, I think it is also a very good book for racing enthusiasts to gain a better understanding of what the inside of racing is all about. At first I thought the book to be a little expensive, but after reading it, it is worth every penny. If you are a racing enthusiast, it's the best book you will see on what the pro drivers must deal with on a day to day basis. If you are a racer, buy it and memorize it. It's that good.

Over 20+ years of being an enthusiast/racer, i've read pretty much every book on this subject i could get my hands on. This book is the most real world guide to racing i've seen yet. this book should serve to inform an aspiring driver what to expect and possibly remove some of the misconceptions that so many enter motorsports with. I could have used this book 20 years ago. ----------------------------------------- JBL