Racing Books

Saratoga Race Course is the definition in sports on how time can stand still. It is a throwback in an era of throwaway.

For about a month in the summer, the focus of the Thoroughbred racing world is directed at a facility older than Wrigley Field, with tradition well-versed in blue-bloods, rogues and immortal runners who may have charged to the winner's circle or suffered legendary defeats in the "Graveyard of Champions." And that may apply to the blue-bloods and rogues as much as the runners!

Edward Hotaling pens the definitive book on racing at Saratoga. The oversize paperback also tells the history through ample photographs of the personalities and racers that makes the track a living hall of fame.

They're Off is a gate-to-wire champion.

A beautiful history of the oldest sports venue in the United States. Reading it made me long to have experienced the spa in years gone by. If you are into the history of horse racing, this book is a must read.

When I wrote my review of this book there was only one other, written by G.M. Kingsley III, which starts with the line: "This book isn't very popular, because it's old and because it's English.", which I found strange as not only was my first reading in a copy out of my local public library here on Long Island, NY. But it was also one of the few books the library had on the shelf dealing with the topic. I can only surmise, knowing what I do about our library's acquisition process is that someone had selected this book based on knowledge that it stood out in its field of study.

This is one of the better books that I have read covering a broad spectrum of information on the sport of sailboat racing, but it is not written for someone who doesn't have a good foundation in general sailing knowledge. You really have to know your terminology to read this book as it starts off right away with the basic rules a captain must know in order to race.

In the chapters such as "Wind, Weather, Waves and Currents" and " Tactics and the Wind" Creagh-Osborne goes beyond racing providing a level of knowledge that falls under the title of "Seamanship", which is incredibly detailed with information that everyone who skippers a boat of any sort, shape, or size should be "required" to know.

If you're looking for a book to develop a foundation in sailing knowledge as well as starting in racing pick up Alan Brown's "Invitation To Sailing", or Stephen Falk's "The Foundations of Sailboat Racing". Brown's objective was clearly to provide a training manual for Junior Sailors, even including a section on how to develop instructors, and is written for someone new to the sport, covering the basics of both sailing and seamanship all the way to starting in racing to intermediate helmsmanship. Brown's book doesn't cover the material at the level of Richard Creagh-Osborne's "This Is Racing". In comparison Falk's book reads more like Creagh-Osborne's, without the level of detail.

Osborne's book is a masterpiece all in and of its own but he is writing for a more advanced sailor then Brown or Falk. Brown's diagrams are much easier to understand on a first reading. He covers the topics at hand selectively, and although Falk's are just as selective in their coverage of the topics quite a few of them are unfortunately faulted (in some the sail doesn't appear on the right tack to match the content and in others the text is so small and is unreadable). Whereas Creagh-Osborne's diagrams are extensive, jam packed with details and information covering many more possibilities. Creagh-Osborne also uses a broad spectrum of media from diagrams and photos to photos of models with NFL Football looking play-by-play arrows.

Reading these books in conjunction with each other will provide an excellent foundation in both the aspects of seamanship that are missed in most other books and racing from beginning to intermediate and advanced levels. If you are only going to buy two, go with Creagh-Osborne and Brown.

This book isn't very popular, because it's old and because it's English. But, it's clearly written, profusely and clearly illustrated, and it covers the important points (tactics, wind shifts, etc) in a very organized and concise fashion.

The book's main focus is one-design monohull dinghy racing -- the essence of the sport, in my opinion. And it doesn't have a lot of material on the racing rules, which is good because they change every three years anyway. If you buy any book on this topic, you should also pick up a book on the current (2005 to '08, as of this writing) IYRU rules.

Form cycle analysis has become mainstream for handicappers of horse racing and Cramer's book here is probably the most complete on the subject. He discusses what to look for in identifying cycles from horse past performances, and includes material on how trainers fall into cycles and patterns of winning and losing as well. His methods will always have a place in the game because you will never duplicate Cramer's observations with computer programs. Cramer's material is always well written and easy to understand for students of the game.

Mark Cramer has written the most thought provoking tome I've read. There are many excellent books on the "SCIENCE" of handicapping. But this book brings home the the reality that races are won by flesh and blood animals prepared by mortals (trainers) who are fraught with their own strengths and weaknessses.Anyone who extrapolates figures from services or computer programs water down the past performance to a number. Predicting the future(handicapping the "ART"), is far more involved in "cycles". This book is a must read for all serious handicappers

I was originally turned on by the book "Becoming an Ironman" as I was training for my own first Ironman. This book had the same effect on me. The stories by the different athletes repeat similar tales of pain, adventure, pain, beautiful scenery, pain, and all-out efforts, but they also report another common experience that extends beyond that of individual sports: the rewards of developing team relationships that come from depending so completely upon each other during such a difficult event. The book does a great job of describing this exciting sport.

I've seen adventure racing on TV (Eco Challenge, Primal Quest, etc.). And those shows always concentrate on the drama, the beautiful people, and so on. This book, however, shows what adventure racing is all about. The 30 stories in this book are all from people who love the sport of adventure racing and have dedicated a part of their lives to the sport that they love.

There are stories from seasoned veterans and beginners -- all of which demonstrate how we can overcome great odds to reach the finish line. The lessons learned from these athletes will help athletes and non athletes alike. Great book!

This is an excellent book. The author writes about the early Vanderbilt Cups, the Savannah races and early Indy 500's. It is lively and easy to read. All parts fit together well and the author also discusses current events around the world that happened during the times of the races. I'be been reading books about automobile racing for over 40 years and this was one of my favorites. I hope Mr. Burns has more books in the pipeline.

A great read! My interest in history led to my reading this recommended book. Not only does the author write the history, but also he connects this history to events in the U.S. and abroad. A great deal of technical information is included for those who have this interest.

And how refreshing to read a book that is truly well-written. This author knows language and how to use it effectively. I also enjoyed his use of pictures (reprints of photos) to enhance the text.

I'm now buying it as a gift for others. That's the highest rating I can give a book.

Who finished fourth in the 1999 Winston Cup Championship and as a rookie? Tony Stewart that's who. In this Racing Superstar Series book you'll follow along as only after 25 starts Tony Stewart capture his first checkered flag.

As with the other books in the series, this one is also a very quick read. Like the others the book gives a look into the short but promising career of one of the brightest and most talented rookies on tour.

As a part of Joe Gibbs Racing, Tony Stewart amassed over $2.6 millions in winnings in his first year and the future looks even brighter. Pick up a copy and take a look into the life of the new millennium of racing superstars.

The Top 10 Nascar Drivers is a highly recommended book by me, especially if you are a Nascar fan, or are doing a history report about Nascar. Me myself, i love Nascar! I watch every race!The book tells you the top 10 Nascar drivers of 1995 and a little bit about them. It also tells you some intresting facts! Like I didnt know Sara Christian was the only female Nacar driver in the top 10 of 1995, I also didnt know thatshe was 3rd out ofthe top 10 of Nascar Drivers in 1995! Once again, I highly recommend this book!
Jacquelyn H.

yes i would recommend this book to others because. this is a book for all ages of nascar fans. this book talks about some of the greatest drivers such as Darrel Walltrip, Neil Bonnet, and Cale Yarborough. the book was published in 1995 so for all the Earnhardt fans dont worry he was one of the greatest. so if your into nascar fan this is a book for you.
David L

This book helped me enormously when I needed information on the major races all around the world. The information provided is very accurate and detailed helping to teach you ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW and ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW about sailing. I would reccomend this book to anyone who is interested either in sailing, or in learning more about sailing. This is the place to start.

If you like racing sailing boats, you'll enjoy very much the high quality photographs and complete description of big races in this book.

Aesop himself would grin if he could see the laugh-out-loud illustrations by Andrew Glass for a whimsical update of the age old fable. This hare has floppy ears that certainly do flop, a tummy that protrudes above his orange running shorts, stray hairs that sprout from his eye brows, and two prominent Chiclet-like teeth. As if that weren't enough, he's an object of ridicule, laughed at by the self-satisfied Easter Bunny. In fact, every rabbit in the village avoids him since he lost the race to the tortoise.

The tortoise, "Mr. Slow and Steady himself," has enjoyed a great deal of success since his triumph. He's ranked "No. 1 on the list of Most Admired Reptiles" and penned a book titled "My Hare-Racing Experience." Still, he feels he's had enough of fame and turtle parades that last six weeks. He just wants to return to a normal life, and so he would like to race again.

A rematch is in the offing with the hare demanding a pair of silk pajamas if he wins, and the tortoise asking for a pair of cool sunglasses because he thought sunglasses would allow him to hide (he'd heard this worked in Hollywood).

Youngsters will be surprised at the outcome of this contest and want to look at the hilarious illustrations again and again.

- Gail Cooke

But enjoyable for the kids too. This retelling of the Aesopian tale is clever and wickedly funny. The illustrations are a perfect complement to Bernstein's sardonic writing style. A winner for any picture book libraray!

Another great book by David Williams on Unlimited Hydroplane racing. This one covers the recent turbine era. If your a fan of the sport you will enjoy the book.

This was a birthday gift that went over real well. I received it very quickly. The book was immediately opened and scoured for information by several people.