Races Books

Dirty Sally
I bought this book for my oldest daughter but it offered so much more for her. I can't stand it when someone makes an ignorant comment about how different my children look. Our family is very diverse and we are always faced with justifying our ethnic legitimacy. If I hear, "She's cute to be dark" one more time. I don't know what I will do. This book is very encouraging for children all over the world who feel like they are "different". Oftentimes, biracial children pose that heartbreaking question, "why was I born?" in Colors come from God ...just like me, the author does an excellent job making those who are different feel validated. "God made my goldfish swim round and round, And God made me a beautiful brown". God made us all beautiful, just the way we are and I commend Mrs. Forche for helping young people to achieve self worth through biblical scriptures. I highly recommend this book.
I am an author myself and I have written a book entitled Dirty Sally...The untold stories of mixed race children who find a new identity, love, faith and forgiveness through God. This Christian based children's book seeks to raise awareness within the bi-racial community. Allegorical tales detail the unspoken realities facing multiracial children, and encourage young readers on how they might make better choices by referring to biblical scripture as a teaching tool. I am also available on Amazon.com. Thank you for your support. God Bless
Myrtice J. Edwards
For more information or to contact the author, Myrtice J. Edwards visit
[...]

Carolyn Forche's book for children has a message that all adults need to learn. This wonderful book should be shared with every child with every parent.

In rhythmical verse that children will love, Carolyn celebrates the variety of God's creation.

The book captures the feeling we all should have for one another.

The illustrations in the book make it a work of art.

My family is blended, my husband and I are white. We have 2 biological kids and two adopted African-American kids. We need bridges between two different looks, this book helped. Also, great for families who are African-American and families who are white or Asian or whatever. Starts discussion with kids about skin color and what it does or doesn't mean. Does it in a spiritual, not religious way.

I love this book. My favorite uncle used to say that all people are God's masterpieces because God sometimes mixes colors to make bonus colors and more beautiful people. "God picked out our colors," this very astute and loving man used to say. "He wanted more beauty for the world so He was always thinking up more beautiful colors to add to it."

This book affirms that sentiment; this book is a very good reflection on diversity, individuality and being human. Three cheers for this book!

I bought this book for my son, but it focuses on a girl throughout. If I had a daughter, it would be great. As the title has God in it, it is very bible and religion oriented which might not be for some people. I just wish I had realized that it wouldn't have drawings of girls and boys. Doesn't really get the message I wanted to convey across to my son.

I had a long list of books I promised myself I would read upon finishing school. One was "The Corporate Rat Race". This book has challenged me in many ways - from both a career and a personal perspective. There is much to be taken from this book that applies to more than just corporate life. I am glad that I read it.

A friend recommended The Corporate Rat Race to me and at first blush I admit I was not particularly interested in the book's subject matter. Within the first couple of paragraphs Paul had me hooked and I had a hard time putting it down. The Corporate Rat Race is an informative, quick and fun (did I just say 'fun' about a book found in the business section?!) read about the evolution of corporate America and business ethics in today's world. The principles discussed here are as another reviewer put it, "easy to understand and apply." This sets The Corporate Rat Race apart from its competitors in the same genre. I highly recommend.

Mr. Ulasien took a very practical and applicable view point of a hot topic among Corporate America workers today. Not only did the title catch my attention, but the book totally captivated me. It was obvious that the author spent many hours researching the evolution of Corporate America, and how the rat race came to be. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his and others' experiences, and I personally related to several scenarios. This is must read book!

Based on his many years of experience in the Corporate Rat Race, Paul Ulasien has provided practical and timely advice on how to survive in today's workforce. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and cannot decide which part of it I like best: the trip down "history lane", reading the real-life examples and recognizing myself and co-workers, or the "words of wisdom" and humor interjected throughout. This book is a must for anyone who wants to bring renewed attention to their personal situation and make sound decisions on how to survive in Corporate America!

Paul did an excellent job in breaking down the corporate challenges facing today's worker in an easy to understand format. The author's use of examples and real world scenarios made it easy for the reader to relate and gave you a feeling of being there. Having come from corporate America I now have a better understanding of the "why" things have become as they are. I have recommended this book to friends and co-workers and it has been well received. Looking forward to his next book.

I nearly didn't purchase this book. I bought it only because it came with another book ('Street Crazy' by Stephen Seager) which I had to read for a Psychiatric Technician Program that I am going through. I decided an extra book that deals with the type of patiens I will eventually be working with could only help me in the future.

This book was incredible. It is not from a doctors point of view like most books would be, it is from the point of view of the patients themselves and/or their families. The stories are so tragic and you can't help but feel bad for the situations they have had to go through. There are also pictures of each person which only made me feel more for each of them.

For anyone in the mental health field, work in a prison, or are going to work in either of these fields I highly recommend this book. If people were a little more considerate of the homeless and mentally ill maybe some, if not most, of them would not have to die in the streets or commit suicide in prison.

Crazy in America: The Hidden Tragedy of Our Criminalized Mentally Ill As a long time staff advocate for the National Alliance on Mental illness (NAMI), I found the book and its multiple story accounts very accurate and heart rendering. For the uninformed, the stories may be so impactful that they will find it hard to understand that a society could mistreat its citizens so badly. Good book.

The heartbreaking stories in this beautifully written book expose what happens to people with psychiatric disabilities who reach the end of the line after not receiving desperately needed mental health care. Meticulously researched and at the same imbued with deep sympathy, Pfeiffer's case studies detail the journeys of six people as they move inexorably toward catastrophe, finding themselves in brutal interactions with the criminal justice system. With the closure of many psychiatric wards and an ensuing lack of decent, appropriate care in the community, our jails and prisons have been delegated as the mental health facilities of our time. They are utterly inadequate to the task. Behind those walls are hundreds of thousands of ill people who cannot adhere to rules. Many are placed in solitary confinement, where they violently injure themselves or commit suicide. Pfeiffer sensitively reveals the effects of this torture on vulnerable individuals with mental illness.

New York State is on the verge of passing a law that greatly restricts the practice of placing people with psychiatric disabilities in solitary confinement, the first state in the country to do so. We must immediately begin to improve mental health care in the community, so that people do not find themselves in jail as a result of untreated symptoms. Pfeiffer spells out this message unambiguously. Her book should be required reading for anyone with any interest in human rights and assigned as a textbook in every medical school.

The author of Crazy in America introduces us to 6 of our brothers and sisters whose lives were devastated by mental illness along with the families that care deeply about them. Three committed suicide while in isolation cells in both jails and prisons. Luke in a Texas jail, Jessica in the New York prison system and Joseph in the California Youth Authority Facility. Two more, Alan and Peter died in separate incidences at the hands of Florida police officers whose very presence exacerbated the symptoms of their illness. The pain and anguish of the five individuals and their families unfolds before your eyes as you read their stories.

The sixth person the author writes about is Shayne, my niece, the focus of my advocacy work and truly a special person and survivor. As I read Shayne's story I grieved for the horror that was unfolding once again before my eyes. The anguish of not being able to stop the crime that landed her in jail and eventually an Iowa prison. The self mutilations of her right eye and two years later her left eye. Six months after blinding herself she dislodged four of her teeth trying to bite off her finger. Visions of this vulnerable and sick woman destroying herself one digit at a time terrified my thoughts as I pleaded and begged for help from whomever would listen. Four months later Shayne tried to bite a whole through her cheek and I wondered if it would ever end. All of these incidences happened while in isolation cells. Shayne has proven, at least to me, that isolation is not treatment. The prison environment was to stressful for her coping skills and she started a downhill slide 1 year into what would be 5 years behind bars.

It is hard to write a review of a book that causes you to feel so much pain and suffering. I do however thank Mary Beth for being the caring and knowledgeable advocate that she is. Shayne and her family are forever grateful that she has used her journalistic talent to tell the stories of these six vulnerable and loved individuals in the hopes that changes will be made before to many more have to suffer being criminalized because of a misunderstood illness.

If countries are judged by the way they treat their most vulnerable citizens than I grieve also for America because our mentally ill are being hidden from view behind prison walls which is where they were 150 year ago. The medications necessary to stabilize symptoms of mental illness are available. The knowledge of what needs to be provided to ensure their success living in the community is known. It will take the will of the people to provide these basic necessities. Call your legislatures and congressmen and tell them to support laws aimed at helping those with disabilities.

For years, I have watched the homesless people walk up and down the main streets in the city closest to where I live, the thought crossing my mind that these are the result of budget cuts which closed the nearby psychiatric center. While I'd read about the crisis for this same population, (Many of the articles were written by the same author as Crazy in America, Mary Beth Pfeiffer, an advocate for these people for many years.) the extent and the consequences of this institution's closing, and others across America, was never as clear as they have become as a result of reading this book.
Pfeiffer's heartbreaking case studies document the problem the mentally ill confront within the penal system, a system never intended to deal with this personnel. Through these tragic case studies, the author demonstrates that a system that punishes the mentally ill in the same ways it treats other prisoners is a set-up for these victims. At the same time that her book focuses on and evokes sympathy and compassion for the mentally ill, it also causes the reader to question how our prisons function for anyone in America.
While this book may hold particular interest for workers in the mental health field, it is of importance for employees in our schools, judicial system, and for anyone who has a mentally ill person in his/her family. It seems this book reaches out to everyone, and hopefully, will encourage people to work toward the changes in a system that is broken for a large percentage of the people involved in it. We must watch over those incapable of caring for themselves.
This is a must read for any socially responsible person in America.
As for the author, a superb example of investigative reporting! Well done!!!

If you're looking for the perfect gift for a fan of Forumula One, this book is it. I've given a few away as gifts, and it's always a riot to see the results. Whether it's a child, teen, or adult (I've mostly given this book to adults), faces light up, and the person who receives it becomes immediately drawn into the book . . . for hours. Try giving one at a party and watch as everyone gathers around to get in on the play. This is PERFECT for the fan who has everything (or the fan who wishes to have everything . . . such as a Ferrari F300). An unbelievable amount of fun. You won't be disappointed. Enjoy!

The CD has fantastic sounds-- BRM car brings back fond memories. The Pop Ups especially the Ferrari instrument panel and the F1 with pit crew is great. All graphics, photographs are 5 star quality. This is a must book for the F1 fanatic.

I purchased this book for my husband, who has just become interested in Formula One racing. The whole family enjoyed reading and interacting with this informative book. We learned more about Formula One than we ever expected...this book has to be the best book I've purchased in years! HURRY - BUY THIS BOOK!!! Excellent, excellent, excellent!!!

All diehard Formula One fans can increase their knowledge of this wonderful sport by reading this book. The CD is fantastic,all of the engine sounds brings back fond memories. The Pop Ups especially the Ferrari instrument panel and the F1 with pit crew is great. All graphics, photographs are 5 star quality. A must book for the F1 fanatic's library.

Wow, great information, great fun! A must read, actually it is a tome to pour over. There is a lot to digest, and it is very interesting. It is a very clever layout, there are lots of pockets and flaps to explore. Not for children unattended though, it could be quickly demolished. My one beef is that I found the glasses (not 3d by the way) to be a little tough to view sometimes.

Reading Mr. Timothy Spangler's book is like having a life coach holding your hand through the real estate process. It is such a simple book to read and makes understanding the real estate game simple. It is the beginners BIBLE to real estate investing.

I am a beginner in the real estate world and the book has given me great information on my mission. I would refer this book to anyone starting out in real estate investing.

In a sea of real estate investing books today, this is by far the best beginner's how-to guide to making money in real estate. The author offers a complete synopsis in easy to understand language on starting your own real estate investment business. Going beyond buying and renting properties for profit, "Rat Race to Real Estate" offers invaluable information on starting a Limited Liability Company (LLC), finding the right tenants, leasing contracts, and so much more. There are helpful explanations on real estate terminology and other topics often intimidating to the new investor. This literature is a must buy for anyone seeking financial security and freedom in their life through real estate investment.

This book is simple to read and full of useful information that the average Joe can understand. You don't need an attorney to help you figure out what you just read. The book takes you through all facets of real estate from searching out new properties to closing deals to handling problem tenants. I highly recommend this book for the beginner.

No fancy, tricky get rich schemes. Nothing for free and no wild illusions or promises. Rock solid nuts and bolts to real estate investing. A great book which pulls no punches on "how-to-do-it" in real estate. It takes time, money and knowledge to reach financial freedom - that is reality! This book is the knowledge you need to meet that goal in less time and with less money. An absolute "Must Read" in a step-by-step format. The "owners manual" to your fianancial future.

Eric Newby, who died in 2006 at the age of 86, was an adventurer and gifted travel writer who chronicled his experiences in several books that reflect his curiosity and research about the world as well as his shrewd and often very hilarious observations of humans making their way in it. Originally published in 1956, THE LAST GRAIN RACE could be called memoir, but Newby recreates his apprenticeship aboard one of the last mercantile sailboats on the eve of World War II via his diaries, claptrap memory and research, creating an airtight world with immediacy. There is no sense of retrospect, distance of time or hindsight in the narrative.

Newby was 18 when he went to sea in 1938 on a barque owned by a Scandinavian shipping firm. Before World War II, it was still economical to deploy a commercial fleet of these behemoths around the world to scoop up grain crops from Australia for the European market. When his job at an advertising agency (hilarious) was threatened by lay-offs, he indulged the youthful romance of life at sea stoked by a girlfriend's naval father and signed up with the Erikson firm's ship, Moshulu. He kitted up grandly, found a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk. Immediately aboard ship, he learned that a lot of the work centered about scaling those tall masts, cleaning the "restrooms" and repelling off the side to scrape rust. He was the only Englishman among Scandinavians and Germans who were decidedly not of the Louis Vuitton school. Newby's character sketches are priceless and he captures the hybrid vernacular so well that by the end of the book, the reader knows as much as he learned. The book is loaded with technical information about the boat and its mission, but also with accounts of dramatic storms, bedbug plagues or occasional leisurely pursuits like capturing an albatross just to measure its wingspan. I purchased a used original UK Reader's Union edition (think Book of the Month Club) that usefully had a detailed illustration inside the back cover and a world map inside the front, with the journey dated and marked off.

Infrequently, news of the outside world drifted to the ship via a radio signal from a distant land. It is not good news, but at sea they can mostly ignore it. Like the Pequod in MOBY DICK, the Moshulu was its own complete world. That's the beauty of this book: it captures a fully evolved culture that would suddenly disappear a year later. When Moshulu unexpectedly returned first among the fleet, Newby packed it in. He had lived a lifetime and grown up in under a year. The next time the boat went out, it returned to the waiting Germans. Afterwards, it turned up in a future where commercial sailing ships were no longer competitive. Sic transit gloria mundi.

If you want some relaxing summer reading and if you like the sea by all means get this book. Eric Newby was an 18 year old kid who, with family approval, signed on as an appentice before the mast on the Finnish owned barque Moshulu in the fall of 1938 for a nine month sail from Queensown to Port Victoria in Southern Australia and return. The Moshulu was a steel sailing vessel, built in Sweden in 1905, 3,600 gross tons, 360 feet at the waterline, three masted ship-rigged with her main mast topping out at 198 feet at the cap. She could carry 4,800 tons of wheat - and did, setting the record of 92 days for her return voyage eastward round Cape Horn. (Her outbound voyge had beeen around the Cape of Good Hope)

Newby went on to become a rather prosperous clothier in London but was better known for his travel writing till his death last year (2006) at the age of 86. I had read his "Travels in the Hindu Kush" years ago and put him down as a kind of smart alek and I had also read the paperback of this book published by Penguin in 1971 but had not appreciated it till I got it down from my shelf of sea stories last week and read it again. He's a dmaned fine writer here and I take back what I said about him being a smart alek. His description of life at sea and the sea iself is as good as anything I've ever read; and you will enjoy it. For those who like sailing ships there's a lot of technical detail about rigging, watch-standing etc. and you can skip this and read about a storm at sea if you want but if you wade through the technical stuff you will be amazed at what you learn. I strongly recommend the whole thing to you.

I was ready to drive from Seattle to San Francisco when I stopped at the library for some road music and a book on tape. This particular day, I found a jewel by one of the greats, Eric Newby's "The Last Grain Race". Eric Newby has done so much, and has been so many places that it boggles the mind. This book chronicles the beginning of his life as a true adventurer, when on the eve of WWII, he shipped out as a complete novice seaman on one of the largest sailing vessels ever built, bound for Australia and back.
Though I've been reading his books for 20 years, for some reason I'd never run across "The Last Grain Race", and for well over 1000 miles I listened to the reading of this book, and when I got to Portland on my return leg, my first stop was at Powell Books to grab a hard copy of the book.
This is one of the finest books I've ever read. I was going to say "seafaring books", but that is too restrictive.
Eric Newby's commentary and sense of humor are first-rate, like always. While listening, and while reading, I was transported by this book. The conditions seem indescribable, but Newby succeeds in describing them, and paints cold, wet portraits of the days and nights in the rigging and the foc'sle of the barque "Moshulu". I subsequently found a book of the photographs of this voyage, Newby's "Learning The Ropes", which gives us faces to the cast of "Great Grain Race".
Old friends of my youth came to visit while I was engrossed in this book, Sterling Hayden's "Voyage", the film "Windjammer", and the loss of the sailing ship "Pamir" in the late 1950's. The "Moshulu" survives today, as a restaurant ship in Philadelphia, but she was interned on Lake Union in my hometown of Seattle during WWI, and her consort, the "Monongahela" was the last tall ship to pass under the George Washington (Aurora) Bridge before it was closed to tall-masted ships.
An interesting sidelight: While recently rewatching "Godfather II", I noticed that in the scene where young Vito Andolini (Corleone) arrives in New York, the ship he's on is the "Moshulu".
Eric Newby is one of a kind. Now that he is gone we'll never see his like again.

Unfortunately the unappealingly named "The Last Great Grain Race" might be left on the bookshelf if it were not for its companion volume of photographs more appropriately titled "Learning The Ropes; An Apprentice on the Last of the Windjammers," both by Eric Newby. Oddly these volumes were issued over forty years apart, Grain Race in 1956 and Ropes in 1999. (A recent volume of Grain Race was reissued in 1999, possibly to take advantage of the pictorial release.)

After a brief stint as an office clerk, Newby at eighteen signed on as an apprentice seaman for an around the world cargo voyage, with no nautical experience or skills other than a careful eye and superb memory for detail. "The Last Great Grain Race" is the story of one of the last four-masted barques, which in 1938 sailed from Ireland to Australia to pick up a cargo of grain and return to Ireland, a voyage which would take nine months. Ultimately it was to become the last voyage in such a vessel, as the impending war would change the world forever. We are fortunate that Newby was along to document the voyage. We are equally appreciative of his thoughtfulness in bringing his camera, as "Learning the Ropes" is the superb photo essay of this journey.

Newby apparently was a very skilled photographer. Oddly, he only briefly mentions his possession of a camera in "The Last Great Grain Race." He never lets on that his is so actively chronicling events and shipmates throughout the voyage. Though Newby does an excellent job describing what is like to climb aloft in all kinds of weather, the black and white photographs take the reader aloft as well and provide the narrative even with more impact and grace.

The crew is as varied and colorful as one might expect the conditions are harsh and oftentimes dangerous; the work is unrelenting, demanding and dangerous in its own right. Newby works alongside seasoned veterans and never shirks.

Grain Race however does have its limitations. There is a tremendous amount of technical detail that can often leave the reader literally at sea. For example "There were still the sheets of the topmast staysails to be shifted over the stays and sheeted home, the main and mizzen courses to be reset, and the yards trimmed to the Mate's satisfaction with the brace whips." Newby does provide a graphic of the sail plan and running rigging (79 reference points), but these are only of marginal assistance.

Another shortcoming is the language barrier Newby faces. This is a Finnish crew and commands are rarely given in English. Newby and the reader often have to work out the language; if the reader misses the first context or explanation then subsequent uses of the terminology will be lost, a glossary might have helped here. Newby does faithfully record dialects especially when he is being spoken to in occasionally recognizable English and these dialogues are often amusingly recounted.

Eric Newby should seriously consider issuing both in a single volume and one has to wonder why this wasn't done when Grain Race was first issued or at least when "Learning the Ropes" was released a couple of years ago. It is interesting to speculate on the length of time between the original release of Grain Race and the very vivid and informative photographs. Regardless it was worth the wait.

Grain Race the narrative and Grain Race the photographs make for an enjoyable double read.

In 1938 Eric Newby was eighteen years old. He left a dead end job with an advertising agency in London and signed as an apprentice seaman on the four-masted sailing ship Moshulu for a trip to bring back a shipload of grain from Australia. Moshulu was one of a dozen sailing ships still engaged in the grain trade and the 1938 trip was destined to be the last of the merchant sailing era.

Newby is undeservedly less well known than other writers who have imitated him. His books, "A Small Place in Italy, "On the Shores of the Mediterranean" and "The Big Red Train Ride" have been imitated by other authors. His writing style is spare and matter-of-fact; he doesn't try to impress the reader with overblown prose instead letting the facts speak for themselves without florid editorial comment.

There's a funny account a trick played by the Belfast stevedores on the sailors of Moshulu. Among the tons of rocks loaded into the hold were two dead dogs. The decomposing dog carcasses fill the ship's hold with an overpowering odor that plagues the men as they dump out the ballast and load the grain months later off the shore of Adelaide.

The Last Grain Race goes into great detail describing the operation of a sailing ship, complete with obscure jargon names for the sails and rigging. Newby seems to have been working too hard on the trip to completely enjoy and appreciate it. The books gives a glimpse at a lost world of merchant sailing ships and the quiet life of sailors at sea, now exchanged for sparsely manned giant container ships crossing vast oceans in a matter of days.

Moshulu returns to Queenstown, Ireland on June 10, 1939 after a pace-setting 91-day passage by war of Cape Horn. It had taken 8 months for a round-trip in which Moshulu brought 4,875 tons of grain from Australia to Ireland. Newby leaves the ship a full-fledged Ordinary Seaman. World War II will start in a few months and obliterate the peaceful world of merchant sailing ships.

I'm ALMOST done with this book and am looking forward to the next book(s) in the series. Its a wonderful mix of modern American times, magic, adventure and sci fi, where a couple of young kids/tweeners learn the value of their skills and how to be unique!

I purchased this book after hearing the author talking about it on TV. My pre-teen loves this book. I have purchased books in the past but this is the first she started reading and can't stop talking about it. This was one of my best purchases and at a great price.

Wow! What a story!

Louis Proof is a teenager in East Orange, New Jersey. When the book opens, Louis one of the most popular students in his class. He is helpful, kind, and smart. He accepts an invitation to go to a wonderful amusement park where all of your wildest dreams come true. After things go a little wrong there, Louis leaves and mysteriously collapses and falls into a coma.

When Louis awakens, it is three months later and everything is different. Many adults are being replaced with replicas of themselves -- and they are a child's dream. They let their kids do anything they want. Slowly, Louis realizes that he is the earth's only chance. Earth is being taken over by Galonious, a very funny but evil person. He takes away a person's inhibitions and promises freedom. Some people steal and vandalize while others commit murder.

I spent some time speaking with my fifth-graders about this concept and I believe that they found it as scary as I did. The story doesn't come to a conclusion, as there are supposed to be sequels. The hero is also African-American, which is a first, and there are many references to popular culture which makes the story fun.

Enjoy reading THE MARVELOUS EFFECT!

Reviewed by: Marta Morrison

Being an adult who still reads what are called "chilrens novels", I was pleasently suprised that kid in me has been re-awakened in Marvelous fashion. Troy CLE has infused Hip-Hop, True teachings, and a world of fantasy into the "Marvelous World" of East Orange New Jersey...I would say more but the Crims would get me. Then as young Brandon would say, it would be "on". I highly recommend this to anyone who has children of their own, or better yet, to anyone who has a child's heart... Bottom line, "it's marvelous darling". Peace.

This is a beautifully written book that will instantly engage even a reluctant reader. It's fun, it's deep, it's alive with a lively plot and creative setting. I use it for an urban book club. Most of my kids have never read a book over 100 pages, yet they finished this book ahead of schedule. It's a very smart book with great vocabulary and themes that are rich for discussuion. This author has written a book that kids can see, hear and feel.

I saw the three races, I'm glad I found the book, us horse people has to stick together.

The DVD was great, the book goes into more detail, but overall a great package.

We continue to be completely satisfied with the excellent service we receive through Amazon.com and its affiliates. Everything is sent quickly (usually ahead of the estimated delivery date), cleanly, in excellent condition, and exactly as advertised. Thank all those involved with this process.

fast service. wonderful to work with. wish we had one more to add to the crown.

I bought the initial edition of this book in 1975 and at the time was totally perplexed. How could an author write an entire chapter about Count Fleet and misspell the last name of his jockey every time ("Longdon" instead of "Longden")? And how could an editor not catch this error when the chapter contains three copyrighted charts from Daily Racing Form that have the jockey's name spelled correctly. Flash forward three decades to a new edition of this same book and ... Longden's name is still misspelled every time. Didn't anyone in 30 years tell the author or publisher that the name was misspelled??? This belongs in another book -- "Believe it or Not."

An excellent book. From Brazil, I am able to confirm the magnificent dancers. I owned a northern dancer's grandson.
Congratulations to the author.

Fernando A. T. Távora
Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Northern Dancer by Muriel Lennox is a vibrant narrative which portrays a fascinating era with emphasis on a mesmerizing focus of the horses as well as the peripheral people! If you enjoy equine sagas or simply appreciate fine writing, this superlative volume will capture your interest and imagination!

As a horse trainer and owner I have found this book very interesting and entertaining.

This book is very well written and informative. As well as the life-story of this remarkable animal it provides an insight into the history and workings of the racing industry. At times it brought a tear to my eye! I have a Northern Dancer horse and I look at him with a new dimension of knowledge.

Although I was not old enough to remember Northern Dancer, he was won of the greatest thoroughbreds of this century. Not only in racing its self, but as one of the most influencial stallions of our time. This book allows everyone who knew of The Dancer to remember him. To either help the people to remanise of his great life as they saw him in '64, or for some, to learn of his great accomplishments, and not so golden moments that they never got a glimpse of. But the one thing this book gives everyone, is to learn of the real Northern Dancer. His 'misfit' life as a yearling, his great character and temperment, and his relationship with the people most close to him. He touched alot of people and still does. He is the greastest Canadian horse to step on any track and probibly ever will. Muriel Lenox did I great job in revieling Northern Dancer to us. Her words made me chill when he won the Derby, feel dispair when he lost the Belmont and cry when he died in 1990. But I would like to thank Muriel for what she gave me, a real look at the life of my favorite horse of all time. Northern Dancer will always be a great horse, not only as a horse himself;but as well as his legacy. Such stallions like Storm Cat, Danzig,Nureyev, Nijinsky II and so many more are leaving the Dancer mafk on racing today. This is a great book and at is a must read for any horse lover or fan of racing.

Libby Riddles brings you on the Iditarod trail with her. You will feel her cold, her fatigue and the fur of her dogs whom she loves above all. This is the ultimate armchair adventure. It's incredible top believe that people actually put themselves through this. A bonus feature of this book is the informaive sidebars. I recommend it with five stars.

I loved this book, from beginning to end. It was engaging, exciting, informative and just a great read. Adventure stories are my favorite and I love animals so it was a great combination. Hooray for Ms. Riddles for her victory and a well written book.

After meeting Libby personally in Juneau May 2001, I had to read the book! She takes you "with her and her precious dogs" on this adventure with details about the event and how she feels,copes and thrives throughout the 1984 Iditarod.

The best part? She won as a team (with her dogs) and as a person of strength with the knowledge that she would also be a role model from both women and men.

I found the book inspiring!

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Libby Riddles personally on a cruise with Princess Cruise Line. Her talk was so enlightening that I bought the book. This is a must read for every Iditarod fan or interested person. The grueling schedule and trails will hold your interest until the end of the book. You'll find out what Libby cared on her sled, how she prepared for each checkpoint and what all the mushers have to endure to come out on top of the pack. You'll easily learn to respect the mushers and the love/dedication they have for the Iditarod.

Libby Riddles is the first woman to win the Iditarod, which is the Alaskan dog-sled race that covers over 1,000 miles.

As I'm not very familiar with Alaska, I had never heard of Libby Riddles, or the Iditarod for that matter. However, my boss, who is from Alaska, brought me an autographed copy of the book as a souvenir from one of her trips home. I immediately started reading the book and was quickly engrossed in Libby's adventure.

The book is written in journal style. I felt as if I were right there on the trail with Libby throughout her grueling race to the finish. Interspersed throughout the pages are interesting Iditarod facts that help the reader to better understand the life of a musher as well as the ins and outs of the race.

Libby, as well as all the mushers, show an amazing amount of courage and strength. From start to finish, many mushers don't get to shower and exist on an hour or so of sleep every 15-24 hours! Imagine that kind of schedule, coupled with the intense physical endurance they're also experiencing. It was simply mind boggling, but very admirable.

I found this a fascinating read; my only complaint is that I wish it were longer! I wanted the story to continue a little bit after Libby crossed the finish line in Nome!