Racing Reviews

The opportunity to view a collection from such a vibrant time in motorsports history, by a noted and aclaimed photographer, should be seized. Any die-hard racing enthusiast is certain to appreciate the many vantage points of the photos in gaining a sense of what the period was truly like.

First, a disclaimer: my desk faces framed prints of Fangio at Monaco, 1956, and Fangio at Reims, 1958 by Jesse Alexander, and my copy of the sadly out-of-print LOOKING BACK is signed by the photographer and Juan Manuel Fangio. But even if names like Jean Behra and Wolfgang von Trips are unfamiliar, anyone with a love of sport and a sense of nostalgia for a less populated and more hopeful late '50's Europe will be enthralled by DRIVEN. Jesse Alexander's timing and composition are peerless, capturing not just the machines, but the souls of the men who risked their lives for sport in the optimistic days between the Second World War and Vietnam. The familiar images of Gurney, Moss, and Fangio brim with vigor and confidence. The images of the great Jimmy Clark verge on the iconic. Perhaps my favorite image is that of the Porsche team's garage at Le Mans in 1959: the French street urchins in the background are right out of the RED BALOON. I could go on, but perhaps the best review of the work in the book is the forward by Sir Stirling Moss, whose eloquent reminiscences and insights stand in stark contrast to the bone-headed comments we see from today's "Karting With Bernie" racing drivers. The layout and printing would be superb at four times the price--this book is a must-have, and the first edition is sure to sell out. If you love racing, buy it!

Edward Bowen has selected what he thinks are the most important sires of the twentieth century and devoted a chapter to each, giving their own achievements and those of their descendants, as well as information about some of the more interesting people involved. To this end, he has included one or two sire lines that might not actually be the most important, but where their story is particularly interesting. In his introduction, the author acknowledges that the Challenger sire line was selected instead of the Count Fleet or Pharamond lines precisely because it presented a more interesting story. None of them were essential based purely on their importance.

Of course, all the essential lines that are still thriving are there, including Nearco and Native Dancer, who between them have each established several important sire lines. Indeed, a significant proportion of the book is devoted to those stallions and their descendants, which include Storm cat, America's leading sire at the turn of the millennium, and Sadlers Wells, Europe's equivalent.

This book is not a comprehensive guide to sire lines. Although there are charts near the back of the book giving diagrams of the sire lines covered by the book, they do not list once-important but now extinct lines like the Diomed/Lexington line - a line that was already struggling at the beginning of the twentieth century, but somehow survived into the 1980's. Indeed, there is no diagram of the Herod dynasty at all, although a different branch of it survives in Europe, most notably via the Irish stallion Indian Ridge.

Also, the diagrams that are present focus, with few exceptions, on those branches where a stallion was standing in America at the time the book was written. Of course, this is understandable, as it is a book about American bloodlines, but since thoroughbred breeding is international, it is a bit misleading. The Hyperion line is not as close to extinction as the diagram makes it appear, although its long term future is uncertain.

Still, I have learned that the best place to look for comprehensive sire line charts is on the internet, which has the advantage of being more up-to-date than any book is ever likely to be. Despite my reservations about the charts, the author is a great storyteller and the charts will be sufficient for most purposes.

Edward Bowen has done it once again with having written a marvelous book about the great sires of the twentieth century and their influence upon the thoroughbred breed. All of the important sire lines are included, such as Nearco, Northern Dancer, Princequillo, Mr. Prospector, Hail to Reason, Nasrullah, Bull Lea, and, in this reviewer's opinion, the greatest sire of them all, Bold Ruler. Bowen gives a detailed biography of each sire and that horse's important descendants.

An added bonus is a section of charts in the back of the book of each sire's male line and the important winners from each of those lines. For example, the chart for Bold Ruler shows all of his male line ascendants, and his important descendants. One descendant, Bold Bidder, has under his name the important race horses Spectacular Bid and Cannonade, and Cannonade in turn sired Caveat who in turn sired Awad and Ops Smile. What is nice about the charts is that they instantly show how so few sires have had so much influence on thoroughbred racing.

I highly recommend this book and the companion book MATRIARCHS.

As an Irvine follower, I really enjoyed reading Adam Cooper's book, which details not only the relatively recent Ferrari section of Eddie's career but gives the reader an insight into just how he developed his career to the F1 stage. A very entertaining look at the soon to be world champion (if not 99, then 2000!), including some dodgy photos from the early years!

Awesome Book! You don't often find information on Steady Eddie, but this book covers it all!

I just got my copy of Etched In Stone and thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful book. It is not the slightest bit morbid but rather a fond look back at those equines who have made an impact on racing. Seeing the graves and reading about (for many) forgotten Thoroughbreds brings these long-ago champions back to life. I hope to some day be able to visit these memorials myself. This is a must have book for the racing or horse fan!

This book, paying tribute to some of our nation's greatest athletes, has been long awaited and greatly overdue! Thoroughbreds, especially those from Kentucky (the horse capitol of the nation) have always been admired by all and this book only makes their legends live on more vivedly. With it's pictures and stories of the headstones and the great athletes that lie beneath, the author takes a vivid look at these magnificent beasts. I cannot wait to explore the graves highlighted!

With the publication of Exploring Pedugree horseplayers finally have available information(an a perspective of how to use it) that allows them to intelligently evaluate debut runners in maiden races, as well as young horses stretching out, switching to the turf or trying an off-track for the first time.

"A quantum leap in handicapping consciousness." The Cramer-Olmsted Report

"A major breakthrough in handicapping." Daily Racing Form

Be clear on one point: this book is not for general consumption. Helm is writing for a particular audience, and that is thoroughbred horseracing handicappers and bettors. That said, I cannot recommend this volume highly enough. Witih the explosion in computer technology over the past several years, and the attendant availability of rafts of information, there are very few true "frontiers" left to the race handicapper. Pedigree -- a horse's bloodlines, and all that they suggest about his/her abilities -- are, in Helm's view, the last unexplored territory. He begins with a compelling examination of the current state of the thoroughbred breeding industry. But his truly original contribution to the ever-growing literature of handicapping follows, as he creates a cogent technology for applying pedigree information to the analysis and playing of specific types of races. In Helm's view, the real opportunities at the racetrack arise when one can, based on reliable data, project that a horse will be able to accomplish something that it has not yet attempted. So, a first-time starter may be backed with confidence...if the bloodlines suggest precocity. A sprinter may be backed in a distance race...if the pedigree suggests stamina. And so forth. Races that previously appeared to be unplayable become golden opportunities. Bottom line: this stuff works! Since this initial volume, Helm has published several updates, and puts out annual "Sire Ratings," so that those of us who use his essential technology can work with the most current information.

After having just read Gary Paulsen's book Winterdance, I was anxious to learn more about the iditarod race and this book answered every question I could have dreamed up and more including history of mushing and the race, how mushers and dogs prepare for the race, what kind of equiptment they carry, and descriptions of the trail itself. It also has a very large bibliography which gave me a list of other books I would like to read.

This is a great book. The training section helped me with ideas for my dogs, as did the parts on equipment and feeding.

This was a faboulus book I`ve read.Anyone interested with F-1 should have to read it.While I was reading this book I`ve felt as If I was at the pit crew of Ferrari

only when you see a FERRARI you will se so much power,beuty,and elegance

I have read every book of the series from the beginning up until this one with the exception of Young Guns the one before this one, and yet I didn't really miss anything. I found this book to be just as easy going as the style it is written in and like the rest just as clean. One thing I did miss was the linking of the modern day legends with the roles of the book. If you have read the others you know what I mean as in Richard Petty talking to the likes of Jodell and Bubba and Joe. Maybe they will get back to that in the new one which I have now. Other then that I have one more thing to say. Buy the book and enjoy it you want be let down

Greetings! Mike Irwin of the StockCarFans Newsletters here...

I just finished book #6 of the Rolling Thunder series, "First to the Flag".

The book tells the tale of "Rocket" Rob Wilder, a young racer discovered at a small out-of-the-way track by the legendary Jodell Lee himself. The discovery gets Rob a job driving in the Grand National series for car owner Billy Winton, formerly "head wrench" for Jodell's Cup team. The Winton Racing Team has a highly visible software firm, Ensoft, as primary sponsor. Ensoft's head of marketing is Michelle Fagan, who just might have a crush on young Wilder. For some reason, though, Michelle introduces Rob to her cute blonde sister, Christy. Rob and Christy hit it off right away, and become "an item".

The book follows the path of "Rocket" Rob and Winton Racing through the Grand National season, including Rob's first trip to Daytona to race in the Daytona 300. Will Rob be able to handle the high speeds and drafting? How long will it be until he visits Victory Lane? Will the ol' green-eyed monster mean Rob has to choose between two attractive sisters? Read the book and find out!

Of all the books in this great "Rolling Thunder" series, I liked this one the most. The story moves along at a good pace, and the characters are well-developed. The book is extremely clean, and I recommend it for all ages. There is no bad language or adult situations, other than some drinking that ol' moonshine, and some kissing at the door at the end of a date. The book is suspenseful, and exciting, with a little romance and intrigue thrown in for those who enjoy those elements.

The best book for anyone who is interested in the technical side of modern F1. The coloured illustration that make up the book are top class, clearly showing the differences between the different cars no matter how minute. The section following the development if Ferrari and McLaren from race to race is superb. Those hoping for an explanation for the different designs and the concepts behind them should look for other books, though I doubt you'll find one thanks to F1's secrecy, but for those who would like to really view the cars in all their beauty there is nothing to match this book.

Let me start off by saying that if you are an F1 fan especially a technical one(like myself) you can't pass up this book. If you do not know who Giorgio Piola is, he draws for the weekly magazine AutoSport. He is one of the best artist I have seen. His technical drawings allow you to understand the F1 cars in a technical perspective. Compared to the last edition "Technical Analysis 98", this one is even better. If you don't have the 98 book you should order that one too. I do like the 99 book since it is written in english only as opposed to the 98 which is in italian and english, but thats not a problem. What will really impress you is the attention to detail of the drawings, but they are so easy to understand. Again this is a must for any F1 fan. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

This is a very informative book with insightful sections on the teams as well as detailed accounts of each race. Additionally there are backgound and update sections which also make for interesting reading. The photo's are great and include behind the scenes shots as well as the on track sessions. Also helpful are statistics which include race results, retirements, pit stops fastest laps etc. All in all a great book at a very reasonable price.

As a Formula one freak, I haveto say that this is a very good book. It's filled with high quality color photos, description and statistics of each race in the 98 season (which includes the track map with the names of the curves), handful of information about all eleven teams (with home address and web site for each team) and even some interesting extra stuff that has nothing to do with the 1998 season. It's definitely worth the money.