Racing Reviews

I just discovered the world of Dick Francis novels with To the Hilt and was impressed enough to try some more. Straight is another well written, fast-paced novel with great characters and plenty of suspense. The book goes fast so if you are a quick reader have another book handy because you will cruise through this. I highly recommend.

Dick Francis does it once again, delivering a solid mystery with a hero who is an honest, intelligent, basically a good guy who tries to solve the mysteries that arise after the death of the hero's considerably older brother, robberies, muggings, and car wreck, and to do so must veer from the straight and narrow path.
Derek is a steeplechase jockey who has broken his ankle when he receives word that his older brother (19 years his senior) has been seriously injured in a freak accident. Derek has to make a hard decision, then, when he learns that he is his brother's heir, he realizes that he got far more than he bargained for. Not only has he inherited his brother's house, car, and gem business (something Derek has no knowledge of nor any interest in), but also all of the troubles as well, including thefts, missing diamonds, secret passwords, troubled friendships and his brother's mistress!
Derek rises to the challenges, hindered physically by his broken ankle but more so by his inability to discover who is behind the subsequent break-ins, assaults, missing diamonds, and a nasty car wreck. All the while, Derek grieves for his brother, copes with his brother's mistress, and uncovers a second criminal element involving horses and horse racing.
The usual humor that I associate with Francis is in this novel, but what I liked most was the greater attention paid to the relationships between the characters (Greville, Derek, Prospero, Brad and Clarissa in particular) and gave more emotional development as well. It is nicely illustrated by Derek's reflection on what his brother meant to him, the closeness of their relationship despite the difference in their ages, and the regret that the relationship ended far too soon and too suddenly without having the chance to say how much he meant to him nor a chance to say goodbye.
Like other Dick Francis mysteries, this one has plenty to keep the reader interested, has the usual connection to horse racing, and enough suspense and action without becoming an ordinary mystery.
Straight may refer to Derek's general moral core (no reference to his sexuality, though), but the path Derek takes to solve the mysteries thrown in his way is anything but straight. Highly recommended.

This was the first Dick Francis book I ever read and I am very glad it was. I have read this one over and over and I have yet to pick up a D.F. book that I didn't like.

This book is great, it has beautiful pictures and info. However, I did find a few things that were not to great. First of all, when describing the Alaskan Malamute, the illustration had a pure black dog... Malamutes are NEVER pure black, they can be all white but that's the only exception for all one color, the only labeled pic of malamutes are an all white and all black, no markings! They also had very vague info on them. Malamute's real name is ALASKAN MALAMUTE, no where in the book did it say ALASKAN in front of malamute, well howcome you put SIBERIAN and ALASKAN in front of the husky? And two, I got a pup this August and I'm going to start training, so I read the chapter called "How to train Sled Dogs" it had absolutely nothing about training them except for, start training as pups! Blank spot! On what do you train them? All in all though, this was a beautiful book, I just use it for the pictures now.

"Born to Pull" was recommended to me by the owner of the kennel where our family would be going for our first mushing experience. Though aimed at upper elementary kids, the amount of information is amazing. The illustrations enhance the content beautifully; particularly stunning is a painting of a team pulling under the Northern Lights.

Most enjoyable are the stories interspersed throughout; stories from well-known mushers such as Gary Paulsen and Jamie Nelson. Stories of dogs that decided to run the wrong way at the end of a race, and of dogs who found the way home in a raging storm.

Reading this book did not guarantee that I would not wipe out on the sled, but when I did, I knew just what the snow hook was!

I found this book in the kids' section while looking for Christmas presents. Knew nothing about it, and sled dogs are not my dog-of-choice, but was immediately compelled to buy it even tho it cost more than I'd planned. Amazingly full of good information, understanding of dogs and pulling, but there was a twinkle in the eye of the author, too. Imagine the runway team surrounding the ice-fisherman and eating all his catch!

The illustrations too are extraordinary. Such obvious awareness of the inner workings of dogs is unusual. The expressions of each dog are wonderful.

Highest recommendation for sled-dog enthusiast or any dog person, young or old.

This is a delightful book for any racing enthusiast who either loved the Can-Am or wants to learn why older fans revere it.

While Pete Lyons is as scrupulous as someone like Doug Nye about accuracy for such details as chassis numbers, Pete uses such information only to make sure that his narrative is accurate and consistent or to authoritatively state interesting facts, such as the cars that won consecutive events, or won the same events in consecutive years, or were raced by certain drivers.

Reading Lyons' book is like reading the race reports at the time in Competion Press and Road & Track, with the added perspective of knowing how it all turns out after the rubber dust has settled. The candid driver shots of Bruce, Denny, Dan, Mark and the rest of these heroes of my college days, with the exquisite on-track shots and hardware close-ups, bring it all back in a great rush. It's a very difficult book to set down, time just seems to fly, as it seems those years did. It's a marvellous reminiscence of those larger-than-life men and the fastest road-racing machines ever built.

As I played only a very small part in the history of the Can-Am, I am deeply moved that Pete Lyons took the trouble to telephone me prior to the publication of his fabulous book. That he covered the Can-Am series in such detail as to include me is a measure of his dedication. I must say that it was an honour to be included. Those Can-Am days that nearly ended in tragity for me at Road America in Aug 1975, after the series had been canceled in 1974, were times of good racing,great friends and fabulous spectators. I shall never forget Mark(Donahue) comming to see me after a race (in which he lapped me twice!!)to suggest that I might want to change the rear roll stiffness of my car as he followed me for a lap to see what my car was doing!! or George(Fullmer) storming off in a huff at Mid Ohio after retiring with "driver brain fade!!" Pete...thanks for all the hard work and dedication for a "work of art of a lifetime" I am very glad that Doug Waters lived long enough to see the finnished work. He died alone watching his beloved Jaques win the World Championship accompained only by Lella and Kingfisher his two siemese cats.END

This is one of my favorite barrel racing books! I have owned it for years and refer back to it often when I need to "tune up". I've had the opportunity to attend a few of Sharon Camarillo's clinics and she has written two of the best barrel racing books out today! She is not only a great barrel racer but a absolutely fabulous teacher! Her books give clear easy to read instruction with great pictures to help you visualize. I loved it! Shirley, from MN

Ever since I read this book, I ride my horse and when I go out and barrel race in the gymkhanas that I attend in my club, we are truly great as a team. When I first started western riding this summer I wasn't so good, but after reading this book I've gotten tougher and my horse has gotten so much faster! I know after this winter and reading it over and over, we will be unbeatable.

I read this book from cover to cover and I always refer back to it for tips and help. It's a great book for the beginner barrel racer or the seasoned racer. It's full of great pictures and information. I loved it!

I bought this as a birthday gift for my 25 year-old daughter, and it's her favorite of anything I have ever given her! She has always been really good at spouting names, numbers, years, tenths of a seconds, etc. Now she'll be insufferable! This book is absolutely loaded with all the racing stats you could ever think of! She actually WHOOPED when she opened the package!!! She opened it and explained all the racing stats to me--she understood every bit as soon as she saw it (I was still in boondoggled land!) The book DID have some of my favorite recent horses in it (such as Bertrando and Paseana) and it had ALL of her favorites in there! It also contains pretty much all the great horses of the century. One thing even I noticed and really loved in this book, is it tells who the jockey was in each race.

And of course, the unsurpassable Secretariat is in here; all his races. I still think that seeing him win the Belmont and with it the Triple Crown, was the greatest moment in sports history! The reruns are unreal, but there was NOTHING like seeing it happen!

I can't speak as an owner, trainer, or one who bets. But as a "serious fan" of racing, I can truly say this is one extraordinary reference manual to have on hand. WELL worth the price!

For all of us in the Horse Racing business as owners, toutes, fans, etc, everyone knows the Daily Racing Form is the key publication for past performance data and news.

The PP's(past performances) of famous champions of the past really open your eyes as you see that some of them ran within days of their last start in Major Stakes races and others ran at tracks that no longer exist, or across the country and both coasts in the same season.

The best of the best are in here, and as DRF did a very good job with arrangement and information. Its like looking at the Breeders Cup Entries of the Immortals !

Best Regards to All, MC - TheStickRules.Com

a good book which serves as both an overview of horse racing in the 20th century, as well as offering loads of past performance lines so race fans can compare the greatest thoroughbreds.

This book is easily one of Henry`s best horse tales- yet it somehow seems to get overlooked these days. The story combines her familiar young person/horse bond narrative with a fascinating look at the very unique Italian tradition of the Palio horse race. Dating from medieval times, the Palio, held in Siena, re-creates the old drama of the various rival city states. Along with this slice of history, the author gives us the character Giorgio Terni, an idealistic young man whose dream is to become a trainer of horses. He evantually does achieve this, also becoming a Palio rider and forging a friendship with the high-strung yet lovely and fast mare Gaudenzia. Everyone is ready to give up on the mare becoming anything but a work horse- except Giorgio, whose faith in her talents never falters. He devotes all of his time to her, regaining her trust in people and getting her in physical shape to race. He`s truly a good role model for animal-loving youngsters. The story never loses its momentum- as a sixth grader reading it for the first time, I could`nt put it down. I also recall how upset I was when Giorgio must ride a different horse in one Palio race, and how the rules of the game indicate that he must try to prevent Gaudenzia from winning, even to the point of striking her with his whip. These realistic dilemmas give the book an authenic feel. Like the Pie in National Velvet, Gaudenzia is an underdog horse who comes out on top regardless. I hope this one makes it back into print!

Gaudenzia is an outstanding blend of horses, history and human interest. As a child I loved the story of how the cart horse became a champion. I thrilled to the traditions and pageantry of the Palio. As an adult I read this book to my son and realized there was a second story of the rider, who had persisted in his love for a horse.Even if you are not a horse lover,there are also some subtle lessons of ethics and loyalty in the story.
My college-age son recalls that the rider had a childhood so poor that his family would rub a saugage with bread for lunch to get a bit of grease, because the precious sausage had to be saved for dinner.This made a big impact on him.
Did this story influence two generations? Yes! Although I have waited over 40 years to make the trip, this July I will finally see the Palio in Siena - with my son.

I love horses, love to read, and Marguerite Henry is my favorite author, and out of all of her books (I've read them all), I think this is the BEST! About a year ago, I got a book from the library called "The Wildest Horse-Race In The World". I read it, and just loved it! I found out that it's original name was "Gaudenzia, Pride of The Palio". Now, I liked that name MUCH more than "The Wildest Horse-Race In The World"! Gaudenzia is the horse's name. It means "Joy of Living". The Palio is the race, which is run on July 2, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and August 16. It is run around Siena, Italy, 3 times. There are many sharp, danguerous curves. Horses and riders are sometimes even killed. The prize for winning the race is a handpainted banner of the Blessed Virgin Mary.It is a religous race, and before it is run, the horses are brought into church, and blest, and the fantinos (riders) are blest by the archbishop. ...

You may have been wondering "Is the Palio still raced?" The answer is yes! On July 2 and August 16, in Siena, Italy, this ancient race that has been run for nearly 800 years is still run to this day. I would really like to go to Italy and see it! I highly reccomend this book to anyone who loves horses, horseracing, reading, and history, and is ages 7 to 107! This is a really wonderful book, and I HIGHLY reccomend it!!!

Each chapter is a separate story about one of NASCAR's heroes. The book does a great job of staying accurate, down to the improper grammer of the quoted person doing the story telling! A fun and informative look at how NASCAR built itself up to what it is today.

At first, I was hesitant to pick up this book, as Golenbock is not exactly one of the most popular names in NASCAR writing. His last work on NASCAR - American Zoom - was filled with glaring errors and misinformation about the history of the sport. However, after sitting and reading merely a few pages from The Last Lap (...), I could tell this book was much different. Golenbock tells the history of NASCAR from a driver's standpoint instead of merely describing races and race results. Each era of racing is related to a different driver. He also tells the stories of several lesser known drivers who happened to have lost their lives prematurely. If you are a racing fan, I recommend this book. If you don't like racing, you may get curious after reading about the escapades of Curtis Turner and Joe Weatherly. It is my personal opinion that you do not have to be a fan of NASCAR to enjoy this book.

Peter Golenbock has captured the true face of NASCAR. He interviewed old time racers and their families to give you a look at what there lives where like. Stories about Curtis Turner, Fireball Roberts, Tim Flock, Maurice Petty and many others capture your attnetion for hours. This book is an absolute must have for any true NASCAR fan.

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

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!