Racing Reviews

Yes, Server's "The Majesty of the Horse" may appear as an intelligently packaged picture book for little girls who love "horsies"-- but, in actuality, it is a crisp low-impact crash course into the world of these glorious beasts, one that isn't exclusive for the expert or the amateur. This is, of course, not a book for experts with specific questions-- but for the avarage horse enthusiast looking to learn of and see various beautiful breeds. This is a well-organized and wonderfully visual collection of facts and photographs.

If you're a horse lover and want to know more about those beautiful creatures and want to see some great color photos of them this is really a very nice book for your shelf. The author has written a good story with lots of facts. And there are some pictures here that will really knock your eyes out.

You should already be somewhat knowledgeable about the history of American Thoroughbreds before reading "Matriarchs". Otherwise this book will probably remind you of a long Sunday School spin through the 'begats' in the Book of Genesis.

However, Bowen has produced a treasure for those of us who like to flip to the back pages of "The Blood-Horse" every week and pore over the genealogy charts of the stakes winners. If you catch a loved one doing this and muttering phrases like, "Inbred 3x4 to Nijinsky II, eh? No wonder she toes out," then "Matriarchs" could be 'the' perfect birthday gift.

Edward L. Bowen is an Eclipse Award-winning Turf writer, formerly editor-in-chief of "The Blood-Horse" magazine, and currently president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. I believe his most recently published book is "Nashua," which is volume eight of the 'Thoroughbred Legends' series.

In "Matriarchs", Bowen ambles gently through the race records, sales histories, and 'begats' of 20th century America's twenty-four most influential Thoroughbred matriarchs. There are also black-and-white photographs and (of course) genealogy charts of the mares and their famous descendants. The author fleshes out what could have been a very dry volume of statistics with anecdotes about the mares and their colorful owners, and some of the theorizing that goes into the breeding of these beautiful, courageous animals. Here is his riff on The Bride, a foal of Somethingroyal:

"In 1969, Somethingroyal foaled a Bold Ruler filly who went to Ogden Phipps [as part of a foal sharing agreement]...Named The Bride, she was unplaced, but produced stakes winners At Ease and Heavenly Match. Short of winning the Derby or rescuing children from a burning building, there was little The Bride could have done to avoid being known in history as the one-who-was-not-Secretariat."

"Matriarchs" should be savored for its rich detail, not read in one sitting. I suggest you dip into its pages at bedtime and drift off to Bowen's amiable and knowledgeable tale of La Troienne and her descendents, or the perils and triumphs of the imported Rough Shod II, or the career of the great champion, Cicada.

This was amazing. So much interesting information. I could not put it down.

My son has loved this book since the first time we checked it out at the library when he was 3. He asked to read it over and over. If you have a son or daughter who loves cars, even at at a young age, he or she will love this book. My son memorized many parts of this book very early on.

This is a wonderful story that is very appealing to students. I sincerely hope it can be reprinted. It is a good book to use for themes, and there are examples of various writing crafts in the text, such as voice and word choice (wonderful examples of similes and alliteration).

I don't know but for some reason, I tend to finish Hilton's books in one sitting and this is no exception. This book chronicles the numerous frustrations the Ferrari team had to undergo before becoming the juggernaut they are today - too dominant in fact that it puts the existence of F1 itself under question.

Hilton's book does an excellent job of introducing the reader into the integration of the best driver of the modern era into the most famous racing team of all time. His ability to gather and present information from all the relevant players (Ross Brawn, Jean Todt, and of course Michael himself) really gets the reader deep into the halls of Maranello. The books analysis of the various seasons is excellent as is his lap-by-lap breakdown of some of the key points of races. I've read this book a few times since purchasing it and I always discover something new. 5 STARS

If you have a child who loves cars but is not, shall we say, an avid reader, buy this book! Our son guessed this was a book through the birthday wrapping but his deflated expression turned to ecstasy when he opened it. The bright color photographs are very appealing and he ate up the text. A quality purchase.

As the Crosby, Stills, and Nash song instructs: "Teach your children well!" With pictures of classic Porsches to Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Mustangs, your child will be prepared for the next Concours d'Elegance. Fun for the car fanatic mom or dad to share with their little boy or girl. Will strike fear at the thought of them asking for the keys to the car.

I liked the book but I was wondering if you could give me information on how to get my hands on a Workshop Manual for the new F4 MV Agusta Reply to me please my address is CHUCK@Craiga12.freeserve.co.uk

I don't know the right model of my moto. I hope that you can olso help me. I'd need the monografy of electric system and I can't find anywhere

Have you ever wondered what a career in automobile racing might be like? Have you ever watched a grand prix or Indy race and thought what it must feel like? Ride along with Posey as he takes you along and tells you his thoughts along the way from everything like thundering down the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans to hurtling, end-over-end in a terrible crash. This book is well presented in a matter-of-fact and conversational way that lets you feel that this is an ordinary guy who wanted more than anything to race. It covers his career from childhood interests through his racing with BMW in 1975 and includes runs through the famous Trans Am years in Pony Cars, Formula 5000 against David Hobbs, early years in Can Am, driving Ferraris at LeMans for Chinetti and NART, and more. This book held my interest yet was easy to read. Although the chronological order bounces somewhat making some parts a little confusing, it is overcome by some interesting stories by an insider with a talent to communicate. As for getting a copy I read mine from the public library which seems to only have older, out of print books.

This is the best book any auto racing enthusiast and aspiring racer could read. It is eloquently written and extremely modern. Sam Posey proves his genius in writing about racing, mechanics, and the life of a professional driver.

This book got me started in racing, and I continuely remeber things from it and I read it ten years ago. This is a highly sought after masterpiece.

I encourage you to either purchase or check-out from the library.

I have read a ton of auto racing books and nothing else truly compares. This is a RARE one of a kind.

An amazing book about an amazing chap! Sadly, being an American fan, I never had the privilege of hearing Muzza commentate. I've never seen one race he called, but I knew that he had to be something special judging by the Brit's rant about him. I grew to respect him over the years by reading all of my British F1 magazine subscriptions and when I heard this was coming out, I searched frantically to find it. I knew it was released but could not find it in the states. My wife ordered it from Amazon.co.UK in September 2002 for my birthday and I couldn't have been happier. What a great book about a great man. It's not chocked full of the intricate F1 details that you might suspect. Rather, a delightful tale of a man's life and how blessed he has been. Murray is certainly humble about his life and yet keenly aware of his brand equity and respect in the industry. This is not a tell all book about F1 but it is a story about a man who's life orbited a sport so dear to many people's heart's. If you are looking for a tell-all about Jos the Boss or a blow-by-blow about the constantly growing accomplishments of the "great" Senna, this is not that type of book. It takes you from childhood through the war and on to his greatest passion....that's right...motorcycles! I know, thought it would have been F1 didn't you? Well, that how charming this book is. You would never know Muzza was having an affair with F1, so dedicated was his work.

I highly recommend this book to any one wanting to learn how to live a life of success free from ego and pretense. To anyone who loves the sport of motor racing and the glory of the sport as it evolved. To anyone who wants to hear from the man who called every lap of motor racings evolution over all these years.

...and that's a good thing! This book is for all of us who miss his charismatic, knowledgable and breathless commentary of all things motorsport, but particularly Formula One. A national institution in Britain, Murray Walker was the voice of Formula One first on the BBC and later on ITV, and the sale of television feed globally made him known throughout the world. When he retired at the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis in 2001 he left millions of fans sad to see him go. His autobiography comes as a concentrated dose of Murray that will make you laugh out loud many times but will also let you pause at marvel at a life so full of wonderul experiences. The real meat on F1 starts about halfway through the book, but racing fanatics: don't spring forward and miss the fantastic account of Murray's childhood, his introduction to motorsports and broadcasting by his motorcycling enthusiast father and his account of his WWII experience. The book is a thoroughly entertaining read and an absolute must for every motorsport fan.

Only picked it up because I am a NASCAR fan, NEVER used Tabasco in my life! I am NOW adding Tabasco to old recipes and they have a new life & zing to them!! The recipes in this book are as varied as the personalities of the people! At first some seemed a little "extreme" but they turn out wonderful! Also nice that proceeds from the book go to worthwhile charities!

I too am a NASCAR fan, I bought this for that reason and I like to cook. I've made several of the recipies in here and they are all FANTASTIC!! I was actually a bit suprised, but I have really enjoyed all the dishes I have made. Each has been just the right amount of flavor and spice. Don't let the TABASCO scare you, each has enough to just bring out a wonderful flavor that will keep you trying new recipies every week!

The book dives into history and give you a lot of details about Jacques, his father and his travels through life. A lot of the information is from other sources and it appears Jacques himself wasn't interested in being involved with the book. Each person contributing, of course, has their own ideas of Jacques, but if you can sift through all of that it is a great book. It really gives you a perspective of how somebody like Jacques, young and with a famous last name can break into the bigtime. Jeff Mulvihill, Jr.

Impressions of Jacques from key people involved in his life at every stage, from Canada through Italy, Monaco, Japan and the US. The unfortunate absence of input from JV serves to provide a reasonably objective account. Collings does not fawn over the young hero, but lets those who knew him at important points paint a rich background scene for the recent portrait we know so well.