Racing Reviews

An oversized book filled with Ranier Schlegelmilch's magnificent photos of F1 in the 1960s, an era where the faces of the drivers were not yet hidden by full-visored helmets and where there were no gravel pits or armco barriers to limit the photographer's scope. The portraits of the racers are coupled with written profiles that encapsulate the essence of the man, in three languages. A comprehensive, black and white trip down memory lane.

Schlegelmilch has been in the profession of Formula One photography since 1962 and is highly regarded by his peers and his customers. The reason for that high esteem is displayed for all to see in this publication. Portraiture of the highest order of an era in motor-racing which will never be repeated. Rainer eschews artificial lighting....he invariably uses what natural light is available and, as a result, most of his images have an artistic quality rarely seen in motor-racing photographs. A fine publication at a most reasonable price and one that should be in the the collection of every Formula One enthusiast.

On the cover of this book is a portrait of Jack Brabham, "smiling Jack", the face of a winner - tired, gritty, but highly pleassed with himself. This wonderful black-and-white picture epitomizes this whole book of motor racing portraits from the 60ies. Schlegelmilch is the man for the job. He has followed F1 since the early sixties, he has witnessed triumphs and tragedies and has always been able to portrait the human side of this high-pace, high-glitz and high-tech sport. The sixties saw incredible technical advancements in motor-racing, but these advancements sometimes came at a terrible price. It was also a decade where some of the greatest drivers of all time left their mark on the sport, like Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart. Schlegelmilch is the master of natural light and so many times has been able to capture that special moment, gesture or expression in a driver's face that says more than a 1000 words. Even if you are not an F1 or racing fan, this book presents black-and-wite portrait photography at the highest level and is a joy to look at.

This was a Christmas gift and I found this book to be a good book on the history of Formula 1. Some of the other reviewers made comments about the amount of black and white photos in this book but you have to remember that those were state-of-art. Although color photography has been around for a while, it wasn't until the mid 1960s that the average joe could afford 35 mm color cameras. This book is a good reference book and a welcome addition to my autoracing memorabilia collection.

A great piece for F-1 book collector.Almost all of the N.Snowdon and D.Burnett photos are superb, especially from the 60's and 70's. The text for each photo is very accurate. Some photos are very rare and even sensational. This is a book that really could be the double or even the triple of the 160 pages with +/- 250 photos. The some confuse layout of contents and the lack of some years of the 4 decades are the weak points of this fascinating book.

A nicely presented book from the publishers of the excellent yearly Autocourse annual. Lots of pictures to look at covering 4 decades of motorsport photography from Nigel Snowdon and Diana Burnett. However all the pictures in the book are black and white, which is a bit of a shame. There is a bonus in that there are comments from the photographers regarding particular pictures (where, why, when and how etc..) redeem this somewhat. A nice addition to the motorsport and formula 1 collection.

IS THE PROGRAM IMPLEMENTABLE?
I bought this book back in the late 80s when I went through my gambling phase, trying horseracing and counting cards at blackjack (which btw actually works but you need to bet big money b/c the margin is so slim), among other things. I used to drive 20 minutes to buy the Daily Racing Form, come back to my house and methodically key in the race histories of the horses in that day's races, and this was back in the days of the Apple II computers when there was no Internet. I wrote a spreadsheet program (in Lotus 1-2-3, remember that?) that took the data, applied the formulas and concepts in this book, and spit out what bets I should place on each race.

Well, nowadays the Daily Racing Form has all of its data available for download in spreadsheet format so if you have some decent MS Excel skills, the number crunching process can probably be accomplished quickly in the morning, allowing ample time to get to the track (I haven't actually downloaded the DRF's data, lest I slip back into my gambling phase, which I'm happy has passed).

DID IT WORK FOR ME?
Yes it worked for me. I crunched the numbers, followed the betting rules pretty much to the letter, and overall had a positive outcome over the course of 8 to10 race cards. My rate of return (net winnings/total bets placed) was pretty low, but it was positive. The system itself is very easy to implement if you can automate the data entry and calculation part of it. If you can automate that through DRF Online, the tweaking process afterwards is pretty easy and can be done at the track. Those that can do math in their head quickly and well (and think in fifths and fractions) may actually be able to pick up a DRF at the track early and get the crunching process done in their heads. For everyone else (like me) that can't do that much math in your head (say within the 15-20 minutes between each race), the system is a little overwhelming and the principles can only serve as a guideline then.

WOULD YOU WANT TO IMPLEMENT IT?
Should you be able to "invest" money at the racetrack and expect a certain rate of return? Well, let's examine the traditional investment - stocks. You should expect a positive rate of return from the equity market (over time) because you are lending money to others who take that money and invest it in a productive process that adds value. How about card counting in blackjack? Yes, you should expect a positive return when counting cards in blackjack - the odds are slightly against you without counting cards (and following the "optimal" hit/hold strategy), but altering your betting scheme and hit/hold strategy based on face cards left in the deck has been mathematically proven by IBM mathematicians (and others after them) to allow the player to have the statistical edge on the house (see "The Worlds Greatest Blackjack Book"). So then horseracing? Races are determined by the events primarily within the power of dumb (and I mean that in the biological sense) animals, with intervening events like weather, race fixing/throwing, injury, jockey error, etc. Barring your knowledge of non-public information like a jockey's intent to throw a race, there are no theoretical or mathematical reasons why you should be able to make any money (especially not counting the house fees you are paying) betting on horses. The pari-mutuel system reflects the collective public knowledge of those betting - it's not enough to simply choose the horse that will win (or place/show), you also have to choose the horse with more consistency than your fellow bettors.

BOTTOM LINE: If you want to have more fun at the race track and have a more structured approach toward horse selection and betting, this is a great book. If you are looking for the next best handicapping strategy, please get some help at GA, really.

Simply put, this book actually does what it says. I won't go so far as to say that it is safer than the stock market. I will say that after reading this book and studying the formulas, that I had the same results (or better) when I took a vacation and spent 2 weeks actually betting at the track, than the author did during his week at the track that he describes in his book.

The book tells you how to figure out the speed, endurance and stamina of a horse to see if he has what it takes to be up at the front when the finish line comes rolling around. I have to say that even if you don't believe what he is selling, and even if you don't follow all his little rules, the major tips he gives you in this book will definitely help out the novice handicapper and make a day at the racetrack much more fun. I mean why not, winning money is more fun than losing money. Right?

My average was on $20.00 bets. I made $70.00 per day per track bet. My worst day I lost $80.00. My best day I made $700.00

Good Luck

The author's premise -- that placing bets at the horse track can be as reliable as investing in the stock market -- may be a bit hard to swallow at first... but handicapper William Scott makes the concept appear quite plausible. Scott shows a refreshing willingness to break with established traditions as he provides the racegoer with a well-explained handicapping method that attempts to remove "luck" from the equation.

Readers new to racing will gain valuable insights into the science and art of the sport, while experienced bettors will appreciate the fresh perspective on the "accepted" methods of rating horses and their past performances.

The methods detailed in the first half of the book are explained in easy-to-follow detail, supplimented by charts reprinted from various regional editions of the bible of the racing industry, the "Daily Racing Form." While the examples and calculations are explained in easy-to-understand terms, Scott never talks down to his audience -- even the experienced horseman won't be bored. The last half of the book, which shows Scott's methods in use in each race over a typical week at Belmont, serves to cement the lessons learned.

Experienced handicappers may shudder at some of Scott's play-it-safe suggestions, and businesspeople with their 401(k) statements may roll their eyes at the idea of blowing money on the ponies, but both should put "Investing at the Racetrack" to the test. After all... it's only money...

Haskin provides a serviceable equine biography of American horse racing's last true superstar. As one Chicago journalist recently pointed out, John Henry's life story is a close approximation of Seabiscuit's: ex-claimer with bad conformation makes very, very good. Not the fastest race horse to ever set foot on a track, John Henry often won on sheer endurance and wits--part of his allure. Most fans will find little new in the way of facts, but will nevertheless want the book for its often amusing anecdotes. Who can resist a horse who drinks coffee? (Oddly enough, one of the most famous stories told by Chris McCarron--John Henry's habit of checking the leader board after winning a race--doesn't make an appearance.) Haskin's prose does not exactly fly, and some of his more rhetorical flights are unintentionally funny. The photographs, despite a somewhat annoying layout, are well-chosen; I was particularly glad to see the award-winning photograph of John Henry regally contemplating an adulatory crowd. Overall, entertaining enough as a quick read.

After reading this heartwarming story of the ugly
horse who blooms and wins our hearts and
breaks racing records I wanted to stand up and cheer.
I was inspired to visit this living legend
and found him as mystical and charismatic in
person as related in this wonderful book.
A good book for the horse lover and for anyone
who loves the unconquerable spirit.

"John Henry" is book number ten in the Thoroughbred Legends series published by the Eclipse Press out of Lexington, Kentucky.

Steve Haskin, an award-winning writer for "The Blood-Horse" tells a lively tale of the dumpy little bay horse that was back at the knees and, "like a bargain-basement sale item, ...always seemed to be available at a dirt-cheap price."

John Henry was a demon in his stall---he hated to be confined. He passed through the hands of a number of owners and trainers who thought he showed some promise as a runner, even though he was in the habit of ripping his feed tub off of the wall and hurling it down the shed row. Once, when he was stabled at a track he didn't like, John Henry did the same thing to his trainer:

"After one of the races, [John Henry] returned to the barn and was given a bath. Marino [his trainer] started walking him, and before he knew it, his jacket sleeve was in John's mouth. John picked Marino up off the ground and took off down the shed row, dragging him along. Marino was being lifted in the air and was completely helpless...'Thank God I had a goose down jacket or he would have taken a big chunk out of me,' Marino said. 'That's how mad the horse was.'"

Then the trainer, Ron McAnally took in the gelding that vented his anger on his water buckets, feed tubs, and sometimes his groom, and turned him into a demon on the race track. How did the trainer do this? McAnally says it was by treating him kindly and earning John Henry's trust.

The ugly little demon-turned-race-horse repaid his trainer's kindness by earning an amazing $6.6 million in eighty-three starts and thirty-nine wins. His durability and courage became a legend, and he attracted record numbers of fans to the tracks where he ran. He won his second 'Horse of the Year' title and closed out his racing career at the advanced age of nine.

John Henry and his trainer, Ron McAnally were both elected to the Thoroughbred Hall of Fame in 1990, which was only fitting.

John is now spending his retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park, and is shown to his visitors three times a day during the season (March 15th through October 31st). Go see him soon, as he turned twenty-six this year. Just don't visit the grand, old gelding on a day when he's been given medicine:

"John also hates medicine, and whenever he's given a dewormer, which is a pasty substance, he keeps it in his mouth for hours and refuses to swallow it. One time, Roby [his groom] took him out to show him several hours after he had been given the medication. 'John was standing in the ring,' she said, 'and all of a sudden, he blows this wormer all over the audience.'"

John still knows what he doesn't like.

The Marathon Guide of Hal Higdon misses what many books miss when trying to reach as many potential readers as possible: Focus. The book promises to suit everyone's needs, first time marathoners as well as experienced marathoners. Even though the book starts with chapters written especially for three different levels of marathon performance, the book looses this concentration in the following twelve chapters. The author mixes content for experienced runners with content for beginners. A confusing and weakly structured work is the consequence. Undoubtedly, the author is an experienced runner and coach. But this disposition leads more to a description on "how I did it" than to suggestions how runners should behave to train for and run a Marathon. You could expect more from a "ultimate training and racing guide".

I have read this book over and over during marathon training and post training recovery. It has given me a lot of insight from many experienced trainers. This is the best book I have found for beginning runners (I am now on to my 5th marathon) both short and long distance. There is not one chapter that did not provide helpful information.

I bought this book to prepare my first marathon. (Indianapolis, 1997). I had a real pleasure reading it. The author covers all the aspect of marathon: History, training, personal advices, and many examples. He gives you very efficient guide lines in order not to get injured and to really enjoy running. I red it few times, trying to study it. I still read part of it to check informations. What I like a lot compared to the other books I red is the clarity of the text. It's organised to be as simple as possible and to really fit your needs. The author has also a good sense of humor. It's a great book, efficient, serious, easy to read, and fun!

I liked the book, but, it was written on the reading level of a 10 year old. It is very hard to take a book seriously that is this basic. There are better choices for Nascar books.

Everybody, a beginner or pro NASCAR fan, should have this book! Very detailed. Learned things I didn't know. Five stars all the way!

Very simple and down to earth, but fun, informative and really quite interesting. Yes, I am sure there are books with more detail, more "stuff", but this book gives you the basics of what you need to know to make all the pieces fit that much better when watching or attending an NASCAR event. A fun little book with some good information.

It's hard not to like Lyn St. James. She wasn't the first woman to drive at Indy but until Sarah Fisher came along she was the most accomplished. I was looking forward to a book that would recount her successful career and provide unique insight into her accomplishments.

She does provide that in this book regarding the amazing challenges she faced just to get into the field in her last race at Indianapolis. For many underfunded teams, the challenge of qualifying can far surpass what happens on race day and St. James recounts the ordeal with great clarity.

The problem is that the rest of her career is barely touched on in anecdotes about the past while talking about her last season. I came away from this book learning very little about her life outside of Indy or even her racing career in other auto racing competitions.

More importantly, she failed to share many personal feelings or emotions in the book. The most personal story she tells is about how she lost a pet that was hit in a freak accident at a race track. That story moved me, but little else did.

She also fails to discuss the overall state of racing. Currently open wheel racing in the United States is in a shambles due to a split between sanctioning bodies. She never talks about the issue and barely mentions the growing success of NASCAR.

Finally, the book contains a number of self-help types of advice throughout the book. They're meant to be inspirational but come off as tired and hackneyed.

The book is a pleasant read and St. James is likeable. The problem is that the book could have been so much more and falls far too short of what it could have accomplished.

Hang on! This is a thrilling ride through professional racing, as seen through the eyes of a pioneer who "just did it" long before Nike advised us to. Like the best autobiographies, this book explores one extraordinary person's life while at the same time inspiring all of us to excel despite the odds. I first met Lyn St. James many years ago at a women's sports conference. She's a beautiful woman, with an intense gaze and a ready laugh -- not what most of us would expect in a professional race car driver. And despite her impressive resume full of "first woman"'s, St. James remains grounded and generous, committed to helping other women learn to drive, race, and win. An excellent gift for people -- especially female people -- who need some inspiration. -- Mariah Burton Nelson

Our minister interviewed Ms. St James as part of his sermon today. Her book was available to us and I just finished it. A great read! A compelling narrative about racing and life lessons. What a class act and role model for young people and inspiration for her peers.

The Rocking Horse Winner is a deliteful short story written by D.H. Lawrence. The story is about a young man named Paul struggling for the attention of his mother. He feels he can accomplish this by riding and riding his rocking horse. With under-lying sexual tones and a unique twist on the story of Edipius, this short story makes for good reading at the highschool and college level.

This story is entertaining, intelligent, and tinged with the supernatural. The plot is very simple, but Lawrence's imagery and style hooked me. Neurovisually, I was imagining the house from the movie "The Others" and a composite of the young boys from that movie and "The Shining." The character of Paul is likeable, and his interaction with the other main characters in the story is gripping. The story is a short read, but it's worth your time if you like spooky settings for allegorical tales of the supernatural.

This story is one of tragedy, and loss. A boy doing anything to gain his mothers approval in one way or another. As some would say it revolves around lust, but those are the few whom...nevermind. This would be a very complex story for almost everyone on a mature level. Though some score this story pretty low I give it a 5 out of 5. So if I were you (but i'm not) I would pick this story up and analyze it for all its worth I swear you will see everything in a new light and feel what so many others do.

A book for Opti (ie, beginning) sailors shd have 3 sections: How to rig the boat, How to sail, and Racing techniques. Since there are a lot of good books covering the 2nd and 3rd topics, an Opti-specific book shd focus on rigging.

Jobson and Kehoe do a very poor job of describing how to get your Opti rigged and ready to go. The topic is broken up into 3 non-contiguous sections, with minimal illustrations. Some of the photos have wrong captions. And there is no discussion or even acknowledgment of the IOD 95 standard.

For example, at one point the authors stress the importance of the boom preventer -- but there is no drawing of this device, and no clear description of how a "twist" (or a "turn", in another place in the book) is to be managed.

There is no index and only a partial glossary of terms.

Of course, the sections on racing are very detailed. But I wish the authors had organized the material with beginning sailors in mind. What's missing is some kind of hierarchical ranking of what's important to winning. Kids need the important points emphasised. But this book makes no distinction between, say, starting on the favored end of the line versus keeping your air clear. And I don't think covering your opponent is mentioned at all.

I haven't gotten Slater's book yet, but it has to be better than this one.

Contrary to another review, this book DOES tell a kid how to rig the boats, gives important information about doing so, as well as good guidelines for seamanship and racing tactics. An altogether readable, understandable guide for both kids and parents. If your kid is starting to sail, get them off on the right tack by giving them this book, and you as a parent should also read it. It's a sensible, easily-understood book, written with humor and plenty of information.

I am an Optimist sailor. If you want to know how to sail or race competitvely read this book. It combines good racing techniques with Optimist basics. This THE book to get if you want to figure out what's what on any type of optimist. New or old. It has great illustrations and that depict how to sail well and get riggedthe right way. This book helped me get sixth place in the Junior Olympics in Island Hieghts, NJ. If you want to sail an opti Read this book!