Book Description
Unlike the Iditarod, the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race isn't for moneyed adventurers with a fanciful interest in mushing. The race, billed as the toughest in the world, crosses 1,000 miles of forbidding land between Whitehorse and Fairbanks, Alaska, and pits man, woman, and dog against the nastiest that nature has to offer. In Racing the White Silence, Canadian journalist Adam Killick follows the racers and their dogs for two weeks, taking us not only into the heartland of the Yukon and Alaska, but into the minds of the extraordinary people who dare to race. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Racing The White Silence
A who will do it, who will win it, adventure tale that informs, enthralls and engages the reader in one of the worlds last true natural challenges. I didn't want it to end!

Racing The White Silence
Racing the White Silence: On the Trail of the Yukon Quest
Adam Killick

"Nature has many tricks wherewith she convinces man of his finity- the ceaseless flow of the tides, the fury of the storm, the shock of the earthquake, the long roll of heaven's artillery- but the most tremendous, the most stupefying of all, is the passive phase of the White Silence. All movement ceases, the sky clears, the heavens are as brass; the slightest whisper seems sacrilege, and man becomes timid, affrightened at the sound of his own voice."
Jack London, The White Silence, 1899

Jack London, like all good authors, wrote of what he knew, the North. It is in London's world that this book is based. Its' author, Adam Killick, from Winnipeg, hired on as an assistant-dog handler in the 2001 Yukon Quest so that he could study it and learn what drew the world's best mushers to it. After all, the Quest's prize money is much less than the famous Iditerod; what drew these mushers to this race?
Along the way he found his answer.

The Yukon Quest alternates directions from year to year depending on ice conditions on the trail. It traverses the unforgiving terrain between Whitehorse, Yukon, and Fairbanks, Alaska. "Following the Quest, on these remote parts of the trail, is like belonging to some exclusive club in which only lack of sleep...and a predilection for standing around at 30 or 40 below for hours...earns you membership." Along the way Killick discovered that the people on the trail were very supportive and helpful; that "the spirit of community and sharing is at the heart of the Yukon Quest." Besides, "the community of the North stands on a realization that, whatever one's creed, religion, ethics, or circumstances, there will come a time when you'll need someone else's help." It is this sense of community that draws the mushers to this race, the one dog-sled race that "has remained true to the Northern Spirit in which it was founded."

Killick follows the 2001 edition of the Quest as it continues down the trail. As he does so, he introduces the reader to the many varied characters that make up the contestants and organizers of this little-publicized race. This makes the book an interesting read that examines the many of the ins and outs of dog-sled racing. Killick helps the reader to visualize the country of the "White Silence" that his race passes through. Racing The White Silence is an excellent true-life book that will keep you turning pages until the end of the trail.

2002. Easy reading. Young-adult content. 270 pages. ... Read more

Product Description
Chasing Dakar is the ultimate guide for motorcycle off-road enthusiasts everywhere who are searching for the extreme adventure riding experience. Everything you need to know about adventure riding and the Dakar Rally, from choosing and equipping your motorcycle to training and riding techniques, are found in Chasing Dakar. Learn how world-renowned off-road racers train, compete, and prepare. This guide will teach you how to prepare for the adventure ride of your life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good Overview of the Dakar Rally
The book has great photos of Dakar riders and the Dakar rally itself. It is written by the team doctor with help from the KTM Red Bull North American team members. I found the photos and insider information very interesting and informative. There is very good information on training, preparation and adventure riding "how to's". I found information and photos that simply are not published in any other book. Unlike the first reviewer with the 1 star, I throughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone interested in the Dakar Rally, toughest motorized race on the planet!

Good beginner's guide for adventure riding
I found this book to be a good beginner's guide for adventure riding/racing. The book isn't the end all "how to" manual of the entire Dakar rally but gives a really good overview on many important topics, and adventure riding in general. Lots of pictures and easy to read. Unlike the previous reviewer my book was not missing any paragraphs or words.

Not up to expectations
Unfortunately this book does not reach expectations as it is very badly edited. It gets very frustrating after a while because there are many words and paragraphs missing. This makes it very difficult to get into the book. So overall, a very disappointing Christmas present! ... Read more

Amazon.com
Twelve dogs, a sled, and your wits versus 1,023 miles of danger, snow, ice, and wilderness. The Yukon Quest is possibly the toughest race on earth. Held earlier, farther inland, and at a more northerly latitude than its famous cousin, the Iditarod, mushers on the Yukon Quest routinely experience temperatures dropping to 40 below zero, with 50 below not uncommon. Winning isn't everything; just finishing is an achievement in itself. John Balzar tells the story of the Quest, the dogs, and the mushers in Yukon Alone.

Balzar, a roving correspondent for The Los Angeles Times, volunteered to act as the press liaison for the 1998 Yukon Quest. As such, he traveled the length of the trail, sharing cabin floors with resting mushers, shivering as temperatures dropped to 50 below, and becoming somewhat delirious from sleep deprivation. Balzar does an excellent job of capturing the frozen feel of the race:

The visibility worsens and now Bruce cannot see his leaders in the swirling merger of snowpack and wind. He searches anxiously for a glimpse of a wooden stake that will tell him that his dogs have not wandered off the trail, perhaps to the edge of a cliff. Bruce is not conscious of time or of distance, but only of the wind in his face. The dogs appear to be moving forward, but there is no way to measure progress.

He also paints warm portraits of the mushers--men and women like Mike King, a 37-year-old biker with a Harley-Davidson patch on his sled bag and a tattoo of the Quest trail covering one third of his back; William Kleedehn, who finished seventh in the 1998 race despite his prosthetic leg; Aliy Zirkle, a rookie musher who recovered from losing a dog to finish the race.

Balzar describes the Quest as "a mixture of celebration and ordeal"; Yukon Alone will inspire a mixture of envy, admiration, and relief. Envy of the free-spirited mushers, admiration of their strength and dedication, and relief that they're the ones fighting their way up American Summit in a blizzard with a 70-below wind chill. A gripping read. Mush on! --Sunny DelaneyBook Description
The Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race is one of the most challenging sporting events in the world. Every February, a handful of hardy souls spends over two weeks racing sleds pulled by fourteen dogs over 1,023 miles of frozen rivers, icy mountain passes, and spruce forests as big as entire states, facing temperatures that drop to forty degrees below zero on nights that are seventeen hours long.Why would anyone want to enter this race? John Balzar-who moved to Alaska and lived on the trail-treats us to a vivid account of the grueling race itself, offering an insightful look at the men and women who have moved to this rugged and beautiful place. Readers will also be fascinated by Balzar's account of what goes into the training and care of the majestic dogs who pull the sleds and whose courage, strength, and devotion make them the true heroes of this story. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

The Call of the North
John Balzar is a roving correspondent for the LA Times and as such won the Scripps Howard Foundation Prize for human interest stories.Even so he had an enormously difficult task facing him in writing about the Yukon Quest, the longest, loneliest and most dangerous arctic race of them all.
The true measure of a book like this is how well the author holds up as a companion, introducing people to a world and to people totally outside their experience.
"To spend time with sleigh dogs, and the men and women who dedicate their lives to them is to witness a relationship so primary and so ineffable that the temptation is to reduce oneself to murmurs and tears.John Balzar fights this temptation and tells this story of the Far North and of the unbelievable characters he found there gracefully and with all the humor, honor and slack jawed wonder it deserves."
- Pam Houston
His book becomes an outstanding tale of adventure, one of the books which, hard to put down, will be reread many times, being a skilled and enormously well written eyewitness narrative of a tale of wild adventure in what is probably the most remote and inhospitable land on earth.
"...a wholly true tale that's more suspenseful, riveting and memorable than any fiction."
-David Petersen
And yet Balzar avoids the dreamy metaphors that spoil most writing about the North, displaying a gritty reality in his writing as he describes the race, the country, the incredible charracters who live on the adge of desperation to compete in this race, and above all the real athletes, the dogs.
As Jeff Greenwald said about a similar book, HONEST DOGS by Brian O'Donoghue ( a racer who's the only dog driver to finish both the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest by coming in last} "I'd love to try this myself." and "This guy's out of his damn mind."
With this book, as O'Donoghue once told me, you can relive the race without the pain.

Dawson Gratrix

Patting his own back!!!
This writer is so self-absorbed and busy patting himself on the back that he doesn't even come close to giving an accurate report on this race.Having a LOT of experience with this race, I can truly say, this is the worst account of this race I have ever read.If you want to learn about what it takes to run this race, or what it's like to go through the training, the work, the effort, what the dogs are like, what the north is like.. then read Running North by Ann Mariah Cook.Now THAT is a good book.I have also met John and found him to be arrogant and self-serving while writing this book.He defeats the entire purpose of this book by spending more time trying to sound like an expert, or a "local", trying to sound like he fit in here, but no matter how hard one tries, sometimes they can NOT succeed... and he wondered why people wouldn't talk to him.This is the worst book on this topic I have ever read.It was tough for me to get through it but I did it because I was there during the race that year.I wanted to see what he was going to write next that wasn't accurate...seems he was more infatuated with Aliy Zirkle than the race itself, or getting to see his girlfriend, or pretending that he was one of the mushers himself.Just his account of his "mushing" experience (disaster) was so unbelievable, it made me laugh.I am an experienced musher and I can tell you, that was the most ridiculous thing I have ever read.... the entire book is just a bunch of garbage... but then again, he didn't do his homework, his research, and it shows... horribly!!!Don't bother with it. If this is the only exposure you have to mushing or the dog world, then you will be most misinformed... best to spend your time and money on a different book.DeeDee Jonrowe's book Iditarod Dreams is excellent.Tracks Across Alaska is also excellent, but this... a sad waste!!!

Not bad, not great...
Absorbing book, probably a good recommendation for anyone interested in the far north and outdoor adventure. John Balzar writes an interesting account of the Yukon Quest,the second-best-known dog-sled race in Alaska after the Iditarod, and the result is an entertaining story covering both the `mushers', their dogs, and the environment surrounding the competition.

Having said that, with a book like this, I found it difficult not to compare John Balzar (perhaps unfairly) with other `Adventure' writers, and this is where the Yukon Alone fell a little short for me. Admittedly, I was hoping for something a little more `deep', a la Sebastian Junger or John Krakauer, both of whom do a much better job of bringing in related historical material to place current events in context, and both of whom also seem a little more willing to go the extra mile in regards to research. Not that I found fault with the details of Balzar's book, but I would have liked to hear more about how the far north was settled, for example, or more stories and anecdotes dealing with the inherent dangers of the extreme cold in that part of the world. The `Bigger Picture" material seems to consist of skimpy, slightly politically correct inserts on commercial sponsorship, animal abuse (a valid issue but not fleshed-out too well here) and some thoughts on topics like whether or not it's ok to call the natives `Eskimos'. These points don't make Yukon Alone a bad book, but they, for me at least, kept it from being great.

What I did find directly annoying was Balzar's self-absorbed tangents into his own private life, and his obvious desire to be seen as an Insider; everyone seems to be his best friend, or described as "the best musher" or "best bush-pilot". After a while I couldn't help but wonder whether he had the knowledge to make these claims or if he was just trying to buddy-up to the people who were actually participating as opposed to just watching, as he essentially was. Too many times Balzar can't decide whether he wants to view the events as a neutral journalist or a rough-and-tough `local' (a label it becomes glaringly obvious he doesn't merit), and ends up looking a little pretentious. I guess this is what they call `a writer getting in the way of the material': If, as a writer, your own contributions to the narrative include describing, for example, your not-very-interesting love-life, you should probably consider leaving it out.

All in all a good read, but could have benefited from a tougher editor.


(I'm not sure why the `cursing' has become such an issue in these reviews; there isn't much of it, probably a lot less than there actually could have been considering the setting, and if you can't deal with the F-word quoted once in a while in what is a journalistic piece, then stick to Reader's Digest or some other inoffensive publication. Strange what some people focus on...)

A look into the Great White North
What a great book.After reading, and now re-reading, this book I wanted nothing more than to pack up, quit my city job, and move to the Far North in search of a life dominated by weather, dogs, and the will to survive.John Balzar does a great job describing a life dependant on dogs and neigbors (even though they may be 50-100 miles away) in the huge landscape of the Yukon and Alaska.Although the book mostly focuses on the Yukon Quest dog-sled race, it gives the reader an intriguing look into the culture of the people in and around the dog-sledding culture and the Quest itself.Definately worth the read!

The Real Scoop on the Worldýs Most Challenging Dogsled Race
John Balzar is first and foremost a reporter, with a reporter's unerring nose for news.So it should come as no surprise that word of the Yukon Quest, a 1,023-mile dog sled race through some of the coldest and most challenging terrain in the world, would capture his attention and get him started on the trail of a good story.What was a surprise, as much to Balzar as to his readers I suspect, was the degree to which the race and its participants came to matter.Quirky, devoted to a sport that doesn't translate well to television, and immersed in a way of life that 90% of the population can't begin to fathom, the people Balzar meets when he first heads north have "the power to fascinate."

Following the advice of George "Skip" Brink, a construction worker who volunteers at the race, Balzar stops taking notes, sets aside his writing tools, and asks what he can do to help out with the race.Thus begins his stint as a pooper-scooper and veterinary assistant at the race, in which he slowly comes to realize that he is there to learn as much about himself as about the race.

Yukon Alone is full of Balzar's characteristically insightful and amusing observations on life as he sees it, but it is not as polished or self-assured as some of his other work.In fact, the reader gets the distinct impression that Balzar is flying by the seat of his pants, figuring things out as the story progresses, which lends an immediacy and intensity to the writing.We are there, for instance, when he loses control of his dogsled team and ends up in a heap on the side of a trail with a nasty gash in his head.We stand by and watch with embarrassment as he asks a friend to fly him to see a woman friend, even though he knows he is risking both their lives.Here is a story that has much to say about what motivates and sustains us, and the importance of meaningful relationships with other creatures and the land.No doubt you will be amused and disgusted, shocked and dismayed, thrilled and touched by this book.The one thing you will not be is bored, which is one of the highest compliments I can pay Balzar. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Racing Stewart
I've been a fan of the wee Scott for many years following his career first as a driver and now as an entrant. One cannot imagine the problems faced by someone wanting to enter the competitive world of Formula One motor racinguntil you read this book.

A very informative account of the conception,launch and first year of a brand new Grand Prix race team. The book isextremely well written and supplemented by beautiful photography in bothb&w and colour.

Now that Stewart Grand Prix has been bought out byJaguar, this book is a must for any Formula One fan and provides a muchvalued documentary of this era of Grand Prix history.

Fantastic!
I read a lot of books for research on starting a Race team, this is one of the best books I chose!!This book takes you though the in's and out's and up's and down's of starting Stewart Ford.A lot of books give WAY too muchdetail, this one is just right, it gives the reader (race fan) just theright amount of content and excitement in the text followed by wonderfulcolor and black and white photos.If you were not a Stewart Ford fanbefore, this book will at least make you have a little pull for them comerace day.If you are interested in how it all started this is a greatbook, I couldn't put it down, it kept me going from front cover to back...I'll be looking for them this race year!

Read into the making of a Grand Prix team, from scratch
As fan of the Stewart Grand prix team, this book was the number one book on my christmas list last year. Here, a grand prix team opens it's doors to you, and shows you around. The whole book charts the first year of theStewart Team in the world of F1. Described to you are the problems,barriers and hinderances in the way of setting up a grand prix team fromnext to nothing. It also re-accounts the moments of joy and greatacheivement the team had in it's first year. "The" book for anysupporter of the new guys in F1. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (2)

How do we recover from trajedy?
the author had a gift for "Painting with words."I found this to be a wonderful, touching true story of one woman's relation to the sea, her husband, and the world around her.So very different from the typical "cruising the world" stories.

About restoring a passion for experiencing life
Written by a survivor of a traumatic and life-threatening sexual assault, Migael Scherer's Back Under Sail: Recovering The Spirit Of Adventure is about restoring a passion for experiencing life after having to endure unspeakable atrocity. Blending the challenges of learning to work with a skilled racing crew with the sometimes painful recovery from physical and emotional trauma, Back Under Sail is a powerful and life-affirming personal testimony. (...) ... Read more

Book Description

These three news hounds travel all over the United States to cover unusual and exciting events. This time they are headed for the Great Piney Woods Balloon festival in eastern Texas, where they will tape a thrilling race called the Ring Grab. Little does Isaac know that Molly has arranged for them to cover it from the air, in their own balloon....

Follow this daring trio as they experience many regions and climates, reading maps to keep them on the right trail. This fun-filled geography adventure will make your spirits soar! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

WME Loves the Newshounds
The Newshounds in the Great Balloon Race was a hit with my third grade students.As an elementary school librarian, I am always looking for the opportunity to reinforce curriculum topics in the library and when I can use a good story, all the better.My students thoroughly enjoyed Isaac and his crew as they travelled to our state (Texas). The book is presented as a "geography adventure" and includes suggested questions and activities from the author to assist in curriculum reinforcement, but it is also an enjoyable and humorous story as well.The students enjoyed pouring over maps and locating the places in the story.Being a former New Yorker myself, I enjoyed the opportunity to provide some information on the Hudson Valley (home of the WDG-TV news team).My students all asked:"Where will the next "On the Trail" report be from? ... Read more

Book Description
"You know how it feels....the power of the motors vibrating in your chest, stunning your ears, your heart pumping in your throat, the grit of spent tire rubber in your mouth. You know how it feels from the grandstand? Just imagine how it feels to the ole boy behind the wheel of one of those monsters. Just imagine!"It's the mid-1950s, and Elvis is King. Jodell Bob Lee has been raised up in his grandfather's moonshine business. But the boy dreams of something much bigger than clawing out a living on a dirt farm and outrunning federal revenuers. He dreams of racing stock cars. It only takes a few races before Jodell is hooked, and before long he and his mechanic cousin, Joe Baker, and best friend, Bubba Baxter, are facing the like of Junior Johnson, Ned Jarrett, and Lee Petty. His motto: always finish first, no matter what.The explosion of stock car racing as the number one spectator sport in America roars to life in this pedal-to-the-metal story of Jodell Lee's triumphant rise to fame and fortune. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Fun Story, Good History
I have read the entire series thus far (#7) and have enjoyed the story line and the realism of NASCAR racing.These books won't win any prizes, but they do a good job of relaying the excitement of NASCAR.The story is somewhat predictable at times, but it is still good and moves along nicely.I think what I enjoyed the most is the history that has been added to the stories.The history is basically all factual (with the exception of the fictional characters), from the roots of stock car racing to the Young Guns of today.I only wish the history would have continued through the 70's and 80's instead of skipping from '69 to the late 90's.Overall though I kept waiting for the next one to arrive to find out what was next.

This book helped make me a racing fan!
As a relative newcomer to stock car racing, I picked up this book because I thought I might better be able to enjoy watching races if I had a sense of the history of the sport, and if I could get some idea of what it islike for the racers.This book did a fantastic job of both.I don't knowwhat it's really like, driving in a stock car race, but I can't imagine itfeels much different from the way these authors describe it.

When I readthe Rolling Thunder books, I find myself getting really caught up in theemotions of the race.I root for Jodell to win, and find myself gettingupset when he loses the lead or it looks like he might get in an accident. I also can't wait to see what happens next in the characters' personallives.That wouldn't happen if the authors didn't do such a great job ofcreating likeable, three-dimensional characters.

The Rolling Thunderseries might not ever be remembered in the annals of great literature, butthey provide a good, solid couple of hours of entertainment.As I canattest, you don't have to be a racing fan to enjoy the books, though afterreading one you just might find yourself wanting to watch a real race.Forme, these books are like potato chips: they're quick and easy to devour,and as soon as you're finished, you want another one.

ENJOYABLE READING, COULD NOT STOP UNTIL FINISHED
HAVING ATTENDED RACES FOR 34 YEARS IN THE SOUTHEAST STARTING AT AGE 12, THIS BOOK IS VERY REALISTIC. PURCHASED THREE ADDITIONAL COPIES FOR FRIENDS IN THE RACING COMMUNITY. LOOKING FORWARD TO READING THE ENTIRE SERIES.

Fun read
Found this to be a good lunch time read. Light and enjoyable for anyone who has ever been around a southern or midwest dirt track.Have just ordered number 2 and anticipate another good time.

Poorly written, but still fun to read if you are a real fan
No surprises here.Everything is rather predictable.This is NASCAR's answer to Harlequin Romance novels.Just as women like Harlequin Romance novels despite poor writing, stock car fans will like thisbook.

Characters are rather one dimensional and very very predictable(gee, is Bubba going for food again?).The dialog is extremely stilted. Names of real race car drivers are thrown in for fun (wonder if royaltiesare paid?) but you will know the outcome before you reach that page. Considering the early days of the sport, it would have been interesting ifthe promoter screwed Jodell Lee out of his winnings.At least that wouldhave been a plot twist (albeit the first and only plot twist).

Still afun read for at the beach or when your mind is in neutral (or perhapsreverse). ... Read more

Book Description
In the 200-mile-per-hour world of championship stock car racing, if you aren't the first man to the flag, all the talent and promise in the world ain't worth a bucket of spit."Rocket Rob" Wilder is everything the fans and those inside big-time car racing knew he could be: daring, polished, talented, and a sure threat to win. His meteoric rise to the top of the tough Grand National division, as well as his thrilling, crowd-pleasing showdowns with some of the other young racers, promise even more success. But you can't bake a pie with nothing but promise. In order to prove he really is the real deal, Wilder is going to have to make the jump into the big league. And that means racing-and beating-the likes of Dale Earnhardt, Mark Martin, and Jeff Gordon.Does the Rocket have what it takes?First to the Flag continues the saga of the men who risk it all to be the first under the checkered flag. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

This is a big leap forward and yet still on the same level
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

Best book of the Rolling Thunder series so far!
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, ayoung racer discovered at a small out-of-the-way track by the legendaryJodell Lee himself.The discovery gets Rob a job driving in the GrandNational series for car owner Billy Winton, formerly "headwrench" for Jodell's Cup team.The Winton Racing Team has a highlyvisible software firm, Ensoft, as primary sponsor. Ensoft's head ofmarketing 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 "anitem".

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

Of all the books in thisgreat "Rolling Thunder" series, I liked this one the most.Thestory 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 nobad 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 issuspenseful, and exciting, with a little romance and intrigue thrown in forthose who enjoy those elements. ... Read more

Product Description
When Trent the racing turtle and his friends stumble on to an ancient mystery, they find themselves faced with an adversary bent on destroying anyone who gets in his way. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A wheel-y interesting adventure for kids
The first in a planned series of children's chapter books, this is the story of Trent, a brave little turtle on wheels, and his two best friends, Jesse the squirrel and Mina the kitten.

A twist on the usual fantasy/adventure stories, this one is the animal equivalent of the "two boys and a girl and a wise old Uncle" theme, where the young characters face a supremely evil being who's up to no good, thereby proving themselves and bringing out their inner strengths.

The quest begins here for the recovery of three statues, and involves Egyptian tombs, the majestic spirit of a sand lion, a really bad guy and a cast of fiery minions.

Told in simple age-appropriate language, but requiring a little editing, this one is a well-presented quick and easy read for the eight to ten age group.


Amanda Richards, February 27, 2008

Excellent children's adventure!
This book a great read, really fun and entertaining! Three school friends, Trent, Jesse and Mina, come across a mysterious ancient statue that leads them on an adventure bigger, and older, than anything they could ever imagine. If you like animals, adventure, ancient history and of course racing, you'll love Trent the Racing Turtle. Older kids can read the book on their own, or it is good as a bedtime story for younger children, one chapter at a time. The characters are all very lovable, and the author is also a 3D animator who has created amazing 3D versions of each of them.

Imaginative and Well Written
Trent the Racing Turtle is an imaginative and well written book filled with interesting and creative characters. What a great read. Not like anything else out there. My kids loved reading about Trent, Mina and Jesse! The characters were full of life and the story had a great message. I have read it to them at bed time several times and they have read it on their own. I recommend this to any parent who wants a great adventure book with a good story and a great message.

About Trent the Racing Turtle
Trent the Racing Turtle is the perfect book for children 8 years old or older. Filled with fun, energetic characters, this book is a must have for anyone who love adventure and excitement. Not just limited to children, everyone of all ages who have Trent the Racing Turtle give it a 5 star review. Get your copy today! ... Read more

Book Description
The biennial Around Alone yacht race (now known as the 5-Oceans Challenge) is the most thrilling adventure in the world for the sailors passionate enough to undertake it. Among the competitors in 2002 was Derek Hatfield, a former fraud-squad Mountie, whose forty-foot Spirit of Canada had cost him almost everything he had. In this nail-biting account of the race, Adam Mayers brings to life the joys and the agonies of racing alone — and the dreams that drive these men and women to sail around the world solo. Watch for Hatfield when he competes again in 2006. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The riveting story of a fast-paced, around-the-world race
Sea Of Dreams: Racing Alone Around The World In A Small Boat, by Adam Mayers is the riveting story of a fast-paced, around-the-world race for the "Around Alone" yacht race. Derek Hatfield in his yacht "Spirit of Canada" raced against twelve others around the world, beginning in New York Harbor, with stops in England, South Africa, New Zealand, and Brazil, and finally ending in Newport, Rhode Island. Sea Of Dreams is an amazing tale and very highly recommended reading, especially for anyone in search of a gripping and nautically inclined true-life story of a fearless pursuit of a dangerous race on the high seas.

Sea of Dreams vs Godforsaken Sea
This a great book, about the other solo around the world race. It reads like a thriller and taught me a lot of things I didn't know about solo sailing. Derek Lundy's Godforsaken Sea which was about the 96 Vendee was gripping and so is this one about the 02 Around Alone when the Cdn. Derek Hatfield was rolled over at the Horn and Brad Van Liew who lives in Charleston set new speed records for the race. His race was just as amazing. The other American guy Tim Kent was also a great story, getting stronger and stronger as the race went on. ... Read more

Book Description

While recovering from surgery, Cindy McLean goes back and reads what she wrote in her diary so many years ago. Cindy is sure her racing career is over now, but years ago, it was just beginning....

Find out what happened in Cindy's own words as she travels to Arabian shores -- the ancient birthplace of the horse -- to work for Sheik al Rihani. There she learns that women are treated differently, especially women who want to race against men. But the more challenges she faces, the more determined Cindy becomes.

Will the injured Cindy find inspiration in her spirited younger self?

Customer Reviews (25)

I LOVE THOROUGHBRED by Horsegal
this like many other horse books was great. it's nice hearing about cindy's life.i love reading about people in the thoroughbred series diaries.cindy and ben are a cute couple .why won't cindy get married.she's so pretty.it's sad she can't race anymore.why did she have to get hurt?????but still it's a great book.PLEASE CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE TB SERIES!!!!!!!!!THEY'RE GREAT BOOKS

Whatin the World.........................................
THIS BOOK WAS TERRIBLE. I THOUGHT CINDY LIKED MAX, NOT SOME...SOME... GUY... NAMED BEN! SECOND OF ALL, CHAMPION IS NOT A LOCO HORSE AND STUPID ENOUGH TO RUN ASHLEIGH OVER, AND SELLING HIM WAS STUPID. MIKE WAS ACTING ALL PARANOID. I HAD ENOUGH OF THESE NEW BUT COMPLETELY PATHETIC THOROUGHBRED BOOKS.
Why oh why can't Joanna Campbell start the series over again where she left off?

good but could be better
One thing- WHAT HAPPENED TO MAX?
If you've read the series you know that Max was Cindy's boyfriend.So, where did he go??????????????Ben is very annoying in my opinion and i want Max to come back.However, it was nice to finally know what happened to Champion and Ashleigh's baby, and the book had enough action and struggle to be interesting.It made me like the series again.

Good, but a bit of a surprise.
Cindy's Desert Adventure just snuck itself into the series, in my opinion.

I have to say, first, that Cindy is my least favorite character in the Thoroughbred series.She was snotty, stuck-up, and any other words that don't point to anything good.After Glory's Rival I gave up on the Cindy books.It always turned out the same: the horse won the race by an amazing margin.But when Cindy made an appearence in the later books(which are wonderful,but the first few with Wonder,Pride,and the rest are still my favorites) she slowly became a character I could stand.This is a good book, and well written, but it still didn't quite have that... flame that some other books of this series have had.

Welcome Back Cindy!
I'm glad that Cindy is back. Unlike some people. Cindy is my favorite char in the Thoroughbred books. It was kinda stupid to sell Champion because of you know what. He's a TRIPLE CROWN winner here people! Just cause he did what he did is no reason to sell him! Northen Dancer was that way but look what he turned out to be! HAHA!!!!! Not many horses win the TC eather! It's an honor to own one!!!! :P Over all, it's a 4-star book. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Skim this one
This book was disappointing.The only redeeming value was that it led me to other books about adventurers whom I would have not otherwise known.This book misses the richness of travel and adventure. You don't need to buy this book.Simply skim it in a book store and see where it leads you. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (16)

Adventure Motorcycling Handbook
This is the bible for long distance adventure on and off road via motorcycle. I highly recommend this book.

Great read!
I love adventure riding and own a BMW R1150 GS Adventure. This book covers a great deal on the stuff you need to know before that big trip. It also is an enjoyable read even if you can't do that big trip.

Gold Standard
The title pretty much sums it up. This book is the gold standard for adventure motorcycling or travel in general. With heaps of specific information necessary for your trip, along with some classic European humor makes for a great cover to cover read and/or an invaluable reference book. With information ranging from tire change instructions to the state of travel in Columbia this book has any would be or genuine adventurer covered.

Great starter book
I have to say, I read this book cover to cover. I was surprised how up to date it was.I've been motorcycling for a few years for general transportation and fun.I started getting interested in adventure motorcycling this past year.I like to get off the normal tourist routes when I travel and adventure motorcycling looked like a great way to to see some parts of the world.

The book does a good job of covering all the major topics - picking a bike (it reviews 10-15 of them), what to wear, items to bring, how to pack, gear, typical mechanical issues to expect, safety, border crossings, etc.It also covers popular routes in different regions of the world.These sections are okay, but they really didn't have enough depth for me to decide where I might want to go.It only acts as a stating point.Then again, I'm sure there's TONs of routes to take per country, so I can't imagine it would be easy to add more detail to any level of comprehensivness. If the author reads this - a set of top 10 routes might be nice, especially if it included a rating system for different attributes.The second half of the book is made up of 2-5 pages short stories or diaries from riders.These stories were the best part of the whole book. I wish there were more because they're very interesting and you learn from those as well. They really leave you wanting to go out and hit the road.

One of the best two books in motorcycle travel
This book is the starting point of any motorcycle adventure. It will give you great advise and everything you need to know. This book along Riding the World are the must haves for any rider in the dual sport category. Buy it, you won't regret it. ... Read more

Book Description

Back From the Dead

Jason Chaser's survival of the horrific -- and suspicious -- crash in the

Italian Run was nothing short of a miracle, but it's going to take more

miracles to salvage his budding racing career. Only the top four students

at the International Race School will qualify to compete in the New York

Masters, the most prestigious race on the pro circuit, and the accident

has cost Jason more than precious points in the standings.

It's also undermined his confidence, and Jason's rivals are more than

willing to take advantage of his weakness to knock him out of the

running. Jason will have to outthink as well as outrace the competition

to get to New York -- and the toughest race of his life.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A third of one
The description of this book should have indicated that it was part three of the original of Hovercraft Racer. I felt it was better to have read the whole story as one. Looking forward to the movie of this story. ... Read more