Book Reviews?

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by MISTERGEE

Admit I am sucker for reading books about handicapping. I am sure most on here know all the famous good ones by Beyer, Davidowitz, etc.. But, how about some sleepers of good books youve read on the subject, or some real losers. I will start off with to me a loser, "How To Win The Pick 6" by Steven Kolb. This book has mostly rave reviews on Amazon.Com so it could just be me but it is the worst horse handicapping book I have ever read. I am starting to wonder about those reviews on Amazon. Are they shills? Anyway though this could be a good way we could all find about about some good reads or avoid some bad ones.

I think "How to Win" in the title of any book about handicapping is an indication it's not good. I would feel much better about a book entitled "How to Lose Less Than You Might Otherwise."

I liked "Exotic Betting." I'm sure it's basic for most of the seasoned handicappers here, but for a novice like me it was great at explaining how exotic bets are structured. And I liked the anecdotes.

[richard burch]

i have read three racing books over the past year. (non about handicapping)

the perfect ride by gary stevens 3 stars
(just a good all around horse racing book)

against the odds by jerry baily 2 stars
(this book is 50% racing and 50% why you shouldn't be an alcoholic)

ruffian. 2 stars.
(the writing is a little too descriptive for my liking but i got through it because this is one of my all time favorite horses.)

reading beyer on speed now.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by richard burch

i have read three racing books over the past year. (non about handicapping)

the perfect ride by gary stevens 3 stars
(just a good all around horse racing book)

against the odds by jerry baily 2 stars
(this book is 50% racing and 50% why you shouldn't be an alcoholic)

ruffian. 2 stars.
(the writing is a little too descriptive for my liking but i got through it because this is one of my all time favorite horses.)

reading beyer on speed now.

I am actually in the middle of Ruffian right now and think it's one of the best books I have ever read. The writing really makes you feel like you are right there in the middle of it all. I'm really enjoying it.

[richard burch]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

I am actually in the middle of Ruffian right now and think it's one of the best books I have ever read. The writing really makes you feel like you are right there in the middle of it all. I'm really enjoying it.

...most likely because of my own comprehension level.

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

I am actually in the middle of Ruffian right now and think it's one of the best books I have ever read. The writing really makes you feel like you are right there in the middle of it all. I'm really enjoying it.

There are two Ruffian books. One by Jane Schwartz "Ruffian, Burning from the Start" that is a fantastic book I'd give 4+ stars. The folks who wanted to do a movie about her were unable to reach a deal, so William Nack was hired to write a Ruffian book that I didn't read. Nack wrote the definitive Secretariat bio (fantastic), but I heard the Ruffian book wasn't nearly as good.

[pgiaco]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

There are two Ruffian books. One by Jane Schwartz "Ruffian, Burning from the Start" that is a fantastic book I'd give 4+ stars. The folks who wanted to do a movie about her were unable to reach a deal, so William Nack was hired to write a Ruffian book that I didn't read. Nack wrote the definitive Secretariat bio (fantastic), but I heard the Ruffian book wasn't nearly as good.

The Secretariat book is fabulous. Get it in the hard cover version if possible.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

There are two Ruffian books. One by Jane Schwartz "Ruffian, Burning from the Start" that is a fantastic book I'd give 4+ stars. The folks who wanted to do a movie about her were unable to reach a deal, so William Nack was hired to write a Ruffian book that I didn't read. Nack wrote the definitive Secretariat bio (fantastic), but I heard the Ruffian book wasn't nearly as good.

I'm reading the Jane Schwartz version. Which like I said, I am enjoying very much. I'm glad I didn't know about the Nack version because I would have probably opted for that one, since the Secretariat book he wrote was so good.

I recently read Not by A Longshot by T.D. Thorton, which I think is a must read. It was very good and had me laughing at times. Also I read Stud, I forgot who wrote it. But I though it was mediocre at best. At times it was tough to follow.

[-BT-]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

I'm reading the Jane Schwartz version. Which like I said, I am enjoying very much. I'm glad I didn't know about the Nack version because I would have probably opted for that one, since the Secretariat book he wrote was so good.

I recently read Not by A Longshot by T.D. Thorton, which I think is a must read. It was very good and had me laughing at times. Also I read Stud, I forgot who wrote it. But I though it was mediocre at best. At times it was tough to follow.

read that about a year ago, i also thought it was must read (not for ANY handicapping angles, just a good story about racing)

-bt-

[Sightseek]

"Betting On Myself" by Steven Crist is a great read if you're looking for a good story on racing.