Well above average - an insightful and enjoyable read.December 27, 2008 4 out of 4 found this review helpful
One of my better presents this Christmas - I read Mick Fitzgerald's informative, well written book at a single sitting. In Donn Maclean Mick Fitzgerald has a fine co-author who has helped him to tell his story in a way that never loses one's interest. As a racing presenter, Mick comes across as well informed, thoughtful and articulate, and all of these qualities are echoed in the pages of this book.
I particularly enjoyed Mick's pen portraits of other characters in racing - notably his descriptions of other jockeys.Not only did I feel that I got to know Mick a lot better but many others too.
Mick never pulls a punch in his retelling of a story. The refreshing honesty that led to the comment that gave the book its title is threaded throughout the book. Punch - ups, arguments, scrimmages in races, narrow escapes from driving bans - its all here.
There is also a significant key to what made this man, who never received any formal tuition in his sport one of its greatest ever exponents. Mick mentioned that there are notable races that he won that he has never seen on video. There are far less notable races that he lost narrowly that he viewed forty times, analysing and re-analysing in order to improve future performances. The constant desire to improve never left him and enabled mastery.
The book is not just a parade of dry statistics, however. It is a loving son's tribute to the parents who helped him to make his name in the sport, particularly to his father, Frank, who is portrayed here as a truly unforgettable character. Tribute is also given to Mick's remarkable wife Chloe whose ceaseless support following the injury that so nearly ended Mick's life in April, resulted in his abandoning his avowed intent to never walk up the aisle again and marrying her this summer.
The book is full of photographs that add to the enjoyment of the book, including a lovely shot of Mick's favourite - not the horse you might suspect, incidentally.
If you have seen Mick on the TV and felt you would like to know a little more of his story, this is a book for you. If you are looking to work in racing and are looking for a book that informs without overly glamourising the sport, this is also for you. If you enjoy good sporting writing that engages you throughout, this is definitely for you. A super book that deserves to become a classic of its type.
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