Women in Racing: In Their Own Words

Rating:
Summary: Women In Racing worthy read
Review: "Women in Racing" is a collection of stories from many different facets of women in the sport. And frankly, you'll be suprised at what some of them have to say.

None of the chapters are too long and the book is just as good read skipping randomly from chapter to chapter as it would reading it cover to cover. Reading it is easy, no fighting to stick with a laboring plot line through 350 pages like some books.

A very good read with interesting characters. The best part is, like Seabiscuit, the women in this book are real. That is better than fiction.

Rating:
Summary: Women In Racing worthy read
Review: "Women in Racing" is a collection of stories from many different facets of women in the sport. And frankly, you'll be suprised at what some of them have to say.

None of the chapters are too long and the book is just as good read skipping randomly from chapter to chapter as it would reading it cover to cover. Reading it is easy, no fighting to stick with a laboring plot line through 350 pages like some books.

A very good read with interesting characters. The best part is, like Seabiscuit, the women in this book are real. That is better than fiction.

Rating:
Summary: Women in Racing: In Their Own Words
Review: Here's a real treasure for girls and women who grew up loving horses and those who didn't--and for boys and men who want to know more about what goes on behind the scenes and on the turf in horseracing. These interviews with 18 women in all facets of horseracing are inspiring, informative, and just plain fun. There are trainers, breeders, and jockeys, of course, and backstretch workers, grooms, veterinarians, racing publicists, journalists, and photographers, as well as paddock judges, chart callers, mutuel clerks, and the most exotic of all-a horse tattooer! For ages 12 to adult, this is a special look into a world most of us know little about but are intrigued by the excitement and pagentry we catch glimpses of from time to time.

Rating:
Summary: Women in Racing In Their Own Words
Review: That interviewees in Women in Racing are so forthcoming and honest about their lives in the horse racing world speaks to the quality of the McEvoys' rapport and relationships with this large cast of women that includes a pari-mutuel clerk, a track official, a clocker, a jockey, owner-breeder, veterinarian, and more. They have a drive and tenacity that is probably only rivaled by women at the top of Fortune 500 companies. Each story is inspirational to anyone who dares to dream.

The chapter on Maria Rabadan, a groom, can move you to tears. Nevertheless, her story and each of the other stories are about triumph. You'll get a lot of chuckles out of these stories. Christine Salvino, a paddock judge, tells a hilarious anecdote about a horse that wouldn't allow a saddle on its back except when the call to post was played by the bugler! Read chapter 13 to get dieting tips from the "girl in red" Zoe Cadman (the jockey). She goes on the "Don't eat" diet to get thin and she doesn't lift weights because she says she's too muscular already.

Interestingly, many of these women seem driven by successful fathers with high expectations. (That would make a great psychological study!) All of them are serious sportswomen. Many describe themselves as conscious of the women's movement, but too busy to have taken part in it. Some of the women focus on gender as a defining issue and others ignore it, but they all say they had to work twice as hard as men to get the same opportunities.

The narratives bring the reader into each woman's private world. I always wanted to know what Charlsie Cantey thought while having to ride alongside jockeys with a microphone strapped to her or how women in racing coped with sexual harassment and so few ladies' rooms! Almost all of the women lament the loss of "characters" and colorful people in the racing field, as well as the change from racing as a family passion to a bottom line business.

Donna Porter (a racing official) recounts that she could only get on the back side unless her husband signed her in at the stable gate. Whether it was fear of lawsuits claiming discrimination, women's demands, or the changing times, thankfully the racing world has changed. Women have become president of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, president of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and winners of the Eclipse Awards. Go Baby Go is right!

Rating:
Summary: An insightful new look at the racing world.
Review: This book is a collection of interviews with eighteen women working in different aspects of the Thoroughbred racing industry - trainers Linda Rice, Jenine Sahadi, and Christine Janks; jockeys Patti Browne, Donna Barton Brothers, and Zoe Cadman; reporter Charlsie Cantey; breeder Alice Chandler; groom Francesca Rabadan; photographer Barbara Livingston; track veterinarian Mary Scollay; publicist Jane Goldstein; racing officials Christine Salvino and Donna Porter; chart caller Sheryl Stefanowicz, journalist Maryjean Wall; jockey's wife Dot Sibille; and pari-mutuel clerk / horse tattooer Charlene Burkhardt. The range of perspectives is very nice.

Each woman brings a unique view of the industry, but there are also a lot of similarities running between them. Many, though not all, had families with backgrounds in horses. Almost all noted the fact that they had to work much harder than men in the same fields. Some were very conscious of sexism in their workplaces, and others found that the best way to deal with it was to ignore it entirely. Most of the women interviewed commented on the growth of the industry which has led to a more cutthroat atmosphere in recent years and the loss of great racing personalities. Every single one arrived at their place in life through an intense love of horses.

In terms of good writing, the book is not the best. The interviews are transcribed very directly, and the simple fact is that people do not speak in the same way that they write. There are times when the reading is awkward due to grammatical errors or patterns of speech that are not used in written language. The book would have flowed more nicely if the authors had either done their own write-ups on the women (the brief introductions before each interview read very well, for example) with extensive quoting, or had at least done a little more editting to the interviews themselves. Words such as "like," which are found randomly placed in sentences, could have been removed.

On the whole, however, the book is a fairly easy read (I was able to finish it in one day), and is very worthwhile. The women's stories are inspiring and often heartwarming. The chapter on Jenine Sahadi really made me smile. She's a tough and determined woman who's good at what she does, and I have gained a whole new respect for her. Francesca Rabadan's story brought tears to my eyes - she's been through so much and has come through with her gentle soul intact, and that is truly amazing. I also particularly enjoyed the interviews with Charlsie Cantey, Zoe Cadman, and Dot Sibille. I would love to see a sequel to this book someday that would introduce us to more of the outstanding women involved with Thoroughbred racehorses.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent testimonials of professional horsewomen
Review: This book was suprisingly good. It was inspiring to read about these horse lovers who made careers out of their passion. I particularly liked the story of Charlsie Cantey, the horse racing commentator. I had never really liked her before when I saw her on television, but since learning more about her I have much more respect for her. Her story was one of the best in the book.
The book itself is hardback, with one or two photos for each anecdote. There are a few stylistic choices made by the editors--for example spelled-out, hyphenated numbers--that I found distracting, but only grammar enthusiasts will care about them. Recommended reading for all horse lovers.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent testimonials of professional horsewomen
Review: This book was suprisingly good. It was inspiring to read about these horse lovers who made careers out of their passion. I particularly liked the story of Charlsie Cantey, the horse racing commentator. I had never really liked her before when I saw her on television, but since learning more about her I have much more respect for her. Her story was one of the best in the book.
The book itself is hardback, with one or two photos for each anecdote. There are a few stylistic choices made by the editors--for example spelled-out, hyphenated numbers--that I found distracting, but only grammar enthusiasts will care about them. Recommended reading for all horse lovers.