Rating: 
Summary: Needs proofreading/fact confirmation
Review: I've been a major Gary Stevens fan since he first rode at Longacres in the 1980s. I've been looking forward to reading this book for some time. Received it as a Christmas gift, and I'm about halfway through it. I must admit that I am very disappointed in the book so far. There are factual errors - book states that Boeing could not build on the old Longacres racetrack site because the site was on national park land. That isn't true at all. National park land in the middle of a city? Nope sorry. There were nationally protected wetlands on the site and Boeing had to go through an environmental impact assessment before they could build, but build they did. At another point in the book he talks about winning the Kentucky Oaks - his first Grade I win, then about 4 pages later, he talks about winning the Eddie Read Handicap, "may be his first Grade I win". A proofreader should've caught that one. Only one of those victories could have been his first Grade I win. While the Longacres stuff probably doesn't mean anything to people outside the Seattle area, those of us from there and familar with the track and the sale to Boeing can only be disappointed in the incorrect information presented in the book.I am enjoying learning about Gary's early days and life as a jockey, so the book IS enjoyable, don't get me wrong. Just wish it had been proofed more before going to publication.
Rating: 
Summary: Perfect Journey
Review: If you love thoroughbred horse racing and are hungry for an inside look this book is for you. Gary Stevens discusses the great horses he has ridden and the great trainers he has worked for. At the same time he is still a working jockey and I believe he went to great lengths to not offend anyone. It is a shame because you can't help but believe that Gary has a strong opinion on just about everything in his industry. He avoids saying much about his fellow jockeys except for kind words regarding Bill Shoemaker and Pat Day. And Chris Antley is discussed in detail.
Rating: 
Summary: An Inside Look At Horse Racing
Review: If you love thoroughbred horse racing and are hungry for an inside look this book is for you. Gary Stevens discusses the great horses he has ridden and the great trainers he has worked for. At the same time he is still a working jockey and I believe he went to great lengths to not offend anyone. It is a shame because you can't help but believe that Gary has a strong opinion on just about everything in his industry. He avoids saying much about his fellow jockeys except for kind words regarding Bill Shoemaker and Pat Day. And Chris Antley is discussed in detail.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Ride a perfect read
Review: This book is one of the best horse racing books available right now--don't hesitate to go get it today. It is superb. There are many horse racing books coming out in the market right now, but very few of them have the insight at the sports highest level that "A Perfect Ride" does. It is an amazing story told without interuption by the man who lived it and it sincerely can't be beaten. New racing fans will meet the cast of characters that make up this great sport and seasoned racing veterans will enjoy the details and inside information. Others to read:
"The Race for the Triple Crown"
by Joe Drape "Cigar: America's Horse "
by Jay Hovdey
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME, INSIDE LOOK AT RACING
Review: What does it take to make it as a jockey? How does it feel to ride a champion? For the answers to these questions and many more, pick up a copy of Gary Stevens; memoir, THE PERFECT RIDE. Co-author Merv Kaufman does an excellent job of capturing Stevens' voice and chronicling his rise from Idaho farm boy to champion race rider. There's a lot of great stuff in here from an inside view of the jock's room to fascinating stories about racing from around the globe. This isn't just another sports star memoir. It's a story of triumph over adversity, packed with scores of anecdotes about the jockeys, trainers, owners and horses who make the game great.
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