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John Force, The Straight Story of Drag Racing's 300mph Superstar
Erik Arneson, photography Jon Asher
Motorbooks 2006, 160 pages Hard Cover
The new reality star of American television and, as the cover says, Drag Racing's 300mph superstar, John Force is a publicists dream, his family's nightmare and any drag racers nemesis. The first of many quotes throughout the book resonates, "One thing you've got to say about me, though, is that I leave 'em cheering. It's not every guy who goes through the lights on fire and wins too."
Welcome to larger than life John Force. You are not going to want to put this one down until the fat lady sings - this book is what's known as a great read.
John Force came up from the bottom and Australia played an important part in that development when he toured here with Gary Densham back in 1974 - like the ending of a movie, that part of the book is too interesting to give away in a review.
The story is chronological and explores the man and his larger-than-life presence through childhood polio, his relationship with his father and his early beginnings on four wheels.
Force has a lot to say about himself and those around him do too, you'll find plenty of that here. For the most part the quotes sprinkled through the book would get any competitors back up but Force just keeps them coming, "I embellish everything, but one thing that's fact is my win loss record."
He has had a career fit for Hollywood and it ain't over yet by any means. When the smoke finally clears there are daughters coming through to keep the Force name high in the drag racing winners podium for many years to come.
While John Force doesn't mince words this book punches out a life well lived with plenty of photos and bucket loads of story. From a chance meeting with Gary Densham at Honolulu airport when on his way to Australia to his first encounter with Austin Coil, the man who would become Force's mentor, and on to Force Racing's development and recent achievements with Gary Densham on Team Force alongside Tony Pedregon that life well lived is all here.
Jon Asher says of Force, "The only thing John Force does better than drive a race car is entertain a crowd."
And on that note I leave the reading up to you. You will not be disappointed.
Review Dan Burke, DRAGSTER Australia Magazine
Rating:  [5 of 5 Stars!] |
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