Great Women in the Sport of Kings: America's Top Women Jockeys Tell Their Stories (Sports and Entertainment) [Hardcover]

Scooter Toby Davidson (Editor), Valerie Anthony (Editor), Mary Jo Festle (Introduction), Sandy Schleiffers (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Women were not allowed to be jockeys in horse races until 1969. In the 30 years since, obstacles have fallen until, today, female jockeys are usually "taken for granted at tracks." This oral history lets ten jockeys talk about their career paths, their daily lives in horse racing, and their advice for budding female jockeys. Several common traits emerge: an interest in their own physical fitness, a love for animals, and an ability to communicate (with people as well as with horses, since jockeys have to hustle to get riding jobs). Most also say their social lives revolve around the track. But ten individual personalities shine through, from backgrounds both privileged and poor. Great photos enhance a lively, down-to-earth book that provides a more well-rounded look at horse racing than Julie Krone's Riding for My Life (LJ 4/15/95). A glossary and appendix of America's pioneer female jockeys are included. Recommended for public libraries.AKathryn Ruffle, Coll. of New Caledonia Lib., Prince George,
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 132 pages
• Publisher: Syracuse Univ Pr (Sd); 1st edition (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081560565X
• ISBN-13: 978-0815605652
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,583,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is worth it!, February 17, 2005

By 

Chrissy (Clifton Park, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Women in the Sport of Kings: America's Top Women Jockeys Tell Their Stories (Sports and Entertainment) (Hardcover)

Don't listen to the reviewer who said, "don't bother" to read this book. I have read this book in addition to the book that she says is better, and I found them both interesting. She mentions that the other book interviews the same people. Well, the other book is about women in racing and interviews women in a wide variety of jobs within the racing business from the backside to the offices.
This book, however, concentrates soley on the female jockeys. If you're a girl who dreams of being a jockey, this book is a must read for you. For anyone else, it is interesting to see how different women broke into the sport and their different personalities, from the tomboyish jockeys to the ones a little more in touch with their 'girly' side. All of them go out there and ride sucessfully and don't compromise their own style.
Julie Krone isn't the only successful female jockey, and this book introduces you to some other female jocks. They may be riding at a track near you, so get this book, then go out to the races and root for one of the girl jocks. Don't forget that horse racing is the only sport (that I can think of) where women compete directly against men on an equal basis.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful book for anyone who love horses and horse racing, September 28, 1999

By 

Ruth Flayderman "SJA" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Women in the Sport of Kings: America's Top Women Jockeys Tell Their Stories (Sports and Entertainment) (Hardcover)

This book is an inspiration for all young girls who have ever wanted to have a career that would be horse related. All of the biographies of the ladies listed here show the determination needed to make a living in a sport that is very exciting, but also demanding and frustrating.