Racing with the Stars [Paperback]

A. J. Graziano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 24, 2011

A chance meeting with actor Paul Newman at a remote racetrack in West Virginia marked the beginning of a relationship with author A. J. Graziano that lasted twelve years. In his riveting new memoir Racing with the Stars, Graziano reveals how Paul Newman became lead driver for the Bob Sharp Racing team. The gradual progression of Newman's skills as a driver reaches a high point for the racing team with the addition of actor Tom Cruise and football legend Walter Payton as team drivers. This incredible, never-before-told story portrays a side to Newman, Cruise, and Payton on the race track that would surprise, impress, and maybe even shock some of their most ardent fans. The book includes more than thirty never-before-seen pictures of Newman, Cruise, and Payton taken by the author and his wife during the more than a decade of personal friendship. This is a book every auto racing fan, movie fan, and football fan of all ages would enjoy.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A. J. Graziano has been an avid builder of scale models and an auto racing fan for most of his life. The combination of these two pursuits led to the circumstances that prompted the writing of this book. He is retired from a large aerospace company and resides in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Decent Hill Publishers LLC (January 24, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1936085399
• ISBN-13: 978-1936085392
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,861,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Racing with the Stars is a STAR itself!!!, December 6, 2010

By 

Lala - See all my reviews

This review is from: Racing with the Stars (Paperback)

This book is a great read! It's easy and light, and I loved knowing that it was a true story with parts of the lives of Newman, Cruise, Payton and Sharp. While I'm not a racing enthusiast, I could feel the excitement and disappointment as the author shared experiences with these folks and the race outcomes. I found myself cheering or being disappointed when the races were completed. He didn't focus on their stardom, but on their "earthiness" and depicted them as just regular folks like you and I. Their hobby was racing at that time, and I wish I could have been there. The stars visited, ate, and just "hung out" like old buddies at a tailgate event every time they were together, with the author and his wife (and even the family dog). It's a glance into a little bit of these famous folks' lives, that most of us would never experience...until we read this book!!!

This is a great book for anyone, regardless of age, gender and interest. It's written in way that's easy for anyone to enjoy and perfect for that person who has everything. They don't have this yet....!!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars racing with the stars, December 1, 2010

By 

GREYHOUND - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Racing with the Stars (Paperback)

AN EXCELLENT READ FOR ANY RACING ENTHUSIAST, PROFESSIONAL, AMATEUR OR THE ARM CHAIR VARIETY.

PROVIDES AN INSIDERS VIEW INTO THE PERSONAL ASPECTS,THE GOOD TIMES AND THE TRAGEDIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPORT.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Stars are shinning, November 27, 2010

By 

rapid - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Racing with the Stars (Paperback)

'Racing with the Stars' author A.J. Graziano takes readers on a rare ride full of uphill twists and downhill turns much like the race tracks that form the background to this story. His view is told from behind the scenes inside the paddock of renowned race team partners Bob Sharp and Paul Newman. The author includes both human interest and amusing accounts on the challenges, successes and failures at the race tracks, along with more personal, intimate memories away from the track.

The ride begins in the late 70's and concludes in early 1990's, from humble beginnings of amateur racing with Bob Sharp and Datsun to the professional race series with Nissan and Oldsmobile and the high profile celebrity team drivers Tom Cruise, Walter Payton and Paul Newman.

A wonderfully told true story through the ups and downs from the inside, you won't be disappointed.