"My Ox Is Broken!": Detours, Roadblocks, Fast Forwards and Other Great Moments from TV's The Amazing Race (Paperback)

~ (Author), Billy Gaghan (Introduction), Carissa Gaghan (Introduction)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School–This is a guidebook to the popular TV series in which contestants race around the world engaging in grueling tests of fortitude and stamina, while demonstrating the ability to get along with their teammates, with the hope of winning one million dollars. The humor and snide asides by the author make the book most appropriate for teens. Good for fans who might have missed a season or two among the eight covered here, its also entertaining for anyone who wants to know what the show is like but doesnt want to watch it. Castros tendency to introduce a segment of each race by hinting at who will win or which team will not survive takes away some of the suspense. He also nicknames the teams (e.g., Team Doomed), and this removes some of them from contention for readers before the race has even begun. He dismisses an entire season of the race–the family edition–as weak and poorly conceived, and his sarcasm toward some of the participants here is even thicker than usual. There are entertaining interviews with some of the shows most memorable contestants. The chapters recounting the smartest tactics and dumbest mistakes are enjoyable, as is the chapter on the shows most enduring moments. An interesting twist on armchair adventuring.–Will Marston, Berkeley Public Library, CA
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Product Description

Fans of the Emmy Award–winning reality television show The Amazing Race are offered fresh insights and gossip from insiders and former participants—such as the Gaghan family from Season Eight and Jon and Al from Season Four—in this guide to the popular program. From dysfunctional team dynamics and obnoxious racer tantrums to jaw-dropping errors and especially endearing moments, contestants and events from the show’s eight-season tenure are discussed in shocking detail. Additional thoughts on the authenticity of the race, the “real” rules of the contest, the single best player in the show’s history, and especially notable contestants are also included.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Benbella Books (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932100911
• ISBN-13: 978-1932100914
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #307,698 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely Unauthorized, October 7, 2006

By	Mr. B. H. Longstaff "Brian L" (Oldham, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Well, it is! Seriously, despite not being authorized (and therefore lacking in certain aspects of information concerning behind the scenes production of the show), this is an excellent book as it is written from the viewpoint of both an avid viewer (as the author admits to being) and the contestants themselves.

There are some interesting interviews, and some "reality check" moments from the author, including a vomit chapter and a Dear John letter addressed to Jonathan (of Jonathan & Victoria infamy). The author doesn't take sides on anything, but acts as a devil's advocate in all cases, giving even the Guidos airport ploy from TAR1 a fair hearing as well as Jonathan's outbursts.

Team names the author comes up with are generally okay where particular teams are memorable, but fail where they are less so - but to be fair, the names some teams give themselves during the game in such cases are the same, and at least in the case of the book you can flick back a page or two to check which team is which. Better are the alternate titles Adam Troy-Castro gives to the races and the legs themselves.

All-in-all, its a fun book. And it serves CBS right for not bringing out a book themselves or more DVDs after the two initial DVD releases. ;P

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thumbs up from TEAM DOOMED, September 24, 2006

By	Steve TAR4 - See all my reviews

Even though the author decided to name our team "DOOMED", i enjoyed My Ox Is Broken. A good recap of the series, with good interviews. I think fans will like the book, and people just coming to the Amazing Race can benefit from the recaps.

PS. I guess we were doomed after all

Steve (of Steve And DebraTAR4)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars We Were There, August 23, 2007

By	Mary H. Smith (Easton, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We were participants in the Amazing Race 7, which we have heard was the favorite show among fans. We were the Energizer Bunnies mentioned in this book. We found the author's assesment of what actually happened fairly accurate, but there were many incidents that were reviewed that should have been explained in depth to get the impact of what actually happened. He did a good job basing his research mainly on the edited version shown on TV. There was so much more. Maye we'll write our own book someday. It was more than interesting!!!!
Gretchen and Meredith