I have read every book of the series from the beginning up until this one with the exception of Young Guns the one before this one, and yet I didn't really miss anything. I found this book to be just as easy going as the style it is written in and like the rest just as clean. One thing I did miss was the linking of the modern day legends with the roles of the book. If you have read the others you know what I mean as in Richard Petty talking to the likes of Jodell and Bubba and Joe. Maybe they will get back to that in the new one which I have now. Other then that I have one more thing to say. Buy the book and enjoy it you want be let down

Greetings! Mike Irwin of the StockCarFans Newsletters here...

I just finished book #6 of the Rolling Thunder series, "First to the Flag".

The book tells the tale of "Rocket" Rob Wilder, a young racer discovered at a small out-of-the-way track by the legendary Jodell Lee himself. The discovery gets Rob a job driving in the Grand National series for car owner Billy Winton, formerly "head wrench" for Jodell's Cup team. The Winton Racing Team has a highly visible software firm, Ensoft, as primary sponsor. Ensoft's head of marketing is Michelle Fagan, who just might have a crush on young Wilder. For some reason, though, Michelle introduces Rob to her cute blonde sister, Christy. Rob and Christy hit it off right away, and become "an item".

The book follows the path of "Rocket" Rob and Winton Racing through the Grand National season, including Rob's first trip to Daytona to race in the Daytona 300. Will Rob be able to handle the high speeds and drafting? How long will it be until he visits Victory Lane? Will the ol' green-eyed monster mean Rob has to choose between two attractive sisters? Read the book and find out!

Of all the books in this great "Rolling Thunder" series, I liked this one the most. The story moves along at a good pace, and the characters are well-developed. The book is extremely clean, and I recommend it for all ages. There is no bad language or adult situations, other than some drinking that ol' moonshine, and some kissing at the door at the end of a date. The book is suspenseful, and exciting, with a little romance and intrigue thrown in for those who enjoy those elements.

This is the most comprehensive, educational, practical, inspirational and motivational book I have ever found. It is full of quotes that can be applied to everyday life as well as the world of dance. Bobby Boling unlocks the mysteries that seem to be a part of the dancers world. He takes you through auditions and classes as well as other areas, and tells you exactly what you can expect. I am a dance teacher myself, I have purchased many copies to be shared among my students. They too, have found it encouraging and inspirational. It is so refreshing to have a once professional, turned teacher, dancer, share the story of how it works in a very easy to read and interesting book. He speaks from the heart and tells you straight up how it is. So many times I have picked up a book on dance to try and learn more about the opportunities out there and how to make it, only to put it down feeling intimidated and hopeless. A Dancer's Manual is truly a first.I only wish the inspiration had been there for me when it was my time on Broadway! Thank you Bobby Boling for taking the time to write such a fantastic book, I am grateful that I have this to share with my students.If you want to dance professionally or just dance like a professional,and be the best that you can be then this is the book for you.There are dozens of useful tips that he reveals.I have applied many of the techniques with my students and they look and perform better than ever. They are once great dancers turned performers, because of the techniques he lists. sincerely

The best little book I own about heathy eating. You'll learn how the body is effected by various foods. You'll learn how to transition into vegetarianism. Other books I've read don't walk you through that process. You'll learn heathy alternatives that you can easily incorporate into your meal prep. You'll get recipes, an herbal remedy/illness reference guide, and a listing of resources to help you down the road. Good luck. This book is hard to get nowadays. Oh yeah - don't be fooled by the fact that it's a thin book. It's just an efficient use of time and space.

This book is another fine one in the Rolling Thunder series. It follows young "Rocket" Rob Wilder as he makes his first Winston Cup start after success in the Busch Grand National series, and also his first attempt to start the Daytona 500.

Rob Wilder is a young man who lives to race. "You ready, kid?" Rob smiled, "I was ready when I crawled out of the rack this morning."

I enjoyed this book every bit as much as the others. I see a bit of Jeff Gordon's influence on Rob's character in the book, as Rob is a clean-cut, clean-living young man who has a beautiful girlfriend, Christy. Christy's older sister, Michelle, is the marketing rep for Rob's sponsor, Ensoft, a software house. But... could Michelle also have taken a liking to the brash young driver, more than a professional interest?

Get the book and find out.....

DH audio has an interesting audio series, Rolling Thunder, regarding stock car racing in the 1960's. This four-volume audio series (White Lightning, Road to Daytona, Race to Glory, On to Talladega, (all three-hour abridgements) narrated by Michael Skinner, brings the listener right into the pit. These audios have an historical background and well as the fictional one in these tales.

I have to admit I bought this book at a grocery store. The cover caught my attention and now I see there are others I have to order. Great, historically accurate book about racing. Surprised the publisher didn't make the author put in all the silly stuff most stories about NASCAR have. Or make them be negative about racing. Been a fan for thirty years and this is the way it is...good and bad!

I Think this book is a great sequal to the Rolling Thunder series. It depicts the action of a true racer, when Jodell is forced to let his cheif wrench in the cockpit of his car after a serios wreck at the new talledega track in Alabama. I find that the book follows history very well interluding a ficitional chacter with the likes of Richard Petty, David Pearson, Tiny Lund and other NASCAR legends. I would suggest this book to anyone who is interested in learning the roots of stock car racing to buy this book and any of the other Rolling Thunder books. I can't wait for #5 to come out.

Dr. Wright's book is a quiet revelation which led to an internal revolution for me. His careful definitions of abuse and what constitutes abuse are but the preludes to detailed and riveting stories of hurt and healing. As we watch the Roman Catholic churches wrestle with one form of abuse and the Israelis and Palestinians wrestle with another, such a definition is indispensable to our understanding of what faith and belief really mean. There could not be a timelier exploration of one of the central issues of our day -- finding spirituality that unites and heals instead of dividing and killing. Dr. Wright's book is a must-read!

Having experienced both childhood and clergy religious abuse, I rejoiced to discover Dr. Wright's book. It helped me understand the sources of my own pain and ways to overcome it. This work identifies many kinds of abuse in religious communities, and examines correctives to discourage, prevent and heal such abuse. Wright draws on 45 years of pastoral experience, the work of other authors, takes resources from psychology, current Biblical scholars and theologians. There are personal stories of both pain and healing from his own experience and that of others.
Dr. Wright describes several forms of abuse and uses Scriptural references to propose appropriate behaviors. In Chapter 5, "Religion and Abuse of Women," Wright cites an account of a mother trying to discuss the Image of God with her young children, and is astonished by her daughter's response. The daughter announced that she isn't like God because she is a girl, but her brother is like God because God is a boy. (p. 86ff) This erroneous position certainly learned in church, was carried historically in both Jewish and Christian practice, causing a patriarchal demeaning of women. Wright offers an interpretation of Genesis 1-3 which separates the creation of humankind, both male and female, in God's image from the post-fall prescriptive against Eve to be subwervient to her husband.
In the chapter "Religion and the Abuse of Clergy," one abuse is forcing the pastor to be untruthful about what he/she has learned in seminary. This is caused by denominational leadership and executives, and congregational reluctance to listen to new ideas. Wright does discuss the abuse of pastors caught between parties to conflict. In my experience and observation, the use of power in church conflict is more harmful and painful, including the "collateral damage" to family and friends, than any other form of clergy abuse.
Appropriate uses and misuses of power are dealt with in the chapter "Theologial Sources of Abuse." This chapter deals with the power of God, in Paul's phrase, as the power of weakness.
In the final chapters, Dr. Wright proposes a reinterpretation of the life, work, death and resurrection of Jesus as a compaassionate calling back of strayed persons, rather than the exaction of a price for disobedience of God. He denies the traditional explanation of the transmission of sin as genetic and inherited. This will certainly dismay some readers, but I found it reassuring and contributing to an understanding of God's sompassionate love and the love and compassion we can share with each other--a true cure for religious abuse!

This is an important book for leaders and members of every religious tradition.Keith Wright offers examples of abusive behavior which in the past have been tolerated or ignored, and he urges that the issue of abuse be recognized and challenged despite the possible costs of speaking up.
The treatment of clery by congregations and administrators has been called a "cruelty system." This is common knowledge among ministers and administrators, but few, like Keith Wright, have had the courage to name these behaviors "religious abuse." Wright reminds his readers that "everybody knows that the church has been guilty of much evil, but very few people within the church are willing to tell the truth."
Ministers and lay people have quietly left their congregations in response to the pain they have suffered in the name of religion. Wright covers a wide range of types of abuse in this thought-provoking book, including the abuse of workaholic preachers who burden people with more than they can handle, and the withholding of approval from a significant person in your life.
I believe that this book should be read widely in the church and especially by clergy, lay leadlers and seminarians. Its strength is that it is written by an ordained minister who loves the church and who continues to value the experience which a life lived connected to a religious tradition provides. Its challenge is to see and label abuse when it occurs and then to act to stop the abuse.
Wright concludes: "Our task is to recognize and discourage religious abuse where it occurs while doing our best to foster and nurture those aspects of religion which are life-giving and life-sustaining."

All the books in this series are wonderful to read. It is a very clean language book, one where the naughtiest word is "Shoot". This one brings a sad, bittersweet smile to the face of most fans of stock car racing. I would recommend this book with only one small reservation, there are a number of small inside jokes, that only a true fan of NASCAR racing is going to understand. But overall it is an enjoyable read for any racing fan.

I just finished book 8 and have read every book in this series. My first recommendation is that, with the exception of the 1st book, none of these novels should be read by itself. Bite the bullet and buy all 8 books from AMAZON.COM, if you are a NASCAR fan you won't regret it.
The first 4 books in this series deal with NASCAR's formative years when a former moonshine runner attempts to trade one fast-paced high-risk career for another. All four are excellent reads, although at times the attempts to place this fictional race team into established racing history are forced. Most NASCAR fans are familiar with the events and results surrounding the first Daytona and Talledega races, for example. For the most part, though, the authors do an admirable job of placing the Lee Racing team smack in the middle of these formative years without straying too far from the historical facts.
Upon starting Book 5, I was a little disappointed to discover that the authors had fast forwarded nearly 40 years to present day racing. However, by the midway point of that book, I became as interested in the lives of Rob Wilder and his contemporaries as I had been in Jodell, Bubba, and the rest of the Lee Racing clan. The older men, however, remain extremely active in the sport as car owners and senior mechanics.
In summary, all 8 of the books are well written and very easy to read. My only complaint is I WANT MORE!!! There are many story lines that can be followed up on and I can only hope that the authors continue to crank out more volumes!!!

What the authors promise is true: this is a darker, more introspective tale. By flashing forward to Jodell's life today, they manage to foreshadow the tragedies without burdening their characters with an overwhelming sense of dread or foreboding.

Despite the tragic circumstances in this installment, though, readers should still find everything they enjoyed about the first two books. Jodell is still the optimistic young driver who can't dream of ever giving up racing. Catherine, now his wife, still offers her unflagging love and support without complaint. Joe still rates chasing women a close second after working on Jodell's car, but he's still there when he's needed (although there are hints this time around that Jodell may insist that Joe decide more clearly where his priorities are). And Bubba is still eating everything he can get his hands on.

While this book shifts some of the focus onto some of the more serious concerns of the team--finding a sponsor, balancing family responsibilities with the racing life, and the ver real dangers of the sport--the authors don't give us any shortage of action. The racing scenes are every bit as exciting as in the previous two books.

While the Rolling Thunder books may not present a searing insight into the human condition, they're fun, exciting, and action-packed. That's what I'm looking for when I pick one up. When I read one, the authors make me keep turning the pages, wanting to see what happens next. When I finish one, I want to go immediately on to the next one. What more could anyone ask from a stock car racing series?

The third book in the Rolling Thunder series, "Race to Glory", continues the fine characters and storytelling of the first two books.

This book is written with a slight difference, with flashbacks from the past intertwined with the current happenings in the life of Jodell Bob Lee, now a stock car team owner reliving his life spent in the "race to glory".

I highly recommend this book for any stock car racing fan. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the roots of American stock car racing.

I thought White Lightning was great, but the authors had to pack a lot into it to get to Jodell's first big race by the end of the book. With all that background out of the way, in Road to Daytona they can concentrate, for the most part, on the minute details of a single race. That level of detail really gives the reader the sense that they are there, watching the story unfold in front of them, instead of just reading words on a page.

This book particularly gave me insight into the tasks the pit crew has to do. Before, on the rare occasions that I would watch a race, I would think it wasn't that big a deal, filling a car with gas as fast as they could. Novice that I was, I couldn't understand why the tires needed to be changed so often, or the pressures the pit crews work under. Now, when I watch the race, I'm almost as fascinated watching the pit crews work as I am when the cars are on the track.

Just as welcome are the subplots dealing with the personal lives of the characters. Make no mistake: this is a series about stock car racing, but I find myself just as interested in seeing what happens to Jodell Lee and Cathy as I am in finding out who wins the race.

Finally, I appreciate the way the authors work in historical information about racing without seeming overly pedantic. They make it seem like part of the story, rather than shoehorning in a history lesson.

Overall, Rolling Thunder is a really fun series, and the authors promise that it'll just keep getting better.

I just got finished reading "Rolling Thunder - Road to Daytona", the second book in the Rolling Thunder series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It deals with 3 Tennessee racers who make it to the big time stock car racing world by running at the first Daytona race held at the Speedway.

The story kept my attention, and the history and characters, both real and fictional, held my interest.

I can't wait for #3.

I have read the entire series thus far (#7) and have enjoyed the story line and the realism of NASCAR racing. These books won't win any prizes, but they do a good job of relaying the excitement of NASCAR. The story is somewhat predictable at times, but it is still good and moves along nicely. I think what I enjoyed the most is the history that has been added to the stories. The history is basically all factual (with the exception of the fictional characters), from the roots of stock car racing to the Young Guns of today. I only wish the history would have continued through the 70's and 80's instead of skipping from '69 to the late 90's. Overall though I kept waiting for the next one to arrive to find out what was next.

As a relative newcomer to stock car racing, I picked up this book because I thought I might better be able to enjoy watching races if I had a sense of the history of the sport, and if I could get some idea of what it is like for the racers. This book did a fantastic job of both. I don't know what it's really like, driving in a stock car race, but I can't imagine it feels much different from the way these authors describe it.

When I read the Rolling Thunder books, I find myself getting really caught up in the emotions of the race. I root for Jodell to win, and find myself getting upset when he loses the lead or it looks like he might get in an accident. I also can't wait to see what happens next in the characters' personal lives. That wouldn't happen if the authors didn't do such a great job of creating likeable, three-dimensional characters.

The Rolling Thunder series might not ever be remembered in the annals of great literature, but they provide a good, solid couple of hours of entertainment. As I can attest, you don't have to be a racing fan to enjoy the books, though after reading one you just might find yourself wanting to watch a real race. For me, these books are like potato chips: they're quick and easy to devour, and as soon as you're finished, you want another one.

HAVING ATTENDED RACES FOR 34 YEARS IN THE SOUTHEAST STARTING AT AGE 12, THIS BOOK IS VERY REALISTIC. PURCHASED THREE ADDITIONAL COPIES FOR FRIENDS IN THE RACING COMMUNITY. LOOKING FORWARD TO READING THE ENTIRE SERIES.