Full Throttle: The Life and Fast Times of NASCAR Legend Curtis Turner

Let me preface this review by stating that I don't consider myself a fan of NASCAR or car racing in general. So when a friend suggested I read "Full Throttle" I was reluctant. My reading preference is usually fictional narrative with occasional reference books. My friend insisted that I would enjoy the read though, and since I trust him I took the plunge. And I am so glad I did. From the opening scene it's clear that the author not only knows his subject but is a superb storyteller. Until reading this book I frankly had no idea of the existence of Curtis Turner but I feel now that I have intimate knowledge of this interesting figure. His life was full of passion and adventure and Edelstein does a masterful job of giving us a firsthand view of the man, from the perspective of family and friends as well as sitting in the passenger seat through several thrilling races and crazy side trips. From his early days behind the wheel of bootlegging vehicles to the creation of NASCAR and beyond this is a great read and it's obvious that it was exhaustively researched. Whether you have a love of the subject matter or simply enjoy a great read, "Full Throttle" is well worth your time and money. One of my favorite books of the year...

Fans of car racing in general and NASCAR in particular won't want to miss Robert Edelstein's biography of driver Curtis Turner in Full Throttle: The Life And Fast Times Of Nascar Legend Curtis Turner. Racing fans receive a fast page-turner about one of the most dynamic stock car racers in history. Access to the files of Turner's widow supplement motorsports writer Robert Edelstein's fascinating coverage, adding depth to his survey of Turner's legendary life and many achievements.

From the first page straight through to the last this book is a thrilling page-turner that just cannot be put down. You will lose sleep. The dishes will pile up and the bills go unpaid. And you may never drive responsibly again... Three cheers and five stars for Curtis Turner, Robert Edelstein, and "Full Throttle" -- a great, great book.

I've been around this sport my whole life, and I've eagerly snatched up and read every book on the sport I could find. And out of all of those, this book is without a doubt the best. Curtis Turner had a life that would take 4 Hollywood films to document. It was complex, it was wild, it was, in a word, unbelievable. Edelstein's book was 5 years in the making. It was painstakingly researched, and was very, very well written. Edelstein puts the reader in the race car with Turner, as well as in the seat next to him aboard his Aero Commander, where Curtis was equally as fearless. From the highs, such as his 1956 Southern 500 victory, to the lows, such as the ultimate betrayal of a business partner that lost him his beloved Charlotte Motor Speedway, the book continues to work at a professional, even keel. It's not a book about racing. It's a book about a legend. It was long overdue. Thank you, Mr. Edelstein, for finally bringing Curtis Turner back to life.

There's always been the instinct in mankind to see if their horses, cars, airplanes or boats were faster than the other guys. In the days long before NASCAR was the most popular sport in the country there was still racing. The early training in what was to become NASCAR was running illegal liquor during prohibition. That's how Curtis Turner got his start. And from what he learned there, combined with a natural showmanship he all but defined what NASCAR racing was all about. In his day he was bigger than any star you can name today. This is his story. From running liquor to winning millions, constantly living life close to the edge his story is an interesting one. Mr. Edelstein has carefully researched this book, talking to a large number of people who knew him personally and makes this a fascinating tale.