Rebel with a Cause: A Season with NASCAR Star Tony Stewart

Mr. Dutton's first book, "At Speed blah blah..." was terrible to the point where I think it should not have been published. His literary agent - whom provided a helpful review here which clarified the origins of the content of "Rebel With a Cause" - will perhaps be dismayed that I reached that conclusion after reading "At Speed..." while browsing in a bookstore and not after wasting my money on it. It might be good for kindling, but that's about it.Mr. Dutton's effort with "Rebel" is better, though maybe not by leaps and bounds. The book recaps Stewart's sophomore year in Winston Cup, with each chapter corresponding roughly to a week at one track, and then the next track, etc. It's well written and it serves as an entertaining chronicle of Stewart's up-and-down 2000 season. That said, the emphasis is on off-track matters and how those matters affected Stewart's on track performance. Details about what was he was doing on the track during any given race are conspicuously missing, to the book's detriment.In fact, the book is pretty dull when it comes to conveying any on-track excitement at all, and it reads much more like a columnist reporting the news. Furthermore, I'm not even sure if Mr. Dutton actually interviewed Stewart one-on-one for any part of his book. If he did, it doesn't show. While Stewart is quoted at length throughout the text, one is left with the impression that the quotes are simply lifted from Stewart's press conferences.Even so, having Stewart's season recorded is still a treat, and what general race coverage there is is sufficient to keep the book moving. But compared to "Driver #8" which follows the same "2000 Winston Cup season, week-by-week" approach, "Rebel" unfortunately does not measure up well. This is partly because of the aforementioned lack of detail about Stewart's on-track experiences during each race, but also because Mr. Dutton simply is not Stewart. To Mr. Dutton's credit as a reporter he is objective throughout his book, but unfortunately that approach precludes the reader from developing any sense of intimacy with his subject. You might get a sense about how Stewart has been shaped by Winston Cup, but you won't feel you've gotten to know him yourself. In fact, Mr. Dutton's style is so objective that you won't even get to know HIM.Of course, if you are Stewart fan, then Earnhardt Jr.'s book certainly can't "scratch your itch." Objectively, I think "Rebel" is a three-star book, but since I'm a Stewart fan, I've given it four. The casual fan will find a better read in "Driver #8." While the tone of this review is somewhat negative, "Rebel," despite its shortcomings, is still a good, solid book. You could do a lot worse!

As Monte Dutton's literary agent, I feel obliged to set the record straight. (...) Monte has written strictly original material; it is NOT a reprinting of items from "NASCAR This Week," syndicated by Monte's employer, The Gaston Gazette. Therefore, readers will NOT be "familiar with this material." Furthermore, Monte had no obligation to include in his comprehensive recounting of Tony Stewart's outstanding 2000 sophomore season "a coherent picture of the complex mechanics, culture and social context of racing." Gimme a break! All hard-core NASCAR fans already know this stuff. Furthermore, Monte has already covered much of this information in his first book, At Speed: Up Close and Personal with the People, Places, and Fans of NASCAR.

I am a big Tony fan who couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. However, after reading it, I was disappointed that there wasn't more background to Tony's past (growing up, highs and lows, etc). I felt it was a basic run down of last season. Yes, there were little bits here and there but I wanted a deeper look inside to who Tony really is. I wanted to find out what makes him tick and why. I felt that I got more of a recap on last years Winston Cup season, not the inside scoop I was expecting.

This is the perfect book for a diehard Tony Stewart fan like myself. It covers all of his races--the good, the not-so-good, and the downright ugly--but it also gives a little more insight into Tony the person. It is nice to finally see a book devoted to a new driver instead of the standard Jeff Gordon/Dale Earnhardt (although the latter is somewhat understandable now) fare that is offered up. And unlike some of the other books out there, this one is substantial, and not just some 64-page biography regurgitating PR information. You either love Tony Stewart or hate him, but this book is for both of those groups. You may not come away being his biggest fan, but you'll definitely appreciate and respect him more as a driver, and realize what he brings to the sport.

I found this book a very easy read. It really gave some great insight into a NASCAR drivers daily life. It also took me a little deeper into Tony Stewart's way of living and driving than I had imagined. The layout is great and makes for a quick read.