[.ca] Wide Open: A Life in Supercross (ISBN 0060537280)

Wonderful MX Book:
I just finished reading "Wide Open". It is an excellent book and should have been written a long time ago as MX riders have been terribly exploited over the years. Many were forced out of this demanding sport by injuries that would alter the rest of their lives physically, emotionally and financially. Jeremy McGrath wrote an engaging and moving testament to the sport that will help riders, sponsors, and promoters better understand what is exactly at stake when a rider goes to the line. Thanks, Jeremy, you have helped to make motocross a better experience for everyone.

Wide Open:
I liked the book. Overall it is a good read. But it has a really odd, disjointed feel to it. The editing is poor, sloppy and ... well did I say the book has an odd, disjointed feel to it? Definitely get the book and enjoy it! But if you are like me you will come away feeling McGrath is a child in a man's world. His life seems so out of balance and immature. On the one hand he is absolutely the most polished, refined and focused MX racer possible. But on relationships with people in business and his personal life he comes across as a extremely immature and self centered brat. McGrath absolutely rebels against demands Honda placed on his personal life and throws away the rest of his career by his selfishnish. He ends up on teams he doesn't like with bikes that fail him and hurt him, etc. Not smart! Again, a good read but disappointing in part. His father is portrayed as an immature individual in social relationships, such as spitting in folks faces, running from the police, fighting security etc. But on the other hand, he is extremely able to do things that take a lot of focus, such as run a business, sucessfully raise a family and... produce a true champion! The younger McGrath seems like a chip off the old block as they say. Able to produce what he focuses on, but remains an infant and immature on the social scene. And that's exactly how the book comes across. It seems written and edited poorly and without discipline but the main focus, which is McGrath's championship formation is outstanding. The bottom line, read and enjoy this book! But if you are like me you will be sad that McGrath's social skills and morals are so poor. Hopefully marriage and some years of maturity will help him.

Simply Amazing - Everyone should read!!!:
I ride my dirt bike, I'm not a pro (...) I bought the book for my son & joked that I bought it for myself, he got wide eyed & took me serious. Playing along, I started thumbing through, looking at all the pictures on the pages & started reading on one page & before I knew it I had turned several pages & was very into it. I stopped where I was & started from the beginning & just couldn't put it down! I knew who Jeremy McGrath was - he was a moto guy my son had posters of in his room & my daughter. Take a chance, read it - I guarentee you WILL LOVE IT!!!

Good enough for a serious reader or ADD riders like me:
This book is awsome, the minuite I read the excript of his book in RacerX I knew I had to buy it. It's very well written and has a nice flow to it. It gave me a new respect for the greatest Supercoss Rider of all time. Even if you don't like Jeremy you'll love his book, it's smart, funny, and suprising.

Best Book I've Ever Read:
I saw this book on Amazon and I decided to go to my local library and check it out. After about 3 pages I couldn't stop reading! During the book it gives you tips and starters on how to be a better motocross rider. It even gives you maintenance tips! Jeremy McGrath tells it how it is, from day 1 to the end of his career. I was surprised by how long it took for him to get a sponsor, and how he started out with old beaters instead of finely tuned factory rides. There is plenty of little pictures to go with it, too. I never was bored once when reading this book, and I didn't want it to end. I would have to say this book deserves 6 stars instead of 5, but 5 was the highest you could put...