If you haven't heard about this book before, it's an extremely comprehensive account of all Amazing Races up to TAR9. I enjoyed it so much that I didn't even care when it was revealed, at the end, that the author and I had likely taken diametrically and probably passionately opposite positions on TWOP regarding BJ and Tyler, as he is one who apparently "adored [them] beyond measure." OK, I minded a little bit. But the book is still good.

Each season, the author lists and gives a brief description of the Racers, and then each leg is summarized briefly, with a list of ending positions and times for each team. This is invaluable for persons such as myself who came in post-TAR6 and want to know what the hell everybody else is talking about. So I got the scoop on broken oxes, clowns, Flo, Bald Snark, Jonathan and shoving, and the famous Needle in a Haystack challenge. Educational!

The best part, in my opinion, is the lists: Moments We See Again and Again, Smartest Moves Ever Made By Racers, Most Jaw-Dropping Errors Ever Made by Racers, a Taxonomy of Players, and Best Racers. Of course, some of these I disagreed with, like, finding the tiresome Debbie chowing down on Meatblock an endearing moment. But that's only to be expected.

There were only two things about the book that I took issue with. One was the nicknames. Every team gets a nickname, and I felt some were overly complicated and some were just off. For example, BJ and Tyler's nickname was "The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers." Regardless of the fact that I don't find them fabulous, that nickname is just too long. I didn't think "Team Truman Show" (Rob and Amber) or "Team Enron" (Uchenna and Joyce) was fully fitting, either. If I didn't like a nickname, it was distracting.

The other thing was the emphasis on editing as shaping the story. To me, interviewing Racers who were jackasses on television and asking them if they thought editing was fair is sort of unprofitable. I mean, of course they think it was unfair. They are absolutely convinced that they are good people, and that any bad behavior they showed (like shoving) was out of context of the other angelic parts of their personality.

There is an interview with Jonathan, and the author acknowledges certain of his editing-related ("several possible cuts," etc.) explanations for how he came off as valid, while also saying, "I'm willing to heed the word of all those other Racers who say you're usually a nice guy. I'm also willing to give Victoria credit for knowing you better than I do. . .[however] your explanations do not entirely satisfy" (315). I appreciate the effort to get to know his side of the story, but it is nauseating to read Jonathan's complaining that "Victoria did that to herself" and all the crap about her tripping over herself and how she really "learned something" after he shoved her. In this case, I wish the author would have just called a spade and spade, and not even given Jonathan credit by agreeing that "editing can create a lot of sins" (313).

However, the book is entirely recommended. It is thick and giant, and it will be good times reliving Amazing Races past.

I have the book and found it very helpful as a reminder of what happened as GSN was running through the seasons. I agree that the nicknames are very distracting.

On the whole I thought this book was an excellent and detailed recap of the first nine seasons, and I'd recommend it to fellow TAR fans. Aside from the team nicknames, which too found hard to follow, the one thing I would have done differently would have been to add some stills from the show. The book is lacking in photographs except for some stock shots of scenery and the like, and I missed photos of the racers and some of the key moments. I'm guessing that CBS or World Race Productions either didn't make them available or they wanted too much money for their use. But I found it well-written and a handy reference when I'm trying to remember who did what and where.

I have owned this book for about 2 years and I use it a lot. I even used it earlier today. It is a great reference if you want to double-check your memory of how, where or when something occurred. Troy-Adam Castro got mixed reviews when the book came out, although most were positive. I think it has stood the test of time quite well.

My personal favourite was the chapter dedicated to the greatest racer ever. Totally hit the mark.

The nicknames appear to have been, universally, the most despised element of the book. Ah, well, I tried.

"The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers," in particular, a nickname that many have taken exception to, was not a value judgment calling the so-called hippies fabulous (though I did find them entertaining), but rather an allusion to Gilbert Shelton's underground comic characters of the same name. In short, it was the equivalent of calling a one-eyed racer Popeye. Google the characters and you'll see who I was talking about. I admit, I may have dipped too far into the sixties with that one.

As for the lack of photos or Behind the Scenes information: well, that's what comes of it being an UNAUTHORIZED book, a viewer entity as opposed to a corporate one. No cooperation from CBS whatsoever, and in fact a couple of teams who wanted to contribute interviews reported being scared off by CBS lawyers, some of whom seem to have been working behind the scenes to shut racers up. (Some whose interviews appeared in the book -- I won't name who lest the depth of their scorn enflame CBS -- flouted such warnings deliberately, and one said, in as many words, "To Hell With CBS.")

Cool! Hi, Adam!

Yeah, I found the nicknames annoying as well, but overall the book was a helluva good read. I got it for Christmas and devoured it in one sitting. I'm hoping it'll be updated periodically, as I believe it's a good two seasons at least behind the show.

Don't leave us hanging. Who? Colin? Zach? Rob? Phil? (He does always get there first) Spoil away.

Adam-Troy feels it is Zach Behr from Season 3, who had to drag the emotional baggage of Flo thru the entire race.

It was a fun read. I read it when it came out, but honestly have no idea where it is right now.

I remember i was nervous when I saw at least 2 or 3 errors on the back cover of the book (I remember he said it was Mary Jean on the elephant and not Gretchen, and he also said the ox incident was in Thailand instead of the Philippines), but once I started reading it was good.

I'd be very curious to know who was pressured to back out of interviews. If i remember correctly, the book had interviews with the Guidos, Rob/Brennan, the clowns, Marshall, Jonathon, and the Gaghans, and I think I remember reading that a Don and MJ interview was left on the cutting room floor. So, who was it?? Romber maybe? And who said To Hell with CBS? Interesting.

There are about a dozen errors in the course of the book itself, all my fault, and you may flagellate me all you want for those, but I'll beg off the back cover blurb. They're usually written by folks at the publisher, and though I made some suggestions, I don't believe I wrote that copy. (It's been a while; I'm now four books past MY OX, going on five, and I'm no longer living and breathing the show on the level I was when I was writing it, thank God. If I did write the copy, then that's another brain-fart on my head.)

I appreciate your frustration over my secrecy on certain issues. I would absolutely love to identify the racer who said, "To Hell With CBS" and participated. The other racer who I felt obliged to send a special lengthy warning about possible danger from CBS and who decided to participate anyway. The several nice folks who told me in all friendliness that they could not participate because of warnings from CBS lawyers, were sorry about that, and wished me luck.

I would also love to identify the racer who thought I was just some fan putting together a vanity project, treated me like crap and then changed his/her tune, too late, when s/he realized the book was a genuine professional project. The racer who called me early one morning when the project was in temporary jeopardy and spoke with me at length anyway in a delightful and charming conversation that because it was not recorded did not make it into the book (actually, I will tell you who that was; Ian, of Ian and Teri.) The team that agreed to participate but then told me never to call back when I followed up two days later, later reacting with regret when the book became an actual physical object. The racer who said that he would absolutely love to be involved but then didn't answer any e-mails. The racer who was determined to make it to the Long Beach booksigning but had to be saved a trip when the publication was damnably delayed by one month and all booksigning events were canceled (actually, I'll tell you who that was, too: Jonathan). The several teams I loved that wouldn't respond to me at all, not even to say no. Worst of all, the several well-known teams who reportedly had a gathering about the book in its very early stages, decided for their own reasons that I was an impudent snot who should not be cooperated with on any level, and did their best to influence other racers with the same decision.

Most of all I would love to identify the well-known pair, about to participate, who accidentally and hilariously sent me their e-mail to each other snotting about this dumbass fanboy author and his dumbass book that nobody was ever going to read (and who were apparently so offended, or mortified, by being called on it, when I forwarded the email to the intended parties, that they refused to talk to me afterward). That was a funny incident. You'd die if I told you who. But all I'll say about them is that they're clearly not among the ones who appear in the book. (And yeah, I know that's especially cruel.)

I would love to identify them all, good or bad. But it feels to me that doing so would be dirty pool. It would be publicly revealing things that were off the record (even that "To Hell With CBS," which I considered admirable.) It would be punishing non-participants for showing prudence instead of candor, and adding a level of threat to any projects of this kind I might find myself compiling in the future (i.e., "talk to me or I'll badmouth you afterward.") And, like I say, it's in the past, in any event.

I need to stress, again, that Don and Mary Jean did not "end up on the cutting room floor" for any reason having to do with the suitability of their actual words. They were a delight to speak with, and they had very interesting things to say about killer fatigue and selective editing. Among other things, they were one of the few teams to tell me that the editors made them look NICER than they were; evidently, there was some serious bickering going on, and I admire their candor in saying so, when so many others claim that their most unattractive behavior was taken out of context. It's the same reason I admire Marshall, who says that he and his brother got a fair edit. I wish Don and Mary Jean well. It's just that the recording was so awful, and the book so close to deadline, and I so suffering from the authorial equivalent of KF after six months on the project, that they got squeezed out. I still thanked them warmly in the intro and made sure they got their contributor copies.

( Added later, after some thought ) Hey, you know what? I'm gonna subvert that whole high-minded statement of principles above to the extent of giving you a bit more information about the unidentified team that will probably bother you most, i.e., the one that was agreeing to participate until one member (not both) accidentally e-mailed ME his note to the other, disparaging the project.

I won't come out and say who it was for sure. Ever. That's still dirty pool.

But I can stretch my ethics enough to think it's within the rules to provide a pair of vague clues, not definitive but certainly within the capacity of the determined problem solver. As long as you understand I have NOTHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT THE TEAM. I considered the incident a delightful one, all in all; a fine example of human imperfection leading to some unintentional humor. I wish the members of the team nothing but health and good fortune, and would greet them as friends if we ever met.

So here we go.

As a team, they have something major in common with me. And the error was a somewhat ironic one given the nature of the team.

Further, deponent saith not. Enjoy the brain teaser.

Edited because I'm a stinker.

After posting in this thread, I decided to track down what I did with this book, and I did find it (was buried in the back seat of my car...odd).

I'm terrible at brain-teasers, so the only guess I'll say is Adam and Rebecca, since the name would obviously have something in common with you.

Anyways, I did enjoy this book. My job at the time was one where I get to drive around the city doing errands, and I was almost always done an hour before my shift ended, so for a month or so, I'd pull into a gas station at 3 and read for 45 minutes before heading back to punch out until I finished it. Now that I've found it, I will browse it again and re-read some of the better sections (I remember I liked the smartest moves, dumbest moves, endearing moments, and repeating moments segments, as well as the interviews). It's the only book I've read since high school, which certainly says something about it.

I enjoyed the book and use it for reference with fellow fans. I didn't mind the mistakes since it made the book hilarious.

Thank you so much for doing the book. I ordered it recently, and I'm smiling today (a dark day here) as I read about the episodes.

I had forgotten that I LOVED episode 1 the most. Is there a book two? Please?

I'll write a Book Two myself if I have to to get a follow-up.

I'm going with Adam and Rebecca too. Firstly because of the name, and ironic because didn't they say they were never going to speak to each other again after the race?

Sign me up, Raceguy. I'm hooked.

And I agree with A/R as the two.

Yay! I got my copy of Adam's book. I didn't even know about the book until I saw it here! What kind of fan am I for petes sake? I love to read and every once in a while a book comes along you can't wait to dig into and will be thoroughly enjoyable. I'm relishing already just on the cover blurbs.

Nope, not Adam and Rebecca. Nobody named Adam. Though that was an interesting guess.

Adam, I started reading your book. It's just wonderful, informative and entertaining. All the endemic factors you point out that make TAR what it is, is spot on.
Now I'm intrigued on the cringing e-mail couple. Now who could that be.....

One who still has enough semblance of a life to not volunteer yourself to write a sequel to a book you didn't write the first version of?

Second guess on the email couple: Tara and Wil. Can't figure out the connection...

Edit: Closest I can think of: The "Castro" is a region is San Francisco. San Francisco is where Tara and Wil lost their race and any chance of regaining some dignity.

Alternative theory: Tara and Wil like to go nuts. Presumably, at least one reader of the book is allergic to nuts.

Alt-theory II: Tara and Wil belong in a looney bin. The author likes Looney Tunes.

... yeah, I got nothing.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Raceguy, you just cracked me up. I am trying to think of other common denominators. He mentions "well known" team.
1. a hyphenated name?
2. the "ironic nature of the mistake": someone who works with computers?

Here's my guess: Danny and Oswald. They both live in Miami, Adam lives in Miami and possibly have the same country of origin. "Dumbass fanboy" in cha-cha-ese has such a ring to it.

I do what I can.

Oooh, Cha theories!

...the author would chase Phil down for the fun of it just to get Phil dirty?
...the author likes to pimp himself out on Tanzanian park benches?
...the author likes to shop whenever he visits Hong Kong?
...long train rides 'revigorate' and 'injuvenate' the author? (Oops, wrong team and season to reference.)

Teri and Ian are also from Florida. So are the Weavers. So are a bunch of other teams. I don't think that's the entire connection, even if it is the Chas.

The same kind of fan I am. I have faithfully watched every episode from day one (you'd never tell though because I can't recognize half the people any more) but had no idea that the book existed until I saw this thread. I haven't had a chance to read it cover-to-cover but I have flipped through and I love it so far.

I even bought a copy as a gift for a friend. Again, she has been a loyal viewer since day one AND practically lives at the local bookstore but never heard of it.

Castro? Cuba? Cigars? TAR7's final task was to find a cigar store in Florida. Who was in TAR7 who would fit the scenario?

I must track down a copy of this book. I have been a rabid fan of this show since the very opening scenes of Episode 1 of TAR1. I don't know how many times I have watched TAR1. There's something special about it.

I'm deeply enjoying these guesses, many of which have been (shall I say) considerably more creative and complicated than the real answer.

No further clues, but I will clarify those provided far enough to say that the point of congruence between myself and the team in question is nothing you need the book itself, any other book I've written, or any biographical information about me, to determine. I.E. whether or not I'm Cuban, as someone wondered, is irrelevant. (And I'm not. I don't even speak spanish.)

(Though I will not confirm the correct answer if anybody provides it, I don't think confirmation will be necessary; the Eureka quality of the moment will be sufficient to provide certainty.)

This is too delicious. Time to dust off Occam's Razor theory:

The principle states that the explanation of any phenomenon should make as few assumptions as possible, eliminating those that make no difference in the observable predictions of the explanatory hypothesis or theory. I.E., all other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best.

Throwing away my logicians hat and trying to think more linear.

Emeraldfire, I know exactly what you mean about Tar1. It's so vibey and special and my favorite too.

Hmm. I love puzzles. Have pondered this one, but haven't come up with and answer yet. I'll toss out my line of thinking to the ether in the hope that it may inspire someone else tp figure it out. Team effort so to speak.

A similar email address perhaps? How else could you be so stupid as to erroneously send an email message to the wrong recipient? To which I say, dude, use your address book properly.

I keep getting stuck on the above (which is also why I think many have guessed Adam and Rebecca. No, I'm not convinced either of them are bright enough to use email.

A-TC has a Wikipedia entry! A wife? Well, that includes several of our racers. 4 cats? No idea.

Or perhaps I just stumbled upon it A-TC what is your email address? Mix up with our spirited Air Traffic Controllers per chance?

Anyone else care to share their line of reasoning?

Actually, the ATCs make sense. It would be ironic considering that they now mod over at Tarflies - the fanboyiest TAR site of them all.

Before I read that, I was thinking TAR6 Don and MJ because of the double-barreled first name. MJ's the only racer one, right?

When I first read about it, I thought Rob and Amber. But this clue is the one that throws me -- why is it ironic? Because the team is either a. really really nice or b. computer gurus, so they mixed up the email addys?

Racerex that is a great guess and fits well. But....I don't think of them as a well-known team and didn't even remember them from race 4.

Adam, could you, will you, won't you give us one more clue? Even something obscure?

Ironic? Something in common with the author?

Could it be Colin & Christie? He's the one who uttered the now iconic line which became the title of this book.

I finally bought this book and I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying it even if it doesn't have any pictures from the race.

I just finished reading the book and I really loved it. The coverage and depth each race got was great and the level of snark he threw in for free made the book and must read.

Hands down my favorite part of the book was the imaginary Race 8 in which Carissa jokes rocks the hell out of each leg.

Favorite line? "Carissa Gaghan is first to the Pit Stop. where Phil just sighs and hands her the keys to his car."

I laughed so long and so hard at that image in my head.