That Near Death Thing: Inside the Most Dangerous Race in the World

This book covers the Isle of Man TT races over the years of 2010 and 2011. For anyone who has seen the film "Closer to the Edge" it covers the same period (and more) and features some familiar characters. The book follows Conor Cummins and Guy Martin primarily and Michael Dunlop and John McGuinness to a lesser extent over the two years of racing (and recovery). It offers a bit of background on the riders plus what they are thinking and doing over the two TTs. It also describes the races that happen over the period, although not in a dry way but in a way that relates to the characters involved, and not just the four 'main' characters the book mainly follows. The book does deal with the unfortunate fatalities that occur, and tries to describe how the other riders deal with them. It is, of course, the author's observations and interpretations and not necessarily the deep thoughts of the riders themselves. I've really enjoyed reading this book (I've still got a few chapters left), especially as I read it in the run up to this year's TT which begins with first practices tomorrow.

A better book on the TT I have yet to see! Reading it as someone who is involved both in the sport and in the book (in a minor role) I can say that it captures the thrill of the event, the danger of course but also the human stories of both the riders and the people connected to them. When spectators or viewers see a bike or sidecar whizz past them at an insane rate of knots they think "my god they must be insane" far from it... They are in control but pushing themselves and their engineering to the edge of that control. The book demonstrates this and the consequences of losing that control but tries to convey the desire of those who take part but also the insecurities that the riders, friends and families face and deal with. It is a wonderful account that makes sense of the desire of those people to fulfil their own goals and those who help and support them in trying to achieve that ambition.

John McGuinness, Guy Martin, Michael Dunlop and Conor Cummins may not be household names to rival stars of football or formula one, but they are legends in the world of TT racing and on the Isle of Man. Rick Broadbent's intelligent book follows the four men through the thrills and near-death spills of the 2010 and 2011 seasons. It is not simply a starry-eyed account of pit stops, podium finishes and petrol-fuelled bravado, but, as befits the TT, a grittier look at the racers' lives, their terrible injuries and the impact the sport has had on their families and loved ones. If you want to know how much courage, skill and determination it takes to climb onto a motorbike and hurtle past telegraph poles, dry stone walls and stray cats at 200mph, then That Near-Death Thing is essential reading. And what makes it even more fascinating is that the heroes of this book could not be further removed from the glitz, glamour and mega bucks of Formula One. The men who bring the crowds back to the Isle of Man ever year spend the night before big races kipping in lock-up garages, under awnings on camp sites and in the case of Manxman Conor Cummins, in his bedroom at his Mum and Dad's house in Ramsey. They are ordinary men capable of extraordinary feats and this book is a chance to read their fascinating stories.

The 2010 and 2011 TT races had some of the most comprehensive media coverage of any series in recent memory. Not only were ITV4 providing daily programmes during TT week, but there were film makers, journalists and writers all covering the events. Rick Broadbent's book approaches the TT from five perspectives, his own and those of John Mcgunniess, Conor Cummins, Michael Dunlop and Guy Martin four of the most dedicated road racers on the current road circuit. The Book is excellently written, flows well, very interesting and enjoyable. Broken up by chapters with each rider, the book goes deep into exploring the reasons why these mortal men seemingly put their lives on the line every summer, often averaging 130mph+ on the 37.7 mile circuit around the Isle of Man. This is a very exciting read for anybody who is a fan of motorsport or for anyone who can appreciate the almost obsessive nature of dedicated professionals.

Simply put this is the best book or to be honest any other written format that I've read regarding the TT races. It gripped me from the second I picked it up until I finished it in the second reading session. If you want to find out about the TT racers and what they actually think then this is the book for you because it really allows the modern greats to expand on their lives and their thoughts about the TT. All of the big names are in this book - McGuinness, Martin, Antsy, Hutchinson etc. They approach the whole racing game in different ways and without giving too much away you will warm to riders that might not have as large a profile as others. What this book really does well is get under the skin of the TT road races in a way that I've not read anywhere else. So much so that I've already gathered up some mates to go and visit the next years races. The TT really is special and in 2013 a throwback to an era where men were men and political correctness had not been invented. It's no lie to say that the TT would never be allowed today if it had not already been in existence for over a hundred years. If you are reading any of these reviews then you must have some interest in the TT. If you do then this is the best book by a country mile I've read about it.

If you haven't been fortunate to ever attend the TT in the Isle of Man, Rick Broadbents work will take you there and deliver the high octaine cocktail of the highs and lows of the TT. This book covers the period over the last three years and includes much of what was seen on the TT3D film, but this is not surprising as he was researching during the filming of the race. What he manages to do is get beneath the skin of the racers and find out what makes them tick and what brings them back year after year to the most dangerous race in the world. A fantastic book, which is well balanced and delivers the TT to you as it actually is. This book will stand the test of time and is probably the definative work on the Isle of Man TT. Splendid...

If you're a fan of the TT and have watched 'TT:3D' a handful of times then this book is for you. It covers the same years' TT races as the movie only obviously in more detail. The interviews the author had with John McGuinness in particular were my favourite parts of the book. Considering I hadn't seen this book advertised anywhere I was very pleasantly surprised with it and if there were ten stars I'd give it a full ten. It goes into my top three favourite books without a doubt. I'll try not to use the old cliche "I couldn't put it down" but it rings true as I finished this book in record time. That's not to say it was short, anything but. I just really enjoyed reading it and I'd highly recommend it.

I came across this book purely by chance..But am glad I did! Whether you are a fan of the TT or not, it does'nt matter, as you feel like you were there at the 2010 and 2011 races,as it comes across in his superb writing. If you get the opportunity to read it before this years races (at the end of May), it really gets you in the 'TT Zone', or if you are going take a copy with you, as you never know what the weather will do next! Would Highly recommend. ***********Update the book has recently won The British Sportsbook Award for Motorsport 2013***********************

The title says it all. Broadbent gets inside the rider's heads to give us a unique insight into what goes on before, during and after motor sport's most challenging two weeks of the year. Deadly!

All about the TT- Tourist Trophy! Fairly a long waited book. I suggest for all Motorcycle race fans to pick this.

It isn't easy to understand abroad TT, it collects different honestly opinions and feelings about this race.

Fantastic read of the Isle of Man TT that really makes you want to make a trip to the TT

If you're a fan of the Isle of Man TT, and if the names Guy, John, Connor, Robert, Michael, Bruce and, of course, Joey, mean anything to you without having to know their last names, then this book is a must-read. For those who love the TT, and have read, watched and heard every detail of this amazing event, the author has provided one more very important piece of the complex puzzle regarding the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race weeks, as well as road-racing in general. In fact, it will probably change your opinion about what the term "road-racing" actually means, since we usually lump circuit-racing, such as MotoGP, and road-racing together when discussing motorcycle competition. This book shows the very clear distinction between those two very different racing disciplines, as it follows the involvement of the handful of TT racers who specialize in this one series of races, using their own words and experiences to try to understand what this event is about, and why it has such a magical attraction for every motorcycle racer, whether they dare to ride the TT or not. In fact, the very long list of those otherwise fearless top-level motorcycle racers who would never dare race the TT is the best way to gauge the importance of the TT, as well as the talent and courage ... and madness? ... of those who do. This book gives us an insightful and even-handed glimpse into the heads of those few men and women who take that risk, while loving, and in some ways, needing every second of it. The IOM TT is an addiction for those spotlighted in this book, and the author has done an excellent job allowing those with the addiction to try to explain it, warts and all. When I finally reached the end, I wished it could go on and on. That's the sign of a very good read.