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Book cover of Mario Andretti
Children - Sports & Adventure, Children - Transportation, Sports & Adventurers - Biography

Mario Andretti

by G. S. Prentzas
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Overview

As winner of the Indy 500, the Daytona 500, and the Formula One World Championship, Mario Andretti is one of the greatest drivers in auto racing. This biography explains how a boy from a small Italian province grew up to become an American racetrack icon. All of the struggles and successes that have marked Andretti's life are covered, from his family's harrowing experiences during World War II to the emotional triumphs of winning national racing championships.

Race Car Legends: Collector's Edition books delve into the nuts and bolts of one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. Each book brings readers behind the scenes with key people in the sport and into the lives of the sport's most popular drivers. Many of the books feature all-new first-person interviews.

A biography of Mario Andretti, the famous race car driver who won the Indy 500 in 1969.

Synopsis

As winner of the Indy 500, the Daytona 500, and the Formula One World Championship, Mario Andretti is one of the greatest drivers in auto racing. This biography explains how a boy from a small Italian province grew up to become an American racetrack icon. All of the struggles and successes that have marked Andretti's life are covered, from his family's harrowing experiences during World War II to the emotional triumphs of winning national racing championships.

Race Car Legends: Collector's Edition books delve into the nuts and bolts of one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. Each book brings readers behind the scenes with key people in the sport and into the lives of the sport's most popular drivers. Many of the books feature all-new first-person interviews.

Children's Literature

AGERANGE: Ages 12 to 18.

Mario's family moved to the United States from Italy at the end of World War II. Mario's twin brother Aldo started racing with Mario but was injured and dropped out of racing. Mr. Andretti, father, forbade his sons to race. When he found out they were racing, he allowed them to live in his house; however, he did not speak to them for six months. When Mario was unable to complete high school, he took correspondence courses. He fell in love with his teacher and they were married several years later. Even though Mario kept gaining attention for his racing successes, money was difficult to come by. Sometimes more than 350,000 spectators came to see the races. In well-known races, winners earn double the prize money. Winners make millions of dollars speaking to groups and by becoming a spokesperson for companies. In time, Andretti won the Indy 500, Daytona 500, and the Formula One World Championship. He is known as one of the greatest drivers in auto racing. Following in his footsteps are two of his sons, Michael and Jeff, his nephew John, and his grandson, Marco. Mario Andretti is enshrined in three halls of fame: the Indianapolis 500, the Sprint Car, and the Motor Sports. Mario has retired from racing and stays busy. He owns various businesses dealing with cars. He speaks to corporate audiences and was awarded an honorary title by the Italian government. Mario Andretti set high standards that are hard to meet. There are twenty-five interesting books in this series. Reviewer: Jennie DeGenaro

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Editorials

Children's Literature

AGERANGE: Ages 12 to 18.

Mario's family moved to the United States from Italy at the end of World War II. Mario's twin brother Aldo started racing with Mario but was injured and dropped out of racing. Mr. Andretti, father, forbade his sons to race. When he found out they were racing, he allowed them to live in his house; however, he did not speak to them for six months. When Mario was unable to complete high school, he took correspondence courses. He fell in love with his teacher and they were married several years later. Even though Mario kept gaining attention for his racing successes, money was difficult to come by. Sometimes more than 350,000 spectators came to see the races. In well-known races, winners earn double the prize money. Winners make millions of dollars speaking to groups and by becoming a spokesperson for companies. In time, Andretti won the Indy 500, Daytona 500, and the Formula One World Championship. He is known as one of the greatest drivers in auto racing. Following in his footsteps are two of his sons, Michael and Jeff, his nephew John, and his grandson, Marco. Mario Andretti is enshrined in three halls of fame: the Indianapolis 500, the Sprint Car, and the Motor Sports. Mario has retired from racing and stays busy. He owns various businesses dealing with cars. He speaks to corporate audiences and was awarded an honorary title by the Italian government. Mario Andretti set high standards that are hard to meet. There are twenty-five interesting books in this series. Reviewer: Jennie DeGenaro

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9These two series entries aimed at racing aficionados bring some fresh material to a dated area of most libraries. However, the colorful covers raise expectations that are soon deflated by occasionally fuzzy, dark, black-and-white photos and rather bland writing. The outer page margins are extremely wide and the narrow inner margins draw readers' eyes toward the gutter (some photos edge into it). Both titles reveal the drive, endurance, and super-quick reflexes necessary to succeed at this high-speed sport. Both include pages of career statistics, chronologies, and further readings and videos, and are indexed to assist researchers. The Allisons chronicles the racing careers, and little else, of brothers Bobby and Donnie (both forced to retire by severe injuries), and Bobby's sons Davey and Clifford (both killed in racing-related accidents). Mario Andretti includes more personal material as well as career highlights, and is written in a livelier style. Acceptable reading during ESPN commercials for those who thrill to the roar of finely tuned engines and the smell of hot carburetors.Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Book Details

Published
October 1, 2007
Publisher
Facts on File, Incorporated
Pages
80
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780791087558

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