As an inveterate consumer of the printed word I’ve read dozens of book reviews, and the one thing that’s always stood out to me is how dry and boring the vast majority are. Reviewers often seem intent upon impressing their readers with their vast knowledge of, well, everything. They love making comparisons between someone’s first attempt at a novel and Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s unmatched series of riveting works. Since I’m incapable of doing that, I’ll just plow ahead, giving you my personal impressions of two books that have recently crossed my desk.

Heather Shumake’s “240 Shorty” A celebration of the life of the late NHRA Funny Car driver Tripp Shumake is the epitome of a labor of love. Compiling reminisces of her father’s on and off-track life, Ms. Shumake has put together an easy read that includes an inside look at the real world of Funny Car racing in the last quarter of the 20th Century. What helps make this interesting is that Shumake wasn’t a multi-time champion, so you’re not going to be reading about a “drag racing hero” in a sanitized, all-warts-removed puff piece. For lack of a better descriptive term, Shumake was a “real world” racer fighting to succeed, and that’s well-documented here.

Shumake was anything but a fringe player. He was capable of winning at any time, and did so often enough to have earned a reputation as a very good racer. Further, and largely unknown by many, he also dabbled in dirt track and other forms of motorsports competition.

Ms. Shumake spent months compiling recollections from her father’s friends, former employers and competitors, and if there’s any reason at all to fault the book it’s because of the sources. Let’s face it, in all of our lives there’s someone we rubbed the wrong way, someone who, for whatever reason, just never liked us. But, how are you going to verbalize a negative response when asked about someone you might have had a negative opinion about when it’s the man’s daughter asking the questions?

The other side of that coin is that it was difficult to not like Shumake, so let’s assume that the responses Ms. Shumake elicited are the true thoughts of those she and her family, who helped compile the book, received in feedback. And those responses are interesting, ranging from the humorous to some really serious thoughts about Tripp’s racing career.

Reviewers are compelled to make negative comments about everything they delve into. It’s a rule, and far be it from us to break that one, so here’s our other “complaint.” All of the photos appear in black & white, but there’s a solid reason behind that, which was to hold down the final purchase price, which is a very reasonable $19.95 for the softcover version. A hardcover printing is available for $39.95, with an e-book available for download at just $4.99. Complete ordering information can be found at www.240shorty.com.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in 50 years of writing about cars and drag racing it’s that there’s no more hard core group of enthusiasts than Mopar lovers. You have to respect a group that refuses to hear a negative word about their beloved brand, and they’ll go to the ends of the earth to correct anyone who dares to make an error in reporting on anything Mopar. I’m writing that as a warning of sorts to author Geoff Stunkard. His colorful new hardcover, HEMI: A History of Chrysler’s Iconic V-8 In Competition, is going to be pored over enthusiastically by anyone interested in learning about what’s arguably the finest racing engine ever conceived by an OEM group, but woe to Stunkard if one of the truly hard core Mopar readers uncovers an error!

Stunkard has a deserved reputation among enthusiasts and journalists for his thorough research as well as for his overall love of anything with a gasoline-burning engine and four wheels. Many’s the time I’ve overheard someone ask Stunkard a question, only to receive a response so complete as to induce glazed eyes and an overall look of “too much information.” Seriously, this guy knows his Mopars – among other marques.

Jammed with color photos (some of which appear to have been “pumped up” too much), Stunkard’s book covers everything from stock car racing to the quarter mile. Yes, some of the photos appear to be factory handouts from back in the day. That may be considered a negative by some, but their inclusion – from whatever source – is important. Written in chronological order, Stunkard has covered everything you could possibly ask for, including plenty of information on the “new” Hemi.

The hardcover version of Stunkard’s book is available for $39.95 plus an additional $6.95 for shipping and handling. An e-book version can be downloaded for $34.95. Published by CarTech, here’s a direct link to complete ordering information: http://www.cartechbooks.com/hemi-a-history-of-chrysler-s-iconic-v-8-in-competition.html.