The Part-Empty Box by D. C. Born is a must read for any athlete contemplating racing in the Race Across America (RAAM) or a RAAM racer looking for crew members to accompany him/her across the country in RAAM.

The Part-Empty Box is a diary of the events of Steve Born's 1991 RAAM race and the thoughts, behaviors, and happenings of Steve, his support crew, and his father, D. C. Born. This book is written much like D. C. Born's Release The Pace Giraffe, about Steve Born's 1988 Race Across America challenge.

The Part-Empty Box reads like a chronicle of events with many vivid words describing the thoughts, feelings, and movements of the racer, crew and crew chief, D. C. Born. These descriptions allow the reader to actually feel as though he/she is right there with the athlete and his race crew. Readers who have been part of the RAAM will relate to this. Other readers not yet involved with this event will find it helps to know what to expect during this eight to ten day race across the United States.

The chronicle starts out with the usual nervous jitters of any bicycle racer, especially one about to embark on a race as big and important as the Race Across America. Reading the book one will be able to follow the exact route and towns that the Born crew and racer traveled through. At times this seems to be extensive reading but remembering that this is minute by minute, day by day account of the racer and the race crew's lives, it is easy to slip into a sort of innocent bystander position and read the book for what it is. It is an account of exactly what went on during the race from the crew chief's point of view. This perspective is often overlooked and, particularly by the racer him- or herself.

The book describes the hardships, the physical and mental pain and disappointments that can come with racing in the RAAM. These include the concerns of the crew and the difficulties of maintaining a happy and balanced group of people, who have only one thing in common, the racer. Maintaining focus on the racer and the race, as Born describes, is of great importance. Any racer who has raced in the RAAM knows that it is the crew that keeps the racer going from one side of the continent to the other.

From my experience it is very difficult to maintain a good attitude for both crew and racer. It is, most probably, one of the hardest aspects of this race. I would like to see many racers and crews learn from Steve's experiences and one day find the box is half full - not the half empty box of Steve and his support crew.

Michelle Grainger was the third woman finisher in the 1990 RAAM. She is a Licensed USAC Coach, Certified Strength and Conditioning Trainer and a Team KHS Professional mountain bike racer. She works with all athletes to accomplish their goals. For more information on Michelle she can be contacted at mgrainger@earthlink.net.