A Life's Calling: The Voice Behind the World's Greatest Horse Races

Author:   Tom Durkin (Author, retired sportscaster) ,  Paul Volponi (Author, journalist, educator) ,  Lenny Shulman (Author, television and film writer)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN:  

9798881842598


Pages:   216
Publication Date:   28 May 2026
Format:   Hardback
Availability:   Manufactured on demand   Availability explained
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

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A Life's Calling: The Voice Behind the World's Greatest Horse Races


Overview

Full Product Details

Author:   Tom Durkin (Author, retired sportscaster) ,  Paul Volponi (Author, journalist, educator) ,  Lenny Shulman (Author, television and film writer)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   Bloomsbury Academic
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.80cm , Length: 23.20cm
Weight:   0.480kg
ISBN:  

9798881842598


Pages:   216
Publication Date:   28 May 2026
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand   Availability explained
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Reviews

Anyone familiar with Tom Durkin knows that his is a unique world packed with excitement, humor, and epic race calls. But I assure you, A Life's Calling will far surpass your expectations. Each page harbors rollicking adventures and revelations. This is storytelling at its very best. -- Steve Haskin, author and Hall of Fame turf writer Tom Durkin delivers in this riveting ride through his life as one of America’s most iconic race callers. From the how-he-did-it prep work to people who influenced his calling style—everyone from Talking Heads’ David Byrne to composer Maurice Ravel—the magic of Durkin is all here, amped up Durkin-style in the memorable storytelling that defined his calls. A terrific read that embraces the moments in history that Durkin helped define. -- Kim Wickens, author of Lexington: The Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America’s Legendary Racehorse Tom Durkin elevated the craft of racetrack announcing, and in A Life’s Calling, you’re brought behind the scenes and on every step of his life’s journey. As Durkin tells you about his favorite race calls, you can almost hear them echo off the pages while remembering where you were when you first heard them. -- Dave Grening, Daily Racing Form correspondent Tom Durkin made every race interesting and many unforgettable. He was a master of the craft—a virtuoso of words, language, and drama. This book is as eclectic and entertaining and exciting as the races he called. He changed my life and reading this could change yours too. -- Travis Stone, Churchill Downs track announcer ‘Energy, energy, energy!’ is the mantra Tom Durkin lives by, and he brings just that to this delightful memoir. Learn the stories behind the unrivaled race calls and get to know the man behind the most iconic voice in horse racing. -- Maggie Wolfendale, racing commentator


Author Information

Tom Durkin is a retired American sportscaster specializing in Thoroughbred horse racing and the iconic voice of the Breeders’ Cup and Kentucky Derby. He was the race caller for NBC Sports from 1984 through 2010 and served as announcer for the New York Racing Association for over two decades. He lives in New York. Paul Volponi is the multi-award-winning, bestselling author of over 20 books, including Black and White, Rikers High, The Final Four, and Famous First Impressions. His recent work, The 32 Principles: Harnessing the Power of Jiu-Jitsu to Succeed in Business, Relationships, and Life (co-authored with Rener Gracie), made a trio of bestseller lists. He lives in New York. Lenny Shulman is an Emmy Award-winning television and film writer. He is the author of Justify: 111 Days to Triple Crown Glory; Ride of Their Lives; and Head to Head. He received the prestigious Walter Haight Award for lifetime achievement as a turf writer. He lives in Kentucky.

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Latest Reading Guide

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