Like any first-time author, I’ve waited impatiently for the first reader reviews to come back. Here they are:
Misty J. Sutton (Amazon Review)
I have to preface this review by saying that I was never a fan of any kind of racing! When my husband saw me reading this book, he thought it was very amusing! I actually read this in 3 days- it was one of those books that is hard to put down. After I read the book, I found myself really trying to find out more about Gumball, racing, etc. Great book for anyone- very exciting read, and definitely a page turner. Alex knows how to tell a great story.
Ron (MySpace)
WOW!!! with the exception of General Carl Stiner (who had help from Tom Clancy), that was by far the best autobiography I’ve ever read! It was amazing how brutal honest you were about everything including yourself. I look forward to reading more of the blogs. ps great work on the site!
Alex C. (E-Mail)
I just want to say I throughly enjoyed "The Driver"- after waiting for weeks on end, I finally got it through Amazon and blasted through the book in two afternoons! A great read from start to finish.As a fellow BMW owner, I’m proud of the fact that you have represented BMWs so well in Gumball and Bullrun, not to mention breaking the cross-country record. Perhaps a crack at breaking the 30 hour barrier in the E60 M5? I would surely read another book of yours based just on that attempt.
Alex, thanks again for sharing your experiences with those who can relate to your passion for life. I’m sure I speak for many of us in the world who hope to see and hear of more of you in the future.
Dr. Gruene (AKA Eric Ward), co-pilot to Torquenstein (MySpace Comment)
This morning as I’m sitting in my office, absolutely hating my job, wishing I was racing motorcars with you somewhere in the world my office manager walks in and tosses me a package. Since I was half asleep it startled me and I thought to myself "great….now what." I looked at the shipper and I immediately ripped it open. Inside was your book and I have been glued ever since. I read the front and back cover, the contents, and the prologue had me laughing so hard I almost peed myself because from knowing you I could absolutely see myself sitting right next to you and seeing the look on your face and hear the absolute urgency in your voice. It’s as if I can read this recollection of events and place myself at the scene of the crime with you. FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NOT GOT THE BOOK YET…..YOU HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY GO BUY IT. Caugh up the $20 for the best read you’ll ever have. I rarely ever have time to read many books but I guarantee once you get this you will not be able to put it down!
Thanks for making the next few days of work for me completly useless. I won’t get ANYTHING done today other than read your book. THANKS AGAIN Alex and I certainly owe you supper!
Drew (Myspace)
"I just finished the book, and I wanted to say thanks for writing it! I’ve seen alot of the gumball movies and random clips with you in them, but the book tells a whole different story, and an amazing one at that. I could only dream of living a life merely half exciting as yours, but your writings have opened my eyes and I now find myself thinking different about things…
Brendan M. (E-mail)
Just picked up your book last evening and haven’t been able to put it down yet! A truly amazing story with phenomenal writing. I was wondering if you had any suggestions for my next books; I haven’t found a book like yours in a long time.
James J. (Facebook "The Driver" Group)
What an Amazing Book!!! I have been a big fan of Gumball 3000 and especially of Team Polizei for a few years now. Therefore, I was eager to read the book from Alex Roy. I was not disappointed at all. “The Driver” is a book that is hard to put down. Alex does a great job of making you feel like you are in the car with him, experiencing the Gumball and his Transcontinental runs. I hope That Alex Roy finds time to write another book in the future.If Alex ever wants to beat his record transcontinental time in the Future, I hope he calls me to drive along with him 
Ryan Pulliam (Facebook "The Driver" Group)
"The Driver: My Dangerous Pursuit of Speed and Truth in the Outlaw Racing World" is a book the devil himself would read and smile. However, the title might lead people to get the wrong impressions of the accounts within its yellow cover. Yes, it is an account of various traffic law violations, and crazy stories with some of the fastest and craziest people in the world. Yes, the author might in fact be 3 shades left of insane, but there is something about the author and his memoirs that makes "The Driver" more than just a psuedo-confession. A book that merges tales of law breaking madmen with more money than they know what do to with, it also strikes a note as a comming of age story. Not your little kids Doctor Seuss, but a story about becomming a man in more ways than moving out of your parents’ basement. A man who realizes what it means to be alive, to desire something that no amount of money can obtain, a man making his mark in the world. Using a writing style that puts you in the passenger seat, Roy accounts his adventures into an intimidating, competitive circle of the greatest group of people considered "Highway Patrol Enemy Number 1". This is a definate must read, good luck putting it down. The weight of the philosophies expressed by Roy will make that hampster running on the wheel in your head go double time. The lessons learned, consideration and humiliation showed, and the risks taken make this an amazing read for the driver in all of us. Be safe, respect others, and cherish the time you have. I look forward to shaking Herr Roy’s hand and buying him a drink, I hope you all read this and express your feelings too.
Mark Spencer (Facebook Wall Post)
awesome book, just finished it in two sittings. I can really tell this is what you love. Not only has it made me want to stay in the automotive field it has made me really want to do something my life. good luck man
p.s. bimmer’s rule
Shawn Woods (Facebook Wall Post)
An excellent book.. I picked it up yesterday and just finished now. Couldn’t put it down! Good show!
O. Shane Balloun (E-Mail)
Dear Alex, I just finished reading The Driver and was utterly thrilled throughout it. What an outstanding story you have. Thanks for writing your book.
C.S. Bloom (Amazon Review)
Alex has written a book that captures emotion, adrenaline and suspense. The Driver is focused, poignant and engaging in all respects. Read it. After seeing the Polizei BMW M5 face-to-face and after its first Gumball; the ubiquitous pits at the front lip of the hood made clear that the speed and the force of all elements encountered by all living and all mechanical things was truly awesome. "Pitting" to that degree can only happen from grains of sand hitting layers of meticulously coated "M"-quality paint coating ultra-strong sheetmetal and getting affected only at 120+ mph. It felt great to see Alex see someone notice something as subtle as that since paint and metal don’t generally get broken on purpose. This car’s virginity had been broken and its pedigree had been tested. The evidence was obvious. To those with a discerning and scrutinizing eye it was inspiring. The Driver delivers a story that is as real and as spirited as the events that Alex, co-drivers and car faced. It should be read.
Timothy Palmer (Amazon Review)
If you like adventure, cars and speed this is the book for you. It will give you the inspiration to follow your own dreams. It will show no you matter what your up against you can achieve what ever you want to do no matter what the odds are.
Asim Prses (Amazon Review)
I don’t remember having read a book that has been as captivating as Alex Roy’s "The Driver", which is quite a feat considering I work at a bookstore and have gone through many books while working there. As a participant, Roy’s personal account of the numerous Gumball 3000 and Bullrun rallies provides the reader with an intimate look at the high-speed, high-cost cross-country trips many of us could only dream about. Moreover, he allows us to look into his past, providing the motives and people that have inspired him to drive in these events and ultimately win (even if there are no official winners).
Most importantly however, it is Roy’s thrilling account of his record-breaking 31 hour and 4 minute NYC to LA drive that much media is covering and criticizing that "The Driver" builds up to, and is definitely emphasized throughout the book. Childish, dangerous, illegal, expensive, suspensful and hilarious are only a few of the words one could use to describe the things in this book, but you’ll be done reading before the time it takes to think of words to describe "The Driver".
Maybe I’m exaggerating, but it was a mere day and a half that I spent reading the book, and I would’ve been finished even faster were it not for things like sleeping, eating, and school. Whether you are a long-time fan of Alex Roy and Team Polizei, into cars, or merely want a great way to spend several hours consumed in wonderful story-telling, go out and take a look at "The Driver"; you won’t be disappointed.
Alex L. Wicketts (Amazon Review)
I bought this book while deployed overseas. I expected a 300+ book would last me a few days, maybe even a few weeks. Instead of a days or weeks I read it in about 12 hours. I must say it was one of the most interesting and exciting reads I’ve had in quite a long time. The Driver makes you feel as if you’re a part of the story. I’ve already recommended it to many of my car enthusiast friends.
Colin Herrick (Amazon Review)
Absolutely brilliant. I’d like to write some review that would do the book justice, but I’m just not capable of explaining what it’s like to read. You won’t put it down until you’ve finished, and then you’ll go back and re-read the chapters that blew your mind, just in case you missed something. Buy it, read it, and be jealous.
Henry Townsend (Amazon Review)
By far one of the greatest books I’ve ever read. The detail into which Roy goes in not only of his Gumball Rallyesque exploits but also his preparation for breaking the US Express record are nothing short of astonishing. Kudos to Alex Roy for a wonderful read.
E. Rochkind (Amazon Review)
If anyone has heard about Alex Roy’s fantastic drive online or in print media, they need to pick up this book! The book not only covers his actual run, but how his life made him to drive the route, having to break the record. Alex Roy takes the reader on an amazing journey through his life. This book will fill you with sidesplitting laughter and heartfelt tears. The writing, I must admit, is superb. I was weary about a rally-driver writing a book, but rarely do you find a book this well written. The reader is guaranteed a fast-paced, almost unbelievable drive through most of the world. Also, we go on a journey with Alex; finding the driver, making his father proud all while running the family business. This is a book for anyone’s collection. You may be worried that this book could encourage speeding or breaking the law in other ways, but in my own experiences, it has made me a better driver. Once you read about this man’s journey, you will understand driving is much more than a way to get from point "A" to point "B".
D. Sandel (Amazon Review)
This book is an account of Roy’s amazing journey in road rallying starting right from the beginning of it all. The books packed with amazing details and inner revaltations not known unless you are in this exclusive club. It was a great read that kept me on the edge of my seat and overall was a fantastic book especially for a first time author. I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes motorsports or true action stories.
Jack E. Wheeler (Amazon Review)
I read a lot and I have read hundred of books. "The Driver" is now one of my all time favorites. If you like Gumball, buy it. If you like cars, buy it. If you like autobiographies, buy it. If you are still reading this review, buy it. The book reads fast because it is so well written and the story is simply amazing. There are some books that when you start getting close to the end you begin feeling sad because you know it’s almost over. This is one of those books. One you wish was 1,000 pages. It is more than just an account of the Gumball 3000 from 2005 through 2007, or how Roy broke the NY to LA land speed record. This is a book about how a boy became a man and how that man became The Driver. This will quite easily be read by my grandchildren in awe, simply amazing…
Shawn Woods (Barnes & Nobles Review)
I bought the book… went home, and started reading… Stayed up all night and called in sick the next morning so I could finish it. SIMPLY AMAZING! I highly recomend this book to anyone who wants an inside look at the speeder’s mindframe. If you’re Top speed (like me) you’ll love it… if you drive slow and have always wondered why some ppl fly past you this book will open your eyes. Regardless of your preference for speed buy this book so you can understand yourself, or those flying past you at 150+
Albert Lo (Barnes & Nobles Review)
An exciting real life automotive adventure, an amazing escape from the everyday life most lead. This is the chronicle of a man on a mission, battling only himself, it’s an adrenalin and gasoline stained must read for anyone who loves fast cars and living on the edge. Roy deftly tells his tale of drivng in a style that makes you feel as if you were there in the car with him. After reading the book it took a day for my heart to stop racing.
Marc A. Heinze (Amazon Review)
For sheer entertainment value, this book could probably be the best book I have ever read. From the first page to the last, I was totally into it. If you’re into cars and love to drive, The Driver is an absolute must read. I don’t know what was moving faster, the M5 or my eyes. I couldn’t get enough. I finished this book in a single day and CAN’T WAIT for the movie.
Alex, you’ve made every M car owner beam with pride. CONGRATULATIONS!
James C. Jamieson (Amazon Review)
What an Amazing Book!!! I have been a big fan of Gumball 3000 and especially of Team Polizei for a few years now. Therefore, I was eager to read the book from Alex Roy. I was not disappointed at all. "The Driver" is a book that is hard to put down. Alex does a great job of making you feel like you are in the car with him, experiencing the Gumball and his Transcontinental runs. I hope That Alex Roy finds time to write another book in the future.If Alex ever wants to beat his record transcontinental time in the Future, I hope he calls me to drive along with him
Andrew Hooson (Facebook)
I finished reading your book and I have to say it was really good. I have also seen some of the maps and the final assault plan online. they would have been great in the book but I think the book was a good length. If the extended version comes out I might have to "lose" my copy…
JC Marin (Facebook)
Wow, got the signed book Oct 30th, amazing! I read some of it before work then after work read some more and finished it 7am the next morning. Could not put it down. Sometimes I forgot I was actually reading an autobiography, it read more like a great fiction story. Thanks for taking the time to write the book and I hope to see and hear more of you in the future.
Victor Santiago (WorldCat)
Alexander Roy’s "The Driver" is an autobiographical work detailing his adventures in the Gumball 3000 and Bullrun rallies as well as his record setting transcontinental drive across America. While the book is under the subject heading of “Automobile racing drivers — United States – Biography” and “Automobile racing” it is an excellent study of a relatively small subculture of motor sport. The rallies themselves have a cult like status and book makes a great introduction to the subject for the uninitiated.
The book itself briefly covers the life of Alexander Roy and quickly leads to the reason for Alex’s interest (which later turns to obsession) about the underground world of transcontinental races. The book reads like a spy novel with high tech gadgets and close calls with high level of suspense and in the end stands as a cautionary tale.
There is also a philosophical side to the book, a seemingly Nietzchien will-to-power over time, physical fatigue and ultimately himself.
…you feel like you are a passenger in his BMW M5 worrying about speed, fuel consumption, the police, and the safety of others. All the hours countless hours spent planning an excruciatingly detailed route can quickly mean nothing if a deer decides to cross the road at the wrong time. One of the rare times I had white knuckles reading a book…
"The Driver"…goes deeper then that however. "The Driver" told the story of Alex’s life and why he got involved with the Gumball, re-enacted Rendezvous, and spent years of his life, and thousands of dollars, to accomplish his cross-country record that would have maximum risks and minimum rewards. I strongly encourage you to read the book as it was a huge inspiration for me to seek more in life.
