A fifty year motorcycle racer shares insights into life and death from the seat of a racing motorcycle.

Teaching guide of thinking activities based upon contemporary fiction written for young people in grades 7-12.

"When was the first motorcycle developed? Who holds the current speed record? What is the finest customized bike on the market? This two-wheeled odyssey through the history of the motorcycle showcases both the myriad design interpretations and the storied subcultures that the machine has inspired. The many guises of this modern cultural icon are revealed by motorcycle experts, covering subjects ranging from the history to the customization of the machine, vintage to contemporary riding gear, clubs and associations to bike culture and its heroes in life and on screen. Packed with full-color illustrations of distinctive and outrageous designs, motorcycle ephemera and fashions, and unforgettable moments, Motorcycle Mania is a captivating visual chronicle."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Gregg Bonelli, born with an inquisitive mind and competitive nature, has had the desire to go fast since 1964, when he discovered his true self through racing motorcycles. In this colorful and creative tribute to his love of motorcycling and racing, Bonelli shares insights into life and death from the seat of a racing motorcycle that vividly celebrate the lifestyle he has embraced for fifty years. Bonelli offers a fascinating glimpse into the thought processes and life of a motorcycle racer, as he made lasting friendships, raced at speeds most would think insane, and met eclectic characters along the way. With his mind constantly on motorcycles and the next race, Bonelli details how the rest of his life seemed only incidental to his obsession with going fast. Whether racing on a 250 Harley Sprint or a TZ750 Yamaha, Bonelli shares anecdotes, poetry, and prose that illuminate the pure joy of what it is like to count down the minutes until he can zip his leathers, hop in his van with his bike in the back, and head out to race again. Zen and the Art of Racing Motorcycles shares a seasoned motorcycle racers perspective on why he loves to ride with the wind with the throttle wide open and nothing but excitement and the possibility of a win before him.

Through eight editions, this classic thematic anthology has been hailed for its exceptionally rich collection of essays, memoirs, stories, poems, plays, and fine art. - Sixty-one new selections represent such authors as Sandra Cisneros, Randall Kennedy, Richard Rodriguez, and Amy Tan. - Nine pieces of full-color art and nine black and white photos provide visual prompts for class discussion, a unique feature among this texts competitors. - The international selection of literature is broadened with the inclusion of V.S. Naipauls Nobel speech and selections from Jean Baudrillard and Affonso Romano DeSantaAnna. - Provocative new selections on popular culture include pieces by Roger Ebert, John Baizar, Nick Hornby, and Sonia Sanchez. - Two new plays-Tony Kushners Homebody/Kabul and Ric Oquitas Vanessand and Ricardo-have been added; Wendy Wassersteins The Man in a Case is also included. - Selections are grouped by genre-Personal Reminiscences, Essays, Fiction, Poetry, and Drama-under 10 universal themes - that move students from questions about self-discovery and relationships to larger issues of culture, science, and technology and the goals of human freedom and dignity. - Over half o