After a gestation period rivaling that of an African elephant, the Blunsdon Blog proudly announces the birth of its latest book :

The Year of the Blog

It's taken a year to write, is over 290 pages and weighs in at a whacking 106,000 words. It features over 400 photographs, many not previously published on the internet and tells the tale of a year's work on a speedway track - the highs and the lows, the laughs and the fits of hysteria.

Published by Lulu Press, an online "print on demand" publisher, I am really proud of this.

It is available to order or download via the Blog's new BlogShop - see the new icon on the left sidebar.

The paperback book comes in at £9.99 plus postage while the download is just £7.50.

It's hard promoting your own work ....

So here's what others have said about it :

"Tina Turner famously asked “what’s love got to do with it?” Now that you have this book in your hands you have a real treat in store and you’ll find that love is indeed one of the key ingredients when it comes to successful track curation. Well, along with skill, dedication, tenacity and humour – qualities that you’ll find time and again in spades throughout these pages. Never again will you take the dedication and work of the track staff at your club for granted. So next time you go to a meeting take the time to consider the fact that the spectacle you get to see doesn’t happen by accident, but through the collective efforts of many people including these artisans of the shale.

"Most of all, sit back and enjoy a unique account of a rollercoaster season at Swindon speedway in the hands of your conscientious guide and host, Graham Cooke!"

Jeff Scott 
Brighton
27th October 2007  

It really is something special - I like the understated description of the skills, the obsessiveness, dedication and humour.
Jeff Scott, author of “Showered in Shale”, “Shifting Shale” and others

“What a wonderful site. Brought to my attention by Jeff Scott. You're all artisans of the highest order!  This is a beautiful site - should be compulsory viewing for every speedway fan. I truly 'dig it'! Many thanks”Billy Jenkins, speedway fanatic and writer

“I’m always a little nervous when Graham’s around; a comment here or the odd word there and suddenly it’s published for all to read in The Blunsdon Blog.  Seriously, I enjoy reading Graham’s work.  He’s managed to capture the “behind the scenes” side of speedway in a humorous and light hearted manner.  As a consequence, people now know about characters such as Punch and Gerald and hopefully appreciate all of the hard work that is necessary to get a speedway meeting on.  Happy first birthday, Blunsdon Blog.  “The Year of the Blog” deserves success – it’s a great read.”
Robert Bamford – speedway writer and statistical guru

“Just wanted to say a well done on the Blog - I really enjoy the updates each week and getting to know a bit more about what goes on behind the scenes. Much appreciated (for all of your hard work both on the website and the track!)
Thanks”
Darcia Gingell – Robins Pit Crew

“What a fantastic site!! the updates are absolutely fascinating I thought it would be hard to beat Showered in Shale for a speedway website but I think it’s been done...always in awe of the work you guys put into getting the track up and running and this just goes to show there is so much more to it than I ever realised.”
Mark Hedges, speedway fan

“Well done again to all concerned and also site still brilliant; it’s the first thing I read before the Robins site and the BSF.”

“Congratulations on such a great site - very well written and utterly fascinating.”

“Having really got into speedway in a big way this season I have found the Blunsdon Blog a fascinating insight into what goes on behind the scenes at the stadium. Well written and humorous, very enjoyable. Keep up the good work on the blog and the track! “

“Hi Graham
Nice to hear from you and thanks for the email. Having had a look at the Blog, I'll simply sum up my thoughts in one word - brilliant! Well done, keep up the good work. Kind regards.” Dave Prowse

“Possibly the most important web publication since Karl Marx and his manifesto – Love it.” Lenin

 “It’s my first port of call each week.  It’s one thing to read about riders and promoters but the Blunsdon Blog really gets you inside the sport.  It’s a great read – keep up the good work!”

“The Blunsdon Blog should be the first item on every speedway fans list of reading – it’s a web site and book like no other.  Great fun, lots of humour and some great stories.  Give our best wishes to all the lads.”

“The Blunsdon Blog opens up the sport of speedway in a way that no other site, or publication, has so far.  It’s a great, fun read.  I now look at the sport in a much more informed way.  Essential reading for speedway and sports fans.”

 “Dad, get off the computer; I’ve got homework to finish.  You’re not writing more for the blog, are you?  Get a life!”

“You write beautifully.  I really enjoy reading the blog.  Well done.”