View Full Version : William Nack, RIP
dilanesp
04-14-2018, 12:50 PM
I was never a fan, as I thought he contributed to a lot of the BS surrounding Secretariat (22 pound hearts, "overtraining" going into the Woodward, etc.), but he certainly was a giant in turf writing, working for Sports Illustrated for decades after Whitney Tower retired.
RIP.
tucker6
04-14-2018, 12:54 PM
RIP indeed. He certainly helped create the Secretariat legend. While he may have been over exuberant at times about Big Red, there's a little bit of fan in every horse player, so I forgive it. I'll miss his prose when it comes to describing horse racing. The sport needs more of that these days.
Bluto Blutarsky
04-14-2018, 01:46 PM
He was a great writer.
When I read his stuff, I felt like I was right there with him experiencing what he was witnessing.
pandy
04-17-2018, 12:52 PM
Rich Perloff just interviewed Laura Hillenbrand, who was friends with Bill Nack. I didn't know that Nack was a huge fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald, in particular, The Great Gatsby, and could recite passages from the book in two languages. He was a terrific writer, as is Hillenbrand.
Hillenbrand said that Nack met Swaps when he was a little boy, and Swaps licked the palm of his hand, one of Bill Nack's fondest memories.
Denny
04-17-2018, 01:37 PM
Steve Byk did a nice segment on his show yesterday with Tim Layden of SI.
It's archived for anyone not familiar with At The Races.
One thing they talked about was what Pandy mentioned - Nack's ability to quote passages from his favorite writers.
I've never read the Secretariat book since I saw him in person so many times, but, might have to pick up a copy. I've noticed it's one of the very few horseracing books that you'll still see on the shelf at Barnes & Noble these days.
pandy
04-17-2018, 04:31 PM
I read the Secretariat book when it first came out, so I barely remember it, except that it was excellent...I do think that Nack's book, and the Seabiscuit book by Hillenbrand were the two best racing books I've ever read.
Afleet
04-17-2018, 06:39 PM
:rip:
PointGiven
04-17-2018, 08:59 PM
I really enjoy his work. Really everything about him. His narration, speaking and story telling.
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