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

by Tom Durkin, Paul Volponi, Lenny Shulman

212 pages, Hardcover

Published May 28, 2026

Reviews

[Mary Cummins]

Thank you to NetGalley for this wonderfully entertaining book- A Life’s Calling by Tom Durkin in exchange for a honest review.This autobiographical book is a racing masterpiece that highlights Durkin’s life from his formative days in Chicago through his early race calling days in Florida through his ascension at the New York racetracks to the pinnacle of race calls - The Belmont Stakes and Breeder’s Cup..He shares many tips of the trades and explains to readers how he was able to memorize all the names of the horse and just as quickly forget them for the next race.He also describes his life away from the tracks traveling and enjoying time spent with friends and in retirement his focus has also turned to teaching high school students in public speaking.This book keeps the horse racing fan like me engaged from start to finish with a superb story of a man who has truly lived his life to the fullest.