(Please patiently scroll down to enjoy all the wonderful comments about MEMOIRS OF A LONGSHOT.)

Campbell's memoirs a good read
By WILL SPRINGSTEAD
springstead@poststar.com
Published: Monday, May 28, 2007

Horse racing fans certainly know the name Dogwood Stable, and most probably know the name of its founder, W. Cothran "Cot" Campbell.

Until recently, however, few likely knew the journey Campbell took to become one of North America's leading owners. Fortunately, Campbell drew back the curtain in his book "Memoirs of a Longshot " A Riproarious Life" (published by Xlibris). And this is a journey that anyone -- horse racing fan or not -- will connect with in some way.

The strengths of this book are its diversity and honesty. It's not just about horse racing; the sport is dealt with very little until the latter half of the book. Campbell, a rather open-book personality, takes the reader through his childhood, his family, his upbringing and most importantly, his alcoholism, which started at a young age and shaped who he was at the time, but not who he wanted to be.

The refreshing thing is that Campbell never casts a tale of woe or, after he discovers Alcoholics Anonymous, preaches against demons in a bottle. In fact, he tells his vivid tales with zest and a joie de vivre.

The book proceeds chronologically, and the cast of characters is as rich as you'll ever see. They revolve around Campbell's parents and grandfather, from each of whom he took a little bit of personality. The stories of his youth, from his loose lips concerning staff members at a boarding house to one of the best bits of sportswriting you'll ever read about a showdown pool match in Tennessee, are colorful and draw the reader in to really root for this kid. The chances are good, especially if you are a man, readers may see a bit of themselves in the young Campbell.

That same feeling may be drawn in his stories of youthful drinking. Campbell's memories of his dealings with alcohol cut a wide swath, and you easily see how alcoholism knows no boundaries.

The chapters dealing with Campbell as a young man trying to find himself range from amusing to outrageously funny. Campbell held such jobs as naval signalman, master of ceremonies of water ski shows, apprentice mortician and advertising copywriter. But his alcoholism tinged (or in some cases singed) them all.

If there is one complaint about the book, it is that the section dealing with him quitting drinking seems too short. When all his drinking stories contain so much detail, his stark decision to stop drinking feels a little underdone. Although it is also fitting, as one sees in this book that when Campbell decides something, it's done.

The final parts of the book deal with his developing a successful advertising career and an even more successful horse racing partnership career. Campbell never boasts about his idea of racing partnerships; rather he almost wonders why no one else ever thought of it before him.

For the horse racing fan, Campbell's memoirs of how he developed Dogwood Stable into what it is today are fascinating, and remind one that while it's nice to be in the top tier, getting there isn't always as easy as the world might think.

With the third leg of the Triple Crown and Saratoga coming up, put yourself in the right frame of mind to enjoy them thoroughly by reading this book.

A 'RIPROARIOUS' LIFE
When W. Cothran "Cot" Campbell arrived in Winter Haven in the late 1940s, he was a hitchhiker in a citrus truck. When he left three years later, he had accomplished more than most Polk County residents could in such a brief period, then or now.Photo from "Rascals and Racehorses: A Sporitng Man's Life"Upon leaving Polk County for Chicago, by way of Tallahassee, Campbell had added Cypress Gardens electric boat operator and guide, ski show master of ceremonies, newspaper sports editor, Jack Dempsey dinner companion and Lake Kissimmee near-drowning victim to his list of experiences.But, for Campbell, the accomplishments earned in Winter Haven were merely a starting point for the colorful, "riproarious" life he would go on to lead. Campbell recounts his experiences in his new book, "Memoirs of a Longshot ... A riproarious life." Campbell's prior books are "Lightning in a Jar," published in 2000, and "Rascals and Racehorses: A Sporting Man's Life," published in 2002.

Click here to read the entire story:

CAMPBELL'S BOOK IS A FIVE-STAR READ ABOUT GOOD OLD DAYS OF WINTER HAVEN
W. Cothran "Cot" Campbell, the words from this country music tune remind me of you: "Take a Chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who will do and dare."One day, so many years ago, Cot Campbell blew into town at the invitation of the late George Chambliss, who kindly found him a job at Cypress Gardens with the late Dick Pope.Now those were the days! All of us longtimers can spin stories about Cot and Winter Haven, for he became the hottest, most talked about rabble-rouser around.

Click here to read the entire story:

“Leave it to a world-class storyteller like
Cot Campbell to weave the vague, stumbling beginnings of a small town Tennessee farm lad with the raucous highs and desperate lows of horse racing, sprinkle the tale with such characters as Featherlip Trabue, Rhumba Pete and a one-armed barber named Baker Lane, and come out the other end with an indelible memoir of a life lived in grand and gracious style.”
– JAY HOVDEY,
DAILY RACING FORM

“Cot Campbell’s Dogwood Stable has been a mainstay in the world of horse racing for many years. The rollicking tale of how this came to be, and the personal travails overcome to make it so, is at times harrowing and sad, but ultimately uplifting and joyous.
–ED BOWEN, PRESIDENT
GRAYSON-JOCKEY CLUB RESEARCH FOUNDATION

“Cot Campbell and I have had a
strong working relationship for more than a decade. Reading Memoirs of a Longshot gave me a front row seat in the movie of his life – all the highs and lows and everything in between. This book is so much more than one man’s autobiography, it’s an entertaining “how to” manual for an unusual life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the history of a man I have counted as my friend for many years.”
–TODD PLETCHER,
LEADING TRAINER

“Cot Campbell’s love of horses is matched by his love for writing. He knows the low side and the high side of life, and in “Memoirs,” he doesn’t spare himself. From membership in AA to the winner’s circle in the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup, from prep school brat to Saratoga, he has run the gamut, and you can run it with
him in this, his third book.”
–FURMAN BISHER,
ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION