I was surprised to find that such a small but definitive book about the history, sport and management techniques of these athletic birds was published in New York, rather than England. But here it is, and John Curley clearly knows his stuff. He doesn't belabor or embellish his points, which are how he keeps this book down to about 65 pages, but still finds space for some great photographs and a nice section on loft design that includes line drawings. If not a book for all pigeon fancier historians, it certainly belongs in the library of those in the sport. Published in 1961.

True Spinning Rollers is a thorough work covering the subject in 256 pages within 17 chapters covering all aspects of the sport. It was published in 1997. It is also a bit of a who's who in the history of this fascinating pigeon breed. This copy is autographed by the author and states "Breed for speed and frequency".

James Lairmore and Robert Pettit are the two most influential American writers about the Modena pigeon breed.  Both were also instrumental in the breeds as well as the club’s development.  Without them the breed would not have attained the great success that it now enjoys.  Lairmore’s work predates Pettit and was the first thorough writing of its kind form many decades.  James wrote the first edition of the Modern Modena Pigeon back in 1960 and this issue is the revised edition published in 1972.  It can be said without exaggeration that this work is the definitive text covering the Modena from 1920, when W. F. Holmes of England last published a major work on the breed, up to 1972 when this revised edition was published.  It is a mint paperback of 89 informative pages.