For current—and hopeful—owner/operators alike, this summer may well be highlighted by poring over one or two new business-advice works pounded out by fellow truckers. I can't digest two books in the space I've got here, but if you like my thoughts on one or both of these tomes, you may find it worthwhile to order copies. Beyond the fact review copies came my way unsolicited, I have no connection with these authors.

First off the shelf is Driven 4 Profits: An Owner/Operator's Guide to Keeping More of the Money You Earn! by (owner/ operator) Tim Brady and Esta Klatzkin, published by Write Up the Road, P.O. 69, Kenton, TN 38233-0069 (write uptheroad@earthlink.net).

According to Brady, who says he thinks of himself as a small businessperson, and Klatzkin, his tax advisor, their simple "Profits System" for money management provides an "easier way to make logging all those miles pay a lot better."

What the book does over 125 pages is explain how the basic skills for managing a small business can be applied to running a truck for hire. Brady and Klatzkin do so with chapters on the finer points of record keeping, cash flow, tax planning, using financial data and preventive maintenance to protect your vehicle investment.

The authors write concisely and directly yet provide plenty of details, enough that the book could be used as a training course for prospective owner/operators, as well as an expert how-to manual for highway veterans.

The other new book aimed at truckers is titled For the Long Haul: A State to State Guide for Professional Drivers. Written by truckload drivers Don and Debbe Morrow, it is published by their firm, Donde Publishing, 5817 Christopher Dr., Eau Claire, WI 54703 (www.dondepublishing.com or 715-874-6584).

Don Morrow says the guide "covers most everything a driver needs to know to stay safe and legal in 48 states."

The book starts off with a disclaimer. But it’s quite correct to point out as the authors do that "Due to the constantly changing nature of government regulations, it is impossible to guarantee absolute accuracy of the material..."

Even if some items become out of date, the beauty of this book is it lays out the specifics of the regs of individual states in a concise format.

The latter book will help you do business wherever you are and the former will help you get your business where you want it to go.

Happy reading!