Rating: 
Summary: An Unusual Story of an Unlikely Hero
Review: Universal Pictures will open its "Seabiscuit" movie, based on Hillenbrand's book, on July 25, two days from this writing. If the movie captures the book's drama, excitement, detail, pace, and above all, its heart, then it will triumph.Hillenbrand sets the tone of Depression-ravaged 1930's America perfectly: a nation struggling to regain a lost hope and eager for a hero. That the hero happened to be an undersized horse with outsized knees and crooked legs makes the story unusual, but all the more interesting for its improbability. Seabiscuit was the force around which a trio of unusual figures came together with a common, almost mystical purpose. Seabiscuit owner Charles Howard, automobile seller extraordinaire who developed a passion for horse racing, brought together Tom Smith, an empathic mustang breaker from the Old West who makes Robert Redford's "Horse Whisperer" seem mute by comparison, with jockey Red Pollard, a half-blind, half-crippled ex-prize fighter whose career was going nowhere. This ragtag group took an underperforming, physically underwhelming thoroughbred, the unlikely scion of the great Man O'War, and through years of training, disappointments and failures, drew out the unconquerable heart of a champion, fulfilling the promise which Smith had originally sensed in Seabiscuit. The public response overwhelmed all the news of the day, and a legend was born out of the most unlikely of beginnings. Hillenbrand writes with clarity and purpose, imbuing all her figures with an immediate presence which transcends history. She has been justly praised from not only the sports and racing worlds, but also by such standards as The New York Times and Washington Post. After reading her book and leaving it feeling ennobled, edified, and entertained, I can only add to the chorus of praise and give my strongest recommendation to all readers who appreciate a compelling story well told.
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Summary: The most engrossing book I have read in 5 years
Review: Let me say a few things up front: I have never set foot on a racetrack, I have watched the Kentucky Derby maybe twice on TV and I have little interest in jockeys, horse trainers or horses in general. For those who think this is a book about a racehorse, think again. It is a wonderful, descriptive work about the underdog, about triumph over adversity, about personality in animals and, most importantly, about a rarely discussed slice of America. With a keen sportswriters eye toward detail as well as broader context, Ms. Hillenbrand has written a vivid description of an amazing animal, the three men around him and an era in American sports and history. Seabiscuit was a fascinating creature, not only for his deceptive power but for his playful, competitive nature. Ms. Hillenbrand helps us understand this horse as a person - a person you instinctively root for. His owner, a self-made success in the automobile industry, displays concern for the horse as if it were a child. Seabiscuit's trainer embodied the western spirit and had an uncanny bond with the horse - he was a real-life horse whisperer. Finally, the harrowing, rough and tumble life of a jockey during the 1930's is painted here with unsympathetic accuracy, as we learn about the trials of Red Pollard. Seabiscuit was the hub of these three lives and their extraordinary accomplishment on the racetrack. The book builds toward two climaxes - the match race against War Admiral (which Ms. Hillenbrand desribes in such wonderful detail) and the ever elusive Santa Anita Handicap. Although historical, the book has a novel-like suspense that keeps the uninformed reader rapt and engrossed. This book, which describes the regional split between east and west coast race horses, really describes the potential and scrappy nature of the American west. Thank you, Ms. Hillenbrand, for such a terrific read.
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Summary: The Greatest Story Ever!
Review: This was just the greatest book ever. Laura writes beautifully and the story was so interesting! Loved the book--became a huge fan of Seabiscuit!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Original Racetrack Cinderella Story
Review: Laura Hillenbrand is a wordsmith of the top rank. She has written a great book about a horse who has largely been forgotten except by veteran racing fans: Seabiscuit. Seabiscuit, a descendent of the legendary Man O' War, had a rather modest racing career at the beginning having started from the claiming ranks. Thanks to a great trainer, he galloped his way up to the stakes level after having literally dozens of races under his girth. Seabiscuit was not the only colorful character in this claimer-to-champion saga. His trainer Tom Smith was a controversial character who loathed publicity and yet at the same time encouraged it. For example, Hillenbrand's stories of Smith's attempts to thwart the media and racing timers from reporting Seabiscuit's workouts (because Smith feared the weights assigned by the track would be so great as to hamper the horse's considerable ability) are hilarious. Seabiscuit's regular jockey, Red Pollard, was a man who loved to quote Shakespeare but also had to cover up a disability that may have contributed to one of Seabiscuit's most famous losses: Pollard was blind in one eye. Like most jockeys he battled a weight problem. (In one chapter, Hillenbrand writes brilliantly and humorously of the struggle of jockeys like Pollard to make the unnaturally low weights required of racing.) Finally, Seabiscuit's millionaire owner, Charles Howard, was perhaps the least colorful of the horse's connections, but he lost faith in neither Smith nor Pollard. He was the glue who held this unlikely hodgepodge together. Hillenbrand slowly but very entertainingly works the Seabiscuit story to the legendary 1938 match race with yet another descendent of Man O' War, 1937 Triple Crown winner War Admiral. She doesn't ignore the Admiral's connections either. Sam Riddle comes to life, as do the horse's infamous temper tantrums on the racetrack. There are constant difficulties in getting the two great horses together on the same track on the same day, including jockey Pollard's injuries (vividly described by Hillenbrand), Seabiscuit's injuries, and other delays. When the horses finally do get together (with the underdog Seabiscuit clobbering the Admiral), Hillenbrand writes with such vividness that you feel you are right there at the track witnessing the race. (She was fortunate enough to have obtained rare footage of this race and several other Seabiscuit races.) After the climax of this famous race, Hillenbrand continues the Seabiscuit saga to the deaths of the principals. On the last page she writes of Howard having buried Seabiscuit to a secret site at his ranch where he had an oak sapling planted where the great horse was buried. She writes: "He told only his sons the location of the grave and let the oak stand as the only marker. Somewhere in the high country that was once Ridgewood, the tree lives on, watching over the bones of Howard's beloved Seabiscuit." What a great writer. What a read.
Rating:
Summary: All on Seabisuit to Win
Review: This book was incredible. I have read a lot of books, but this is the first one I have felt compelled to share my views on. I am not a "Horse Person" by any means, but have always enjoyed a good Sports story, especially when it depicts the struggle and sacrifice it takes to overcome adversity and prevail. This is definitely one of those stories. Hillenbrand does a spectacular job of capturing the integrity and dedication that went into making Seabiscuit a legend and hero of the time period. It was clear by the history Hillenbrand related of the depression era that Seabiscuit gave America new and continuing hope. Hillenbrand also does a very thorough job of painting a picture of the sometimes harsh realities of a "jockey's life". I honestly had no conception of the amount of athleticism, pain and sheer sacrifice that is required to be a successful jockey. Seabiscuit's story also depicts the reality that it isn't always easy to maintain values, loyalty and integrity in the face of opposition. Hillenbrand illustrates these qualities in Seabiscuit's owner, trainer and jockey extremely well. The three together, and individually, were able to maintain their values and shoot for success while always keeping Seabiscuit's welfare as the primary consideration. I tried this book in large part because of the unanimous 5 star rating that readers had given it. While I'm not sure I would have agreed it was quite a 5 for Part One, by the time I got into Part Two, I didn't want it to end. I'd have given it higher than a 5 if I could have. It's the only book I can remember reading that had me crying at the end. Definitely one of the best books I've ever read. All I can say is, give it a try, I think you'll be glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: Seabiscuit, What A Guy!!!!
Review: This book is one of the best I've ever read, and I am an avid reader. Laura Hillenbrand brings the story of the Depression era horse Seabiscuit to life in this fascinating narriative that is full of fascinating historical information about the sport of horse racing.
Her discription of the brutal existance of jockeys is riviting, not just about the punishing regimens followed to "make weight", but also the callous disregard of the jockeys as human beings. I will never forget her discription of the 17 year old jockey, who was crushed in one of the primitive starting gates and left was left to die in agony on a table unattended.
Hillenbrand is a master of descriptive pharasing and her writing can be very lyrical, which I liked. When she describes Seabiscuit biting down on his bit before a big push, I felt like I was riding Seabiscuit myself!
Her descriptions of Seabiscuit's personality really brought him to life for me as well.
You don't have to know anything about horse racing to enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.
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Summary: Seabiscuit is my hero here in 2004!
Review: It took me a while to get thru the first part because the author writes about the history of the owner and the jockey. It got interesting when I got to the middle of the book. The book is full of old photos of Seabiscuit and some of his races. I actually cried during some of the sad parts. I just wished I was there back in the 30's so I could really see Seabiscuit in a race. I was never a horse lover, but after reading this book I realized what a great horse Seabiscuit was and what a true American hero he was for people back then. I'm glad Laura Hillenbrand wrote this book so Seabiscuit would not be forgotten.
Rating:
Summary: Seabiscuit
Review: I read Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand in February because it came with the Seabiscuit DVD. I first wanted to read this book because I'm a horse lover. Being a horse lover also helped me enjoy this book. This book is full of loss, gain, triumph, and all of the other elements that make up a good book. I recommend this book to everyone because this book is good, even if you're not a horse lover. As I said above, this book contains all of the elements of a good story. This book should be read by everyone who enjoys reading.
I can relate to this book in several ways. First, I enjoy horses. I've also the experienced feelings of joy, triumph, and loss that are illustrated in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Seabiscuit--All Heart!
Review: I know little to nothing about horses, but this book captured me from beginning to end. SEABISCUIT is as much about people as it is about horses. Charles Howard, the bycycle repairman turned automobile entrepreneur. Howard's beautiful Mexican wife, Marcella John (Red) Pollard the poetry-quoting little jockey with the booming voice and a way with horses Tom Smith, the legendary man of the plains who could communicate with horses almost as though he was one of them. These characters along with other jockeys, horsemen, horsewomen, entertainers (Bing Crosby) and reporters make SEABISCUIT come alive. Hillenbrand is meticuous in describing the economic and historical conditions surrounding the circumstances in which Seabiscuit came to prominence. She is especially good bringing the reader into the world of horses through the eyes of the jockeys, stable boys, trainers, and reporters. After listening to this entire book in CD form I am well satisfied. The book reads like fiction. The people come alive. There were parts that brought me to tears. I thank Laura Hillenbrand for bringing the world of SEABISCUIT to me.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Story
Review: Seabiscuit is a great book. I really enjoyed it. This book is about a little horse who nobody thought could be a winnner, until someone took a chance with him. A man named Charles Howard bought Seabiscuit and got a trainer named Tom Smith and a jockey named Red Polard or Johnny. Seabiscuit started winning races and people loved him because he was small and tried so hard to win and he always did. Even when Seabiscuit was old and couldn't race anymore Mr. Howard kept him and took care of him on his property. It's a really good book, but it's hard for younger people to read.
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