Rating: 
Summary: Seabiscuit: An American Legend
Review: The former editor of Equus magazine retells the riveting story of an unlikely racehorse that became an American obsession during the Depression. Like all heroes of an epic, Seabiscuit had to endure setbacks, dispel doubts about his abilities, and contend with formidable rivals. Hillenbrand deftly mixes arcane horse lore with a narrative as compelling as any adventure yarn as she introduces first the men who would make Seabiscuit great and then the horse himself. Racing was a popular, often unregulated sport in the 1930s, and wealthy men like Bing Crosby and his friend Charles Howard, who became Seabiscuit's owner, fielded strings of horses all over the country. Howard, a sucker for lost causes, took on as his trainer Tom Smith, a taciturn westerner down on his luck who studied horses for days until he took their measure. Both men were well suited to invest emotionally and financially in Seabiscuit, as were the two jockeys who would be associated with him, Red Pollard and George Woolf. Howard first saw Seabiscuit racing in 1936. The colt was a descendant of the famous Man o' War, but his body was stunted, his legs stubby, and he walked with an odd gait. Smith believed he had potential, however, so Howard bought him and took him back to California. There Smith patiently worked on Seabiscuit's strengths, corrected his weaknesses, and encouraged his ability to run faster than any other horse. When Smith thought he was ready, Howard began racing the colt. Seabiscuit broke numerous track records, despite accidents, injuries, and even foul play. His fame was secured with a 1938 race against his rival, War Admiral; their contest divided the country into two camps and garnered more media coverage than President Roosevelt, who himself was so riveted by the race that he kept advisers waiting while he listened to the broadcast. A great ride.
Rating:
Summary: An Inspiration
Review: Although this book starts slowly, building a foundation for the novel, it gradually accelerates until the pages fly by, much like a horse race. As a Middle Distance runner, I found this book to be very inspirational. Seabiscuit is one of my favorite books of all-time.
Rating:
Summary: Things Are Balanced By Their Opposites
Review: Seabiscuit is the classic tale of triumph over tragedy; A book based on the true story of four lives intricately entwined together in a dark time of our nation's history. Red Pollard, Charles Howard, Tom Smith, and Seabiscuit triumphed when our nation (and world) needed something to hold on to.Laura Hillenbrand brilliantly depicts the grand era of horseracing; she writes as if she has an intimate view into the thoughts and actions of the characters. Hillenbrand hilariously illustrates the thoughts of the obstreperous Seabiscuit. Seemingly uninterested in becoming a winner at the racetrack, Seabiscuit meets his friend and closest ally, Tom Smith. Smith is responsible for looking past Seabiscuit's physical shortcomings, seeing into the horse's heart, and training him to be an American legend. As a trainer Smith's adage was, "Learn your horse. Each one is individual and once you penetrate his mind and heart, you can often work wonders with an otherwise intractable beast." Smith's incomparable ability to turn washed up(horses)into winners created a partnership for success when he bumped into jockey, Red Pollard. Pollard grew up in a home that was hit hard by poverty, and with his wit and "passion for danger," he left for the ride of his life, never returning to his home. Instead he became like a son for the magnanimous Charles Howard. Charles Howard was the rock - the foundation that held everything together. Without his vision to make things happen, (and an unlimited pocketbook) Smith and Pollard would have dreams left unfullfilled, and Seabiscuit may have been left for dead. Something about the four of them together created a balance. As Pollard discovered in "Old Waldo" Emerson's philosophy - "things are balanced by their opposites."
Rating:
Summary: Imagery Jumps Off the Page
Review: Reading "Seabiscuit" made it clear why it became such a successful film. The vividness of the imagery jumps right off the page. It made reading it almost like seeing a movie in my head, very similar to when I read "My Fractured Life" and "The Time Traveler's Wife" (except in this case "Seabiscuit" is already a film). Having not already seen the film, I cannot wait to see it based on the fantastic imagery the book has created in my head (although I can't imagine the film will match the full vividness of the book).
Rating:
Summary: Incredible!!!!
Review: This was a book club book that frankly, I was not thrilled with the thought of reading. I didn't see the movie, although I heard great things about it. After becoming used to reading fiction, I worried that this one might bore me. I couldn't have been more wrong. While the book is interesting throughout, when the horse begins to race, the book really takes off and the reader is left holding on for dear life. You feel every frustration the people feel, every pain, every joy, everything! Ms. Hillenbrand is a wonderful writer. I actually got teary-eyed twice while reading this book, once with joy and once with sorrow. Now, I'll see the movie.
Rating:
Summary: The Best
Review: Although this book is well-known by now, it is still one of
the best to come out in years, and it should not be missed by
any reader.
Hillenbrand does such a fantastic job of outlining the characters involved, and showing such depth of emotion and feeling of all the men involved in the development of the racehorse Seabiscuit, it is almost impossible to believe she is
so young. Her writing reveals such a strong concept of the
motivations and feelings of these people, all her descriptions have the feel of having been written by someone of great wisdom
and experience in the world. The fact that she is young illustrates her ability and her commitment to a first-class
story.
Her feeling for, and descriptions of, the Depression years
of the late '30s are also equal to the best to be found, and
she has that ability with her writing to grab the reader and
thrust them into that era.
This is not only a book about a racehorse, but much more than
that; this is a story of determination, the flowering of the human spirit, the heroic never-say-die attitude of all winners,
and the rare ability of a few people to work together to produce
results undreamed of. Here, the owner, the trainer, and the
jockey worked together to produce results that no 2 of them
could have come close to. And each individual was barely getting by in the field of horseracing before they all came
together and produced such amazing results.
The author has so researched her subjects, her book reads like
she was right there with them, and every scene has such a ring
of authenticity, we know she has talked to everyone alive who
was present at the time. Plus, she puts those facts, feelings
and observations together in such a way that her book reads like
a fine-tuned mystery or great novel.
As said, this is much more than a story about a racehorse, and
this book will be enjoyed by any reader.
Rating:
Summary: terrific book about an unlikely alliance
Review: I picked up this book after thoroughly enjoying the film and wanting to learn more, and I'm really glad I did. As fun as the film was, the book is even better. I loved learning about the social history of the 1930s and 40s and an account of horseracing in that era. The things jockeys did to stay underweight! With four years of research backing her up, the writing is vivid -- filled with lively anecdotes and quotes. Hillenbrand is a terrific author, and the races come alive as she writes. This is a fast and fascinating read about a scruffy horse and the three men who joined with him to create an inspirational racing team. It is well-written and exciting, contains pictures, notes, an index, Seabiscuit's official career racing chart, an interview with the author and discussion group questions. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Thanks to the Author
Review: Author Laura Hillenbrand really captures an amazing story in Seabiscuit. I think like the horse itself, the story would not have been destined for greatness without the right handling. Seabiscuit the horse succeeded because of a unique owner, down-and-out trainer, and second-rate jockey who each had nothing to
live for and everything to prove. Without them, the horse would have never become what it did: a champion. The story isn't one that tells itself though. Hillenbrand brings it to life with an amazing spirit and vitality. Thanks to her, it makes a wonderful book. It is in the same league as "Da Vinci Code" and "My Fractured Life." Hillenbrand has taken a basic premise, a basic story, and breathed an emotional life into it the same way Dan Brown and Rikki Lee Travolta did. The result is stunning.
Rating: 
Summary: Starts Slow, Finishes Strong
Review: In the first few pages I worried that this was going to be another David Halberstam kind of book - every character a giant, every problem a crisis. Add that to Hillenbrand's celebrated bout with chronic fatigue, and there's every reason to be concerned that it'll be more hype than content. The book does start out a little too hyperbolically as she sets up the three main (non-equine) characters, but after the rough start she moves into a story that's as gripping as it is quick-paced. Some of the tidbits are fascinatiing: who would have ever guessed that a third of the entire country would have tuned in to hear the radio broadcast of a horse race? Or that a horse would be on the front page of every newspaper? It's a fascinating look at a time when the country was gripped by the spirit and fortitude of a great animal. Who will like it: most readers of event-based non-fiction; people looking for a fun beach read. Who won't like it: people who prefer their non-fiction to be straight biography; anyone who finds a predictable ending annoying.
Rating:
Summary: Seabiscuit
Review: He my be small but he's the fastest and fearless horse out there his name is Seabiscuit.His jocky is Red but he's blind in one eye.At first Seabiscuit had problems andhad a hard time training.But he was the best at raceing at one race Seabiscuit got enjuried and then you will have to read and find out what happens next. Oh I think this book is good for other people
|
