Rating: 
Summary: The Little Horse That Could
Review: For most people under age 70, the name "Seabiscuit" probably doesn't elicit much, but for those who were around during his reign, I would have to imagine that it's a bit like mentioning Michael Jordan to a modern sportsfan. Hillenbrand paints a compelling portrait of this non-human competitor, tracing his exploits through the American racing world of the late 1930s.I held off reading this book for a long time, wondering if I could really get interested in a story built around thoroughbred racing. However, if you're not a race fan, fear not. You'll be entertained. This is due to the fact that the book is not primarily about horses; it's about personalities. In particular, those of Seabicuit's owners, his trainer, and his primary jockey. Mix in equal parts tragedy, humor, human weakness, and cliff-hanger races and you have "Seabiscuit". (Oh, let's not forget the involvement that pulling for your favoite "team" can create in a narrative.) While sitting through movie trailers the other day, I discovered that the book has been made into a movie to be released sometime in the summer of 2003. No wonder, either. This tale has just the kind of emotional highs and lows that could make for a very good film. I give the book four stars and not five partly because I didn't feel that it lived up to the massive hype that it received and partly because I felt it was repetitive at certain points. (A horse race can only be described in so many different ways over 340 pages.) Also, I was a little too conscious of the impossible-to-know historical details that Hillenbrand sprinkled in, though I know that's part of the trick she used to keep "Seabiscuit" from being just another dry history book.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than fiction
Review: I finally got around to reading this book after hearing about the upcoming movie. I wish I hadn't waited! The author's vividly visual writing style, dedication and obvious love of the sport and her characters make this one of the best nonfiction books ever. And the amount of research done by the author is astounding; the acknowledgements section reveals a Seabiscuit-worthy effort. As an aside, I grew up reading many of the popular Black Stallion series. I read about half the reviews here and I'm surprised no one noticed that the Black Stallion's accomplishments in the later novels seem to have been based upon Seabiscuit's (both won races of any length with any weight on their backs; both ran well into "retirement age"). That said, the story of Seabiscuit is better than fiction, made all the more sweet because it's a true story.
Rating:
Summary: An emotionally-charged page turner!
Review: This book revives an American Legend- and is destined to become a legend itself! I could NOT put the book down- even on a business trip to Vegas! Laura's gift for gripping the reader is as exciting as the starting gate bell going off at the Derby! An excellent book- even if you have no more experience with horses than knowing what one looks like- guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes, have your heart pumping, have you sitting on the edge of your seat and pulling with all you've got for the trio of human legends making an equine one! Only 2 regrets- 1) I would've loved more photos, and 2) it ended. It's a winner from start to finish!
Rating: 
Summary: If you don't love racing or horses, don't buy this book!
Review: My bookclub chose this book and I have to say this is the first book I haven't finished in a long time. By page 40 I was thoroughly disappointed and angry that I had wasted my time. But I have to admit - I'm not at all into the races, and although I like all animals I have no particular affinity to horses. I wanted to like it, I went into it with an open mind, but while there were some interesting passages, I wasn't spellbound by this story.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding -- even for the novice
Review: I now give copies of this book to my friends and co-workers who show any kind of interest in horse racing. It is a wonderful story about people and the great horse. A non-racing fan will still greatly enjoy this book because of the character studies and the beautiful prose. Laura has done a wonderful job capturing the feeling of the late 30s -- and conveying the hardships, highs, and lows that the main characters of this book went through on their journey with Seabiscuit. Do yourself a favor and get a copy or two.
Rating:
Summary: This book is infectiously joyful.
Review: To Hillenbrand, all lives are heroic, all personality flaws are endearing quirks, and all stories are worth telling. The author makes everyone in Seabiscuit, equine as well as human, lovable. She doesn't accomplish this by editing out their various flaws and sins, but by understanding, sympathizing with, and loving these characters herself to the extent that you can't help but join her.
Rating:
Summary: Reads like a novel.....
Review: But it's not. I loved this book, and I am a horse guy (track-rat) but you don't have to have any interest in the "sport of Kings" to enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!!!
Review: This is my favorite book of all time! It is well written and draws you in very quickly. I would recommend it to everyone, including people who don't follow horse racing.
Rating:
Summary: a real page-turner
Review: I'm not a horse person and knew almost nothing about horses or racing, but I could not put this book down. What a gripping tale from the rise of an obscure horse trainer to the grueling trade of being a jockey. Of course the best characters are the horses themselves: Seabiscuit of course, the real hero, but all the other ones too like War Admiral. The central account of the story is the famous race between Seabiscuit and War admiral, but everything leading up to it is spectacular as well. The author's research was very thorough and her ability to flesh out the characters impressive. I wasn't bothered by her prose at all as some have been. I was hooked from page one right to the final pages. A terrific retelling of an age gone by.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS YOU WILL EVER READ
Review: Read other reviewers if you want to get some of the details of this book. I read over a hundred books a year and this book is, without doubt, one of the best books I have ever read. It is not a book about a horse, or a race or horse racing, It is a book about life. About the ups and downs of life. About inspiration and desperation. About sadness and joyfulness. About materialism and spirtitualism.
If you only read one book a year, read it this year and every year thereafter.
Congratulations to Ms. Hillenbrand for a superb book that is made all the greater by the difficulties she has encountered in attempting to write.
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