Rating: 
Summary: Worth the hype.
Review: This review is for cynics like myself who distrust all forms of hype, whether applied to books, movies, or tv shows, and who think the English language has been diminished by the overuse of superlatives like "super" and "great." I first came across this book in one of the monthly brochures from the History Book Club, where it was featured. My initial reacion was, "Oh, come on, a whole book about a horse!? Give me a break. HBC must be getting desperate for new titles." Even after the glowing reviews in NY Times and other places, I was still skeptical. I was looking for a new "late-night read" when my local bookstore offered the paperback ed., prominently displayed in stacks by the front door, at 20% discount. Usually picky about even my late night reading, I thought, "What the hell, I'll take a chance." Well, that chance has turned into one of the most enjoyable reading experiences I've had in the last few years (and I read constantly). I reserve evaluations such as "great" for novels like Moby Dick, but this is certainly an excellent book. I look for two things in any book, fiction or nonfiction, literary or popular genre: language and story, with language being more important. To give some context, I prefer literary novelists like W.G. Sebald to John Irving, and genre writers like Tony Hillerman to John Grisham because they are, among other things, much better stylists. So, let's start with language: Hillenbrand is no journalistic hack trying to make a quick buck. In the interview at back of paperback ed., she counts Austen, Tolstoy, and Hemingway among her literary influences, and it shows. This person knows how to put together a graceful sentence, line after line. She makes the smallest, behind-the-scenes details sound interesting. Her descriptions of horses remind me of Cormac McCarthy. As for sheer storytelling ability, Hillenbrand is also excellent at structuring and pacing a narrative. By the time you get to the famous match race with War Admiral, you can hardly stand the suspense. For pure dramatic excitement, this chapter was one of the most captivating I've read in any genre. But in the end, this book is really about character, human and animal; you need not be a sports fan, much less a horseracing ran, to enjoy it. It's filled with sentiment, but never sentimental. This is one of those rare examples where the reality matches the well deserved hype. However, I don't recommend reading it in bed late at night on a weekday. It will keep you up even after you've put it aside.
Rating:
Summary: And they're off!
Review: If you've never watched a horse race this book will still capture you from the get go. I know almost every reviewer has said this, but it's true. If you do watch them, it'll never be the same.
Even the extensive notes at the end of the story make fascinating reading. I recommend reading A Reader's Guide before starting just to get familiar with the background, and the author's telling of what she went through to write the book is an inspiration in itself.
You'll go back and forth between the stories of the animal and human characters: their defeats and triumphs. From Seabiscuit himself, who starts out as a most unlikely champion to his owner, trainer and the two jockeys who believed in him and loved him. The chapter on the will and dedication of the jockeys is a real eye-opener, especially if like me you thought they just sat on the horse (during a race) and held on. And reading about each of these races as they take place is to experience each second as if you are the rider.
I read recently a prophecy of doom and gloom for the book publishing industry, but as long as someone cares enough about a subject to write a book like this, there's really nothing to worry about!
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Story
Review: When most readers are told that the book that received the award as virtually everybody's book of the year in 2001 is the story of a race horse it's hard to believe. And frankly I kept reading this book amazed at myself for being so intrigued by it. Laura Hillenbrand has created a view of America that most American's of the 21th Century don't have a clue about. She shows a side of the Depression and the world of horse trainers and jockeys that is valuable, informative and well worth reading for everyone interested in America's past.For a society that assume entitledments in exchange for employement such as health care and retirement benefits and the right to join a union, the plight of the jockeys is "worth the price of admission." I'm sure the expression "by the seat of your pants" is older than the sport of racing, but that's how jockeys lived - virtually by the seat of their pants. For animal lovers the treatment and love of the horse is heartwarming. This is a great book and well worth reading. I've never been a horse racing fan but after reading SEABISCUIT I'm going to have a lot more respect of race horses and the entire sport. I only wish there were more like it.
Rating:
Summary: Wow! What a biography!
Review: Laura Hillenbrand has presented an intense, beautiful story full of love for ones fellow human being, love for a very special horse, and love to the max for the sport of horse racing and all that career entails. The book, "Seabiscuit", is an interesting study in psychology, including not only interactions between people, but equally important, those exchanges taking place between animal and human. Understanding the bond, the intense understanding, between Seabiscuit and man may or may not be easier if you are a pet owner. My pet, which is a cat and obviously nothing like a horse, certainly has her selective ways of communicating and mind reading. Because of my experience, I just kind of expect the animal to human bond. While I have never been to a horse race, and until I read this book had very limited knowledge related to horse racing, after reading "Seabiscuit" I am looking forward to my first experience at the track. That's how good Hillenbrand has presenting this story. "Seabiscuit" ranks toward the top of my list for all time best reads. One minute it is heart breaking, and the next minute warms the heart to the soul. The book is exciting and informative and a page turner. Wow! What a biography!
Rating:
Summary: I love this book
Review: The story of Seabiscuit captivated me so much that I have read the book 2 times already. Laura Hillenbrand does a tremendous job of bringing you right back into the moment, the intersection of 4 characters - owner, trainer, jockey, and of course, Seabiscuit. I found myself lost in the period of the late 1930's when horseracing was a hugely popular sport. I also found myself rooting like crazy for Seabiscuit as the great horseraces he was involved in are retold with amazing suspense. In particular the races in which George Woolf jockeyed Seabiscuit - the 1938 Santa Anita Handicap, and the race of the century, Seabiscuit's 1938 match race against heavily favored War Admiral - were completely spellbinding. Also extremely interesting is the story of trainer Tom Smith, whose quirky tricks and incredible intuition with Seabiscuit brought the horse into his own. Something about this unlikely story attracts me. It is as if the stars aligned and the sun shone on Seabiscuit for a period of 3 years in America's eyes. I was also left with the feeling that this had to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest thoroughbreds the world has ever known. A highly recommended book even to someone who has no particular attraction to horseracing.
Rating:
Summary: 5 STARS
Review: Rich in anecdotes, quotables, track ambience, humor, suspense, excitement. Highest quality non-fiction.
Rating:
Summary: The little horse that could!
Review: I don't think Ms. Hillenbrand could have written a book of fiction as compelling as this biography. I really had no interest in "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" until I began reading all of the favorable reviews. After reading the bio, I am ready to say, "READ THIS BOOK AND NOW!" It ranks as one of my all time favorites. Why? First, of course, is the "little horse that could". I found myself cheering while reading and saying, "run Seabiscuit! RUN!" That he was considered by many to just be a "cowpony" and to then give them their comeuppance, was a grand ride. Secondly, the whole story of the lives of the jockeys and their striving to maintain or lose weight, their "jockeying" for positions for mounts, and the way they were treated by the owners and trainors, is, in itself, a whole story. Third, the story of the original "horsewhisperer" and his ability to "see" inside of a horse and invision their potential, gives us added insight into how Seabiscuit became the athlete mentioned more than FDR and Hitler. Finally, the way Ms. Hillenbrand has sequenced this bio as well as the way the races are described, makes this bio a fabulous page turner. I never realized the impact Seabiscuit had on America and now I understand why he was selected as one of the top 100 athletes of the 20th century.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: This is just a great book. I didn't know if it would hold my interest as I am not interested in horse racing at all but it sure did. It is so much more than that. I strongly urge everyone to read it. Truly remarkably written. I fell absolutely in love with Seabiscuit.
Rating:
Summary: Must agree with the consensus on this one
Review: Let me state up front that I have no real interest in horse racing, and my only "horsey period" was the brief but common one experienced by prepubescent girls. None the less, I was captivated by this fascinating and compelling story of an unlikely horse and the three men that encouraged his greatness. The writing is so evocative you'll swear you are hurtling down the backstretch along with the jockeys. As I said I have no real interest in racing, but I even found the copious amount of detail about the lives of horses, jocks, trainers and owners far from dull. Join in cheering for Seabiscuit, you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read!
Review: I became interested in Seabiscuit only because I heard his name and thought it was cute. After I did some research and heard a little bit about his story, I needed to know more. I read this book and thought it was fascinating. I know absolutely nothing about horse racing (and no knowledge is needed to read and understand this book), but was totally enthralled by Seabiscuit and his team. Ms. Hillenbrand is an excellent writer who keeps the reader's interest from the very beginning to the end. I felt as if I actually knew this horse and his people. Like one of the previous reviewers, the only thing I can suggest that would make this book better would be more pictures of Seabiscuit.
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