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Summary: The little horse that could
Review: If you think Steinbeck's fictional Joad family had a tough time during the Great Depression, read Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit" to find out what it was like to be a down-at-the-heels jockey or trainer trying to make a living from 'The Sport of Kings' back in the 1930s.Hillenbrand not only gives her reader a fresh perspective on the Depression, she also lets us into the hearts and minds of three men and one great racehorse. Before reading this book, I had the vague notion that Seabiscuit was a gelding who won a big match race against War Admiral. Okay, I thought, so Seabiscuit got lucky. War Admiral was a triple-crown winner, and even War Admiral's sire, the immortal Man O'War lost one race. I could not have been more wrong (for one thing, Seabiscuit was a stallion). In some respects, Seabiscuit was like the Depression-era survivors who filled the stands to watch him: hard-bitten, tough, struggling to win in spite of bad knees and the weight that race-track stewards piled onto his back when he began to win. The bay colt started thirty-five (!) times at age two, and evidently impressed no-one as he could have been claimed for $2,500 more than once. At age three, when trainer Smith bought him for his new owner, Buick-dealer Charles Howard, he paid $7,000 for a colt whose, "... body, built low to the ground, had all the properties of a cinder block. Where Hard Tack [Seabiscuit's sire] had been tall, sleek, tapered, every line suggesting motion, his son was blunt, coarse, rectangular, stationary. He had a sad little tail, barely long enough to brush his hocks. His stubby legs were a study in unsound construction with squarish, asymmetrical 'baseball glove' knees that didn't quite straighten all the way, leaving him in a permanent semicrouch." Paging through old issues of "The Blood-Horse," I see that Seabiscuit at age three was described as 'useful.' It was not until the colt turned four that his rags-to-riches fairy tale truly began. At four and five he was one of the best handicap horses in training, although he lost the Santa Anita Handicap (the 'Big Cap') twice in close finishes---and this was the one race that his owner, Charles Howard had set his heart on winning. The fairy tale might have ended when Seabiscuit turned six---he injured his knee and was retired to stud. But his owner never gave up hope. Read this marvelous book to see what Seabiscuit, his owner, trainer, and jockeys accomplished when the rugged, little stallion turned seven---well past the retirement age for most Thoroughbreds.
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Summary: Wonderful book
Review: I can't add anything new to the other reviews--this was a thoroughly enjoyable book. I do wonder, though, who cropped the cover photo? It would have been nice to see more than Seabiscuit's torso on his book.
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Summary: What a Story, What a Horse!!
Review: Being a horse owner and having heard tales of Seabiscuit, I was naturally drawn to the book when I say it on the shelf. But I must say it was considerably more than I expected. I don't remember when was the last time that I was so drawn in not only by the book itself, but especially by the characters it features.
I fell in love with Seabiscuit. I must say that his life is an inspiration to me. Yes he was just an animal, but his life serves as a great object lesson. No, he wasn't a pretty horse, and no he your typical high spirited race horse. Anatomically, he should not have been able to run like he did, nor would he have, had it not been for the faith Mr. Howard and Mr.Smith had in him. They saw the potential there, and never lost faith. Parents and teachers let that be the lesson!!
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Summary: Seabiscuit rides again
Review: Seabiscuit remains very much with me. Ms. Hillenbrand has created a superb piece of work that is more than an incredible story about a remarkable racehorse. It is a penetrating tale because of the pitfalls and triumphs (especially the jockey Pollard) and the passion. The passion and dedication to Seabiscuit from his owner, trainer and rider. Seabiscuit remains magical after all these years. He is truly a success story and what surrounds him becomes successful.
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Summary: Wins By a Nose!
Review: Actually, this book wins by a longshot. I am not a racing fan by any means. But I found myself rivited by this book. The one and only time I went to the races I fell asleep. But this book kept me up at night wanting to read more about the incredible Seabiscuit and the men and women who were in his life!
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Summary: The audio version will force you to drive around the block..
Review: waiting for one of the incredibly exciting races to come to its dramatic conclusion. One night I actually put an extra 5 miles on the car driving around my neighborhood waiting for Seabiscuit to get the best of War Admiral. It is very gripping, and if you happen to be listening to the audio version, Campbell Scott does a great job of narration. I liked it better even on tape than in "hard copy" form, because on tape my mind's eye was free to make a picture of the race rather than concentrating on the printed word. Either way, a great read (or listen).
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Summary: Want to go hug my 2 thoroughbreds!
Review: This was a dynamite book!!! I could not put it down. I believe that the story would appeal to those folks who are not "horse-people". It is such a story of heart, courage, and love. The telling of the races was so vivid I actually felt like I was watching them, hearing them, feeling them. Well done Laura!! It makes me appreciate the 2 horses off-the-track that I am lucky enough to own. Read this fabulous book and then go hug your horse.
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Summary: A Must Read For Racing Fans
Review: If you love horses and horse racing this is a must read. An ENORMOUS amount of research went into this book. I found it very informative and loaded with facts as well as having a wonderful (true) storyline. The only thing that could have made it better would have been more pictures of this incredible horse.
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Summary: seabiscuit, an american legend
Review: what a beautiful book ! i had a lump in my throat as i lived through the drama of these peoples hopes,dreams and passions. i'm still grieving over it
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Summary: I'm not a racing fan, but...
Review: I was blown away by the vividness of the author's descriptions. She painted it so well for me, drew me so close in that I found myself on ebay looking for Seabiscuit memorabilia as soon as I finished the book. I couldn't get enough of this fabulous story. One of my top ten recent releases.
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