Rating: 
Summary: Good Book
Review: I WASN'T interested in horses before, or horse racing, but I still really enjoyed this book. A real page turner, excellently written.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST MUST-READ
Review: As I first approached Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit," my knowledge of horseracing was limited at best. I had been to the local horsetrack a few times, and knew enough to be excited only when the horse I had chosen, usually due to a unique name or an unidentifiable lucky feeling, stuck its nose out in front of the pack and my payout flashed on the infield scoreboard. Though my knowledge of the sport of kings was definitely limited, Hillenbrand's account of the knobby-kneed horse-that-could engrossed me as few other books have. "Seabiscuit" is, to put it bluntly, an absurdly entertaining novel. I expected to read a dry account of the minutae of horseracing, punctuated by a few entertaining descriptions of races. Instead, I found the account to be written like a novel, offering fascinating characters and an absorbing narrative. I was drawn in by the end of the first chapter, in which we are introduced to the first of the story's players, Charles Howard. The book is written in an effortless, engaging tone. Hillenbrand's words tapdance on the page. Her love for the sport of horseracing, not merely the attraction of mint julips and longshot payoffs, is contagious. She allows each character to become the real people they were. Her love for the people (and horses) she writes of is obvious, yet she still presents a fair and honest account of Seabiscuit and the people surrounding him. Aside from her stunning characterizations and meticulous, insightful research, her gift for describing the races rivals the best sportswriters in the business. "Seabiscuit" is the most entertaining book I have read in years. Whether a racing novice or a regular at the track, this is a must-read book. Another Amazon quick-pick, for younger readers, is The Losers Club by Richard Perez
Rating:
Summary: Seabiscuit
Review: Seabiscuit was an unlikely race horse who was trained by the unconventional wisdom of Tom Smith. Smith discovered Seabiscuit when no one else believed in him. He found talented jockey Red Pollard to ride him. The combination became a living legend. All other trainers and owners overlooked the potential of Seabiscuit because he did not look as fine as the other horses. He was short and stocky with an uneven stride, yet when trained under Smith his true colors came out. In 1938, he became the horse of the year and no one could stop him. This is the story of Seabiscuit's life and success in racing and those who led him and kept him at the top of his game for years.
This is one of the most moving stories that I have read! You don't want to miss it.
Rating:
Summary: Truly wonderful story
Review: Not being at all familiar with the world of horseracing, I opened this book skeptical of liking it. In three days, every page has been read and thoroughly enjoyed. This is a truly wonderful story and well-deserving of all laudatory words written about it. This well-rounded story introduces us to several major characters surrounding this amazing animal. Each story is told magnificently from start to finish. Along the way, about the ninth chapter, I started to compile a list of words not commonly used and am delighted in learning them (insouciant, obstreperiousness, excoriation, imeriousness, sobriquet, addled, rictus, etc.) So often what we read today, although entertaining, is created from imaginary circumstances molded and manipulated into sometimes farfetched, but exciting stories. Here we have real life, packed to the rafters with excitement, a feeling of the undercurrent of a generation ago, skillfully composed into one of the best books I've read. This is drama set to paper and it's a doozer!
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing true story that reads like fiction
Review: Hillenbrand has done a wonderful job of meticulously researching her subject and then telling the story in such colorful detail that it just comes to life.
Since the story is now a hit movie, it kind of goes without saying that the story seems made for Hollywood, but the description is apt. We have several down-and-out people and a down-and-out horse coming together and finding their strengths with one another to conquer long odds after an uphill struggle complete with devastating setbacks. You couldn't ask for much more in a fictional script and to get it in real life and then have the story told as well as Hillenbrand tells it is a real treat.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book- the grit and guts of Seabiscuit
Review: Let me join the crowd and say with I think just about everyone else that this is a truly wonderful book. The author captures the spirit of a certain time in America. She writes with sympathy and great verve about the characters including Seabiscuit. Her description of the race- scenes is the best I have ever seen. The book grips you and holds you. And the book too has a kind of grit and integrity, the same kind the major players show. It is the determination and guts of the underdog the one who fights back, the one who meets a thousand adversities and does not give up. The tragic element of the book is of course in the real ending of what happens to Red Pollard. And in the fact that even the greatest moment of victory cannot be sustained and that life has to go on in many ways.
I do know a bit about horse-racing as I worked in Saratoga in my teenage years. But I do not know that much. This book opened the world of horseracing to me and made it more appealing than I had imagined it could be.
Its just a great read and I recommend it very very highly.
There was Man of War and there came Native Dancer and Nashua but there was only one Seabiscuit
Rating:
Summary: Seabiscuit, Inspiring America
Review: Seabiscuit was truly an American legend. Foal of Hard Tack and Swing On, Seabiscuit was against the odds from the start. He was thought to be too small to ever amount to anything in horseracing. This seemed true until trainer Tom Smith, nicknamed the Lone Plainsman, found him. Smith, horse trainer for Charles Howard, Buick salesman, couldn't pass Seabiscuit by. Once Red Pollard, a drunken jockey, prizefighter who had the same intimidating attitude of Seabiscuit entered the picture, an amazing story had begun.
Seabiscuit began as an ammeter horse that appeared impossible to tame. Yet with his extraordinary gift, Tom Smith was able remove Seabiscuit's rough past from the horse's memory, and with the help of Pollard, lead Seabiscuit to greatness. Seabiscuit raced for six years and earned a total $437,730, while winning 33 races and breaking 13 track records. During his time, Seabiscuit was on top of the world.
Howard, Smith, and Pollard aboard Seabiscuit take a wild ride through a period of American history where a hero was needed to lift the country out of hard times. Seabiscuit's success affected all of America around him, which was experiencing dark times just as Seabiscuit had. His struggle gave America hope that all bad times end. Seabiscuit strongly shaped the times he lived in, and he carried America, on his back, out of a depression with lightning fast speed.
The awesome story of Seabiscuit is powerful and gripping, proving that something truly wonderful can blossom from the most unexpected creature.
Rating:
Summary: Seabiscuit
Review: The book Seabiscuit written by Laura Hillenbrand is a classic american book. It shows the resilience of the american spirit. Written about horse racing during the time period of the great depression. I started at the beginning of this and read 100 pages of it. If you love horses you will love this book. Seabiscuit shows how big the sport of horse racing becomes during the great depression when betting laws were changed. Seabiscuit shows perspectives of both man and horse. I love horses and I love racing. With the two of them put together so well in this book it makes for a great reading experience. Betting is a big part of this book. Illegal before the depression lawmakers made changes in the law to make it legal and it became the most popular sport during this time period. With new jobs and money because of this sport I think its a good reason why the economy of America pushed through the depression.
One of the main characters in this book is a man named Charles Howard. He , by the middle of my read, has come to own Seabiscuit. Seabiscuit is a thoroughbred horse who comes from a strong line of horses but is not what everyone expects. He is too small and also bowlegged. Seabiscuits trainer, a man named Tom Smith, seems to be able to speak to horses. Together they make a wonderful team.
I began reading this story as an assignment. I have only read the beginning of the story but I am going to finish to book. It is a great book and makes you want to read more.
Rating:
Summary: An inspiring story of one of the greatest horses in racing.
Review: Seabiscuit tells an inspiring story of a jockey who beat the odds with a horse that beat even greater odds. You find yourself pulling for them both every step of the way. I read this book after reading Dream Race: the Search for the Greatest Thoroughbred Race Horse of All Time. After reading these books, I have found a new love for horse racing!
Rating:
Summary: Book is a runaway favorite!!
Review: I sat down and read this book in two days because I couldn't put it down. I already love horseracing and this book just drives home the fact that it is a very hard sport but if you love it, it's in your blood...This book captures horseracing perfectly. I laughed, cried and cheered all the way through this book. The movie is a little different but still excellent in it's own right. Read this book and cheer on all the people that helped make Seabiscuit great and Seabiscuit himself!
|
