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Summary: NOT JUST A STORY ABOUT A HORSE
Review: When I first heard about this book I thought it was going to be just a book about a horse. I resisted purchasing it, but could no longer resist the positive reviews I had heard and caved. After just finishing this book you can add another positive review to the rest. It is not only a story about a horse, but an affirmation of the power of the human spirit. The author, who's background is in equestrian writing, gives such depth to the characters that in reading you feel as if you are a part of the story. Several times while reading the racing passages I got caught up in the action of the race, her writing is that detailed and just pulls you into to the action. This is a wonderful book that everyone should read and is sure to love!
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Summary: A great tale in a time when America needed a hero
Review: Seabiscuit is a great American tale of three men Charles Howard, Red Pollard and Tom Smith who come together to make a hero of un underdog in a time in U.S. history when the people needed a distraction from the present, and hope for a better future. The novel starts out a little slow with a chapter on each major character. However, the plot is deep as you begin to learn the tale and feel the anticipation of an incredible story. Seabiscuit by appearance is not the typical beautiful stallion you picture when thinking about race horses, he was bred to win but trained to lose. Seabiscuit became a hero with the combination of Charles use of the madia, Red's skill and love for the sport, and Smiths incredible knowledge of horses. Seabiscuit is a great tale, and true American classic.
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Summary: A gold mine of information & heart tugging little guy tale!
Review: Seabiscuit engrosses the reader on so many different levels. It is a wonderful story of three men and a little horse that could. It is also a fascinating picture of America as the automobile comes onto the scene. It details how the nation, and both common and uncommon Americans were impacted and impacted the events of the great depression era. It offers us an intimate picture of the life of the jockey and others whose lives revolved around horses and racetracks when both were highly popular. The style of writing makes the book an easy read. Clearly the author carefully researched her facts, then put them together in such a way that it is hard to put the book down. I was reminded of a song, Barney, written and sung by Ian Tyson about putting down an old, hard-working and much abused cow pony. As he did so he reflected upon the seasons of his own life and long gone youth. Seabiscuit braids together the seasons of life of men, women and the creatures that share our lives.
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Summary: Simply marvelous ...
Review: Ms. Hillenbrand's research for "Seabiscuit" couldn't have been more timely. She was fortunate to secure interviews with important sources not long before they passed on. As a result, this quintissentially American success story is laced with details and anecdotes that could only have come from individuals who had lived through them. Setting the stage for the main story, Hillenbrand provides background that within itself is a rich window upon California in the early 20th Century. Her insight into the rough and demanding world of thoroughbred racing is sobering. But overall, it is her dynamic prose that relates the historic and heroic story of a racehorse and the people of whose lives he was a part that will keep you reading right on through. Yet, you may put it down when you reach "Now, Pops, now!," just to stand up and cheer. No fiction can best a well-told story like this one.
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Summary: Slow Start
Review: Seabiscuit: An American Legend was a great book. It started out very slow, but that was partly because they introduced each character in great detail. As you get past all the introductions I think it pulls you into the story a little better. So don't stop reading it until you get past the introductions. They build up to each race and that makes it very interesting. The thing I liked the most about this book was the fact that it taught a great lesson. That lesson being that no matter how much you are down you can never give up. Almost every single character in the book portrays this. The thing that I didn't like about the book was how this author displayed emotion. While she was describing some of the major events she lacked some emotion. She seemed to just describe the event with little detail when it should have been a big part of the story. Overall I liked the book and would recommend it.
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Summary: Don't put down the book...or the horse. BOTH ARE CHAMPS!!!!!
Review: I have never had any interest in horses, betting, or horse racing. But I was on vacation last year and this book was just sitting around, so I picked it up. I was riveted from the first page to the last. Not only is the culture of horse racing described in a vivid, colorful, and fascinating way, but this book gives a wonderful slice of American culture in the early 1900's. You will definitely learn a lot from reading this book while also being supremely entertained with the most excellent story-telling. This is one book which I can't wait for the movie to come out! I recommend this for ANYONE who wants to be enriched with a great read.
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Summary: a history of horse racing
Review: if your interested in a detailed history of jockeys & Southern California horse racing get this book; otherwise watch the movie instead, its much more fun
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Summary: Seabiscuit Is Definitely An American Legend
Review: This novel by Laura Hillenbrand depicts the lives of Tom Smith, Charles Howard, and Red Pollard so well. As a reader I felt like I actually knew them. I got a sense of who they were, and what kind of relationship each had with Seabiscuit. Hillenbrand does a great job of catching the reader's attention because people get drawn in and attached to each character. When something happened to the characters whether it was good or bad, I could feel the happiness and sadness of every situation. Also, there are so many important messages that a person could interpret from this book. The main message I picked out was that success comes from dedication and hard work, which was demonstrated through Smith, Howard, and Pollard. On top of everything else this novel includes everything from excellent writing to action to love stories. This tale was not only fun to read, but I consider it a classic that people will continue reading for a very long time. It's no ordinary book, and that's why Seabiscuit is considered an American legend.
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Summary: Extraordinary!!!
Review: Hillenbrand's account of the life and times of the icon of American thoroughbred horse racing in the years between the stock market crash and World War II is a stunning work of non-fiction that reads like a classic novel of the first order. It's an incredible story incredibly well told that touches on much more than horse racing or sports - it's about the American spirit embodied by flawed yet admirable, larger-than-life characters, about redemption, courage, devotion and love, as well as about politics, celebrity, honor, chicanery and money. And about a horse named Seabiscuit. Ah, my friends, what a horse! And what a book! Also recommended: Life of Pi by Martel, The Losers' Club by Richard Perez
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Summary: Seabiscuit
Review: The story of Seabiscuit is absolutely remarkable. Out of a nation in crisis rises an incredible symbol of hope and out of the depths of poverty rises a man with a passion. Red Pollard and Seabiscuit are an American legend. Though Laura Hillenbrand attacks this novel with great enthusiasm, she seems to lack a much-needed sense of emotion. She becomes too overwhelmed with the facts, failing to draw the reader into the characters' successes, failures, and disappointments. The novel becomes more of an encyclopedia than a living story. Nevertheless, the characters are well-developed, the challenges that jockeyes face are well described, and Seabiscuit's journey to fame is adaquately portrayed. Luara Hillenbrand brings a weak, but informative life to this American legend-- you can't help but be inspired!
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