Customer Reviews
Moving in Many Ways
Whether or not you've seen the movie, you should read this book! As one who knows nothing about horse racing and had never heard of Seabiscuit before reading an article by Ms. Hillenbrand in the New Yorker, I was enthralled by the book. The book is certainly moving: it is fast paced throughout, though rich in detail and horse racing lore; the racing scenes are exciting and clearly depict this thoughbread's blazing speed; the story of the horse and the people who enabled him to succeed as a race horse is intensely human; the author's depiction of the horse itself makes him such a sympathic figure that you tend to forget he was just a horse--but, what a horse!
I must admit that I became familiar with Ms. Hillenbrand's own inspirational story in reading her aforementioned article entitled "A Sudden Illness." Since she was a young college student she's been afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome, a rare malady that has exhausted her for more than fifteen years. Despite her prolonged exhaustion which kept her bedridden for much of that time, she was able to build on her previous experience with horses, do the extensive research, and write this inspiring book.
Seabiscuit was an initially discarded, overworked thoroughbread and a grandson of the great Man 'O War. However, his bearing was not as regal as his sire's or grandsire's and he was relegated to very low purse races until he was discovered as a three-year-old by an extremely intuitive trainer who appeared to to read horses' minds, and purchased an enterprising owner with the instincts of a first class showman. This was during the Great Depression, and over the ensuing three or four years, Seabiscuit inspired a nation forever supportive of the underdog (or horse).
I haven't seen the movie yet but, whatever I think of it, the book was a first class experience and a wonderfully good read. I'm sure Ms. Hillenbrand's mind pictures are more vivid than any special effects designed to portray these exciting characters, including the horse.
Seabiscuit- a true champion
The former editor of Equus magazine retells the riveting story of an unlikely racehorse that became an American obsession during the Depression. Like all heroes of an epic, Seabiscuit had to endure setbacks, dispel doubts about his abilities, and contend with formidable rivals. Hillenbrand deftly mixes arcane horse lore with a narrative as compelling as any adventure yarn as she introduces first the men who would make Seabiscuit great and then the horse himself. Racing was a popular, often unregulated sport in the 1930s, and wealthy men like Bing Crosby and his friend Charles Howard, who became Seabiscuit's owner, fielded strings of horses all over the country. Howard, a sucker for lost causes, took on as his trainer Tom Smith, a taciturn westerner down on his luck who studied horses for days until he took their measure. Both men were well suited to invest emotionally and financially in Seabiscuit, as were the two jockeys who would be associated with him, Red Pollard and George Woolf. Howard first saw Seabiscuit racing in 1936. The colt was a descendant of the famous Man o' War, but his body was stunted, his legs stubby, and he walked with an odd gait. Smith believed he had potential, however, so Howard bought him and took him back to California. There Smith patiently worked on Seabiscuit's strengths, corrected his weaknesses, and encouraged his ability to run faster than any other horse. When Smith thought he was ready, Howard began racing the colt. Seabiscuit broke numerous track records, despite accidents, injuries, and even foul play. His fame was secured with a 1938 race against his rival, War Admiral; their contest divided the country into two camps and garnered more media coverage than President Roosevelt, who himself was so riveted by the race that he kept advisers waiting while he listened to the broadcast. A great ride.
Good Book
I WASN'T interested in horses before, or horse racing, but I still really enjoyed this book. A real page turner, excellently written.
