Helpful Score: 3
I loved this book! I had the opportunity to get close to thoroughbreds when my former neighbor was raising them. Magnificent animals! This books details a piece of history that had been unknown to me before. A fascinating true story!
Helpful Score: 2
Tremendous horse and a tremendous book to honor him. I loved this book. I recommend it for horse lovers and non horse people.
Helpful Score: 1
I devoured this book in a day. I have no particular interest in horses or horseracing but this held my attention completely. It is full of amazing real life characters and fascinating detail. I loved the movie, but the book has so much rich material that the movie had to leave out. I highly recommend this book to anyone.
Helpful Score: 1
Very interesting book with a lot more information than the movie.
Helpful Score: 1
Terrific book! Well researched, and reads like a novel. Most of our family read it and loved it, even though none of us is interested in horseracing, or even sports.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent story of three men brought together during the depression by a great horse. This is the larger size paperback which contains more pictures than the small paperback. It is approx. 9 x 5. War admiral, races, etc.
Helpful Score: 1
I liked the book better than the movie. Good read.
Helpful Score: 1
Seabiscuit was an unlikely champion: a roughhewn, undersized horse with a sad little tail and knees that wouldn't straighten all the way. But, thanks to the efforts of three men, Seabiscuit became one of the most spectacular performers in sports history. The rags-to-riches horse emerged as an American cultural icon, drawing an immense following and becoming the single biggest newsmaker of 1938 -- receiving more coverage than FDR or Hitler. Laura Hillenbrand beautifully renders this story of one horse's journey from also-ran to national luminary.
Helpful Score: 1
This book draws you in and you do not have to know about the world of horse racing to enjoy it!
Helpful Score: 1
detailed and interesting story of the amazing racehorse, his unlikely rise to fame against long odds, and the equally unlikely coming together of a number of different personalities, who all became rather devoted to this horse. The story also includes much background on the depression, and on the history of racing.
Helpful Score: 1
One of the best books I have ever read. The details in the book goes to show how much research and time Hillenbrand put into her book. The character development was wonderful and really gave me a different perspective towards the world of horse racing.
Helpful Score: 1
I really liked the story. Underdog does well. Great book club book.
Helpful Score: 1
Fantastic book. Even though I had seen the film first and knew the basic story, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading. The races are described in incredibly vivid and exciting detail. Well worth your time to read this, even if you're not usually into non-fiction.
Helpful Score: 1
Wow Wow Wow Wow. What a book. This is a great story of Seabiscuit and the men that played the role in making him one of the best racers in history. Charles Howard, the owner, Tom Smith, the trainer and Red Pollard the jockey and Henry Woolf, the other jockey who filled in for Pollard when he was hurt. The story was very well told. It starts out with the history of the each of the 3 men. Hillen brand does a fabulous job being clear and concise and building up the excitement of a race through her words. This is going on my best list.
Helpful Score: 1
It is easy to see why this book stayed on the New York Times bestseller list. Seabiscuit was a world glass athlete who captured the imagination of the American public during the Great Depression. No other racehorse has rivaled Seabiscuits fame. This is a spell-binding story of the world of horse racing, the men who staked fortunes on the outcomes of races, and the men who risked their lives to be jockeys. The authors ability to fill in the details and vivid writing style brings you to the race and into the jockeys quarters. I was particularly interested in the details of how they purged to reduce their weights to the acceptable level right before a race, and the risks entailed in riding horses. Another fascinating detail was how a mountain of horse manure melted during a flood and washed away a track. The story ends with the death of Seabiscuit, whose skills made fortunes for his owners and for many other people.
Helpful Score: 1
I read this book while I was recuperating from a newly broken wrist. I couldn't put it down (literally!!!). Lauren Hillenbrand tells the story of the unlikely success of Seabiscuit and his jockey. Her writing is wonderful, her subject well researched; and all the more amazing when you consider that she wrote most of this book flat on her back in bed due to a crippling case of chronic fatigue syndrome. I highly recommend this book.
A great book and a great subject.
Wonderful famous horse. Being from Saratoga this book really hit home
Wonderful famous horse. Being from Saratoga this book really hit home
This is one of my all-time favorite books. It is a great portrait of what life in the Depression era 30's was like. The story is irresistible and impeccably researched. You may find yourself becoming a thoroughbred horse racing fan!
Without question one of the best books I ever read. Not only because it inspires but it is so well written. It was effortless reading it. Usually a book has a "slow part" that's boring or hard to read for some other reason. Not this one,it flows smoothly in a natural way that is a pleasure to experience. Even those with a casual interest in horse racing will find this interesting. A great book.
Enjoyable book. Ms Hillenbrand has encyclopedic knowledge of horse-racing and training.
Couldn't put the book down. Reads like a novel.
If you are a horse lover, you will want to read this. The book contains so much more valuable information then the movie.
I've always been fascinated by horses and horse racing, glad to learn a lot more about one of the greatest horses ever. Very hard to imagine our society today getting so wrapped up in horse racing. I must say I was very close to shedding a tear at the end when The Biscuit passed away.
Better then the movie!
Good book. If I remember this follows the movie pretty closely and the book is a little dry so if you want to hear the story but don't want to read the book, watch the movie!
Excellent book on SeaBiscuit and all the humans that interacted with him. The author did a great job on research and giving us a view of the lives of all involved with this great horse!
You don't have to know or care about racehorses or horse racing to love this remarkable book -- part history, part biography -- Seabiscuit is so much more than and predictably better than the movie made from it. This is a great read, superbly written, and filled with memorable characters about a memorable period of American history.
Laura Hillenbrand has written a book so good that it not only sets the gold standard for all racing histories, it simultaneously transcends its subject and becomes a classic portrait of early 20th century America. "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" is the story of the miraculous meeting of 4 self-made men: the owner, the trainer and two colorful jockeys and one less than promising racehorse. Together they lived the greatest adventure in racing history. Hillenbrand makes racing interesting to reader through wonderful anecdotes. Not only will you learn the physical feats and tactical strategy a jockey must employ during a race, but you will also enjoy Hillenbrand's vivid description of the jockey's life. The tale of Seabiscuit's rise from obscurity is filled with so many twists and turns that it will keep you on the edge of your seat...Highly recommended
This is a fantastically written book for any horse lover. Hillenbrand does an excellent job keeping you hooked with many small but important details and paces the story well. Her amazing research caught the words and memories of people who lived during that era and were involved in racing-sometimes catching interviews shortly before the person died. If you love horses, like racing, or just like accurate historical accounts this is a wonderful, colorful, interesting story.
My son read this first at age 13 and couldn't put it down. So much better than the movie!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading about the horse racing circuit. Seabiscuit was amazing. Very good book.
Everyone needs a winner even in the worst of times. The depression was affecting everyone and along comes this most unlikely hero. Not perfect not pretty but boy can he run and with his running goes everyones spirt right to the finish line. I loved this book. It makes you feel good to read and that's a feeling we all need once in a while.
Outstanding nonfiction story of an American race horse who caught the public's fancy during the Great Depression.
A beautiful book. I fell in love with Seabiscuit and felt as if I really had known him. I used to be friendly with the former owner of a horse training farm and several trainers and jockeys. What a totally different life they live and how tightly they unite. I was very flattered to be welcomed into their circle and learned a lot about horses, training, racing and people with a lot of heart. I'm sure you'll enjoy the book. Even though I'm giving up a copy of it here, I bought another copy to keep in my permanent library, something I seldom do.
Wow! What an informative book. I read this book solely because I had heard about Seabiscuit and wanted to hear more of the story. Knowing nothing about horses, jockeys, etc. I wondered if I would even finish the book due to lack of interest. I did finish, and it was a fabulous book. Laura Hillenbrand provided so much explanation & details that I had no trouble following. A fabulous story and a "must read" for anyone.
The book is even just as great as the movie!
If you love horse stories, you'll love this one that later was made into a movie/
A fascinating and engaging look at all the lives touched by one little horse. It's part sports writing, part history, part cultural commentary, but never dry or boring. Whether you're a horse racing fan or not, there's plenty to enjoy here!
Wonderful story of a horse that overcame terrible handicaps to become the hero of a nation. A story of the heart and determination of an underdog's career and the men who believed in him.
Truly exceptional story. To me, the most interesting part was about how the jockeys lived and were treated.
This is a wonderful story about this famous horse and the jockey. A great read, don't miss this one.
Slow in some parts, but over all a good story. Lots of details about horseracing.
The best non-fiction book I've ever read.
I don't care about horses, racing, depression-era history and don't like gambling.
But when I was reading this book, I actually took it into the bathroom to finish exciting sections when I was visiting my boyfriend long-distance. It's amazing.
I don't care about horses, racing, depression-era history and don't like gambling.
But when I was reading this book, I actually took it into the bathroom to finish exciting sections when I was visiting my boyfriend long-distance. It's amazing.
This is an excellent account of the story behind Seabiscuit. The book also had interesting information about jockeys and how they lived during this era. I found it to be a very fun and exciting read, especially the descriptions of the races. I would highly recommend this book to others.
He was a cultural icon. A world-class athlete. A champion who triumphed over terrible handicaps to become a legend of the racetrack.
Classic American story of underdogs (both equine and human, in this case) rising to the top, despite many adversities. Well-written and interesting. Captures the period (Depression era, 1930's) well. This book is well worth the time it takes to read it, which feels like no time at all once the true story gets you in its grip.
Enjoyable book about the tale of the famous horse, Seabiscuit. Some of the racing information is a little too detailed for me.
this very popular book and movie did not move me.
This was a wonderful true story of a jockey and the great horse Seabiscuit. I loved the story and saw the movie, but enjoyed the book more,
I loved this book! It wasn't just about a horse, it was about the men who recognized and brought along his greatness. It was fascinating!
This ugly little knock-kneed little horse who looked more like a cow pony than a thoroughbred went on to win America's hearts by being one of the best racers ever.
Along with Man-O-War and Ruffian, this is one of my favorite horses, I loved this book and highly recommend it.
Along with Man-O-War and Ruffian, this is one of my favorite horses, I loved this book and highly recommend it.
A wonderful story!
Great Story!
One of the best books I have ever read. Written with so much insight into the characters of the people and also of Seabiscuit that makes for a very compelling and entertaining story.
Great book!
You have to be a horse lover to enjoy this book - I did!
One of the best non-fiction books I've ever read.
This is a graet book for anyone hat is an sdult it is a little hard to unerstand. But if you feel you can take on the challenge I say go for it!
Just thrilling. I knew nothing about horses or horse racing but I loved this book.
really fabulous historical book about a racehorse in the Depression. Writer doesn't get in the way.
Absolutely enthralling!
Very well written and kept my interest the whole way through. I owned a horse as a kid, and I also worked at the DRC (Detroit Race Course) back in the early 60's because my best friend's Mom owned race horses. If you read the book, then you must watch the movie too...
Fantastic!!
This definitely is an American classic. One of the best books I've read - couldn't put it down - have read it at least three times. The movie was good, but the book is so much better.
This is a really good book! A story of a true American legend.
From the publisher.....Laura Hillenbrand unfolds the spellbinding story of Seabiscuit, the world he lived in, and the men who staked their lives and fortunes on his dazzling career. A riveting talke of grit, grace, luck. and an underdog's stubborn determiniation.
great book!
#1 on the New York Times Bestseller List!
A captivating story in striking detail about a cultural icon, a world-class athlete, and a champion who triumped over terrible handicap to become a legend of the racetrack. The great race horse, SEABISCUIT. The author unfolds a spellbinding story about his fame, the world he lived in, and the men who staked their lives and fortunes on his dazzling career. This is an American classic!
A captivating story in striking detail about a cultural icon, a world-class athlete, and a champion who triumped over terrible handicap to become a legend of the racetrack. The great race horse, SEABISCUIT. The author unfolds a spellbinding story about his fame, the world he lived in, and the men who staked their lives and fortunes on his dazzling career. This is an American classic!
Great Book Loved It
A really great story!
Great read. My bookclub loved it.
Loved it!
"More than just a horse's tale, because the humans who owned, trained, and rode Seabiscuit are equally fascinating . . . {Hillenbrand" shows an extraordinary talent for describing a horse race so vividly that the reader feels like the rider." SPORTS ILLSTRATED
Excellent book
loved this book, loved the movie - recommend both
Brand new book
AWESOME!!!
