Seabiscuit: An American Legend

BEST BOOK IN THE WORLD!!!!!

I happened upon this book by mere coincidence and only read it to get in the good graces of my English teacher who was unleashing a vicious wrath on those who disagreed with her book choices. She handed it to me with high reccomendations. With my gradess at stake, I struggled to maintain focus during the first few pages of interminable facts, but soon fell in love with the gripping tale of a quiet trainer, a garralous owner, and horse with both character and a huge heart.
You don't need to be an animal lover to enjoy this enthralling tale though it helps.
While this reccomendation may not have moved you, I hope that you will give this wonderful book a chance as my ability in writing reviews, this being my first, does not in any way reflect the ability of Laura Hillenbrand's amazing story telling ability.

7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

Wonderfully researched.

I will admit, I saw the movie first. However, this only made me enjoy the book more, for it is the amazing detail with which the author brings to life the story of Seabiscuit that makes it such a wonderful read. Yes, I cried. And I was in shock at reading of the horrors the jockeys would inflict upon themselves. Absorbing, wonderful...just wonderful. Some of the best written non-fiction out there.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Ok

It is good not the best ever, but it is interesting if you like history about race horses

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Really great book, but not a childrens book, no way

A really great book. No where close to a childrens book despite the serious cuss words and grusom visual images that are printed in your mind. TAKE THIS ADVICE BECAUSE I AM A CHILD HORSE LOVER, but anyway,great book!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Heartening and Inspirational Tale YOU can NOT miss!

In Laura Hillenbrand's heartening tale one horse lifts the country as he races to unlikely victories. The novel tells the tale of Seabiscuit, a doubted horse that despite all of his setbacks, rises and becomes, arguably, the best race horse of the century. All adding a dash of depth, Hillenbrand, connects us to the characters of, Tom Smith the quiet and wise trainer, Red Pollard the blind battered jockey, and the owner; a charming self made man, Charles Howard. It is inevitable the personal connection made with all the characters, but the connection to Seabiscuit even makes non-horse lovers fall in love with his comedic and stubborn personality. Hillenbrand brilliantly intertwines the hardships and poverty of the country with the main theme of perseverance to overcome. Using imagery, Hillenbrand, portrays the toll that racing had on not only Seabiscuit, but also his main jockey Red. As the horse and jockey became more beaten throughout the story their importance, perseverance, and unbreakable bond only grew greater. The novel also yields the message of teamwork and the importance of taking risks. As the economy crashed Howard's growing business as a car repairman halted and he, like so many other Americans, questioned what to do. Following his interest in the dying sport of horse racing he purchased Seabiscuit, the son of Hardtack (a miraculous race horse). With the combination of Seabiscuit, Red Pollard, and Tom Smith, Charles Howard hoped victory would proceed. Working as a team the unlikely horse rose to greatness, demonstrating that risks and hard work are essential to the success of any feat large or small. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, with the exception of the small portion of dry writing in the beginning, and I would indefinitely recommend this book to someone. It tells an uplifting and touching story of perseverance, relationships, and victory, that anyone would enjoy reading. Other inspirational novels such as Secretariat and Man O' War would be great additional reads to Seabiscuit. In 1938 every stride Seabiscuit made towards victory captured the hearts of Americans and now through every page of this novel he is capturing more.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Hi

Hear id was great it was a great movie should be great book and ya!!!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Spellbinding

You can hear the hoofbeats and smell the sweat on every page. The movie is not enough!

Excellent, Fanstatic, Captiving

Everything about this book is so good. I have seen the movie & now own a copy. This book about Howard, Smith, & Pollard and of course Seabisciut wants you to keep pulling for them all. Read this book even if you don't have a love for history, you won't regret it.

Good read.

LH did a wonderful job of putting all of this together. It keeps you in want of the next page throughout. Incredible story, very well told.

Heart racing.

The truly awesome story of an amazing horse with some of the most intense racing scenes I've ever read. Also the story of the owner, Howard; the trainer, Tom Smith; and the jockey, Red Pollard - all odd balls in their own way. Very moving. Loved it.

Reading now

I am reading this book now. It is a good book. I am 11 so i skip the cuss words. This is a great book. I want to see the movie. We are tring to find it. It is oone of my fav books. Love it. Go seabiscut. Go seabiscut. I love hores. They are neet animals. I want to have a hores. P.S i love race hores. Like seabiscut, and secratarit ( Red ).

EXTREME

Its a great movie an awesome cause this lil tiny horse who has all the right jeans and the parents are amazing horses and no body ever gave seabiscut a chance all he needed was a chance everyone and everything deserves a second chance :) ;) =~) =•) =-)

Awsome book

A very emotional novel with great description.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

From the horses mouth..

I loved Unbroken and read that first. I decided to go ahead and read this story even though it isn't my usual type of book. Wow. This book was just as good as Unbroken which is high praise. I cannot wait to see what her next project will be...

Very inspirational, Definitely worth it

This was an inspiring book of the will, perseverance, heart and determination of a magnificent horse and the three man whose lives revolved around him during Depression-era America. It's a great book for anyone, not just horse-people. I found myself rooting for Seasbiscuit even when it seemed like he couldn't do it. My heart raced alongside Seabiscuit. The feats of this brave little horse and his fearless jockey were so incredible and unbelievable, and they earned a place in my heart

Enjoyed every word!!!!

After reading Unbroken, I was anxious to read another of Laura Hillenbrands books. Wasn't sure if I would enjoy it as much, but Seabiscuit was fabulous! I hated for it to end. The characters were well developed as were the racing events. Highly recommed it! Ms. Hillenbrand is a exceptionally gifted author. I pray that she will be able to bless us with more of her literary talents. Thank You Laura!

Great fun to read and good history.

I absolutely loved this book. First because it's true history and a story of an "underdog" so to speak who won. The movie is also great, but you will get more details by reading the book.

An inspiring story!! MUST READ!!

Over the summer i was forced to do a reading assignment. I have a passion for horses so I thought why not!? The first chapter tended to move a little slowely but then it started to pick up! I started to fall in love with the confident horse,the quiet yet clever trainer and the brave owners. The horse is doubted throughout the whole book, but yet swarmed by press every second of the day. It cunning trainer hides his secret practices and when it is time for the race the horse shines and every person in the crowd is blown away! Seabiscuit wins many races, wins a lot of money, and breaks many records. This book is inspirational and a magnificent tale all around and I reccomend to all!

For once you can agree with the professional reviews!!!!!!

Almost everyone knows the story of Seabiscuit, a lazy little horse that had a rough start to life and a fantastic finish. The horse that every American was mesmerized with 1938 as he blazed through track records across the country. He taught us that no matter how tough your life is and how difficult the times may be, if you put your mind to it you can pull through it and amaze everyone as you do so. Hillenbrand told the story of Seabiscuit so well that I enjoyed reading it, and I never, ever, read books like this no matter who, or what it's about. The way she described things made you think that she was the jockey, and the trainer, and the owner. She didn't only focus on the horse, but also on the people who helped through the tough times. I didn't like how sometimes it seemed she'd get stuck on a subject but that was about it in the way of things I didn't like. If you like horses and reading about true underdogs that rose to do great things, this is a book for you. As I rarely read non-fiction books, I don't know any other books written by her other than the one listed on the cover, Unbroken, and if that book is written anything like this one, I'd give it a shot. Overall, I think this is a well written book and I LOVED it!

Amazing Story, A True Inspiration

Seabiscuit is an amazing story that touches you heart. I read this story for my English class and I have to say that it was a little slow at the beginning while the author was setting up the story and all the characters, but after everyone was put together the book took off. The way Laura Hillenbrand described the races made my heart pound the anticipation and want to read more. The tragedies that the characters in the book went through were unbelievable. From deaths of loved ones to almost death themselves, what they were put through and with the situations they went through they managed to make a mark in American history. It shows how strong these people and horses were. This book is a truly breathtaking story that everyone should read. and you do not have to be an animal lover to enjoy this spectacular book.