Seabiscuit: Three Men and a Racehorse
£9.50
From the author of Unbroken – a major motion picture releasing in 2015 – this is the bestselling true story of three men and their dreams for a racehorse, Seabiscuit.
In 1938 one figure received more press coverage than Mussolini, Hitler or Roosevelt. He was a cultural icon and a world-class athlete – and an undersized, crooked-legged racehorse by the name of Seabiscuit.
Misunderstood and mishandled, Seabiscuit had spent seasons floundering in the lowest ranks of racing until a chance meeting of three men. Together, they created a champion. This is a story which topped the bestseller charts for over two years; a riveting tale of grit, grace, luck and an underdog’s stubborn determination to win against all odds.
Made into a major motion picture starring Toby Maguire and Jeff Daniels.
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Additional information
| Publisher | 2nd Impression edition (4 Mar. 2002), Fourth Estate Ltd |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 426 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1841150924 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1841150925 |
| Dimensions | 12.9 x 2.84 x 19.81 cm |
by J. McDonald ????????????????????????????
I came to this after watching the fine 2003 film version directed by Gary Ross that was based on this book.
A marvellously detailed and engrossing book, Hillenbrand does a fine job of contextualising this remarkable story within its time frame; it is not just a study of the lives of three men and a racehorse – it describes the racing industry of the day and it`s place in 1930s America, a whole detailed, panoramic background against which the drama (human and equine) is played out.
If anyone had said I would be enthralled by a book about horse-racing I would have laughed, but this is a gripping and utterly mesmeric tale that is both uplifting and hugely informative.
A fine work of historical and biographical research and an exemplary piece of writing that entirely engages the reader in it spell – a hugely recommendable book.
by Flynn
This is an incredible book and I would recommend it without hesitation to anyone who enjoys reading. I had no prior knowledge of Seabiscuit’s exploits and no interset in horses or horse racing but heard a very enthusiastic review of this book and saw that it was available at a good price so I thought ‘Why not?’ I left it on the ‘to read’ shelf until 6 months later and picked it up for a holiday read. Quite simply it blew me away. The first quarter of the book is a little fragmented but interesting in its own right, however, once all the pieces fall into place the narrative is relentlessly and intensely exciting and utterly immersive. Countless times I found myself miming riding a horse as I was reading and once, by the pool, I shouted “NO!” to the amusement of those around me. I also spent the next week telling anyone who’d listen random facts and stories about Seabiscuit like he was someone I’d known intimately. Do yourself a favour and buy this book.
by Karen
Hard to put down a book that keeps you wanting more and sad to finish. Such a thrilling journey brilliant
by Kindle Customer
I really enjoy reading Laura’s books, she has a great way of telling a story. I feel I learned a lot about horse racing. Definitely worth a read
by Baraniecki Mark Stuart
Charles Howard was good at spotting opportunities and made a fortune as the General Motors automobile distributor for the Western United States in the 1920’s. He also made the most unlikely choice of Tom Smith as trainer for his newly established racing stable.
Smith was 56 when Howard met him and had spent his life around horses, cattle ranching, taming mustangs for the British cavalry, circus shows, small time racing but by 1934 he was out of money and he lived in the same stall as his only horse.
Charles Howard decided that the uncommunicative Smith was the right person for his project, and Smith travelled round the tracks for him looking at hundreds of cheap horses until he found the well bred loser “Seabiscuit”.
He saw something there, and together with jockey Red Pollard they went on to win everything in American racing.
Laura Hillenbrand obviously loves horses and has written a great story about the almost magical rise of “Seabiscuit”.
by Kindle Customer
A truly fitting tribute to one of the greatest racehorses of all time. A marvellous insight into the three men in his life, and into Seabiscuit’s own character. Highly entertaining throughout.
by JJJ4J
It has been a long time since a book has so gripped me. I am an avid book reader but mostly read Christian non-fiction but, having seen the film I was intrigued as to what the whole story would be like. I cannot begin to find all the superlative words except to say I was not disappointed in any way, even the races themselves were written in such a way that you could truly see what was going on and you found yourself tensing as you read the description. The ups and downs of the life of this horse and his jockey, trainer and owner are almost unbelievable set, as they are against the background of America in depression and leading up almost to the point of America becoming involved in the second world war. A must read for anybody, you do not need to love horses, or racing, just human beings and what they have to overcome.
by Lynsey Lou
Loved this book. So very well researched and written. A wonderful story of owner, trainer, jockey and horse and the relationships interwoven together.