Seabiscuit

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant and rewarding
Review: This is an extraordinary story every step of the way. The emotional highs and lows that the characters go through (even the horse) are so dramatic that it almost seems like fiction.

One of the most fascinating things about the book is that while the story of Seabiscuit and his handlers zips along in the foreground, hovering over the whole tale is a brilliant evocation of the 1930s Depression. The rich and the poor, the hopeful and the despairing, movie stars and neighborhood priests all get a turn onstage in this story.

Hillenbrand's description of the racetrack-driven rise of Tiajuana is riveting; she suggests the importance of radio to a weary public; the sports writers of the time live vividly in the background of Seabiscuit's story. In Seabiscuit the texture of American life in the 30s and the spirit of its people provides a setting as compelling as the main narrative.

All this is in addition to some of the most breath-taking descriptions of horse races ever written. I was literally bouncing up and down in my chair and making little anguished squeaks while reading about the race that marks the climax of the book!

Its an extraordinary acheivement and may very well bring back the excitement and interest in thoroughbred racing that once made horses like Seabiscuit, Man-o-War, and War Admiral genuine American heroes.

Rating:
Summary: Seabiscuit in a walkover
Review: Not a sports fan? Don't worry you'll love the book. Not a horse racing fan? Don't worry you'll love the book. Not a non-fiction fan? Don't worry you'll love the book. If you are a fan of brilliant writing, superb story telling, and fascinating characters buy the book, it has it all and more.

Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Review: This is the best book I've read in years. Everyone in my book club will read it! I actually held off reading it at times, because I didn't want it to end. What a superb writer Hillenbrand is. Thank you for the joy!

Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: This is the best book I've read in years - captivating, inspiring and well written. I couldn't put it down. I'm recommending it to all my friends.

Rating:
Summary: Seabiscuit; An American Legend
Review: I couldn't put this book down. The book is a compelling story, well written-and all true. Laura captures the texture of the sport, the people, and the time, and weaves it into THREE 'Rocky' stories. An amazing book about an amazing athlete, and amazing people.

Rating:
Summary: The Winner's Circle for "Seabiscuit"
Review: There are certain books you will be lucky enough to read in your life that will make an everlasting impression. "Seabiscuit" by Laura Hillenbrand is most definitely one of those rare books.

You do not have to be a horse racing afficionado, nor a sports fan to absolutely love this story. It brings back the life and times of an unlikely group of people and animals in early 20th Century America in such a way that you will find yourself completely mesmerized as the events unfold. If you believe that "Truth can be stanger than fiction" you will understand that such were the details of these amazing characters that no fable could equal.

I ABSOLUTELY loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves tragedy and triumph as told by a master writer such as Laura Hillenbrand. It had me on the edge of my seat rooting and cheering as if I was actually witnessing the spectacular events that had so many Americans hypnotized during the height of the Great Depression.

I "cashed a WIN-ticket" when I bought and read "Seabiscuit"

Rating:
Summary: Read this book, Then sit down and read it to your children,
Review: Laura Hillenbrand take us back to a simpler time in life when hero's were hero's and our country was desperate for something to hang onto. Out steps a half blind jockey, and old mustang breaker and a crooked legged horse. What a wonderful story of the little guy winning...But it's not a story it's the truth. I couldn't wait for the book to come out and I found it at the Gift shop at Santa Anita. Christine Crocker (the manager) said as fast as she put it out it was sold. I work for Santa Anita and the history of "The Great Race Place" and Seabiscuit took my breath away! Seabiscuit's Staute still stands in the beautiful walking ring watching the horses go to the track and George Woolf's staute greets the fans at the South Gate everyday. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Laura Hillenbrand for the beautiful piece of histroy written with such love for the industry. You are an insperation to us all!

Rating:
Summary: You needn't be a horse-lover!
Review: Even if you're not particularly an admirer of horses or racing, you'll still be entranced by this wonderful book, since the story is terrific, the narrative skills of the author are marvelous, and her prose is wonderful. The reading includes so much emotional experience, from heartache to thrill, that you might stay up half the night, and shirk your responsibilities, as happened to me. And although this a very well-researched true story, brimming with essential details, and with an index at the end for reference, you couldn't find anything as gripping were it a pure novel.

Rating:
Summary: Best sports bio ever!
Review: Because I'm a thoroughbred owner and breeder, I bought Laura Hillendrand's book soon after it was published and before it was reviewed. Soon after, the glowing reviews came in. And now I can certainly add my personal rave to the others. SEABISCUIT is not only the best book on racing, it's the best sports biography I've ever read.

Rating:
Summary: great reading from flagfall to the finish line.
Review: Thanks to Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit: An American legend, I have been late to work 5 times, missed twenty hours of sleep, canceled two dates, and would have forgotten to water my plant had it not been blocking my reading light. And I couldn't be happier about it.

Seabiscuit is more that a great story about a terriffic horse. It is about Unique characters coming together, happiness in the time of the depression, drama, and beauty.

What you have here is simply the best book of the year. I found myself clinging to every word, even though i knew the outcome of every race. I can think of no higher praise.