Rating: 
Summary: Better than Seabiscuit!
Review: I read this not long after reading Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit"--and I enjoyed "Secretariat" far more. I was reading it on the train and could not hide the tears running down my face. When he won the Triple Crown, one writer said of Secretariat, "He ran so far beyond known reference points, he left us with no measurable comparison." Secretariat transcended all the limits. His feat was deeply inspiring to me. The author was actually there with Secretariat and his connections day by day during his career, and writes with authority and obvious affection for his subject. The book was so well written that I absorbed that affection and ended up feeling as if I, too, knew this horse personally. He even unfolds the tale of Secretariat's pedigree in such an interesting and engaging way that it is helping me to understand current Derby prospects better. This is the best horse racing book I ever read, and I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.
Rating:
Summary: Big Red was the Greatest of All Time
Review: I was a small child when my father took me to Breakfast at Belmont in 1973. We had the pleasure and thrill of meeting Penney Chenery, and for a little kid like me at that time it was a BIG Thrill.This is the book that tells you the Life of Secretariat. For many, including this handicapper, Secretariat was the Greatest horse of All Time. We have heard stories and rumors that when they did the autopsy on Big Red they discovered his heart was 2 times the size of the normal Equine athelete. Watching the replay of the 1973 Belmont Stakes, one is filled with awe and its till gives me goosebumps to see Big Red charing off the turn and into the stretch completely alone. No horse in history has ever won a race of such importantce and prestige on his way to none other then a Triple Crown with such an amazing turn of speed and athletic performance. The records of Big Red's victories are here, but read about him as well, and it will show you why we all loved his so much as fans anf horse lovers. There will never be another Secretariat. Best Regards to all, MC - TheStickRules.Com
Rating:
Summary: The definitive book on Secretariat
Review: If you a Secretariat fan, you will not be able to put this book down. If not, don't even bother to read it. Well written, highly detailed account of Secretariat's career.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific!
Review: If you are a horse racing fan, or buying for one, get them this book! It's terrific, one of the two great Secretariat books out there.
Rating: 
Summary: Secretariat: The Making of a Champion
Review: It's original title used to be "Big Red of Meadow Stable" which gives you a clue that this book needed a little flash from the marketing department to get it to sell. For Secretariat fans, it's a must simply because it is about the only book devoted to Big Red out there, definately the only one still in print. This was originally published in 1975 and the rerelease did NOT include any updates, most notably the great horses he's sired and art he has inspired. This book, lacking material, goes into excruciating detail of Secretariat's owners' past, his workout times, and about each and every owner of his thirty-odd person syndicate. The book only shines when focusing on the horse himself--as brilliant and as compelling as any actor who ever walked a stage. And reliving the Triple Crown win to end all Triple Crown wins makes it seem as if it just happened yesterday. There are a few black and white photos, not many of Big Red
Rating:
Summary: My heart began to pound as Mr. Nack described what happened!
Review: Mr. Nack has done a wonderful job telling Secretariat's story, and what a story it is. I have allways loved Secretariat, but Mr. Nack has taught me about things such as running a "twelve clip" and changing leading legs in the turns and about lineage and people as well. But beyond that, it's great to read something about Secretariat that reaffirms how so many felt about the greatest horse of all time. I'm glad Mr. Nack loved that horse as so many of us did. He has written it into his book and I couldn't put it down. I wanted to run right out and find more books on Secretariat. Thank you Mr. Nack!
Rating: 
Summary: Secretariat: The Making of a Champion
Review: Overall, an excellent book. The racing sections, especially, have a real "you are there" feel to them. However, many Secretariat fans may not be as interested as the author is in the history of thoroughbred racing and the breeding farms leading up to Secretariat's entry into the racing scene. But the biggest problem I had with the book-arguably one of two definitive biographies of the horse-was the lack of quality photography. There are about a half dozen grainy black and whites-this for one of the handsomest horses ever to set foot on a track!
Rating:
Summary: Mr. Nack should have updated his book
Review: Secretariat lived for 14 more years after this book was originally published, which would have been good material for an updated version of the book. Secretariat sired several fine race horses (including Lady's Secret and General Assembly). He was the main attraction at Claiborne Farms, where many people from all over the world came to visit him after he retired from racing. He was racing's greatest ambassador. Mr. Nack should consider an updated version taking these things into account, particularly in light of his very touching article he wrote for Sports Illustrated in 1990 describing his life following Secretariat through his Triple Crown season and his profound sadness at his passing in 1989.
Rating:
Summary: The One, the Only Big Red
Review: Secretariat, the Making of a Champion by William Nack is an excellent read. I think that's it's very hard to write about an animal, even a famous one like Secretariat with empathy, but the author acheives this and more in this riviting narrative about the horse, who probably was the greatest thoroughbred racehorse of the 20th Century.
William Nack covers everything from Secretariat's impressive lineage, to the people who owned, trained, rode & cared for him. You follow the great horse from his birth on a cold night in early Spring to his last walk into the Vet's trailer for his fatal overdose of barbituates. It's all interesting, and the author is obvious in his affection not only for Big Red, but horses and the sport of kings in general.
I especially enjoyed reading the Author's description of the races, he really makes them an exciting read.
Iremember Secretariat from his spectacular Triple Crown Season, and remember watching him run the Belmont, he made the other horses look like thay were walking! He was a magnificent creature, more like a god than a mere mortal. William Nack brings all the majestey and nobility of Secretariat to the pages of his book. I loved the part where he describes how on his way to the starting gate, the horse would always pause to check out the action from his vantage point between the stables. Also, how Secretariat would sulk in the back of his stall on race day.
Somehow, it's a comfort to know that even Pegasus had his quirks.
Reading about the great horses' last day on earth had be crying my eyes out. Also, the updated edition I read had William Nack's eulogy which was very moving.
Even if you are not a big fan of Horse racing, this is a very good book, and I highly recomment it.
Rating:
Summary: The One, the Only Big Red
Review: Secretariat, the Making of a Champion by William Nack is an excellent read. I think that's it's very hard to write about an animal, even a famous one like Secretariat with empathy, but the author acheives this and more in this riviting narrative about the horse, who probably was the greatest thoroughbred racehorse of the 20th Century.
William Nack covers everything from Secretariat's impressive lineage, to the people who owned, trained, rode & cared for him. You follow the great horse from his birth on a cold night in early Spring to his last walk into the Vet's trailer for his fatal overdose of barbituates. It's all interesting, and the author is obvious in his affection not only for Big Red, but horses and the sport of kings in general.
I especially enjoyed reading the Author's description of the races, he really makes them an exciting read.
Iremember Secretariat from his spectacular Triple Crown Season, and remember watching him run the Belmont, he made the other horses look like thay were walking! He was a magnificent creature, more like a god than a mere mortal. William Nack brings all the majestey and nobility of Secretariat to the pages of his book. I loved the part where he describes how on his way to the starting gate, the horse would always pause to check out the action from his vantage point between the stables. Also, how Secretariat would sulk in the back of his stall on race day.
Somehow, it's a comfort to know that even Pegasus had his quirks.
Reading about the great horses' last day on earth had be crying my eyes out. Also, the updated edition I read had William Nack's eulogy which was very moving.
Even if you are not a big fan of Horse racing, this is a very good book, and I highly recomment it.
|
