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Summary: Where do I start with this review?
Review: I'll let emotions guide me as they certainly did by the time I had finished the book... With all the hype surrounding Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit: An American Legend (and a summer movie to boot), I was anxious to get my hands on a copy of this bestseller. Upon perusing one of my tack supply catalogs, I ran across a title about the legendary racing filly, Ruffian, and it became available to me before the Seabiscuit account. I would recommend this book to any bibliophile, social historian and/or horse-lover because it exemplifies masterful writing, interesting real-life characters/time period and a legendary (and truly outstanding) Thoroughbred racehorse. By the time you finish the book, you will have released more than a few tears based on a tragedy that reads more like fiction. The account of Ruffian would elicit emotion in the words of any story-teller. And Jane Schwartz proves herself a great story-teller here. Ruffian: Burning From the Start is, hands down, a "bestseller" in the non-fiction genre. No offense, Laura Hillenbrand, but either you have a wonderful colleague to emulate or some serious literary competition.
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Summary: Excellent book, period!
Review: If you liked Seabiscuit, you'd love this book. It goes in depth on the horse, trainer and the jockey. It has a tragic ending and excitement throughout. It is truly a fine read.
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Summary: A Horse Lovers Book
Review: If you love horse racing or just love horses, this book is a must read! Ruffian is a beautiful filly that exudes the beauty and power of the race horse and her story is a powerful example of the true heart and spirit of a Thoroughbred. Besides Seabiscuit, by Laura Hillenbrand, Ruffian is the next best book about a race horse I've ever read! Just have a box of tissues nearby when you read Ruffian!!
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Summary: A Horse Lovers Book
Review: If you love horse racing or just love horses, this book is a must read! Ruffian is a beautiful filly that exudes the beauty and power of the race horse and her story is a powerful example of the true heart and spirit of a Thoroughbred. Besides Seabiscuit, by Laura Hillenbrand, Ruffian is the next best book about a race horse I've ever read! Just have a box of tissues nearby when you read Ruffian!!
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Summary: The Greatest Filly Who Ever Drew Breath
Review: Man O' War's groom used to love to say that about him..."this here is the greatest horse who ever drew breath." Well, if you know of Ruffian, that's the ONLY way she can be described! This elegant filly was a shear joy to watch. Her tragic end was taken hard by everyone. Even now, some 25 years since I witnessed that tragic match race, tears fall as I write. In reading "Burning from the Start" I was treated to aspects about the behind the scenes life of Ruffian's birth and her training, jockies, trainer and exercise riders and it was all written in a way that would interest both racing and non-racing fans. Jane treated Ruffian's demise with the utmost respect. Her depiction of Ruffian's final moments, when she was finally set "free" were nothing short of genius. I love this book. I'm ordering it because it is a keeper!
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Summary: I LOVE THIS BOOK
Review: O MY GOD I LOVE THIS BOOK. IT IS SOOO GOOD. ITS VERY DEATAILED AND TELLS YOU EVER THING ABOUT HER LIFE. I FEEL LIKE IM ACTULLY IN THE RACES AND I CAN PICTURE EVERYTHING. I DONT NO IF YOU GUYS NO THE STORY OF RUFFIAN BUT IT IS SOO SAD! I CRIED. AND NO IM NOT JOKING I WAS LITTERLY CRYING!!!! I REALLY RECOMEND THIS BOOK AND IT WAS SO GOOD I THINK IM GONAN READ IT AGAIN!
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Summary: Wonderful
Review: Of all the books about horses and horse racing I have read this book moved me to tears and sobbing. I've cried reading about many horses and their stories, but this author did something more. She touched me and made me feel what the horse felt. Ruffian had that drive and heart that only a very few horses have. Those greathorses of the '70's.
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Summary: Wonderful
Review: Of all the books about horses and horse racing I have read this book moved me to tears and sobbing. I've cried reading about many horses and their stories, but this author did something more. She touched me and made me feel what the horse felt. Ruffian had that drive and heart that only a very few horses have. Those greathorses of the '70's.
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Summary: In the Presence of a Champion
Review: Rarely does an author manage to capture and define the rich and varied mix of people and circumstances that go into making a championship racehorse. And for good reason. It is a bit like cooking up a stew that has all sorts of spices thrown in. There are certain things you can control - the amount of detail to include, the descriptions of the people and races, the pace of the story - but in the end you're never quite sure what you'll have until you finish. On a larger scale, that is what happens in the breeding and racing of thoroughbreds, and lovers of the sport will be first to admit it. That is why Ruffian was such a breath taking surprise in her 10 unbeaten starts, and such a heart wrenching loss in her final defeat. It is also what makes Schwartz's account so moving. Schwartz has managed to tell Ruffian's story with wit and wisdom through the lives of the people who shepherded her through her career. Gradually, through their eyes you come to know a young horse that was both unusually poised and hauntingly determined. Every jockey who ever rode her was struck by the length of her stride, the ease of her acceleration and the futility of trying to hold her back. Ruffian left little doubt in anyone's mind that she loved to run and had the raw physical strength and coordination to win. It was this combination that made her the darling of the horseracing world for one brief season and proved to be her undoing the next. For anyone who loves to watch thoroughbreds run, who is captivated by their beauty and spirit, this book is a must. Schwartz got the recipe right, and you will feel that you have been in the presence of a champion by the time you have finished.
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Summary: Ruffian vs. Seabiscuit
Review: Reading these 2 books within weeks of each other it was difficult to compare the two. Both horses were so incomparable in their time, yet both so courageous and gave so much heart to their sport. I wish I could have been there to see either of them race. I can only give my opinion after reading about them. It would have been the greatest race of all times between Ruffian and Seabiscuit - she the greatest filly, Seabiscuit the greatest colt. Different times, different courses. Who knows. Both great horses, both great books!!! Ruffian is the tear-jerker of all times!!! Get a BIG box of tissues!!!
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