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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
With all the hype surrounding the book and movie I was highly disappointed in the book. I had a hard time really getting into it, and it was a hard one to finish for me.
inspiring
medium-paced
Thorough and informative history of an amazing and inspiring horse!
I wanted to love this story, but the telling (I listened to the audio) fell a bit flat for me. Seabiscuit was an amazing animal - and the jockeys and trainers contribution brought out the greatness not seen by others, so fascinating for sure. The shocking lives of the jockeys who had to maintain crazy low weights, and no safety net for their field, was more terrible then I knew.
I came to this book not really caring about thoroughbred racing, horse trainers, or jockeys. I wanted to read a story about an underdog who came out on top, who inspired millions during the most sustained depression our country has ever seen.
It speaks to Hillenbrand's skill as a writer that she made me care about Red Pollard and George Woolf, their injuries and their constant reducing to make weight. She made me care about a sport that's classist by nature, and some of the millionaire owners who invest time and money in animals who run races that last only a few minutes and probably cost people more money than they can afford to lose. She made me care about animals whose spirit to run and win is bred (overbred) into their very DNA.
And she made me care about a supreme character: lazy, always ready to eat his head off, cranky when his pal Pumpkin wasn't nearby, mean enough to play mind games with his competitors - letting other horses think that they might have a chance to catch him before putting them away, and vain enough to always strike a pose in the winner's circle.
It speaks to Hillenbrand's skill as a writer that she made me care about Red Pollard and George Woolf, their injuries and their constant reducing to make weight. She made me care about a sport that's classist by nature, and some of the millionaire owners who invest time and money in animals who run races that last only a few minutes and probably cost people more money than they can afford to lose. She made me care about animals whose spirit to run and win is bred (overbred) into their very DNA.
And she made me care about a supreme character: lazy, always ready to eat his head off, cranky when his pal Pumpkin wasn't nearby, mean enough to play mind games with his competitors - letting other horses think that they might have a chance to catch him before putting them away, and vain enough to always strike a pose in the winner's circle.
I came to this book not really caring about thoroughbred racing, horse trainers, or jockeys. I wanted to read a story about an underdog who came out on top, who inspired millions during the most sustained depression our country has ever seen.
It speaks to Hillenbrand's skill as a writer that she made me care about Red Pollard and George Woolf, their injuries and their constant reducing to make weight. She made me care about a sport that's classist by nature, and some of the millionaire owners who invest time and money in animals who run races that last only a few minutes and probably cost people more money than they can afford to lose. She made me care about animals whose spirit to run and win is bred (overbred) into their very DNA.
And she made me care about a supreme character: lazy, always ready to eat his head off, cranky when his pal Pumpkin wasn't nearby, mean enough to play mind games with his competitors - letting other horses think that they might have a chance to catch him before putting them away, and vain enough to always strike a pose in the winner's circle.
It speaks to Hillenbrand's skill as a writer that she made me care about Red Pollard and George Woolf, their injuries and their constant reducing to make weight. She made me care about a sport that's classist by nature, and some of the millionaire owners who invest time and money in animals who run races that last only a few minutes and probably cost people more money than they can afford to lose. She made me care about animals whose spirit to run and win is bred (overbred) into their very DNA.
And she made me care about a supreme character: lazy, always ready to eat his head off, cranky when his pal Pumpkin wasn't nearby, mean enough to play mind games with his competitors - letting other horses think that they might have a chance to catch him before putting them away, and vain enough to always strike a pose in the winner's circle.
I’ve read this a number of times and I always enjoy it.
It seemed like everyone else in my book club liked this
more than I did. I was underenthused.
more than I did. I was underenthused.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Incredible story that has lived on through generations.
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Wonderfully written historical book that reads like a novel.