The Horse Boy

A Father's Quest to Heal His Son

By: Rupert Isaacson

Narrated by: Rupert Isaacson

Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

When his son Rowan was diagnosed with autism, Rupert Isaacson was devastated, afraid he might never be able to communicate with his child. But when Isaacson, a lifelong horseman, rode their neighbor's horse with Rowan, Rowan improved immeasurably. He was struck with a crazy idea: why not take Rowan to Mongolia the one place in the world where horses and shamanic healing intersected?

The Horse Boy is the dramatic and heartwarming story of that impossible adventure. In Mongolia, the family found undreamed of landscapes and people, unbearable setbacks, and advances beyond their wildest dreams. This is a deeply moving, truly one-of-a-kind story--of a family willing to go to the ends of the earth to help their son, and of a boy learning to connect with the world for the first time.

©2009 Rupert Isaacson (P)2009 Hachette

Makes me grateful for my nearly normal children

It is hard to describe the emotional roller coaster that I went through just listening to this story. I've raised a couple of really difficult children, but I can't even imagine what these parents went through with this highly autistic child. I know these scenarios are repeated numberless times a day all over the world with such children. That these parents, and particularly this father, would be able to keep their spirits up and their hope in tact, and their faith in the possibility of a healing for their son long enough to bring it to pass deserves my respect and admiration. Who knew that a highly intelligent and capable person would emerge from the ashes, so to speak, of a child who could not make a friend, be potty trained, ask a question or point out something to someone else? Who knew that self-control would become a possibility for a child who screams and throws incredible tantrums to the point of self-destruction multiple times every single day? a child who could not be left with a babysitter for even an hour so that the parents could just go out to dinner of an evening? Or that an apparent natural affinity to horses could figure into his healing? Only a parent could keep the hope alive. My hat is off to you, Mr. and Mrs. Isaacson. I am so happy for your new lives.

Soul Touching

I am Grateful to have found this book! May this beautiful family and all in this journey of Rowan’s healing be Blessed. Prayers for Continued blessings and healing.

Such an extraordinary and wonderful story

Beautiful written thank you for sharing your eloquent word in voice with, what I’m sure was a hard, personal subject to share with the world.

An inspiring story...

from real life comes an amazing journey taken by a family in the hope of helping their son. I have listened to the book twice and it is very engaging. There is a nice balance of humor and an honest look at what it means to be the parent of an autistic child. I want to polish this book like a gemstone, as it is so interesting. I was able to watch the movie, which is not as well done as the book. The documentary is disjointed and much darker than the book, but it gives you a clear picture of what these parents went through. The book has more detail and at the end you have a feeling of having formed a relationship with the family and the people they are traveling with. Throughout the book, you feel the love of the mom and dad for their son, and their deep understanding of his needs, their willingness to provide the best for him.

Moving and heartbreaking

I was entranced by this book. The author and narrator captured beautifully life with an autistic child and the lengths to which parents NEED to go to get help for their family. This was a journey of love and faith and was truly amazing.

Story of Amazing Love and Intuition

This is a fascinating book. The journey these parents embarked upon in the name of love for their child is amazing. While this is most definitely a tale of how one family found success in treating their son's autism, for me the theme that came through loud and clear is that amazing things can happen when we trust and follow our instincts and intuition. I very much enjoyed the author's narration; it often felt like a conversation.

OUTSTANDING

Would you listen to The Horse Boy again? Why?

Yes, Much material to digest, second listening would be more in depth.

What other book might you compare The Horse Boy to and why?

Do not have any comparables, this book was No.1 above and beyond.

Which character – as performed by Rupert Isaacson – was your favorite?

Rupert Isaacson himself, as narrator and father. He has a great talent for looking on the bright side of very difficult situations, even when full of self doubt.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Impossible to listen to all in one sitting, I actually listen to audible during my commute a half hour drive each way, Often I do not want to get out of the car when I arrive at my destination, listening makes commuting a small matter even if there are traffic jams..

Any additional comments?

Have recommended this book to many people, definitely 5 stars.

Heartwarming!

What an outstanding story, told like only someone who has lived through it could tell it. I felt as though I was right there seeing, hearing, feeling their journey unfold.

How far would you go for your child?

Rupert Isaacson would go to the literal ends of the earth for his son, and as a consumer of his work, I enjoyed the journey he took us all on to get there. The story of growth and healing I didn’t know I needed to hear and a beautiful example of how opening our hearts and minds to the world, both seen and unseen, can allow healing to reach us in ways that Western culture and medicine just can’t.

Horse Boy

What a wonderful book, great writer and a wonderful father and mother to give this gift to their son. Knowing that animals and people have such a connection.