• Seabiscuit

  • An American Legend (Abridged Edition)
  • By: Laura Hillenbrand
  • Narrated by: Campbell Scott
  • Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (698 ratings)

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Seabiscuit  By  cover art

Seabiscuit

By: Laura Hillenbrand
Narrated by: Campbell Scott
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Editorial reviews

Why We Think It's Essential: Laura Hillenbrand's account of the most famous race horse ever is a great favorite of racing fans and neophytes alike. A delight for both children and adults, this is a perfect listen for a family road trip. Campbell Scott, like a winning jockey, leads us through the ups and downs of the story with perfect pacing, telling a dramatic story without ever overshadowing the writing. (Beth Anderson)

Publisher's summary

Please note: This is the abridged edition. An unabridged edition is also available.

Number-one New York Times best seller

From the author of the runaway phenomenon Unbroken comes a universal underdog story about the horse who came out of nowhere to become a legend.

Seabiscuit was one of the most electrifying and popular attractions in sports history and the single biggest newsmaker in the world in 1938, receiving more coverage than FDR, Hitler, or Mussolini. But his success was a surprise to the racing establishment, which had written off the crooked-legged racehorse with the sad tail. Three men changed Seabiscuit’s fortunes:

Charles Howard was a onetime bicycle repairman who introduced the automobile to the western United States and became an overnight millionaire. When he needed a trainer for his new racehorses, he hired Tom Smith, a mysterious mustang breaker from the Colorado plains. Smith urged Howard to buy Seabiscuit for a bargain-basement price, then hired as his jockey Red Pollard, a failed boxer who was blind in one eye, half-crippled, and prone to quoting passages from Ralph Waldo Emerson. Over four years, these unlikely partners survived a phenomenal run of bad fortune, conspiracy, and severe injury to transform Seabiscuit from a neurotic, pathologically indolent also-ran into an American sports icon.

“Fascinating.... Vivid.... A first-rate piece of storytelling, leaving us not only with a vivid portrait of a horse but a fascinating slice of American history as well.” (The New York Times)

“Engrossing.... Fast-moving.... More than just a horse’s tale, because the humans who owned, trained, and rode Seabiscuit are equally fascinating.... [Laura Hillenbrand] shows an extraordinary talent for describing a horse race so vividly that the reader feels like the rider.” (Sports Illustrated)

“Remarkable.... Memorable.... Just as compelling today as it was in 1938.” (The Washington Post)

©2001 Laura Hillenbrand (P)2001 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

Book Sense Book of the Year Award Winner, Adult Non-Fiction, 2002

"Campbell Scott never overplays a line, never misses a pause, never fails to punch an ending. This is a treat for the ear, an education for the mind, and a meal for the soul." (AudioFile)

“Fascinating... Vivid... A first-rate piece of storytelling, leaving us not only with a vivid portrait of a horse but a fascinating slice of American history as well.” (The New York Times)

“Engrossing... Fast-moving... More than just a horse’s tale, because the humans who owned, trained, and rode Seabiscuit are equally fascinating.... [Hillenbrand] shows an extraordinary talent for describing a horse race so vividly that the reader feels like the rider.” (Sports Illustrated)

“Remarkable... Memorable... Just as compelling today as it was in 1938.” (The Washington Post)

What listeners say about Seabiscuit

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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

riveting tale well told

This was a wonderful listen. It was full of suspense and wonder. The narration also was fine.
A real pleasure.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

The movie was good but the book tells so much more. The stories of the horse and the people around him are amazing, heartbreaking and inspirational. The accompanying music is lovely and the reader perfect. This is a real American story when we need it the most.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

My First Audio Book

This my first experience with listening to an audio book. I think Seabiscuit is a good introduction to this media.

I know nothing about horse racing but I found the narration of the races riveting.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

seabiscuit is a winner

a great story and fun to listen to!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

only one complaint

This is a terrific story, wonderfully written and narrated, and I loved every minute of listening to it. In fact I couldn't stop listening. My only complaint is that it was an abridged version. I wanted more, lots more. But don't wait for the unabridged version which may never be available or you'll miss one of the best stories ever.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Truly mesmerizing

So wonderful that my family and I have listened to this story at least 4 times now.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

our family loves this book

we have listened to it several times, and will likely listen to it many more.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Highly recommended

An equine vet friend recommended this book shortly after it came out, but I somehow didn't get around to it. The audio version as read by Scott Campbell was so wonderful, however, that I'm really not sorry I didn't read it sooner. I have rarely been so moved by a book; this one gave me goosebumps, and I had to stop it several times so that I wouldn't miss anything through my laughter or tears. It is full of drama, a LOT of suspense, and a great deal of lovely language. Highly recommended.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the Best

I have listened to 30-40 books from Audible, and this one was certainly in my top 5. I can't recommend it enough. Great book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

No Horsing around

Seabiscuit has opened my eyes to the rigors of horse racing. At first , I thought this book was just about a horse. But , the author brought in all the characters in a dazzling display of emotions. By far, after 25 Audible selections , this has been my favorite entry. The reader made the book an exercise in melodic tones , which made it a can't wait until the next page enticement. Really good stuff and kudos to Laura Hillenbrand for a well written story of heroism in all facets .

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