Seabiscuit

An American Legend

By: Laura Hillenbrand

Narrated by: George Newbern

Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

©2010 Laura Hillenbrand (P)2010 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"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)

Beautiful Story

Laura Hillenbrand captures the story of Seabiscuit so well that it is difficult to put this book down. It is so moving that you feel as if you are right there during the races and the events occurring in the lives of the persons involved. I highly recommend this book.

Very Inspiring!

What a great story! Lots of historical facts. A very moving account of a great horse that inspired a nation during tough times!

WOW!!!!

Great book and Eloquent all the way around! Narrators were amazing!! Book has Great details, even if you're not a racing fan you will love this book.

True-to-life

A great book from every perspective: the horse’s, the trainer’s, the owner’s, and the jockey’s. Hills brand lays the foundation in Part 1 and then delivers the dynamic story in Part 2. Well done.

Outstanding

Having loved the movie, the book was even better. It cleared up some of the "hollywoodizations" that the movie elaborated. Still - chills hearing the match race... the detail associated with the breathing/accounts from the jockeys. Absolutely recommend.

Great story. Well told

I liked this book. I read the author's book Unbroken first and I liked it much better.

This book tells the story of Sea Biscuit, his owner, his trainer, his jockeys, and a few other horses.
I was hoping for more context on the time period in American history. I won't say the author "glosses over" the historical context because she certainly does talk about it, but much more focus is on the above actors.
Still, the book was easy to listen to and heartwarming story.

Wow… another example of the book better than movie

Rich characters, more details than the movie, and yet the book and movie both carry the same spirit. Good stuff

Loved it

If you could sum up Seabiscuit in three words, what would they be?

A total surprise.

Any additional comments?

I thought I "should" read this book so I'd understand the references. To my surprise, I loved it. The story is great and the historical picture that is painted was really interesting.

If you love horse, this a must read!

A wonderful story of strength, love, and determination. The story of Seabiscit is one of the best of all three.

Exceptional book!

This was all worth the listen. I recommend it to anyone who likes feel good stories.