Horse Crazy

By: Sarah Maslin Nir

Narrated by: Sarah Maslin Nir

Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

One of USA Today's "20 Summer Books You Won't Want to Miss"

In the best-selling tradition of works by such authors as Susan Orlean and Mary Roach, a New York Times reporter and Pulitzer Prize finalist explores why so many people - including herself - are obsessed with horses.

It may surprise you to learn that there are over seven million horses in America - even more than when they were the only means of transportation - and nearly two million horse owners. Acclaimed journalist and avid equestrian Sarah Maslin Nir is one of them; she began riding horses when she was just two years old and hasn’t stopped since. Horse Crazy is a fascinating, funny, and moving love letter to these graceful animals and the people who - like her - are obsessed with them. It is also a coming-of-age story of Nir growing up an outsider within the world’s most elite inner circles, and finding her true north in horses.

Nir listeners into the lesser-known corners of the riding world and profiles some of its most captivating figures. We meet Monty Roberts, the California trainer whose prowess earned him the nickname “the man who listens to horses”, and his pet deer; George and Ann Blair, who at their riding academy on a tiny island in Manhattan’s Harlem River seek to resurrect the erased legacy of the African American cowboy; and Francesca Kelly, whose love for an Indian nobleman shaped her life’s mission: to protect an endangered Indian breed of horse and bring them to America.

Woven into these compelling character studies, Nir shares her own moving personal narrative. She details her father’s harrowing tale of surviving the Holocaust, and describes an enchanted but deeply lonely upbringing in Manhattan, where horses became her family. She found them even in the middle of the city, in a stable disguised in an old townhouse and in Central Park, when she chased down truants as an auxiliary mounted patrol officer. And she speaks candidly of how horses have helped her overcome heartbreak and loss.

Infused with heart and wit, and with each chapter named after a horse Nir has loved, Horse Crazy is an unforgettable blend of beautifully written memoir and first-rate reporting.

©2020 Sarah Maslin Nir (P)2020 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Return to riding at 71 years old!

Loved the book and the presentation.
I, also, am horse crazy. As a result of the book, I have started riding again.
Thank you!

Crazy About Horse Crazy

I am really enjoying this audiobook. I grew up horse crazy in NYC (Staten Island) so I can relate to the riding environment in NY and Long Island as a teen. I found ways to make it work despite the urban and non horsey parent obstacles. Owning horses and residing in Central NJ now, It’s fun to hear stories of shared horse show venues and veterinarians. This book goes a lot farther than our local area however. I appreciate the insights regarding holocaust survivors, and some less devastating topics such as Breyer horse collectors. Only up to chapter six, I don’t want to rush through the book , although one easily could. I want it to last because each story is so intriguing. The author does an excellent job of reading; it really adds to the sincerity of the topics.

well written however...

found it to be a little too wordy/literary if you will, and not as relaxing to read. generally great story, ending pulled it all together but wasn't as absorbed as I thought I'd be given great reviews.

A must read for any equestrian

New favorite horse book, very well written and interesting. narration was also well done

Must read if you’re a horse girl!!

I related to this book on SO many levels. I laughed (a lot) and cried (a lot) and completely enjoyed every second of this book. So much so that every single horse girlfriend in my life is getting one for their birthdays! If you grew up obsessed with horses this witty and heart warming book is perfect for you. Much love to Sarah, thank you!!

horse story

struggles to get into it, but it got better as it went along. Overall, it was enjoyable

.

The author's stories brought back my own memories and adventures with horses. You can feel the love in the pages and this horse crazy girl felt all of it

For Horse Lovers (and wanna be horse lovers)

I didn’t want Sarah’s storytelling to end. As a horse owner and lover of horses ever since I first laid eyes on ponies in The Netherlands as a 3 year old, every word spoke to me. And at the same time I learned things I didn’t know. Even about myself.

Calling horse crazy gals of any age!

If you’ve ever loved a horse you will love this book. Lots of horse stories about a girl through every stage of her horse-enamored youth and then equally horse-enamored adulthood. Great stories, well told.

Incredible Journey!

This was masterfully narrated and more than I expected. I truly enjoyed the historical facts intertwined with all her horse experiences.

soooo good

Loved this. thank you for a great listen. Loved the story about you on the hunt and learning about Mawaris.

Orla Thomas

I have always admired Sarah Maslin Nir’s journalism but wasn’t sure I’d take to a book about horses, a subject I have only a passing interest in. Happily, I stand corrected - she cleverly uses horses as a lens to explore broader themes, including belonging and intergenerational trauma (her father was a Holocaust survivor). Full of fascinating stories from America and beyond, this is both insightful and evocative - and beautifully read by the author.

Couldn't stop listening!

to have the author read her own book was a real treat - fluent in changing her accent based on the characters she has personally met and documented throughout her story. Whether or not you consider yourself a horse person this is a fantastic read, blending personal narrative with history and fascinating tales tied to her love of horses around the world.