The Horse God Built

The Untold Story of Secretariat, the World’s Greatest Racehorse

By: Lawrence Scanlan

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

In The Horse God Built, best-selling equestrian writer Lawrence Scanlan has written a tribute to an exceptional man that is also a backroads journey to a corner of the racing world rarely visited. As a young black man growing up in South Carolina, Eddie Sweat struggled at several occupations before settling on the job he was born for - groom to North America's finest racehorses. As Secretariat's groom, loyal friend, and protector, Eddie understood the horse far better than anyone else. A wildly generous man who could read a horse with his eyes, he shared in little of the financial success or glamour of Secretariat's wins on the track, but won the heart of Big Red with his soft words and relentless devotion. In Scanlan's rich narrative, we get a groom's-eye view of the racing world and the vantage of a man who spent every possible moment with the horse he loved, yet who often basked in the horse's glory from the sidelines. More than anything else, The Horse God Built is a moving portrait of the powerful bond between human and horse.

©2007 Lawrence Scanlan (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This volume bulges with insight into and sensitivity toward the world of Thoroughbred horse racing." ( Publishers Weekly)

Excellent book and perfectly written

What a joy to read this great book. Not just about the greatest horse in history but the human side of the relationship that was between world champion Groomer and partner Edward Sweat I use the title because Eddie was steadfast in his dedication to his profession and his unwavering unconditional love for big red. The book also branches out with investigative finds and facts about other people in the sport Thank you for the excellent prospective in the way this is reported and written I am reminded throughout the book of what Jesus said "The last shall be first and the first shall be last " For all of us that can relate to Edward Sweat and his family, may God Bless you and may He remind us of how blessed we really are everyday

Good book

This was a good book but at places it rambled to topics that were unexpected. I thought from the name it was focused on Eddie Sweat even more than it was, but it did ramble to and from other people and horses. It was enjoyable and informative nonetheless.

A Gem For Secretariat and Horse Lovers

As one of the lucky ones who got to meet the Great Secretariat in 1986, this lovely and loving book provides so much background information about the people who cared for him and loved him best, particularly Eddie Sweat. His handler gave me some loose strands from his mane and I have cherished these, along with the pictures taken with him these many years and can attest, he DID love having his picture taken. While many of the stallions we visited exhibited aggressive, gnashing teeth, our lovely Big Red was held on a loose lead, with no chain over his nose or any restraint. He allowed me to pay his neck and shoulder as easily as one of my horses.

This book can serve as a wonderful teaching aid to anyone in the horse or even animal world on how to interact with our beloved furred and feathered charges. Love them and they will love you back. Kindness works better than meanness. Use the “sweat Method”. A great story and tribute to the Shed Row folks.

Secretariat fans will love it

I was 13 in 1973 and Secretariat was my hero. I thought I’d read everything available about him and his connections. But I learned many new things in this book. Quite an enjoyable read.

How many times can you say the same thing

Would you try another book from Lawrence Scanlan and/or Joe Barrett?

probably not after listening to this book

What was most disappointing about Lawrence Scanlan’s story?

The book constantly repeated the same information about the groom Eddie Sweat and didn't really spend much time on Secretariat.

What didn’t you like about Joe Barrett’s performance?

Can't blame the reader for a poorly written book.

A great story about a great groom and his horse

It was a great story. It showed the story that many don't see. I loved it.

The Horse God Built.

Wonderful book. Wonderful writer. I will read in few months . Accurate info. I loved it.

Beautiful, compassionate and informative

Thought it was going to be a fact filled account of an outstanding horse. It was so much more. A wonderful twerking of the horse-human bond which can be shared.

nothing like the title

This book was not about the horse. It was about the racing industry. It was a struggle to finish and had some incorrect information.

The Horse that God Built

Loved this book. I love Secretariat, but also learning about his groom, Eddie Sweat. I would. recommend this book to anyone.