Seabiscuit: An American Legend

Seabiscuit: An American Legend – Laura Hillenbrand

In the depths of the Great Depression, an unlikely racehorse captured the hearts of millions of Americans. Seabiscuit was small, knobby-kneed and lazy, a horse that had lost race after race and seemed destined for obscurity. But in the hands of three remarkable men, he became a champion and one of the most famous celebrities of his time.

In Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Laura Hillenbrand tells the story of the horse and the men who believed in him. Charles Howard was a former bicycle repairman who made a fortune selling automobiles in California. Tom Smith was a quiet, mysterious trainer from the vanishing frontier, who had an extraordinary understanding of horses. Red Pollard was a tough, bookish jockey who had spent years in the brutal world of small-time racing and who was secretly blind in one eye.

Together, they transformed Seabiscuit into a winner. Hillenbrand describes his races in thrilling detail, culminating in his legendary 1938 match race against War Admiral, the Triple Crown winner, which drew an enormous audience. She also recounts the serious injuries suffered by both horse and jockey, and their remarkable comebacks.

Based on extensive research, including interviews and newspaper archives, the book also offers a vivid portrait of the world of horse racing in the 1930s, with its dangers, its colorful characters and the harsh lives of jockeys who starved themselves to make weight.

Inspiring and beautifully written, Seabiscuit was a major bestseller and was adapted into an acclaimed film. It is a captivating read for lovers of sports, history and great true stories.