#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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 … 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.
BONUS: This edition contains a Seabiscuit discussion guide and an excerpt from Unbroken.
Praise for Seabiscuit
“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
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I have to applaud the way Laura Hillenbrand is able to weave these varied personalities into a wonderful book. Instead of a typical nonfiction read, Seabiscuit is engrossing and impossible to put down. Three men find their lives intertwined based on their love of this almost forgotten horse.
Even with all the great reviews, I resisted reading this one because I knew nothing of horse racing and had little interest in it. It’s a measure of how well it’s written and how good the story is that I was fascinated from the first page and turning pages as fast as possible from then on. Hildebrand has continued to write page turners in …
A great story of this great horse and the devoted people who saved, loved, and trained him to become the American Legend that he is. It is truly the story of an underdog, a reject, and a “lost cause” who never gave up! Informative and Inspirational!!
I love historical fiction, and Laura Hillenbrand is one of the best writers of that genre. This is such a good story about an unknown (to me) champion of a horse. All of the characters will touch your heart. Loved it. It’s sometimes heavy on info, but forge through it and you will be so glad you did.
Laura Hillenbrand breathes life and intimate detail to the world of horse racing. I loved Sea Biscuit, the underdog, who prevailed to a hero. Laura writes non-fiction like the best fiction, and I appreciate the way she makes it real. Because of Seabisquit, I have attended horse races! And even bet! The latest race was the Breeders Cup at Del Mar, …
Laura Hillebrand is a master biographer Who takes you into the world of her subject. Her writing style is clean, fun, and easy to read. She provides great detail while maintaining a great story!
If your lack of interest in horse racing has kept you from reading this book you should put that aside and know that this book is not about horse racing, it is about an athlete that trascended celebrity to give hope to a nation that badly needed it. It is one of the most uplifting real stories you’ll ever read, full of the qualities that give us …
I don’t care about horses nor horse racing but I found this book absolutely intriguing (no fiction writer would dare make up such characters, including the horse) and enjoyable. You should read this book.
Really enjoyed learning about the incredible true story of a race horse with humble beginnings who captured the nation’s attention and imagination; and, the owner and riders who saw and nurtured that magical journey from setback to success. Was a well-researched and captivating story that led me to read another book by same author. Referred this …
A great recount of an inspirational true story.
The book written like a journal article, it describes in detail the events and the characters, leaving you tense to know what will happen and who will win the next race. Images taken at the time are attached to each chapter and add to the reading experience. The author demonstrates a great deal of professional knowledge and fascinating writing …
I have zero interest in horse racing. But this book kept me up until 4 AM finishing it. The author is a wizard at making something mundane into something fascinating and unforgettable. You are missing out if you don’t read it.
Hillenbrand is one of the finest writers out there. This book and “Unbroken” are both five-star classics. (And both are excellent films.) Her attention to detail is amazing and she is an unparalleled researcher. Just the one signature race that is the focus of “Seabiscuit” runs something like 5 pages. Thrilling material!
true story of a horse, love, racing. Very inspirational.
I never thought I could get so involved in horse racing. My heart was pumping hard in so many of the scenes. The author has a great ability to pull the reader into the moment and feel the action as well as the emotion of the moment. This true story is inspiring and very well written.
One of my favorite books of all time.
one of the best books i’ve ever read. an incredible story deeply researched.
Hilldebrand, with impeccable research, brings to life the saga of the biscuit.
Loved this book! One of the best I have ever read.
heavily researched, fascinating story gallops right from the gate all the way to the end