Seabiscuit: An American Legend

Title: Seabiscuit: An American Legend
Author: Laura Hillenbrand
Genre: Biography
Summary: Amazon.com Review:  Seabiscuit was one of the most electrifying and popular attractions in sports history and the single biggest news maker 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.

Seabiscuit rose to prominence with the help of an unlikely triumvirate: owner Charles Howard, an automobile baron who once declared that "the day of the horse is past"; trainer Tom Smith, a man who "had cultivated an almost mystical communication with horses"; and jockey Red Pollard, who was down on his luck when he charmed a then-surly horse with his calm demeanor and a sugar cube. Hillenbrand details the ups and downs of "team Seabiscuit," from early training sessions to record-breaking victories, and from serious injury to "Horse of the Year"--as well as the Biscuit's fabled rivalry with War Admiral. She also describes the world of horse racing in the 1930s, from the snobbery of Eastern journalists regarding Western horses and public fascination with the great thoroughbreds to the jockeys' torturous weight-loss regimens, including saunas in rubber suits, strong purgatives, even tapeworms.
Rating: Amazingly excellent
Why I Like It: Kathy had mentioned in her comment about another book, “Unbroken,” by the same author, that she had read “Seabiscuit” - and said it was very good. Other people had mentioned this to me, so I finally got it & really enjoyed all the historical information included. It was interesting to learn more about the depression years & think about the ages of our parents as the events of Seabicuit were going on.
Other: Audio – starting listening to it on my trip to Whitehouse over Memorial Weekend. I felt very connected to the race at Bellmont, this past weekend, with the possibility of the first triple-crown winner in over 30 years. And it happened! American Pharoah won it June 6, 2015.
Reviewer: Patsy