Seabiscuit

An American Legend

By: Laura Hillenbrand

Narrated by: George Newbern

#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.

“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

A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST NONFICTION BOOK OF THE CENTURY

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 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.

Critic reviews

“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. . . . [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

Fun, filled with facts, good performance.

This was just a great story. I love the periodical facts that go along with the story. I love this author and the performance keeps the book intact.

It's an Okay book

it was hard to start reading it but it became easier after a couple chapters :)

Well done

It actually felt like we were at the races!
Moving stories about the jockey's as well.

Extraordinary!

I thought this was an incredible story and well written. It's become one of my favorites and I'm sure I'll listen to it again. I thought the narration was perfect for this type of story.

Pretty Good Historical Account

What did you love best about Seabiscuit?

The tricks the trainer played on the press.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The trainer...he was so clever!

What does George Newbern bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Not sure. He seemed to be an average reader. He did a good job, but wasn't hugely expressive.

Any additional comments?

This is more of a historical account of what occured than a novel - in my humble opinion.