The Horse

The Epic History of Our Noble Companion

By: Wendy Williams

Narrated by: Angela Brazil

Horses have a story to tell - one of resilience, sociability, and intelligence and of partnership with human beings. In The Horse, journalist and equestrienne Wendy Williams brings that story brilliantly to life.

Williams chronicles the 56-million-year journey of horses as she visits with experts around the world, exploring what our biological affinities and differences can tell us about the bond between horses and humans and what our longtime companions might think and feel. Indeed, recent scientific breakthroughs regarding the social and cognitive capacities of the horse and its ability to adapt to changing ecosystems indicate that this animal is a major evolutionary triumph.

In this book, Williams observes magnificent ancient cave art in France and Spain that signals a deep respect and admiration for horses well before they were domesticated; visits the mountains of Wyoming with experts in equine behavior to understand the dynamics of free-roaming mustangs; celebrates the Takhi horses of Mongolia; and more. She blends profound scientific insights with remarkable stories to create a unique biography of the horse as a sentient being with a fascinating past and a finely nuanced mind.

©2015 Wendy Williams (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Anyone with a love of horses will treasure this book, which provides scholarly yet accessible insight into a beautifully constructed animal that has chosen to domesticate man, just as dogs have." ( Kirkus)

fascinating history

I really liked the science and history of the horse. The book will satisfy if you are interested in the in depth telling of how horses develped through time. I did not like the narrator, she speaks in a sharp. clipped voice and puts accents on ceftain words in an annoying and distracting way.

Fascinating

I enjoyed this fascinating account of the horse and it's evolution. Truly enlightening. There is so much to learn.

The history

Intelligent, interesting, and well-written account of the history of the horse. Much to learn.

Full of science.

I waded through the prehistoric portions with some interest, but mostly I thought it was preparation for more modern history of the horse. There are some wonderful stories but it's very scientific, though not technical. The narrator read this in a "hard" voice that wore me out. Not what I was hoping for.

I like it.

I like the fact that it's about a horse, but, it talks about evolution, and I don't believe in evolution.im a Christian.