Laura Hillenbrand has been writing about Thoroughbred racing since 1988 and has been a contributing writer/editor to EQUUS magazine since 1989. Her work has also appeared in "The New York Times, The New Yorker, American Heritage, The Washington Post, " and many other publications. She is a two-time winner of the Eclipse Award, the highest journalistic honor in Thoroughbred racing. She served as a consultant on the Universal Pictures movie based on this book as well as a PBS documentary on Seabiscuit's life. Born in Fairfax, Virginia, Hillenbrand attended Kenyon College and currently lives in Washington, D.C. She can be reached via the Internet at www.seabiscuitonline.com.
Praise for "Seabiscut"
"A captivating story . . . with the detail of good history, the
blistering pace of Biscuit himself and the charm of grand
legend."
--"The New York Times Book Review"
"Remarkable . . . memorable . . . just as compelling today as it
was in 1938."
--"The Washington Post"
"Dazzling . . . ["Seabiscuit"] does for the world of horse racing
what" Into Thin Air "did for mountain climbing. . . . In daredevil
prose that sprints along at a breakneck pace, Hillenbrand tells the
incredible tale of Seabiscuit. . . . Like a brilliant jockey,
Hillenbrand suspensefully manages her champion of a story. In the
final stretch, it hurtles towards its climax."
--Maureen Corrigan, " Fresh Air", NPR
"It's a terrific story, but it's more than just a horse's tale,
because the humans who owned, trained and rode Seabiscuit are
equally fascinating. . . . Even if your interest in horses goes no
further than hansom cabs, you'll find this book engrossing."
--"Sports Illustrated"
"Terrific . . . Illuminating a forgotten piece of American history,
"Seabiscuit" brings alive the drama, the beauty, the louche charm
and the brutality of horse racing."
--"USA Today"
"Good sports books are few and far between, good books on racing
even more so. So it is hugely refreshing when one as fine as this
one comes along. The research is meticulous, the writing elegant
and concise, so that every page transports you back to the period.
. . . This is a remarkable tale well told by a writer who deftly
blends history and sport. "Seabiscuit" should capture a new
generation of readers beyond the world of horse racing."
--"The Economist"
Praise for "Seabiscut"
"A captivating story . . . with the detail of good history, the
blistering pace of Biscuit himself and the charm of grand
legend."
--"The New York Times Book Review"
"Remarkable . . . memorable . . . just as compelling today as it
was in 1938."
--"The Washington Post"
"Dazzling . . . ["Seabiscuit"] does for the world of horse racing
what" Into Thin Air "did for mountain climbing. . . . In daredevil
prose that sprints along at a breakneck pace, Hillenbrand tells the
incredible tale of Seabiscuit. . . . Like a brilliant jockey,
Hillenbrand suspensefully manages her champion of a story. In the
final stretch, it hurtles towards its climax."
--Maureen Corrigan," Fresh Air," NPR
"It's a terrific story, but it's more than just a horse's tale,
because the humans who owned, trained and rode Seabiscuit are
equally fascinating. . . . Even if your interest in horses goes no
further than hansom cabs, you'll find this book engrossing."
--"Sports Illustrated"
"Terrific . . . Illuminating a forgotten piece of American history,
"Seabiscuit" brings alive the drama, the beauty, the louche charm
and the brutality of horse racing."
--"USA Today"
"Good sports books are few and far between, good books on racing
even more so. So it is hugely refreshing when one as fine as this
one comes along. The research is meticulous, the writing elegant
and concise, so that every page transports you back to the period.
. . . This is a remarkable tale well told by a writer who deftly
blends history and sport. "Seabiscuit" should capture a new
generation of readers beyond the world of horse racing."
--"The Economist"
Praise for "Seabiscut
"A captivating story . . . with the detail of good history, the
blistering pace of Biscuit himself and the charm of grand
legend."
--"The New York Times Book Review
"Remarkable . . . memorable . . . just as compelling today as it
was in 1938."
--"The Washington Post
"Dazzling . . . ["Seabiscuit] does for the world of horse racing
what" Into Thin Air did for mountain climbing. . . . In daredevil
prose that sprints along at a breakneck pace, Hillenbrand tells the
incredible tale of Seabiscuit. . . . Like a brilliant jockey,
Hillenbrand suspensefully manages her champion of a story. In the
final stretch, it hurtles towards its climax."
--Maureen Corrigan," Fresh Air, NPR
"It's a terrific story, but it's more than just a horse's tale,
because the humans who owned, trained and rode Seabiscuit are
equally fascinating. . . . Even if your interest in horses goes no
further than hansom cabs, you'll find this book engrossing."
--"Sports Illustrated
"Terrific . . . Illuminating a forgotten piece of American history,
"Seabiscuit brings alive the drama, the beauty, the louche charm
and the brutality of horse racing."
--"USA Today
"Good sports books are few and far between, good books on racing
even more so. So it is hugely refreshing when one as fine as this
one comes along. The research is meticulous, the writing elegant
and concise, so that every page transports you back to the period.
. . . This is a remarkable tale well told by a writer who deftly
blends history and sport. "Seabiscuit should capture a new
generation of readers beyond the world of horse racing."
--"The Economist
A veteran thoroughbred-racing writer whose stories have appeared in American Heritage, Talk, and other magazines, Hillenbrand here takes readers on a thrilling ride through 341 pages on the back of champion thoroughbred Seabiscuit. This is a Cinderella story in which four creatures, united for a brief period of time (1936-47), spark the imagination of an entire country. Hillenbrand combines the horse's biography with a social history of 1930s and 1940s America and incisive portraits of the team around Seabiscuit. Charlie Howard, a car dealer, bought the crooked-legged, scruffy little horse; Tom Smith, a man who rarely spoke to people but who communicated perfectly with horses, became its trainer; and Red Pollard, a half-blind jockey, rode Seabiscuit to fame. Hillenbrand's extensive research compares favorably with that of Alexander MacKay-Smith's in Speed and the Thoroughbred (Derrydale, 2000). This story of trust, optimism, and perseverance in overcoming obstacles will appeal to many readers. Highly recommended. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/00.] Patsy E. Gray, Huntsville P.L., AL Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
HGifted sportswriter Hillenbrand unearths the rarefied world of thoroughbred horse racing in this captivating account of one of the sport's legends. Though no longer a household name, Seabiscuit enjoyed great celebrity during the 1930s and 1940s, drawing record crowds to his races around the country. Not an overtly impressive physical specimenD"His stubby legs were a study in unsound construction, with huge, squarish, asymmetrical `baseball glove' knees that didn't quite straighten all the way"Dthe horse seemed to transcend his physicality as he won race after race. Hillenbrand, a contributor to Equus magazine, profiles the major players in Seabiscuit's fantastic and improbable career. In simple, elegant prose, she recounts how Charles Howard, a pioneer in automobile sales and Seabiscuit's eventual owner, became involved with horse racing, starting as a hobbyist and growing into a fanatic. She introduces esoteric recluse Tom Smith (Seabiscuit's trainer) and jockey Red Pollard, a down-on-his-luck rider whose specialty was taming unruly horses. In 1936, Howard united Smith, Pollard and "The Biscuit," whose performance had been spottyDand the horse's star career began. Smith, who recognized Seabiscuit's potential, felt an immediate rapport with him and eased him into shape. Once Seabiscuit started breaking records and outrunning lead horses, reporters thronged the Howard barn day and night. Smith's secret workouts became legendary and only heightened Seabiscuit's mystique. Hillenbrand deftly blends the story with explanations of the sport and its culture, including vivid descriptions of the Tijuana horse-racing scene in all its debauchery. She roots her narrative of the horse's breathtaking career and the wild devotion of his fans in its socioeconomic context: Seabiscuit embodied the underdog myth for a nation recovering from dire economic straits. (Mar.) Forecast: Despite the shrinking horse racing audienceDand the publishing adage that books on horse racing don't sellDthis book has the potential to do well, even outside the realm of the racing community, due to a large first printing and forthcoming Universal Studios movie. A stylish cover will attract both baby boomers and young readers, tapping into the sexiness and allure of the "Sport of Kings." Hillenbrand's glamorous photo on the book jacket won't hurt her chances, and Seabiscuit should sell at a galloping pace. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
Praise for "Seabiscut"
"A captivating story . . . with the detail of good history, the
blistering pace of Biscuit himself and the charm of grand
legend."
--"The New York Times Book Review"
"Remarkable . . . memorable . . . just as compelling today as it
was in 1938."
--"The Washington Post"
"Dazzling . . . ["Seabiscuit"] does for the world of horse racing
what" Into Thin Air "did for mountain climbing. . . . In daredevil
prose that sprints along at a breakneck pace, Hillenbrand tells the
incredible tale of Seabiscuit. . . . Like a brilliant jockey,
Hillenbrand suspensefully manages her champion of a story. In the
final stretch, it hurtles towards its climax."
--Maureen Corrigan, " Fresh Air", NPR
"It's a terrific story, but it's more than just a horse's tale,
because the humans who owned, trained and rode Seabiscuit are
equally fascinating. . . . Even if your interest in horses goes no
further than hansom cabs, you'll find this book engrossing."
--"Sports Illustrated"
"Terrific . . . Illuminating a forgotten piece of American history,
"Seabiscuit" brings alive the drama, the beauty, the louche charm
and the brutality of horse racing."
--"USA Today"
"Good sports books are few and far between, good books on racing
even more so. So it is hugely refreshing when one as fine as this
one comes along. The research is meticulous, the writing elegant
and concise, so that every page transports you back to the period.
. . . This is a remarkable tale well told by a writer who deftly
blends history and sport. "Seabiscuit" should capture a new
generation of readers beyond the world of horse racing."
--"The Economist"
Praise for "Seabiscut"
"A captivating story . . . with the detail of good history, the
blistering pace of Biscuit himself and the charm of grand
legend."
--"The New York Times Book Review"
"Remarkable . . . memorable . . . just as compelling today as it
was in 1938."
--"The Washington Post"
"Dazzling . . . ["Seabiscuit"] does for the world of horse racing
what" Into Thin Air "did for mountain climbing. . . . In daredevil
prose that sprints along at a breakneck pace, Hillenbrand tells the
incredible tale of Seabiscuit. . . . Like a brilliant jockey,
Hillenbrand suspensefully manages her champion of a story. In the
final stretch, it hurtles towards its climax."
--Maureen Corrigan," Fresh Air," NPR
"It's a terrific story, but it's more than just a horse's tale,
because the humans who owned, trained and rode Seabiscuit are
equally fascinating. . . . Even if your interest in horses goes no
further than hansom cabs, you'll find this book engrossing."
--"Sports Illustrated"
"Terrific . . . Illuminating a forgotten piece of American history,
"Seabiscuit" brings alive the drama, the beauty, the louche charm
and the brutality of horse racing."
--"USA Today"
"Good sports books are few and far between, good books on racing
even more so. So it is hugely refreshing when one as fine as this
one comes along. The research is meticulous, the writing elegant
and concise, so that every page transports you back to the period.
. . . This is a remarkable tale well told by a writer who deftly
blends history and sport. "Seabiscuit" should capture a new
generation of readers beyond the world of horse racing."
--"The Economist"
Praise for "Seabiscut
"A captivating story . . . with the detail of good history, the
blistering pace of Biscuit himself and the charm of grand
legend."
--"The New York Times Book Review
"Remarkable . . . memorable . . . just as compelling today as it
was in 1938."
--"The Washington Post
"Dazzling . . . ["Seabiscuit] does for the world of horse racing
what" Into Thin Air did for mountain climbing. . . . In daredevil
prose that sprints along at a breakneck pace, Hillenbrand tells the
incredible tale of Seabiscuit. . . . Like a brilliant jockey,
Hillenbrand suspensefully manages her champion of a story. In the
final stretch, it hurtles towards its climax."
--Maureen Corrigan," Fresh Air, NPR
"It's a terrific story, but it's more than just a horse's tale,
because the humans who owned, trained and rode Seabiscuit are
equally fascinating. . . . Even if your interest in horses goes no
further than hansom cabs, you'll find this book engrossing."
--"Sports Illustrated
"Terrific . . . Illuminating a forgotten piece of American history,
"Seabiscuit brings alive the drama, the beauty, the louche charm
and the brutality of horse racing."
--"USA Today
"Good sports books are few and far between, good books on racing
even more so. So it is hugely refreshing when one as fine as this
one comes along. The research is meticulous, the writing elegant
and concise, so that every page transports you back to the period.
. . . This is a remarkable tale well told by a writer who deftly
blends history and sport. "Seabiscuit should capture a new
generation of readers beyond the world of horse racing."
--"The Economist
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