In the early part of the 20th century horse racing was at one of its all-time highs. Great thoroughbreds like Man-O-War, Hard Tack, War Admiral, and Rosemont, competed at the tracks for riches, fame and glory.

   Seabiscuit was the grandson of Man-O-War and the son of Hard Tack; owners bred the best with the best, hoping for a sure winner to be born. But when his original owner Fitzsimmons first laid eyes on Seabiscuit he was disappointed to find him a small, mud-colored, knobby-kneed colt with an unusual gait that made him appear lame. Almost set aside in obscurity Seabiscuit astounded his owner one day with a blazing quarter-mile time. Suddenly, this unlikely horse caught some attention.

   Placed in small races Seabiscuit ran, but he didn’t race consistently; losing more than winning, but when winning he broke records. As the first racing year waned Seabiscuit began to show signs of the immense schedule he’d been on - weakening knees stressed almost to the breaking point - and started showing signs of his sire Hard Tack’s notorious temper. Fitzsimmons decided to sell. That’s when Tom Smith met Seabiscuit and told Charles Howard, "Get me that horse." Charles Howard bought Seabiscuit for $8,000 in a claiming race, and one of the greatest racing teams was born.

   Due to Seabiscuit’s rough and strenuous treatment, including over usage of the whip, wrong training for his temperament, and abuse from jockeys and grooms, Seabiscuit had to be trained into becoming the gentle horse he once was. Seabiscuit was edgy, restless, not eating, and trying to take a good chunk out of anyone who passed by. But Tom Smith knew horses and he made it his goal to win Seabiscuit’s friendship. Carrots and affection were lavished on him. Tom also gave him animal companions (because horses are social animals); a stout old pony called Pumpkin (who lived with Seabiscuit the rest of his life), a small dog named Pocatell, and a spider monkey by the name of JoJo became his stall-mates. Tom also worked on his poor abused body, healing his strained knees and starting him on a regimen diet of quality feed. Then Tom started teaching Seabiscuit to love racing again - to want to run and not be forced to. By slow, constant effort, and repetition Seabiscuit learned to trust Tom and his jockey Johnny "Red" Pollard, creating an important friendship that would take him from unsightly nag to one of the greatest racehorses of all time.

   Thus begins Seabiscuit’s brilliant career in racing. At a time when our nation was looking for miracles (during the Depression) an underdog who vaulted to the top caught the interest of our entire country. Seabiscuit fans would travel great distances just to see him pass by. During his later great races he gathered crowds as large or larger than those of the Superbowl today.

   For the history buffs, every statement, action, race times, etc., is from an acknowledged source listed in the back of the book, making this an extremely accurate portrayal of Seabiscuit’s, Charles Howard’s, Tom Smith’s, and Red Pollard’s lives.

   Beyond Seabiscuit’s story this is also an authentic history of the lives of jockeys and race horses in the 30’s. Some of it is painful to read, because of the injuries, weight issues, personal lives and the horrible treatment of human life endured. There are some language issues in this book (all quoted - thankfully the author doesn’t embellish her work with such trash), and a brief mention of a brothel in Mexico (and the acts therein) where jockeys spent much of their money.

   All-in-all, being the horse enthusiast I am, I really enjoyed this book; I learned a little history and training and had my eyes opened to racing life like never before.

   For children there is a shorter, more kid-friendly version of this story (just as accurate) by Ralph Moody, entitled, Come on Seabiscuit!