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Just finished Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand. An amazing book about a horse and the people that surrounded him. It’s more than just a story of success, it’s a story of the unlikely and downtrodden overcoming – both in Seabiscuit himself but also the men and women who’s lives were affected by the horse and each other.

Charles Howard started his life with close to nothing and became one of the most successful business men in America. His success allowed him certain privleges in life which included rasing and racing horses. He and his wife Marcela fell in love with Seabiscuit and spent much of their time making sure the horse was taken care of as well as the people that took care of the horse.

Tom Smith was Seabiscuit’s trainer. He brought the success out of the horse and without his experience and direction, I doubt Seabiscuit would have ammounted to much of anything. He is one of the most interesting people to read about. Tom’s understanding of both man and horse was impressive and his distain for the spotlight and care of Seabiscuit show where his true motivation in life was centered. He understood that everyone needs second chances. Seabiscuit, Red and Smith were all given second chances in life and all did more with their opportunities than most people when given the chance.

Red Pollard on Seabiscuit

Red Pollard, an educated yet troublesome teenager became one of the best jockeys in the world but most likely could not have made it alone without the horse that seemed to be the perfect match for his personality – the Biscuit. He overcame physical injuries that would have ended most jokey’s careers. Its obvious that the life of a jockey was not glamorus nor was it worth the measly earnings that the majority made.

George Woolf riding Seabiscuit

George Woolf, one of the best jockies in America rode Seabiscuit when Red could not. He lived the life of a jockey, full of all the physical exhaustion that comes with it. He suffered from diabeaties most of his life which made his work as a jockey that much more difficult. Woolf died tragically when he fell from a horse during a race.

Its difficult to immagine the conditions underwhich people were living in the early 20th centry. The social infrastructure of the USA let alone the rest of the world was pitiful at best. There was a staggaring separation between the rich and poor. Low wages and lack of standardized/modern medical care and poor insurance made the life of these men dificult and lowered life expectancy.

I probably wouldn’t have bought the book at all however, it came bundled with the copy of the movie I purchased. After picking it up, I could not put it down (relatively speaking of course, I mean I could put it down and did often, but you know what I mean…). I don’t have a lot of time to read but found myself taking time during my lunch breaks and in the envenings once in a while to catch a few chapters. Of course, you’ll find much of the movie differed from the content of the book. Its just too difficult to get so much detail into a short movie. If you’ve seen the movie, I’m pretty sure you’ll like the book if you can get a copy in your hands (not very diffucult at all). It’s a great read.