BOOK REVIEWS
Seabiscuit An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand
Many years after my Dad passed away, I was reminiscing and thought about his palpable love for Seabiscuit. Since Seabiscuit died before I was born, I could not really understand what was so special about this thoroughbred race horse. But my Dad could. He loved the races and talked about Seabiscuit every chance he got. I thought, what better way to honor Dad than to find out why he loved this horse so much and so I bought Laura Hillenbrand's book. What an absolute gift I gave myself! |
An incredible story told by one of today's best writers. Seabiscuit came to life through the etchings of her writer's pen. The reader will feel as though they are the jockey riding a fierce race, feeling the horse underneath, hearing his breathing, feeling the mud slap their face, seeing the field of horses before them, and then experiencing the surge of Seabiscuit energy as he comes around the clubhouse turn!
I can't say enough good things about this book and about Ms. Hillenbrand's ability to recapture a moment long gone.
I've read it several times, and even read it to a bedridden, elderly woman, in installments. This book brightened her life and captured her imagination. She could not wait to hear the next installment. You will have a great time reading it too, and ... it is NOTHING like the movie starring Jeff Bridges, which was more fiction, than fact.
One of my all-time favorite books about horses. And Dad ... now I know. Now I understand! I wish you were here so we could share the joy of Seabiscuit together!
Review by Sandra Nordgren
I can't say enough good things about this book and about Ms. Hillenbrand's ability to recapture a moment long gone.
I've read it several times, and even read it to a bedridden, elderly woman, in installments. This book brightened her life and captured her imagination. She could not wait to hear the next installment. You will have a great time reading it too, and ... it is NOTHING like the movie starring Jeff Bridges, which was more fiction, than fact.
One of my all-time favorite books about horses. And Dad ... now I know. Now I understand! I wish you were here so we could share the joy of Seabiscuit together!
Review by Sandra Nordgren
The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman, The Horse That Inspired a Nation by Elizabeth Letts
I LOVED this book! Kept me enthralled all the way. This is a story of love, faith, compassion, determination, and greatness! In many ways, Snowman's story is similar to that of Seabiscuit, one of the greatest horses in racing history. Trainer Tom Smith, was captured the eye of 3-year old Seabiscuit, a horse who was losing most races, but in whose eyes Tom saw greatness. He convinced Charles Howard to buy the horse, and with love and expert training, Tom brought out the greatness in Seabiscuit. And the rest is history! |
Trainer Harry DeLeyer was captivated by two eyes staring at him through a small opening in the side of a slaughter truck. An egregiously poor man, a compulsion overtook him to save Snowman from slaughter, and so he had the trucker's bring the plow horse out of the truck and purchased him for $80! Snowman's destiny was nurtured to life through Harry's love and compassion and he became one of the greatest competing horses of all time.
This story reminds us, yet again, of these loving, sentient beings who often end up on a slaughter truck or whose suffering is disregarded as though they are worthless objects not worthy of our love and respect.
An exciting, memorable, GREAT book!
Review by Sandra Nordgren
This story reminds us, yet again, of these loving, sentient beings who often end up on a slaughter truck or whose suffering is disregarded as though they are worthless objects not worthy of our love and respect.
An exciting, memorable, GREAT book!
Review by Sandra Nordgren
Hope ... from the Heart of Horses by Kathy Pike
(How Horses Teach Us About Presence, Strength, and Awareness) One of my top 10 books about horses!! Hope offers stories about how horses touch and alter people's lives. Stories of Equine Therapy at its finest, and so much more. Your understanding of the emotional and spiritual lives of horses that you will glean from this book will expand your own emotional and spiritual experience. I read the book a few years ago and will read it again soon and then update this review. Review by Sandra Nordgren |
Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards
How a broken horse fixed a broken heart A powerhouse memoir. I couldn't put the book down! This is truly one of the great animal stories for it connects us all, not just humans and horses, but all animals, birds, fish, and even insects! We are all in this world together, and with loving presence and kindness we can have a profound affect on each other. This book is a testament to that. Review by Sandra Nordgren |
Horses with a Mission by Allen and Linda Anderson
Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service Another book that is hard to put down. One extraordinary story after another that shows the depth of soul and intelligence that horses possess. Their highly attuned, sensitive nature, and their ability to live in a silent and creative realm, allows them to come up with choices and solutions that serve themselves, other horses, and humans. If you want to buy a great holiday or birthday gift for someone, this is it! Review by Sandra Nordgren |
The Tao of Equus by Linda Kohanov
A Woman's Journey of Healing and Transformation through the Way of the Horse Equine therapist Linda Kohanov recounts her extraordinary spiritual awakening with her mare, Rasa. Using personal knowledge gained from years of teaching and administering equine therapy, coupled with mythology, neurological research, and cultural history, she passionately sought to understand the metaphysical and scientific aspects of the human-horse bond. Ms. Kohanov looks closely at the uncanny communication and bonding that people, particularly women, have with horses. |
A profound book that explores horses in a way that few of us have thought about.'
A great book to read and study!
Review by Sandra Nordgren
A great book to read and study!
Review by Sandra Nordgren
The Man Who Listens to Horses by Monty Roberts
The Story of a Real Life Horse Whisperer "Riveting and inspirational ... easy to read and hard to put down." The New York Times Book Review From a young age, Monty Roberts' gentle soul was moved to understand the lives of horses, how they communicate with each other, and how humans can communicate with them. He saw the cruelty reaped on them from ranchers and horse breeders who forced horses into submission through weeks and months of torture and cruelty. Having been the victim of that himself, he vowed to find a kinder and better way to be with horses. And so, as a 13 year-old, he observed them on the range. What he discovered was a complex, silent world of intelligent, sentient beings who spoke through body language, telepathy, and energy sensitivity. This book explores this world. A fascinating read. Review by Sandra Nordgren |
Why We Ride: Women Writers on the Horses in Their Lives edited by Verna Dreisbach
The book had some wonderful stories. Owing Clydes, A Horse of a Different Color, Painted Christmas Dreams (great story!), Great-Grand-Mare, A Man Like My Horse, Stop and Eat the Flowers, the personal break-through Janice made in Riding Lessons, Hoofbeats (great story!), Two Loves, Bear, Trevor (great story!) and Learning to Love. (I hope I didn't leave any out.)
Then there are other stories that no matter where your eye lands, you are sure to see the word "I". These were more about the writer than about the horses. My preference is stories showing deep connection |
between human and horse, not ones focused on a personal journey or on events through their perspective. One story, Akualele, centered around the relationship of two people, and the horse, only referred to as "the roan", felt incidental to the story.
I still recommend the book. Some stories are wonderful and show the extraordinary bond and love between horse and human. I felt myself out there in the barn with the writer, or on the trail, on the back of a beautiful, loving horse, riding off into the sunset!
Review submitted by Sandra Nordgren
I still recommend the book. Some stories are wonderful and show the extraordinary bond and love between horse and human. I felt myself out there in the barn with the writer, or on the trail, on the back of a beautiful, loving horse, riding off into the sunset!
Review submitted by Sandra Nordgren