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The Black Stallion #16
Man O'War
Fiction based on the facts about one of the greatest horses of all time. the book covers horse-breeding, training and racing.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1962
78 people are currently reading
3077 people want to read
About the author
Walter Farley
169 books1,035 followersWalter Farley's love for horses began when he was a small boy living in Syracuse, New York, and continued as he grew up in New York City, where his family moved. Young Walter never owned a horse. But unlike most city children, he had little trouble gaining firsthand experience with horses-his uncle was a professional horseman, and Walter spent much of his time at the stables with him.
"He wasn't the most successful trainer of race horses," Mr. Farley recalled, "and in a way I profited by it. He switched from runners to jumpers to show horses to trotters and pacers, then back to runners again. Consequently, I received a good background in different kinds of horse training and the people associated with each."
Walter Farley began to write his first book, THE BLACK STALLION, while he was a student at Brooklyn's Erasmus Hall High School and Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania, and
finished it while he was an undergraduate at Columbia University. It was published by Random House when he was 26. He used his first advance to go traveling and after that hardly stopped longer than it took him to write another book. He traveled and lived in Mexico, Hawaii, the South Seas, most of the South American countries, the Caribbean Islands, and Europe.
The appearance of THE BLACK STALLION in 1941 was hailed by enthusiastic boys and girls all over the country. An avalanche of mail urged Mr. Farley to write more about Alec Ramsey and the Black. But World War II intervened. Mr. Farley went into the US Army, where he spent the next five years. Most of the time he was assigned to Yank, the army weekly magazine, and he was also trained in the Fourth Armored Division.
After the war Walter Farley resumed the adventures of Alec and the Black with THE BLACK STALLION RETURNS. This was followed by SON OF THE BLACK STALLION. Then Mr. Farley tried his hand at a story about a new boy, Steve Duncan, and a new horse, Flame, in THE ISLAND STALLION. Mr. Farley's readers were just as delighted with this book as his others.
Mr. Farley went on to write many more stories about the two stallions, and about other horses as well. Children of all ages have found Farley titles to enjoy, since many of the later stories were written for Mr. Farley's own children when they were too young to read his Stallion novels. And older readers and adults have been gripped by his fictionalized biography of America's greatest Thoroughbred, Man O'War. Walter Farley's titles reached a grand total of 34. The 21 Black Stallion and Island Stallion stories are still in print and selling steadily. His readers respond with passion, writing him thousands of letters and emails every year. In May 1949, the first Black Stallion Club was founded, in Kentucky. Mr. Farley designed a membership button for it; the button was in constant demand among his readers for years. The Black Stallion books were so popular in the late 1940s and '50s that they York Times annual list of best-selling children's books. Three nationwide Black Stallion contests were held. Walter Farley's books have been published abroad in more than 20 countries, including Austria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, Israel, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaya, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and Switzerland, as well as in the United States and Canada.
All his life Walter Farley remained a keen spectator of the racing scene, and he enjoyed nothing more than hobnobbing with horse trainers and other professional horsemen. It is thanks to these people that his books are so full of authentic details of raising and training horses. When not busy working or traveling, Mr. Farley liked to ride dressage and high school Lippizaner horses. He also sailed and sometimes raced his 35-foot auxiliary sloop "Circe."
Mr. Farley and his wife Rosemary, had four children: Pam, Alice, Steve, and Tim, whom they raised on a farm in Pennsylvania and in a beach house in Florida. In addit
"He wasn't the most successful trainer of race horses," Mr. Farley recalled, "and in a way I profited by it. He switched from runners to jumpers to show horses to trotters and pacers, then back to runners again. Consequently, I received a good background in different kinds of horse training and the people associated with each."
Walter Farley began to write his first book, THE BLACK STALLION, while he was a student at Brooklyn's Erasmus Hall High School and Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania, and
finished it while he was an undergraduate at Columbia University. It was published by Random House when he was 26. He used his first advance to go traveling and after that hardly stopped longer than it took him to write another book. He traveled and lived in Mexico, Hawaii, the South Seas, most of the South American countries, the Caribbean Islands, and Europe.
The appearance of THE BLACK STALLION in 1941 was hailed by enthusiastic boys and girls all over the country. An avalanche of mail urged Mr. Farley to write more about Alec Ramsey and the Black. But World War II intervened. Mr. Farley went into the US Army, where he spent the next five years. Most of the time he was assigned to Yank, the army weekly magazine, and he was also trained in the Fourth Armored Division.
After the war Walter Farley resumed the adventures of Alec and the Black with THE BLACK STALLION RETURNS. This was followed by SON OF THE BLACK STALLION. Then Mr. Farley tried his hand at a story about a new boy, Steve Duncan, and a new horse, Flame, in THE ISLAND STALLION. Mr. Farley's readers were just as delighted with this book as his others.
Mr. Farley went on to write many more stories about the two stallions, and about other horses as well. Children of all ages have found Farley titles to enjoy, since many of the later stories were written for Mr. Farley's own children when they were too young to read his Stallion novels. And older readers and adults have been gripped by his fictionalized biography of America's greatest Thoroughbred, Man O'War. Walter Farley's titles reached a grand total of 34. The 21 Black Stallion and Island Stallion stories are still in print and selling steadily. His readers respond with passion, writing him thousands of letters and emails every year. In May 1949, the first Black Stallion Club was founded, in Kentucky. Mr. Farley designed a membership button for it; the button was in constant demand among his readers for years. The Black Stallion books were so popular in the late 1940s and '50s that they York Times annual list of best-selling children's books. Three nationwide Black Stallion contests were held. Walter Farley's books have been published abroad in more than 20 countries, including Austria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, Israel, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaya, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and Switzerland, as well as in the United States and Canada.
All his life Walter Farley remained a keen spectator of the racing scene, and he enjoyed nothing more than hobnobbing with horse trainers and other professional horsemen. It is thanks to these people that his books are so full of authentic details of raising and training horses. When not busy working or traveling, Mr. Farley liked to ride dressage and high school Lippizaner horses. He also sailed and sometimes raced his 35-foot auxiliary sloop "Circe."
Mr. Farley and his wife Rosemary, had four children: Pam, Alice, Steve, and Tim, whom they raised on a farm in Pennsylvania and in a beach house in Florida. In addit
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
August 10, 2015
After reading the official biography of the famous racehorse known as Man O’War, I decided it was about time I went back and read the fictional biography of the horse, written by the famous horse writer, Walter Farley.
You see, back when I was a young kid in love with horses, I was an avid reader of Walter Farley. And when I found out he wrote about a real horse, I was excited to read it. And I loved that book. It changed me, in some way. It made my love of horses seem more real, to read about an animal that existed and was so famous.
I became obsessed with Man O’War.
And to this day, I still sort of am. I see all these new movies coming out, like Seabiscuit and Secretariat about these great horses and horse owners that overcame all the odds, and I’m sad to realize that no matter how fast Man O’War won, he simply isn’t a Hollywood horse.
Walter Farley made a comment about that in his fictional biography, and he’s absolutely correct. Man O’War kicked ass on the racetrack. There were only two instances where the horse did more than run an easy race. In one race, he lost – amid a huge controversy over whether or not the starter lifted the webbing at the right time. In the other, he simply needed one single lash of the whip to win.
This horse made the rest in his age group look like they were hardly moving at all. And his owner was already rich. So there really is no hard case for people to fall in love with. Seabiscuit was an underdog. Secretariat’s owners defied all the odds against them.
Man O’War was simply the best at what he did, and he was given the perfect conditions to win, win, win.
Man O’War will never be a Hollywood horse, but Walter Farley’s writing made this girl fall in love with the big chestnut colt. And rereading it as an adult, I am still impressed by how he conveyed this story. I was caught up in each chapter, reading about this giant animal that was never truly tested. He managed to pull on your heartstrings and make you fall in love with his fictional idea of what Man O’War was most like.
He listed off facts about the racehorse without making it seem like they were facts. You were living and breathing the lifestyle of a boy thrown into the racing business almost a hundred years ago. He conveyed each character properly, bringing them to life for the young readers he aimed this novel at.
I loved it when I was a kid, and I love it even more now.
This book is for anyone who loves horses and horse racing. I strongly recommend it.
You see, back when I was a young kid in love with horses, I was an avid reader of Walter Farley. And when I found out he wrote about a real horse, I was excited to read it. And I loved that book. It changed me, in some way. It made my love of horses seem more real, to read about an animal that existed and was so famous.
I became obsessed with Man O’War.
And to this day, I still sort of am. I see all these new movies coming out, like Seabiscuit and Secretariat about these great horses and horse owners that overcame all the odds, and I’m sad to realize that no matter how fast Man O’War won, he simply isn’t a Hollywood horse.
Walter Farley made a comment about that in his fictional biography, and he’s absolutely correct. Man O’War kicked ass on the racetrack. There were only two instances where the horse did more than run an easy race. In one race, he lost – amid a huge controversy over whether or not the starter lifted the webbing at the right time. In the other, he simply needed one single lash of the whip to win.
This horse made the rest in his age group look like they were hardly moving at all. And his owner was already rich. So there really is no hard case for people to fall in love with. Seabiscuit was an underdog. Secretariat’s owners defied all the odds against them.
Man O’War was simply the best at what he did, and he was given the perfect conditions to win, win, win.
Man O’War will never be a Hollywood horse, but Walter Farley’s writing made this girl fall in love with the big chestnut colt. And rereading it as an adult, I am still impressed by how he conveyed this story. I was caught up in each chapter, reading about this giant animal that was never truly tested. He managed to pull on your heartstrings and make you fall in love with his fictional idea of what Man O’War was most like.
He listed off facts about the racehorse without making it seem like they were facts. You were living and breathing the lifestyle of a boy thrown into the racing business almost a hundred years ago. He conveyed each character properly, bringing them to life for the young readers he aimed this novel at.
I loved it when I was a kid, and I love it even more now.
This book is for anyone who loves horses and horse racing. I strongly recommend it.
April 2, 2016
I read this as a child and loved it. I picked it up recently but could not finish. It was written at a time when women were not considered as strong as, as smart as men. It bothers me that this image of men as better than women was prevalent in the 50s and 60s and that my love of horses subjected me to this type of sexism.
May 1, 2018
I really really wanted to love this book, it’s a (fictional) biography of the legendary racehorse Man o’ War, grand-sire of Seabiscuit and one of the most tremendous thoroughbreds of all time. This book–I didn’t realize is was fiction until after I started it–was written by the author of the Black Stallion series; how could he possibly go wrong!? Um, well, he’s no Laura Hillenbrand, that’s for damn sure. The narrator, a young boy who grooms for Man o’ War during his 3 year racehorse career, is obnoxious and the writing style gives him even less confidence than his character already portrays. He questions everything, but not in an intelligent way, in a “drive the plot of a soap opera” kind of way. Will Man o’ War last the night? Will he be able to shake off this flu? Will he ever race again? These types of questions pepper every single paragraph. And, Farley seems to despise women of all kinds. As an author and also as his opinions transferred to his main character, he cannot give an honest compliment to a woman to save his life. Even if that woman happens to own and run one of the most successful racehorse stables in the country; she’s just a “bitch.” He can’t even give a real compliment to Man o’ War's mother, the mare responsible for ONE HALF of his racing genes. Farley and the boy groom write that horse off as a breed mare who has no use except for spitting out baby racers. AND, Farley and his MC seem to hold all racing female horses in the same kind of contempt. Argh, it was so blatant! And irritating! I wished I’d just read a historical article or three about Man o’ War instead of slog through this terrible book. Skip this, read Seabiscuit instead.
October 7, 2011
A good fictional account of arguably the best American racehorse ever. I liked Danny and felt his pain at the thought of losing Red, and his joy and wonder at Red's beauty, majesty and ability.
While I much prefer Dorothy Ours' A Legend Like Lightning for the facts of Man o' War's life, this book puts us in emotional touch with Red through the eyes of someone who had actually seen him in person.
While I much prefer Dorothy Ours' A Legend Like Lightning for the facts of Man o' War's life, this book puts us in emotional touch with Red through the eyes of someone who had actually seen him in person.
June 20, 2015
I loved this book when I read it as a kid - I was a little horse-crazy and the details of caring and racing really kept me enthralled. That topic isn't as interesting to me as an adult, so I didn't enjoy it as much now, but it was a good nostalgia book.
July 5, 2017
The disdain for women throughout the book is appalling. I get that this was written in 1962, but it was really bad. Every time a woman was mentioned, she was put down. Now I'm going to re-read The Black Stallion and see if Farley did the same misogynistic writing.
February 24, 2016
I am now entering the horse section of my favorites shelf reads. It was a lengthy period for me but one filled with many fond memories. I went back and forth on where I should start, Stallions or Beauties, all the while staring at this majestic beast. The others being no less in worth, but this one, this one had a special pull all its own. Shall we?
I had read through the other two standard horse themed books and was searching for more. Up to this point all of my reads were fiction all the way. I mean why burn my leisure time on educational books, that’s what school was for. This bottom shelf bookend was large and in charge and way left of my comfort zone, even if it promised a horse theme. I can’t say for sure if it was a librarian that persuaded me or just time running out on a library book search, but I went for it. A fictionalized biography is what I had in my hands and roots definitely formed from it. Learning about true stuff could be fun and interesting if you had a good author.
Did I learn to like horse racing? Nope.
Will I always remember the name Man o’ War? Absolutely.
I had read through the other two standard horse themed books and was searching for more. Up to this point all of my reads were fiction all the way. I mean why burn my leisure time on educational books, that’s what school was for. This bottom shelf bookend was large and in charge and way left of my comfort zone, even if it promised a horse theme. I can’t say for sure if it was a librarian that persuaded me or just time running out on a library book search, but I went for it. A fictionalized biography is what I had in my hands and roots definitely formed from it. Learning about true stuff could be fun and interesting if you had a good author.
Did I learn to like horse racing? Nope.
Will I always remember the name Man o’ War? Absolutely.
January 1, 2018
This one did not live up to my childhood memory of it. I still love the story of a stable boy and his love for one of the greatest (if not the greatest) race horse in history. Apparently, this book is where I learned a lot about horse racing (I was a fanatic as a pre-teen!). There is a lot of information about racing and horses just thrown in for detail--too much detail. The story gets lost along the way. While I wasn't as offended as some by the author's references to women (he does after all have two women characters who are the best at what they do), some of the descriptions were insulting.
November 27, 2015
I read this book over and over when I was in school. I found it just as entertaining as I did then. While it is a fictional account as far as the characters, the strength and beauty of this magnificent horse shines through even today. Man 'O War will always be my favorite.
February 27, 2023
Overall a decently written book, this author is famous for a reason. Personally I know it's aged with the techniques used in horse racing and the way it is viewed in the wider world. I also did not appreciate the black erasure of Man O' War's groom Will Harbut. They replaced him with Danny, a young white boy who ends up becoming wealthy and famous in his old age. I also did not like the sexism towards the very few female characters. It's important to look at these books with a critical eye and a modern perspective. Beware of blatant racism.
August 13, 2024
There are only so many times you can read variations of the phrase "Man O' War was the greatest racehorse ever!" before you get bored. It also doesn't help that any attempt to build tension falls flat, because we already know that Man O' War is going to win. Once again, the phrase "the big man" is featured prominently. 26 times, to be exact. I especially liked how it showed up four times in a row on page 7. Not a bad book, but I don't think I'll ever read it again.
December 29, 2020
The first story of Man O War. Walter Farley added all the facts and details of his life, but added a fictional young groom as the main character. I wanted to be Danny, and I was! Not for Man O War but I groomed, trained, and showed horses all inspired by this book. It is a part of me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2025
3.5 stars. Written well, just not my favorite subject matter. I did enjoy the "fictional biography" concept though.
Satisfies Nappanee Public Library's 2025 Expand Your Horizons reading challenge, category: Read a book by Walter Farley
Satisfies Nappanee Public Library's 2025 Expand Your Horizons reading challenge, category: Read a book by Walter Farley
November 2, 2025
This book was amazing. I could feel the tension waiting for the races to begin and the way the story was written was beautiful. I would recommend for any horse lover. I have no clue why it is listed in the Black Stallion series bc it’s certainly not part of it but…….
July 24, 2021
This book made a huge impression on me when I read it as a 4th or 5th grader. After reading it I always compared every horse to Man O’ War, and I’ve always remembered this book.
Last month I decided to see if it was still in print, and when I found it I ordered it. It was as delightful to read 50+ years later as it was the first time. Although it’s a book for young readers, it is not written down to them, and it is thoroughly enjoyable as an adult.
And the great Man O’ War is still the horse I will compare every other horse to!
Last month I decided to see if it was still in print, and when I found it I ordered it. It was as delightful to read 50+ years later as it was the first time. Although it’s a book for young readers, it is not written down to them, and it is thoroughly enjoyable as an adult.
And the great Man O’ War is still the horse I will compare every other horse to!
November 5, 2016
Man o'War is still famous even after being gone since 1947 and out of racing since 1920. He is still the horse racehorses are measured against. Farley's fictionalized biography explains the pull of this spectacular horse.
The facts in the book are true. The events are as they happened. The fiction comes into play because Farley invented a character to accompany Man o'War through his racing career.
Man o'War raced as a two year old beating all comers. He lost one race because his jockey let him get boxed in.
As a three year old Man o'War broke racetrack record after record. Yet he was never really allowed to run all out. No one knows how fast this horse was. What was known was that he made all other racehorses look like hacks beating them by many lengths. Finally no other owner would race against him as the race would immediately become an exhibition outing for Man o'War.
Man o'War ran 21 races winning 20. His last race was at the end of his three year old season against Sir Barton, an older Canadian horse. He was held to seven lengths ahead of the other horse yet still ran the mile and a quarter in 2:03 minutes.
Man o'War was only a name to me before reading this book. It is an interesting account of what on the surface is only racing history yet more than that as this horse is part of cultural history as well.
The facts in the book are true. The events are as they happened. The fiction comes into play because Farley invented a character to accompany Man o'War through his racing career.
Man o'War raced as a two year old beating all comers. He lost one race because his jockey let him get boxed in.
As a three year old Man o'War broke racetrack record after record. Yet he was never really allowed to run all out. No one knows how fast this horse was. What was known was that he made all other racehorses look like hacks beating them by many lengths. Finally no other owner would race against him as the race would immediately become an exhibition outing for Man o'War.
Man o'War ran 21 races winning 20. His last race was at the end of his three year old season against Sir Barton, an older Canadian horse. He was held to seven lengths ahead of the other horse yet still ran the mile and a quarter in 2:03 minutes.
Man o'War was only a name to me before reading this book. It is an interesting account of what on the surface is only racing history yet more than that as this horse is part of cultural history as well.
April 27, 2018
Walter Farley has long been a favorite "horse story" author. This fictional biography of the legendary Man O'War is certainly his finest.
Told largely through the eyes of fictional stable boy Danny Ryan, this story is nearly as powerful and compelling as the great Thoroughbred himself. "Red's" entire career from birth to yearling to two year-old to undisputed King of the Racetrack as a three year-old is told in crisp, dramatic prose. You can almost smell the racetrack and hear the roar of the crowd.
The re-telling of the legendary match race between the big red chestnut and champion Sir Barton makes you feel like you're in the stands yourself, watching red lightning on four hooves blaze down the track to victory.
Meticulously researched and lively, "Man O' War" tells us about an extraordinary Thoroughbred who burned up the track nearly a century ago, flying past all challengers like they were standing still. It follows a remarkable career in which "Red" felled one record after another until his retirement at age three, showing why Man O' War was - and remains - a Champion for the Ages. And why there'll never be another quite like Red.
I loved this book. It's one of the best "horse stories" I've ever read. A riveting read!
Told largely through the eyes of fictional stable boy Danny Ryan, this story is nearly as powerful and compelling as the great Thoroughbred himself. "Red's" entire career from birth to yearling to two year-old to undisputed King of the Racetrack as a three year-old is told in crisp, dramatic prose. You can almost smell the racetrack and hear the roar of the crowd.
The re-telling of the legendary match race between the big red chestnut and champion Sir Barton makes you feel like you're in the stands yourself, watching red lightning on four hooves blaze down the track to victory.
Meticulously researched and lively, "Man O' War" tells us about an extraordinary Thoroughbred who burned up the track nearly a century ago, flying past all challengers like they were standing still. It follows a remarkable career in which "Red" felled one record after another until his retirement at age three, showing why Man O' War was - and remains - a Champion for the Ages. And why there'll never be another quite like Red.
I loved this book. It's one of the best "horse stories" I've ever read. A riveting read!
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April 29, 2025DNF
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February 17, 2015Man'O'War, by Walter Farley, is a book following the life of a horse and his stable man. It starts at the beginning of the horses life, his birth, and the way he was raised and trained, all through the eyes of Danny, who took care of him. This book shows the emotional journey of Danny as he follows his horse to auctions, new owners, races, and victories. This story is informative, interesting, but also a story of unconditional love. Being a person who loved horses, I loved this story immediately. The author forces an emotional connection between the reader and Danny and the horse. I would recommend this story to anyone interested in horses, or just a good story.
June 11, 2013
I am a huge secretariat fan but now that I have read this book I can't pick which horse I like better. They are both considered the best of all time in my opinion. Anyway to get to the point this is an inspiring book about a groom and his great red horse that grow up together and make it through the hard struggles of the racing world after world war 1. It keep me on the edge of my seat and brought history to me right before my eyes. This is a book you need to read I'm 13 and I adored this book!
October 1, 2007
Many of you may not know (and by many I mean probably one) I am a horseracing enthusiast. Man o' War is consequently one of my favorite books, and here's why:
1. It's a book about a horse's life and still manages to be interesting.
Now I'm tired of reviewing, so I'll leave it at that.
I'm a terrible reviewer. Sorry to all of those with expectations of grandeur. Read the book and write me a review. Maybe I'll cut and paste it here.
1. It's a book about a horse's life and still manages to be interesting.
Now I'm tired of reviewing, so I'll leave it at that.
I'm a terrible reviewer. Sorry to all of those with expectations of grandeur. Read the book and write me a review. Maybe I'll cut and paste it here.
June 15, 2008
Another book I read as a kid. Walter Farley of course wrote all the Black Stallion books as well as several other fictional horse stories.
This is a turn at non-fiction or maybe 'faction' would be a better term. Farley always brings his horses and the characters that surround them to life in engaging and entertaining ways.
I still think Man O' War appeals to all age levels--horse fanatic or not. I'm not an equestrian by any means, but always did adore Farley's stories.
This is a turn at non-fiction or maybe 'faction' would be a better term. Farley always brings his horses and the characters that surround them to life in engaging and entertaining ways.
I still think Man O' War appeals to all age levels--horse fanatic or not. I'm not an equestrian by any means, but always did adore Farley's stories.
February 8, 2016
Before American Pharoah
Such an enjoyable read. Now I need to go check the record books, keeping in mind that the tracks are faster today. It's like looking at old baseball records from a time when the ball was softer. I wonder how Man O War compared to Secretariat, the Big Red of my era? If you love horses and racing, you will have fun with this book
Such an enjoyable read. Now I need to go check the record books, keeping in mind that the tracks are faster today. It's like looking at old baseball records from a time when the ball was softer. I wonder how Man O War compared to Secretariat, the Big Red of my era? If you love horses and racing, you will have fun with this book
November 17, 2008
The first book I ever read about Man O'War. This is far superior to other children's books about racehorses.
January 28, 2024
I love everything written by Walter Farley. This book was a wonderful way to learn a bit of the history of horse racing.
May 27, 2014
One of my favourite books about horse-racing.
December 4, 2022
Now You have reached here in the series, so of kept going this far, I'll assume you love it. Picture the best racehorse of all time and the grandsire of Seabiscuit come to life in literature… MAN O WAR!!! Well, stop picturing that because you're about to actually read it. This is my second favorite, and I felt like a knew Man O' War, even thought he was years before my time.
Summary:
Danny Ryan can't believe his eyes as he watches Mahubah give birth to her foal. World War II has Broken out, and they decide to call him Man O' War. They watch the big colt grow and his trainer, his groom and his owner all see a great racehorse in him. So they race him and they get more than they expected. He wins constantly, and the only race he looses was the jockey's fault. He retired at the age of three, his name forever to be remembered.
Summary:
Danny Ryan can't believe his eyes as he watches Mahubah give birth to her foal. World War II has Broken out, and they decide to call him Man O' War. They watch the big colt grow and his trainer, his groom and his owner all see a great racehorse in him. So they race him and they get more than they expected. He wins constantly, and the only race he looses was the jockey's fault. He retired at the age of three, his name forever to be remembered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2019
Birthday Book #20 from my friend Brenda. I gave this re-read 3 stars last time also, but this time it's more like 3.5. The fictional groom Danny in the true story of Man o' War didn't bug me this time. I enjoyed Man o' War's story too much. Truly the greatest we've ever seen. I only wish I had been able to see him too! I was a little annoyed by the constant putting down of women, which I don't think I'd ever noticed before. Maybe it was a teenage boy's viewpoint of a sign of the times, but it bugged me a little.
March 5, 2022
This is a fictional book based on the racehorse Man O' War. This is more along the lines of a historical fiction. It was a deeply moving book about the life and races of Man O' War and his upset. I loved Walter Farley's Black Stallion series, and I love horse racing. I was very excited to find this book in my school library. I recently just ordered a copy of this to have for nostalgic purposes (as if I have any shelf space left). I would recommend this book for anyone with a child who is into horses and wants to learn about one of the greatest, most popular horses of all time.
February 17, 2020
Best horse ever throughout history.
I loved this book could hardly put it down till I finished it. Rated it 5 stars because of the great writing and realism throughout the whole book. This horse was truly a super horse even though he had many challenges as a youngster but he was strong enough to overcome them. I wish I had been able to see Man O'War when he was alive that would have been the most special time in my life. 😊
I loved this book could hardly put it down till I finished it. Rated it 5 stars because of the great writing and realism throughout the whole book. This horse was truly a super horse even though he had many challenges as a youngster but he was strong enough to overcome them. I wish I had been able to see Man O'War when he was alive that would have been the most special time in my life. 😊
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews