About This Book

Seabiscuit: The Saga of a Great Champion is the first complete story of the legendary thoroughbred who captured the heart of a nation. Originally published in 1940 when Seabiscuit and all the major characters were alive, and written by someone who knew them, Beckwith’s book gives readers an opportunity to experience the thrill of Seabiscuit’s life as it actually happened. Presented in its original oversize trim and featuring period photographs and specially commissioned artwork by Howard Brodie, Seabiscuit: The Saga of a Great Champion follows the thoroughbred’s illustrious career from his humble birth in Kentucky to his remarkable string of races across the country from 1936 to 1940, and culminating in his stunning come-back victory at Santa Anita—a moment that confirmed Seabiscuit as one of the greatest racehorses of all time. In researching her best-selling Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Laura Hillenbrand drew on B. K. Beckwith’s book, a rare contemporary account that preserves insights, anecdotes, and quotes found no where else. As Grantland Rice said at the time, “Here you get the true story of the most dramatic thoroughbred racing has ever known.”

B. K. Beckwith is the author of Step and Go Together: The World of Horses and Horsemanship and The Longden Legend. Howard Brodie is acknowledged as one of America’s premier illustrators. He is recognized for his sports illustrations and his work as a combat artist in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Grantland Rice is the dean of American sportswriters. He popularized the sportswriter’s role and coined some of the most memorable phrases in sports reporting.

Praise for Seabiscuit:

“Beckwith’s unbridled passion gives today’s reader some insight into just how popular this rags-to-riches, undersized horse was in his heyday. The highlight of this timely reissue is the artwork, which includes illustrations by Howard Brodie and 23 b&w photos-the latter give a glimpse of the true beauty of the champion and provide some breathtaking wire-shots from the 1937 and 1938 Santa Anita Handicaps.”—Publishers Weekly

“The best racing book published since Hillenbrand’s. . . . Beckwith was there and understood what bonded Seabiscuit to his fans.” —Newsday

“Beckwith, a noted track writer in his day, penned this portrait of the champion horse in 1940. Seabiscuit’s story is the stuff that fairy tales are made of: the abused animal was rescued, retrained to run, and blossomed into one of horse-racing’s greatest winners. This volume tells the whole story in brief, along with numerous pictures and illustrations.”—Library Journal

“Those who have read Laura Hillenbrand’s book or have seen the movie will appreciate the story even more by reading this.” —Cindy Pierson Dulay, Horse-Races.net