"Written with an effortless command of history and language, "Man o' War" frees thoroughbred racing's greatest icon from nearly a century of mythology and mystery . . . A riveting work, researched meticulously and told brilliantly."--Laura Hillenbrand, "Seabiscuit." 16-page photo insert.

Reviews

In an interview, author Laura Hillenbrand (Seabiscuit: An American Legend) was asked if she planned to write on the Man O' War (1917-47), arguably the greatest American racehorse ever. She replied that "a wonderful writer named Dorothy Ours" had beaten her to "the first truly comprehensive biography of Man O' War. So I'll have to look elsewhere!" What better endorsement for Ours (former communications coordinator, National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame), who spent a decade researching this book. Though others have written biographies of this great racehorse, including Page Cooper and Roger L. Treat, and Edward L. Bowen, Ours used several more resources than previous authors-one primary source she cites is the daughter-in-law of Man O' War jockey Johnny Loftus. Ours documents how Man O' War's success changed the lives of those around him both for better and for worse. She also includes little-known tidbits, such as the fact that drugging horses for optimal performance was legal during this time, though Man O' War was such a phenomenal horse that he did not require it. Although perhaps lacking the crossover appeal of Seabiscuit, this book is recommended for all libraries with racing collections.-Patsy Gray, Huntsville P.L., AL Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

"Written with an effortless command of history and language, " Man o' War "frees Thoroughbred racing's greatest icon from nearly a century of mythology and mystery. In its pages, Man o' War lives in all his complexity: emphatic, breathtaking, maddening, both a blessing and a curse to those who cultivated his superlative talent." Man o' War "is a riveting work, researched meticulously and told brilliantly."
---Laura Hillenbrand, " New York Times "bestselling author of" Seabiscuit: An American Legend"

"You take twenty-two chapters, mix in one spectacular Thoroughbred racehorse, and gently blend in just enough inscrutability, dishonesty, and plot---voil ! One must-read book that equals hours of unadulterated pleasure."
---George M. Steinbrenner III

"The golden era of racing and its greatest star come to life in the vivid pages of Dorothy Ours's outstanding retrospective on Man o' War."
---Joe Hirsch, "Daily Racing Form"