Man o' War

Man o' War chronicles the life and racing career of one of the greatest Thoroughbred racehorses in American history. The biography covers Man o' War's foaling in 1917 through his dominant racing career and later years at stud. The book examines Man o' War's relationships with owner Samuel Riddle, trainer Louis Feustel, and jockey Johnny Loftus, providing historical context for the racing industry of the early 20th century. Edward L. Bowen draws from press coverage, racing records, and firsthand accounts to reconstruct the horse's major races and achievements. Bowen details the cultural impact Man o' War had on American sports and society during an era when horse racing captured widespread public attention. The storytelling connects Man o' War's career to broader historical events including World War I and the growth of spectator sports in America. The narrative explores themes of athletic excellence and the unique bond between humans and horses, illuminating why Man o' War became more than just a racehorse but an enduring sports legend and cultural icon.

Readers appreciate the detailed research and historical accuracy in documenting Man o' War's racing career and life. Multiple reviews note that the book provides context about horse racing in the 1920s and includes quality photographs from the era. Positive mentions: - Clear writing style that's accessible to non-racing fans - Inclusion of race records and statistics - Coverage of Man o' War's impact on breeding Common criticisms: - Some sections become repetitive when describing races - Limited coverage of Man o' War's personality and character - A few readers wanted more details about his training methods Ratings: Goodreads: 4.15/5 (98 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (21 ratings) One Goodreads reviewer noted: "Excellent reference material but dry at times." An Amazon reviewer stated: "The racing descriptions put you right there at the track." Note: Limited review data available online as this is an older publication (1983).

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🌟 Man o' War was nicknamed "Big Red" and won 20 of his 21 races, with his only loss being to a horse aptly named "Upset" 🏆 Author Edward L. Bowen has written more than 20 books on thoroughbred racing and serves as the director of the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame Media Department 🐎 Man o' War's stud fee reached $5,000 in the 1920s (equivalent to over $64,000 today), and he sired more than 379 named foals during his breeding career 📚 This biography explores not just Man o' War's racing career, but also the cultural impact he had during the post-World War I era when Americans were seeking new heroes 🎨 The book features rare photographs from Man o' War's career, including images from his funeral in 1947, which was attended by thousands and broadcast on radio nationwide