23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A heartwarming collection for any horse enthusiast., November 21, 2004
This review is from: Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul: Inspirational Stories About Horses and the People Who Love Them (Chicken Soup for the Soul) (Paperback)
I don't generally go for books in the "inspirational / self-help" category, but there were a few Chicken Soup books that even I couldn't pass up. The first was "Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul," followed by "Chicken Soup for the Cat and Dog Lover's Soul," and now finally, one that addresses my favorite creature of all, "Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul." If you are unfamiliar with the Chicken Soup books, they are collections of short (generally 2-5 pages), uplifting, and usually true stories submitted by readers. This particular volume contains 95 such tales, all pertaining to that magnificent animal, the horse. As a collection of short stories, the book can be read at whatever pace you like - an occasional dose here and there whenever you need a pick-me-up, or a consistent one or two stories per day, or even all at once.
The book is divided into seven sections: "A Special Bond" shares tales of the deep and lasting friendships that can arise between horse and human. "Horses as Teachers" looks at the lessons we can learn from our equine friends. "These Amazing Animals" honors horses that have gone beyond the ordinary in a variety of ways, including the story of Sergeant Reckless, a little mare that served in the Korean War. "Horses as Healers" explores the ways in which equines have helped humans overcome all kinds of physical and emotional ills. "On Companionship and Commitment" is very similar to the first section and looks at horse-human bonds. "And... They're Off!" is dedicated entirely to stories of racehoreses. And finally, "Horse... Cetera" pulls together everything that doesn't quite fit anywhere else.
Most horse lovers will find much to enjoy in this book. There are a few duds, and a few of the stories are overly corny or sappy, but the majority are truly heartwarming. Some will make you chuckle, like "Battle of the Titans" (pg. 381) and "Trail Etiquette" (pg. 388). Others will leave you with a wistful smile, like "Confessions of a Horse-Show Father" (pg. 394). And others will simply leave you feeling warm and happy, and appreciative of the good things in life, like "A Job for Missy" (pg. 157) and, one of my personal favorites, "Ride the Yule Tide" (pg. 291). Being an avid racing fan, I was delighted to see an entire section dedicated to racehorses. Included are accounts of well-known runners like Seabiscuit, Da Hoss, Funny Cide, and even the great race mule Black Ruby, as well as tales of more obscure horses who, nevertheless, have interesting stories to share.
"Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul" is almost a guaranteed winner for horse lovers. Some pieces are more entertaining than others, and the writing skills of the contributors varies (though the editors have ensured that all the stories are still very readable), but the overall effect is to bring together horse enthusiasts from all walks of life into a solid, well-rounded collection that will leave you smiling and fulfilled. I opted for the "occasional dosage when needed" method of reading, and each session evoked fond memories of the childhood years I spent around horses, and renewed my resolve to return to the world of riding as soon as I am able (currently a college student with limited funds). This would make a great treat for yourself, a gift for any horse-loving friend - or both!
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One Word: Fantastic, September 10, 2003
A Kid's Review
This review is from: Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul: Inspirational Stories About Horses and the People Who Love Them (Chicken Soup for the Soul) (Paperback)
Isn't it a great feeling when you read the backs of every horse book in the bookstore, and then finally come across one that's perfect? There's something about horse stories that when you read one, you are eager to hear more and more. This book will definately satisfy that feeling, and there are plenty of stories so you can read on and on! I found these submitted tales enjoyable because I could picture exactly what the horse owner must have felt like, since I have a horse of my own. If you don't own a horse yourself, this is still a heartwarming treasury to walk a day (and many more weeks to come!) in an horse person's "boots". Considering that I know many adults that have loved this book as much as I do, kids and adults alike will enjoy it. This is a must-read, must-have, must-go-crazy-for, two hooves up, Chicken Soup book! : )
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A quick pick-me-up for horse lovers, January 5, 2004
This review is from: Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul: Inspirational Stories About Horses and the People Who Love Them (Chicken Soup for the Soul) (Paperback)
If you're worried the book will emphasize religion, don't fear - only a few of the stories mention God or directly speak to religion in any way. Essentially this is a series of anecdotes about horses of all kinds, from all kinds of people. Some are well written, others less so, but on the whole the book is an enjoyable and easy read, and great for times when you get interrupted or just want a quick story instead of getting engrossed in a novel. It is easily readable for both kids and adults and contains a number of stories guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye of any true horse lover.
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