Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro And His Legacy [Hardcover]

Alex Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2011

Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy explores Barbaro's life, examines whether he was a great racehorse, why he was so inspirational, and details his legacy. More than 100 people were interviewed for the book, including Michael Matz and some of his team, Dr. Dean Richardson and some of the New Bolton Center team, media that cover our sport of horse racing, horsemen involved in the 2006 Triple Crown, and people that worked at the racetracks where Barbaro ran. Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy also includes 164 photographs in a photo essay that retells the entire story. ESPNs Jeannine Edwards wrote the foreword. Co-owner, Gretchen Jackson, wrote the afterword.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The result is a captivating, beautiful volume that should find a special place on bookshelves and coffee tables of racing fans everywhere" Thoroughbred Times

"Belongs in every horse fan's personal library" About.com Horse Racing

"Truly breathtaking coffee table book with considerably more depth than usual" Horseback Magazine

"Brown highlights the human compassion that the racing industry is all too often said to be lacking." Thoroughbred Daily News

"A must read, and would make a wonderful holiday gift" The Equiery

"A 235-page, lavishly illustrated book ... a page-turner ... an intimate, detailed and compelling account of Barbaro..." The Baltimore Sun

"This beautiful book is one to be savored.  For anyone who loved Barbaro - and there are many - this richly illustrated, well-written book is an honorable tribute to the horse that captured our collective hearts." Hudson Valley Horse Source

"Meticulously researched, Greatness and Goodness offers an insider`s view of recent racing history and related equine issues." The Horse of Delaware Valley

About the Author

Alex Brown managed tim woolley racing.com which served as a hub of activity for Fans of Barbaro. Alex embarked on his own journey in 2007, to do additional research for this book. More than two years later, this journey led Alex to work at seven racetracks for seven different trainers. During this time Alex also covered the Triple Crown series for the New York Times.

During his racing career Alex rode as an amateur jockey, and galloped horses for leading trainers including Steve Asmussen, Michael Dickinson and Barclay Tagg. Alex has also had an academic career, which included pioneering work in social media. His experience in social media marketing combined with his horsemanship have uniquely positioned Alex to be part of this journey, and to tell the story from the inside. Alex is originally from Cheshire, England, and now resides in Lincoln University, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 235 pages
• Publisher: Glen View Media; 1 edition (March 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0983213909
• ISBN-13: 978-0983213901
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 12.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (106 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #595,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alex Brown, author of Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy, has had a career in horse racing spanning twenty five years. Alex started his career in his native U.K., moving to the United States in 1987. Since that time Alex has worked as an exercise rider and assistant trainer, for leading trainers including Steve Asmussen, Michael Dickinson and Barclay Tagg.

Along the way Alex completed his MBA from the University of Delaware in the early 1990s. He then went to work at the University of Delaware, and the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, while maintaining his ties to the horse racing industry. His academic focus included pioneering work in social media; when Alex taught his first Internet Marketing class at the University of Delaware in 1997, there was only one other similar class being taught anywhere in the world. Alex was a sought after speaker at National conferences, including the Graduate Management Admissions Council's annual meeting, NAFSA, and American Marketing Association. He also taught in the Professional Development Program for the MBA Admissions industry for several years.

Alex combined his interests in social media and horse racing when he established the timwoolleyracing.com blog in 2004. This site became a "go to" resource on the internet for following Barbaro's progress at New Bolton Center. Alex maintained the site while Barbaro was fighting for his life, and then for three years afterwards while he traveled North America, by racetracks, to do additional research for his book.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding book that should be widely read! March 17, 2011

By Gary M. Johnsen

Format:Hardcover

I highly recommend this book after having read it cover to cover yesterday. As expected with Alex's first hand knowledge, the Barbaro part of the story is very well researched and written, and does provide a very complete picture of Barbaro's history, races, and fight to overcome his injuries.

The remaining parts of the book focus on a brief and very informative history of horses, an overview of laminitis, a glimpse into life on the "backside" of a working track,the history and activities of the Fans of Barbaro, and information about what happens to the horses when they are no longer successful at racing. There is also a section on the fate of too many of our racehorses, slaughter in either Mexico or Canada.

For those whose knowledge of racehorses stops at the track (as mine did before I followed Barbaro's story), this book provides an honest and sometimes eye-opening narrative of life for the racehorse after the race/racing is over. Sadly, at this time that still includes a trip to the slaughter house for too many thoroughbreds.

I really hope this book gets some wide distribution in the racing world. It's informative way beyond just Barbaro's story, and it should provoke thoughts and action by horsemen and women who care about their Thoroughbred partners.

The book is well researched and written, has beautiful pictures and illustrations, fun snippets of history, and information that will broaden your knowledge about life for these horses after the lights go out at the track. I highly recommend it, and am purchasing a copy to donate to my local library.

Linda Johnsen, Minneapolis, MN

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For animal lovers and those who care to be inspired!! March 15, 2011

By Mandy Summers

Format:Hardcover

Alex Brown's book about Barbaro is a well thought out beautiful narrative of one of the great racehorses of our time!! Perfect for elegant display on the coffee table or in the office, the book is creatively laid out with numerous delightful illustrations and photographs, it takes us on the dramatic journey of the impressive horse's life and his unique inspirational legacy.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy by Alex Brown March 24, 2011

By amy woodford

Format:Hardcover

I was pretty close to the Barbaro saga as it was happening, and thought I knew most, if not all, of the story. I was pleasantly surprised to find so many new facts and perspectives in this book! This is not a rehashing of previously released material, but an in-depth, unique offering from the insiders in Barbaro's life. My favorite parts are the personal, detailed, sometimes raw and always touching thoughts of the people who were there with Barbaro from beginning to end, both the marquee names and unseen heros. The first page of Part One, Alex's description of Christmas Day, was the perfect start to this wonderfully-told story: an honest, unembellished, lovely glimpse into Barbaro's world and what it was like to be part of it. The book simply flows from there, leading the reader through the tremendous life and death of the horse who became a National Hero to us all, and the interesting phenomenon that sprung from Barbaro's Legacy.

This book is about much more than Barbaro's history. The pictures are rich and interesting, and illustrate the prose with great, unexpected quotes and captions. You will gain a deeper understanding of Barbaro's injuries both on race day and those resulting from his long struggle, specifically laminitis, from the clearly written explanations of the veterinary medicine involved in these processes. You will be left with hope-perhaps even be inspired to get involved with the fight against laminitis and other horse-related welfare issues- by the stories of support from the public, both horsemen and those who wish they could be closer to horses, and the phenomenon of the FOB as detailed in the book. Great things are happening thanks to Barbaro!

If you love horses, this book is for you.... If you know nothing of horses, and are curious to see what really happens behind the scenes, this book is for you. It is a unique opportunity to go inside the horse world and see why horses inspire so many. Read more ›

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo Alex! March 29, 2011

By Rachel Mordente

Format:Hardcover

Alex Brown's book "Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy" is truly a labor of love. You can tell this from the amount of detail and effort put into telling Barbaro's inspiring story from start to finish. I'm new to the racehorse world and don't always understand certain terms, but Alex makes sure that you understand and tells Barbaro's story in an easy going and friendly way. The illustrations are adorable and enhance each chapter. The photo essay is my favorite part. I love how the photos add to the story. The photos correspond to each section in the book. "Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy" is basically 2 books put into one. When I explain about Barbaro, showing the photos makes my friends and family want to read the rest of the book.

Overall, I love Alex Brown's book. Bravo Alex, your hard work and dedication to telling the story of this amazing and beloved racehorse has paid off. I can't wait for your next book!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive book on Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby Champion April 7, 2011

By Susan H.

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Alex Brown's Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy is a tour de force. This exquisite coffee table book offers horsemen and novices alike a chronological and historical look at the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner's bloodlines, the key players in Barbaro's development from Barbaro's early schooling with John and Jill Stephens in Florida to Barbaro's arrival at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland where Barbaro is turned over to former Olympic Champion Michael Matz's methodical, meticulous tutelage and care. Here we meet Team Barbaro: Peter Brette, Barbaro's exercise rider; Dr. Kathy Anderson, Barbaro's veterinarian; Eduardo Hernandez, Barbaro's devoted groom. We witness Barbaro's metamorphosis from gangly teenager to finely-tuned athlete. We revel in Barbaro's development. We root for him and witness his ascension to greatness.

Conversely, we watch in horror Barbaro as breaks down in the first few furlongs of The Preakness. The end of a bid for the jewel in the crown: The Triple Crown. The end of Barbaro's promising racing career. This is where Barbaro's story takes on a human dimension. Alex Brown's timeline guides the reader through Barbaro's eight-month roller coaster stay at UPenn's New Bolton Center. Some of us rise to life events that test our strength and character; some do not. Barbaro not only rose to the occasion, he models how one might meet life's challenges and adversity. His eight-month fight for life is where Barbaro truly shines.

Around him his legacy gathers: the Fans of Barbaro (FOBs). The Fans of Barbaro raise funds for laminitis research. The Fans of Barbaro become politically active as they lobby Congress and push for laws banning horse slaughter. Their donations save scores of horses from horse slaughter.... Four+ years after Barbaro's death, FOBs are in the trenches diligently working for equines; working to ensure better working conditions for racetrack personnel; working to preserve America's wild horses. The FOBs' fundraising efforts make it possible for race horses to retire comfortably and lovingly.

Barbaro's Greatness. Barbaro's Goodness. Barbaro's Legacy. I invite you to turn the reigns over to Alex Brown and embark on the ride of a lifetime in Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy, the definitive book on BARBARO, the 2006 Kentucky Derby Champion. Read more ›