This wonderful 1980 horse racing classic never loses its luster or charm. Author Bill Barich explores explores the day-to-day internal world of horse racing-- from the backside to the backstretch. This entertaining story of the lives and tribulations of various racetrack personalities is sure to extract every human emotion. The author's summer adventure after a family tragedy finds him living the life many diehard racing enthusiasts wish they could. Barich's adventure discovers more than he could ever imagine about something much bigger than racing-life itself.
Laughing in the Hills
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Barich debuted in 1980 with this magnificent meditation on horse-racing, yet the rich, full portrait he paints of the track and its colorful citizenry--human and hoofed--is only prelude to the work's enduring appeal. It is really a finely crafted memoir about loss and longing, renewal and affirmation.
Its opening is irresistible: "For me it did not begin with the horses. They came later, after a phone call and a simple statement of fact: Your mother has cancer." Barich copes with that horrible reality as best he can, losing his pain in the drama of the track, and finding himself in a pilgrimage through Renaissance literature and the memories of an earlier part of his life lived in Florence, Italy. If the combination seems a longshot at best, remember: the greater the odds, the better the pay-off, and Laughing in the Hills pays off staggeringly. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Philip Reed
Format:Paperback
I'm not even finished with this book yet, but I got online to see what kind of response it has received. I'm staggered to see it is not ranked higher and had only a few reviews.
This is one of those books where every page brings insights so painful, or so beautiful, I shake my head in amazement. I'm reading it slowly, lovingly, and I'll tell all my friends about it.
I'm a writer, and have written a novel about horse racing. I've explored this same territory. I almost wish I'd written this book. It is filled with truth and sadness and many, many fine portraits of the people that hang around on the backside of the track.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This guy is a very honest type of writer who sets aside his ego to get at the truth.
The book tells the story of the author's attempt to make a go of professional handicapping, but he spends a lot of time on the backstretch getting to know the people and the horses.
There is the backstretch as your trainer describes it to you ("well-oiled machine operating at peak efficiency"), and the backstretch as Barich paints it (loosely collected ragtag assortment of people and horses trying to stay afloat). Even though luck is hard to come by for many of the characters in the book, they have an earnest dignity as Bill Barich depicts them, and love and respect for the animals is predominant.
If you like racing you will like this book; if you don't like racing or are indifferent to it, you will probably like the book anyway.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This unusual and beautifully written work gets right to the heart of its topics. OK, I happen to love racing and fine horses, appreciate Florentine art and culture, and enjoy fly fishing, but I believe "Laughing in the Hills" would appeal to all who enjoy good writing. I have read this book a few times since first discovering it, and have shared it with friends as well.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just okay
I love the race track. Some very interesting points were made but on the whole I found it just so-so.
Published 6 months ago by Michael Rowan
5.0 out of 5 stars
One man's bet
Loved it! Not only does it take place on my home racetrack - he has woven many familiar names into the storyline. Read more
Published 13 months ago by marshmell
3.0 out of 5 stars
Playing the Horses During a Mid-life Crisis
Back in the 1970s, journalist Bill Barich's mother died after a long, terrible battle with cancer. Barich sought solace by betting at his local racetrack - Golden Gate Fields - in... Read more
Published 23 months ago by stoic
5.0 out of 5 stars
Time in a Bottle
WHAT a wonderful world Barich portrays in this book. HOW we all took it for granted! Although it revolves around the author's momentary fervor (handicap fever! Read more
Published on December 5, 2010 by Ellzeena
5.0 out of 5 stars
Letting Go of Sadness
"Laughing in the Hills" was born out of loss, which Bill Barich illustrates at the inception of his 1978 work, "For me it did not begin with horses. Read more
Published on November 18, 2009 by F. Tyler B. Brown
4.0 out of 5 stars
Laughing in the Hills
This book although a little dated is very informative about the backside of racing. The characters are interestings and artfuly described. Read more
Published on February 6, 2009 by Robert R. Mccalla
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Masterpiece
Probably the most intelligent, well written book ever published on horse racing. To call it a "sports book" or even a racing book really misses the mark, for it certainly... Read more
Published on September 2, 2008 by Castle Mclaughlin
4.0 out of 5 stars
Behind the scenes
What a great book this is! Barich goes behind the scenes at the racetrack in his real life attempt to become a professional handicapper. Read more
Published on November 21, 2007 by David Bridgforth
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good view into the day to day racing world!
This book gives a very well written view into the day to day world of horse racing, only from behind the scenes with the common folks and common horses. Read more
Published on April 12, 2006 by Doc Eyeback
4.0 out of 5 stars
Highly regarded sports book
This book was listed by Amazon.com as one of the 10 Best Sports Books of the 20th Century. It was also chosen by Sports Illustrated as one of the top 100 sports books of all-time.
Published on April 6, 2006 by K
