Customer Reviews

Mustang

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4 star:		(2)
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When I was in Elementary School, I read all of the books in the school library that had to do with horses. Of all of them, this was my favorite. I've remembered it until today when I decided to refresh my memory from 7 years ago. I think it's so neat that books like this can stay with you and impact your outlook after so many years. This is such a beautiful and inspiring story, I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

I first read the book in sixth grade for a book report. One of my friends said I should read it because my name is Annie, too. The aspect I like most about it was the fact that it the hero was a woman, and she fought with courage and determination for something that she believed was right.

This story was so wonderful. I love horses, and it made me want to fight for the mustangs too! (Yes they still are rounded up and slaughtered "when their numbers get too great") I would recommend this book to anyone!

Mustang:Wild Spirit of the West is a good story about a girl who loves horses all of her life. When she grows up, she tries to stop the killing of wild mustangs. It is a story that I'm sure you would enjoy.

I have always been a cowgirl, western, country girl my whole life. I bought this book a while back when I was into the Misty series and I wanted to know what were some of hte other books Henry wrote. This book was truly inspiring and beautiful. I was rooting for Annie the whole time! This is the perfect book for the biggest cowgirl and horse nut.

In 1966, well-known author Marguerite Henry wrote Mustang: Wild Spirit Of The West. With this book, millions of people became aware of the tale of Wild Horse Annie, who saved the wild horses of the West from slaughter.

Except, Henry took liberties with the history of Velma Johnston, eventually even claiming that she "owned the rights" to Velma's life. The fictionalization of Wild Horse Annie was seemingly approved by Velma Johnston herself, when she wrote "This clean, noble public image of Girl of the Golden West that I have become [via the book] is surely having a reforming influence on me".

So what WAS the history, and story, of Mrs. Charles C. Johnston, aka Velma Johnston, aka Wild Horse Annie? You'll find this in Wild Horse Annie and the Last of the Mustangs: The Life of Velma Johnston, by David Cruise and Alison Griffiths. The evolution of Wild Horse Annie into a free-roaming horse activist, then into a national celebrity, is a most interesting tale. And it is a tale best understood in this book, Wild Horse Annie and the Last of the Mustangs: The Life of Velma Johnston, and not Marguerite Henry's version.

HOWEVER, Marguerite Henry's book is unique and noteworthy in its own right. There is no doubt that it was an extremely significant "partnership" between Henry and Wild Horse Annie. For Henry, it sold hundreds of thousands of copies. For Wild Horse Annie, it was a critical tool for getting America's politicians and media outlets to be aware of the plight of free-roaming horses in the West, and the inspiration for getting children, huge fans of Henry's book, to bring "children power" to this fight.

Some of the differences between reality and Henry's account:

- Velma Johnston didn't speak with slang; she was very articulate and efficient with the written word as an executive secretary.

- She was estranged from her father following her hospitalization with polio, and they were never close again.

- Religion was never the inspiration for her work to save horses.

- Polio and the initial treatment (a full body cast) left her disfigured and in pain for most of her life.

Some of the accurate issues:

- Charlie and Velma were very, very happy, a true love story.

- The event of Velma following the livestock truck full of bleeding, injured, and dying wild mustangs, bound for slaughter into pet food, was a life-changing event.

- She was a significant, probably THE significant, force in getting state and national legislation passed to protect wild horses and burros.

Mustang: Wild Spirit Of The West is an interesting tale, and probably still is an engaging read to youngsters. It is full of action, and bravery, and commitment. Who can complain about that?

A wonderful story of Mustang Annie and her determination to save the wild horses that have captured her heart. A must-read for all horse lovers.

The way that horses are still killed for slaughter should be stopped. If you want more information, you can email me!

This book really touched me! It was excellent! I almost cried when i finished, and I never cry! It was great!

Ms. Henry has such a way with character building, and I love how she builds her stories around fact. This story has loads of heart to it, and is a touching story for kids of all ages. It also discussed legislative process and how anyone has the power to fight for what they believe in and make a difference, no matter where they come from. A must read for any horse-loving child or adult.

I never read a heck of a lot of Margueirite Henry, but this was one I read over and over again as a child. Henry takes on a distinctly more human view point as she deals with a very human woman who falls in love with the beauty of the wild horses and is horrified at their treatment and fate. It's inspiring for all people who want to change the world or at least save a few animals and Henry's passion for horses is evident. Great book.