Man O' War: A Legend like Lightning » (Reprint)

A lifelong horse enthusiast, Dorothy Ours grew up in the history-rich states of Virginia and West Virginia. She worked for seven years at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York, while researching Man o' War and has been cited for research contributions to several books on Thoroughbred racehorses. Her other fascinations include music, art, and ghost stories.

The fascinating true story of Man O' War—one of the greatest racehorses who ever lived.

Library Journal

In an interview, author Laura Hillenbrand (Seabiscuit: An American Legend) was asked if she planned to write on the Man O' War (1917-47), arguably the greatest American racehorse ever. She replied that "a wonderful writer named Dorothy Ours" had beaten her to "the first truly comprehensive biography of Man O' War. So I'll have to look elsewhere!" What better endorsement for Ours (former communications coordinator, National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame), who spent a decade researching this book. Though others have written biographies of this great racehorse, including Page Cooper and Roger L. Treat, and Edward L. Bowen, Ours used several more resources than previous authors-one primary source she cites is the daughter-in-law of Man O' War jockey Johnny Loftus. Ours documents how Man O' War's success changed the lives of those around him both for better and for worse. She also includes little-known tidbits, such as the fact that drugging horses for optimal performance was legal during this time, though Man O' War was such a phenomenal horse that he did not require it. Although perhaps lacking the crossover appeal of Seabiscuit, this book is recommended for all libraries with racing collections.-Patsy Gray, Huntsville P.L., AL Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.