Historical Context
The Great Depression
In 1929, the U.S. stock market collapsed, transforming many wealthy individuals into impoverished ones almost instantly. Over the ensuing years, millions of Americans saw their fortunes, jobs, homes, and optimism evaporate. While the stock market crash might not have directly caused the Depression, it certainly exacerbated the economic distress of that era. Key contributors to the Depression included a skewed distribution of wealth, with a small elite holding a large share of money and power, lingering debts from World War I, and the expansion of credit and installment buying. Though some relief came during President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's administration, especially through Social Security, welfare, and employment initiatives, the Depression persisted until just before World War II.
By 1937, the year Seabiscuit gained fame, the United States was deep in economic turmoil, with few regions unaffected. Urban factories shuttered, partly due to more than four thousand large-scale labor strikes that year. In the Midwest, farmers and ranchers endured repeated cycles of replanting and relocation as the decade-long Dust Bowl devastated crops and displaced families. The Revenue Act raised taxes on small businesses while granting tax breaks to larger ones, impacting many small towns. Unemployment soared to a shocking 20 percent, and hunger marches on state and federal capitols became a common sight. As conditions deteriorated, the approach of World War II and the formation of the Dies Committee, later known as the House Un-American Activities Committee, sparked widespread fear of Communist infiltration, particularly within labor unions.
Prohibition
From 1919 to 1933, the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages was illegal in the United States. The social climate at the time favored moral reform, leading to additional bans on gambling and cabaret dancing.
Prohibition paved the way for the rise of organized crime, as smuggling illegal goods became a lucrative endeavor. Alcohol remained accessible for those who knew where to look and could afford it. In contrast, racetrack gambling was harder to hide, prompting thoroughbred enthusiasts to visit Mexican border towns like Tijuana, where both gambling and alcohol were legal. When California politicians realized that vital revenue was being lost to these areas, they reinstated betting at the state's racetracks, allowing the government to take a share of the profits.
Horseracing and Betting
Horseracing is among the oldest competitive sports, dating back to the domestication of horses in prehistoric times. By the era of written history, the sport was organized across major civilizations and featured in the inaugural Olympic Games in ancient Greece.
The allure of the sport partly lies in betting on race outcomes, which contributed to the industry's expansion in the United States. However, in the early 1900s, rising antigambling sentiments led numerous racetracks to lose income and shut down. This prompted many horseracing fans to venture into Mexican border towns, especially Tijuana. Following the Great Depression, states not only allowed but also promoted the revival of racetrack betting, provided it was pari-mutuel, which allowed states to gain a portion of the profits.
During the Great Depression, affordable entertainment options were scarce. The gap between the wealthy and the impoverished widened, with the middle class largely disappearing due to the economic crisis. Those most affected sought any available forms of diversion. Inexpensive seating at sports events became one option, while the newfound affordability of radios offered another. Baseball and horse racing emerged as the most cost-effective sports to watch, leading to a significant rise in spectators for both during this period.
Analysis
The story of Seabiscuit, a racehorse that transcended the ordinary, reveals much about an era and the people surrounding him. In the 1930s, Seabiscuit became a beacon of hope and...
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entertainment during the Great Depression, capturing the hearts of millions with his unlikely success. This narrative, immortalized by Laura Hillenbrand, delves into the intricate lives of the horse, his owner, his trainer, and his jockey, against the backdrop of a nation enthralled by the sport of horse racing.
The World of Sports in 1930s America
The 1930s were a time when sports heroes were primarily accessed through radio broadcasts and newsreels in cinemas. Unlike today's constant stream of live sports coverage, fans relied on auditory descriptions and the occasional visual snippets of events. With the spread of affordable radios, by 1935, two-thirds of American homes could tune into live horse racing events, making races like Seabiscuit's a national sensation. His 1938 match against War Admiral at Pimlico, Maryland, drew an audience of 40 million listeners, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, demonstrating the widespread allure of racing during that period.
Charles Howard: From Mechanic to Millionaire
Seabiscuit's journey intertwines with that of Charles Howard, a man who arrived in California from New York with just twenty-one cents. The early 1900s saw Howard seize an opportunity with the nascent automobile industry, eventually earning a fortune through his role as a Buick distributor. His wealth allowed him to invest in horse racing, culminating in the construction of Santa Anita Park, a racetrack offering unprecedented prize money. Despite his success, Howard's ambitions were not satisfied until he could claim victory in the Santa Anita Handicap.
Tom Smith: The Horse Whisperer
Known as "Silent Tom" or "The Lone Plainsman," Tom Smith was a man of few words but unparalleled understanding of horses. His connection with animals often surpassed his interactions with people. Smith's innate ability to comprehend a horse's needs and demeanor eventually led him to Seabiscuit, whom he saw potential in despite the horse's unimpressive form. Smith's unconventional training methods transformed Howard's racing stable into a leading winner in the sport.
The Unlikely Champion: Seabiscuit's Early Challenges
Seabiscuit had a rocky start in the racing world, initially trained by the renowned Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons. Despite showing potential, Seabiscuit was considered "dead lazy," requiring constant racing to maintain his form. His owners were keen to sell him, but fate intervened when Smith recognized something special in the colt. Howard acquired Seabiscuit for $8,000—a decision that would ultimately bring them both fame and fortune.
Seabiscuit and Pollard: A Fortuitous Pairing
Johnny "Red" Pollard, Seabiscuit's jockey, shared a similar underdog story. Suffering from partial blindness due to an injury, Pollard had been struggling to maintain his career. His partnership with Seabiscuit, facilitated by Smith, became a turning point. Pollard's gentle handling and understanding of Seabiscuit's peculiarities allowed the horse to thrive, resulting in a remarkable racing career.
The Rivalry and The Race
Seabiscuit's rivalry with War Admiral, a fellow descendant of the legendary Man o' War, became the stuff of legends. War Admiral, known for his high-strung nature, stood in stark contrast to Seabiscuit's laid-back demeanor. The long-anticipated race at Pimlico in 1938 was a cultural phenomenon, drawing massive crowds and radio audiences. The event culminated in a stunning victory for Seabiscuit, who triumphed by several lengths, further cementing his legacy.
Laura Hillenbrand's Narrative
Laura Hillenbrand's portrayal of Seabiscuit is a masterful blend of narrative and historical detail that immerses readers in the era. Her writing not only covers the sporting achievements of Seabiscuit and his team but also highlights the personal struggles and triumphs of those involved. Hillenbrand’s inclusion of the harsh realities faced by jockeys and the racing industry provides a sobering counterpoint to the exhilarating successes on the track.
Personal Reflections by the Author
Hillenbrand's own experiences with chronic fatigue syndrome give her a unique perspective on perseverance and resilience. Her identification with Seabiscuit’s struggles and triumphs reveals the intimate connection between author and subject. Through her research, she found inspiration in Seabiscuit's story, seeing parallels between the horse's journey and her own battle with illness.
Further Insights
For those interested in exploring more about Seabiscuit, a dedicated website offers photographs, reviews, and additional information about Hillenbrand's work. This resource complements the extensive notes and acknowledgments found in Hillenbrand's book, which detail the exhaustive research and personal interviews contributing to its rich narrative.
Seabiscuit's story, as told by Laura Hillenbrand, is more than a recounting of a racehorse's achievements; it is a reflection on the human spirit, the bonds between individuals and animals, and the capacity to overcome adversity. The tale of Seabiscuit continues to resonate, offering lessons in tenacity and hope that transcend time.
Literary Style
Biography
Traditionally, a biography chronicles the life or a segment of the life of an individual, often someone of significance or historical importance. While there are fictional works with similar themes, such as Anna Sewell's classic children's book Black Beauty (1877), Seabiscuit stands out as the biography of an actual horse. Hillenbrand expands this definition to include the biographies of three key individuals who played crucial roles in Seabiscuit's life—Charles Howard, Tom Smith, and Red Pollard.
Historic Nonfiction
Seabiscuit is a nonfiction work that details the lives of real people, placing them in the historical context of actual events. While nothing is fictionalized, Hillenbrand's writing flows with the rhythm of a fiction novel. Her book incorporates traditional elements of fiction, such as characters, scenes, narrative arc, and climax. The story is largely driven by the characters and events, as the lives of the men and the animals intersect and overlap.
Seabiscuit is rich in social history and socioeconomic themes. The class structures, both before and after the Great Depression, are reflected in the main characters and the many others who cheer for the horses' victories. Hillenbrand's descriptions of the era provide readers with insight into not only the life of the racetrack circuit but also the popular culture, styles, and values of the 1930s.
Hillenbrand conducted extensive research on Seabiscuit's story by viewing old newsreels, interviewing numerous individuals involved in racing during that period, and compiling newspaper articles. She employs an all-knowing third-person narrator who observes from outside the story but can delve into the characters' thoughts. Although some dialogue is recreated and certain thought processes are inferred, she strives to remain faithful to the historical context and the personalities of the individuals she writes about.
Sense of Place
Spanning over forty years, the book's timeline shifts with each chapter—from the rugged old west to the onset of World War II. Covering much of the continental United States and even Tijuana, Mexico, the primary setting is the racing circuit, with major scenes unfolding in horse barns or on racetracks. Hillenbrand crafts a sense of place so vivid that readers can almost smell the track and the barn. Essentially, the setting becomes another character in the narrative, rather than just a backdrop for the action.
Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism involves attributing human traits to non-human entities, a technique Hillenbrand uses throughout her work. She portrays Seabiscuit’s emotions in distinctly human ways, describing his pride, shame, and boredom, among other qualities. At various points, she mentions that Seabiscuit had a "gleam in his eye" or that he "seemed … amused." Other horses in the book, such as Pumpkin, Fair Knightess, and War Admiral, receive similar treatment. By endowing the horses with human characteristics, Hillenbrand creates relatable characters that readers can connect with and cheer for.
Imagery
Imagery involves using descriptive language to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. Hillenbrand excels in crafting imagery, particularly in her descriptions of settings. For example, she describes the racetrack in Tijuana: "The colorful racing world that had spun itself around Tijuana withered and blew off into the sagebrush deserts." Her portrayal of people is equally vivid, as seen with Smith, who "had a colorless translucence about him that made him seem as if he were in the earliest stages of progressive invisibility." She also describes him as having "the ethereal quality of hoof prints in windblown snow." Many of her images relate to horseracing and the jockeys riding the horses. Hillenbrand writes that "to pilot a racehorse is to ride a half-ton catapult" and compares jockeys to "squatting on the pitching backs of their mounts, a task much like perching on the grille of a car while it speeds down a twisting, potholed freeway in traffic." The use of imagery, metaphors, and similes allows readers to deeply immerse themselves in the narrative.
Media Adaptations
- The film adaptation of Seabiscuit: An American Legend was written and directed by Gary Ross and released by Universal in 2003. The movie features performances by Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, and Tobey Maguire. You can find the film on DVD from MCA Home Video. It includes real footage from the 1930s, enhancing the historical authenticity of the story.
- An abridged edition of Seabiscuit: An American Legend was made available on audiocassette and compact disc by Random House Audio in 2003. Narrated by Campbell Scott, this version is widely accessible.
Bibliography and Further Reading
Sources
"A Runt that Dominated the Sport of Kings," in Business Week, Issue 3725, page 27.
Dodge, Dennis. Review of Seabiscuit: An American Legend, in Booklist, Volume 97, January 1, 2001, page 900.
Gray, Patsy E. Review of Seabiscuit: An American Legend, in Library Journal, Volume 126, Number 6, page 106.
Hillenbrand, Laura. "A Sudden Illness—How My Life Changed," in the New Yorker, Volume 79, Number 18, page 56.
Hillenbrand, Laura. Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Random House, 2001.
Laura Hillenbrand, www.seabiscuitonline.com/author.htm (accessed May 18, 2005).
McCarthy, Todd. "Well-Groomed Horse Tale," in Variety, Volume 391, January 1, 2001, page 26.
Morris, Tim. "Seabiscuit? Come On …," in Aethlon: The Journal of Sport Literature, Volume 19, Number 1, Fall 2001, pages 79-91.
Review of Seabiscuit: An American Legend, in Publishers Weekly, Volume 348, Number 1, page 74.
Further Reading
Hillenbrand, Laura. "A Sudden Illness—How My Life Changed," in the New Yorker, Volume 79, Number 18, July 7, 2003, page 56.
This piece recounts the onset and development of Hillenbrand's Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and highlights how writing transformed and rescued her life.
Bowen, Edward. At the Wire: Horse Racing's Greatest Moments, Eclipse Press, 2001.
Bowen's book documents many of the sport's most legendary races, including those featuring Man o' War, Seabiscuit's grandfather.
Terkel, Studs. Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression, W. W. Norton, 2000.
Terkel presents oral histories from numerous individuals, offering firsthand narratives of their experiences during the challenging economic climate of the 1930s.
Morgan, Bert. Horse Racing: The Golden Age of the Track, Chronicle Books, 2001.
Morgan provides a visual journey through his photographs capturing Triple Crown events from the 1930s to the 1960s, including Hard Tack, Seabiscuit's sire.
