Reader Reviews from Amazon.com:
Review by a Horse Lover 
I absolutely loved this book! I had read Walter Farley's novel about Man o' War, and enjoyed that book too even though it was written for children. This book is historical fact, but is not at all dry. It is completely about the horse, not the jockey, not the owners (except where and when necessary for clarity, or how they influenced the horse). The authors made Man o' War truly come alive on the pages, and told us about his lineage without losing me. When I read in the Introduction "He was always a horse you referred to as 'who' instead of 'which'" I knew I was in the right book, and was going to love it. It did not let me down; the authors never for a minute consider Man o' War a 'which'--he is always 'who.' Royalty! This book is history made interesting. My parents were born about the time Man o' War was born, and my mother was raised in Saratoga Springs, NY where Mr. Riddle bought Man o' War. I am the owner of a great-great-great granddaughter of Man o' War, great-great granddaughter of War Admiral, Winspiration, and her foal, Dark Stormy Night. These facts explain my special affinity for this book, but those with no such connections, I believe, would still enjoy this book. All my horses are "who," never "which." This is a great book for horse lovers, especially thoroughbred horse lovers.
What a find! 
I grew up reading this book....I was the only one who checked it out of our local library for about 10 years, and I checked it out more than once. So being able to buy it finally was a real treat. Very engaging book that puts you inside the Man o'War story like no other.
Until a better one come along
I agree with the last reviewer...the book lacked life. Big Red had a big heart, a big career, and a big life. This book was informative but there was little life to it. Man O 'War deserves more. Maybe Laura Hillenbrand has another horse book in her. I hope so.
Informative, but dull presentation 
Perhaps I am a little biased. As a Black Stallion series fan, I have read Walter Farley's account of Man O'War and thought it was fantastic. It was well written, fast paced and informative. However, I figured there were some things missing, or not exact, and like many I've always been intrigued by Big Red, so I tried to find another book about the mostest horse. Cooper and Treat's book came highly recommended so I figured "Why not?" I was not that impressed. The addition of Man o War's heritage and sons and daughters was interesting. And knowing the odds for all the races (the actual tickets are in the book, too) was neat. But I though the book was very slow paced, and very dry. I understand that there was not as much characterization in terms of the people...after all, this was a book about a horse. But Man O' War never really came alive in the pages of this book. At least, not like he did in Farley's. All in all, if it wasn't for the heritage and other extras, I would say to skip this book. There weren't many pictures (let alone good ones) and it was rather dull. You would be better off with Farley's novelization.
THE best book on Man O'War. PERIOD!
OMG...I just now found out about this REPRINT! I am SO EXCITED. I have read this book many times when our library actually had TWO copies in circulation. Of course, like most of the really great horse books in our library system, both copies were 'lost' by someone who checked 'em out (riiiiiight). Dang, I HATE that...arrrggh.
Anyway, I've come across used copies for sale but they're always so freaking expensive - I could never bring myself to spend all that MONEY. So it's a GREAT thrill to see this wonderful book - which has everything you could possibly want in a book about that great, legendary horse - at around $10 or so here on Amazon! Yay!
Like Walter Farley's "faction" version of the great horse's life, the authors used the unpublished manuscript "Turf Career of Man O'War" a good deal but the book also includes a COMPLETE list of his progeny, auction prices, race records, mares bred to, etc. AND every single one of the Daily Racing Form official charts for his 21 races. Amazing, and great reading. Of course something to keep in mind was when the book came out in 1951, there were still a lot of folks alive who remembered seeing "Big Red" in person, and the horse himself had just died four years before, a lot of key people were still alive and so on. This book is like a rich slice of chocolate cake, immensely delicious and satisfying!
If you haven't figured it out by now, I recommend this book :)
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