Ruffian: Burning from the Start by Jane Schwartz
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Book Reviews of Ruffian: Burning from the Start
Book Review: Where do I start with this review?
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll let emotions guide me as they certainly did by the time I had finished the book... With all the hype surrounding Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit: An American Legend (and a summer movie to boot), I was anxious to get my hands on a copy of this bestseller. Upon perusing one of my tack supply catalogs, I ran across a title about the legendary racing filly, Ruffian, and it became available to me before the Seabiscuit account. I would recommend this book to any bibliophile, social historian and/or horse-lover because it exemplifies masterful writing, interesting real-life characters/time period and a legendary (and truly outstanding) Thoroughbred racehorse. By the time you finish the book, you will have released more than a few tears based on a tragedy that reads more like fiction.
The account of Ruffian would elicit emotion in the words of any story-teller. And Jane Schwartz proves herself a great story-teller here. Ruffian: Burning From the Start is, hands down, a "bestseller" in the non-fiction genre.
No offense, Laura Hillenbrand, but either you have a wonderful colleague to emulate or some serious literary competition.
Book Review: A Wonderful Telling of A Tragic Story
Summary: 5 Stars
I was 12 years old in 1975 and was eagerlly anticipating the match race between that year's Kentucky Derby winning colt Foolish Pleasure and the undefeated, unchallenged filly Ruffian. But circumstances did not allow me to watch the race on TV that day, but I did hear about Ruffian's tragic breakdown that evening on the news. I still remember to this day the emptiness of hearing the news of her demise.Jane Schwartz gives a wonderful account of Ruffian's all-to-short life and career. Interviews are conducted with owner connections, trainers and jockey Jacinto Vasquez, who was the regular rider of both Foolish Pleasure and Ruffian and thus has a unique perspective. It all culminates with her graphic description of her breakdown and the superhuman efforts that were made to save her to no avail.
It's a mix of an entertaining and sad read. It doesn't have a happy end, so if that is what you are looking for, don't read it. But it probably is the best depiction of the highs and lows of the Sport of Kings.
Book Review: What more is there to say?
Summary: 5 Stars
Everyone has already said all there is to say about this book... I had found out about Ruffian through a little tid-bit story, and I fell in love. I searched all over the internet for her, and began learning all there was to know. I bought some videos of her races (you can't be a complete fan without having actually seen her race), but i didn't have the Ruffian: Burning From The Start yet. I finally got it this year, in August, for my birthday. I finished reading it for the 3rd time today, and for the third time, I had tears brimming throughout the book. Especially at the beginning, when you read about the innocent baby and you think about how this innocent baby is going to die in 3 years. "Ruffian: Burning From The Start" is one of my favorite books, right next to Lord Of The Rings. All thats left now is for Gary Ross to make a movie about her story as well. Then those who don't like reading can learn her story too, and they can experience the tears many have shed for her.Book Review: Reality for Racehorses
Summary: 5 Stars
As a Thoroughbred owner I have been facinated by the racing world and all of its stars from Man O' War to our newest star Smarty Jones. But I have to say Ruffian is my all time sentimental favorite.I can remember watching the match race between Ruffian and the colt Foolish Pleasure. It was a time for women's lib and Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs. I always wanted the girls to win!! But tragically Ruffian paid the price in front of our own eyes. I can remember crying for weeks after watching her beautiful black body fall. My heart was broken for years!
This book is truly a magnificent tribute to one of racing's greatest heros, a big black filly named Ruffian. It reads much more emotionally than other tribute books currently on the market and will stay with you for years. Reading about Ruffian's will to keep running even with two broken legs will rip your heart out! Make sure you buy some stock in Kleenex before you begin this emotional memoir.
Book Review: the greatest
Summary: 5 Stars
When Ruffian came along, it was not to a real horse I could compare her to, but one of fiction,the-one-of-a-kind(I thought at the time) who would-could-never have a counterpart in real life. But Ruffian was The Black, come to life as a female. I knew when I first saw her run that she was a horse whose genes had transcended that dream- the dream of that black horse who refused to be beaten. When her body failed her I had no words for the grief I felt. To this day when I see horses that others would call "great", all I can think is these people have no real idea as to what greatness is. yes, Secretariat was great, but Ruffian had a fire within her that made people believe in her greatness, that made her passing more than just a tragedy-it left her fans heartbroken for all time. She was not given the chance to prove what she could do, but the ones she left behind knew she could have never been beaten. Such is the legacy of true greatess.