Secretariat Paperback – May 16, 2010

This is a wonderful coffee-table volume about the greatest thoroughbred race horse the world has known. It's loaded with all sorts of photos of the people involved in every aspect of his life from before he was foaled through training for the track and his life after he retired to stud. It is very well-written. I'm hooked on an online video of the Belmont Stakes so I had to have this book. It's luxurious, big and beautiful. If you remember the Belmont this is the book for you. If you are too young to remember that race you will learn about Secretariat's history and accomplishments. After all these years people still boast about owning one of his greatgrandchildren. It's doubtful his Belmont record will ever be broken.

I’ve been watching horse racing for over 50 years and Secretariat was the greatest race horse I ever saw race. Reading about him brought back good memories of my grandpa and I watching the triple crown races together. Great book!

Very good read and well as great pictures.

I was initially given a copy of this book in 1975. As a horse crazed teenager, I read every page of text and thumbed through the photographs hundreds, if not thousands of times. Secretariat was truly a magnificent racehorse who thrilled a nation in the Spring of 1973. Raymond G. Wolfe has captured all the splendor of "Big Red" in this coffee table worthy book. Although I still have my First Edition copy from 1975, I purchased an updated hardcopy in 2010 that included a chapter on the passing of Secretariat. And once again, I read every page of text and thumbed through the photographs as though it was the first time I had opened the book. For a brief moment, I was transported back in time to when I was a horse crazed teenager and Secretariat was moving like lightning around the one and a half mile Belmont track as he obliterated his competition by 31 lengths! Thank you Raymond G. Wolfe for the book and the gift of re-experiecing a glorious time in horse racing history!

Best Secretariat book out there!

I watched the Disney movie and then was compelled to look up all the old books on Big Red that I'd read before. It's funny, but the passage of time doesn't seem to lessen the emotion I feel about this amazing horse, and in reading this book, I found myself deeply involved again in all the players and the stories behind each race. I love the photos, and some of them brought tears, such as Secretariat being led off the track for the last time, Ron Turcotte kissing him goodbye, and especially the picture of Eddie Sweat, the groom, standing alone with his suitcase, back to the camera, but apparently wiping tears as he said goodbye to Secretariat at Claiborne farm. Those of us who have been impacted by this horse will love to go back in time with this story and these pictures, but a warning that the "Where They Are" section at the end can really bring up the emotions. You realize that not just the horse, but the people around him, touched you deeply. I'm glad there are books like this, videos, and a web site to help us keep Big Red alive in our hearts.

Why does Secretariat bring tears to our eyes ? A little less than perfection can make us smile, but this horse ("horse" is such an understatement)is so emotionally overwhelming, some of us cry. Although I haven't read the other books listed here, "Secretariat" by Raymond G. Woolfe may be the definitive book about this unique champion. There are details that put the reader at the scene and in the action. In the back of the book are special features: Secretariat's lineage (his bloodlines), his winning get (progeny), and biographical sketches of what happened to the significant persons in his life. (This feature of the book is especially interesting if you've seen the movie.)There is a copious supply of pictures, both black and white and color. If you buy this book, allow an hour just to look through it, then read it to relive vicariously the days of horseracing glory. I have the original newspaper page about his winning the Belmont,which I had considered selling. I think not; it's a physical means of contact over the years with a magnificent creature. This is a fulfilling book for anyone who loves horses, especially this one.

I'm almost 40 years old and first came across this book when I was a mere 10. The very first book was bigger and had the famous blue and white blocks on the front. I am glad that the pictures are still the same. But the only thing that was disappointing.. print marks on the edges and across the page. I bought this book brand new and though the photos are pretty good, the book is marred. This book was also thicker and that was what I was hoping for.I did see the movie on IMAX and though it was a Disney film, it was pretty good. Not enough racing and the Belmont stakes he was so well known for terribly slices deep into taking away the furlongs that were greater and greater as he ran. They should have used more live footage with today's technology and should have had a bio on the horse. *sigh*

A lovely picture book about that most wonderful and loveable horse (and his also loveable peer, Riva Ridge). The text is uneven, tho there are sometimes gems, but the photos are good, and there are enough of them to satisfy. Some of the portraits of Secretariat, and some of the racing shots, are beautiful. He was such a beautiful horse.The Bill Nack book has much more detail, and while it had me gripped so that I read it all through, I found it pedestrian. No good for a child's imagination. This would be the one.

This book is the most comprehensive book I have read on Secretariat, from his birth, his racing career to his retirement at Claiborne Farm. A fabulous read and a must have for any Secretariat fans.

Outstanding service. Bought as a present for my daughter. She absolutely loved it. If anyone in your family is a horse lover get them this book of history from birth to retirement.

Thankyou x

The author Raymond G. Woolfe tells the trials and successes of training and racing Secretariat from his foaling at the Meadows, flipping of the coin with Mr. Phipps and changing Penny Tweedy's fortunes to racing the horse of the century, Secretariat. Mr Wolfe takes you to the twin spires of the Kentucky Derby and describes the paddocks, buildings, and unbridled excitement like you were there helping Eddy Sweat brush, guard, bathe and love his beloved Big Red. He tells you of the times when Secretariat lost due to sickness and being bumped at the inside rail at his maiden race and surmises that the big boy liked to come from behind and sweep the track because he knew he could pass the crowd safely. Statistics and first hand accounts from jockey Ronnie Turcotte and Lucien Lauren and Ms Ham will take you into the saddle and hold the stop watch in disbelief at the rail. The fortunes of the great Riva Ridge are also followed as a great contender from The Meadows. You will want to reread this book as it takes you there and then some. I just loved this treasured account. You will too.