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Horse Crazy

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Horse Crazy

By: Sarah Maslin Nir
Narrated by: Sarah Maslin Nir
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About this listen

 In the bestselling tradition of works by such authors as Susan Orlean and Mary Roach, a New York Times reporter and Pulitzer Prize finalist explores why so many people—including herself—are obsessed with horses, riding, and the equestrian world.

It may surprise you to learn that there are over seven million horses in America—even more than when they were the only means of transportation—and nearly two million horse owners. Acclaimed journalist and avid equestrian Sarah Maslin Nir is one of them; she began riding horses when she was just two years old and hasn’t stopped since. Horse Crazy is a fascinating, funny, and moving love letter to these graceful animals and the people who—like her—are obsessed with them. It is also a memoir and coming-of-age story of Nir growing up an outsider within the world’s most elite inner circles, and finding her true north in horses.

Nir takes readers into the lesser-known corners of the horse world and profiles some of its most captivating figures. We meet Monty Roberts, the California trainer whose prowess earned him the nickname “the man who listens to horses,” and his pet deer; George and Ann Blair, who at their riding academy on a tiny island in Manhattan’s Harlem River seek to resurrect the erased legacy of the African American cowboy; and Francesca Kelly, whose love for an Indian nobleman shaped her life’s mission: to protect an endangered Indian breed of horse and bring them to America.

Woven into these compelling character studies, Nir shares her own moving personal narrative. She details her father’s harrowing tale of surviving the Holocaust, and describes an enchanted but deeply lonely upbringing in Manhattan, where horses became her family. She found them even in the middle of the city, in a stable disguised in an old townhouse and in Central Park, when she chased down truants as an auxiliary mounted patrol officer. And she speaks candidly of how horses have helped her overcome heartbreak and loss.

Infused with heart and wit, and with each chapter named after a horse Nir has loved, Horse Crazy is an unforgettable blend of beautifully written memoir and first-rate reporting. Animals Biological Sciences Equestrian Sports Horses Outdoors & Nature Pets & Animal Care Riding & Horsemanship Science Sports Animal Sports Funny

Critic reviews

"Sarah Maslin Nir has been obsessed with riding horses since she was 2, when her parents put her on a horse in a desperate attempt to get her to sit still. Nir's voice is lively and expressive, and she has marvelous comedic timing. Her joy and comfort in the company of horses is crystal clear. Horses provided her a lifeline when she was a lonely child—even the one horse that always spooked at the noise of a plastic bag. Her father, a Holocaust survivor, viewed every horse show victory as a defeat of Hitler. Horse Crazy becomes more than a memoir as Nir explores the curious world of plastic horse model enthusiasts, delves into the forgotten history of black cowboys, and exposes abusive horse trainers. A warmhearted book is raised another notch by an appealing performance."
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I have always admired Sarah Maslin Nir’s journalism but wasn’t sure I’d take to a book about horses, a subject I have only a passing interest in. Happily, I stand corrected - she cleverly uses horses as a lens to explore broader themes, including belonging and intergenerational trauma (her father was a Holocaust survivor). Full of fascinating stories from America and beyond, this is both insightful and evocative - and beautifully read by the author.

Orla Thomas

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Loved this. thank you for a great listen. Loved the story about you on the hunt and learning about Mawaris.

soooo good

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to have the author read her own book was a real treat - fluent in changing her accent based on the characters she has personally met and documented throughout her story. Whether or not you consider yourself a horse person this is a fantastic read, blending personal narrative with history and fascinating tales tied to her love of horses around the world.

Couldn't stop listening!

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If you share the author’s passion for horses you will revel in this lovely book.

A love letter to horses

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