Black Beauty: An Autobiography of a Horse

A beautiful walk through memory lane. I read this as a child and thirty years later still remains a beautiful story about how we should treat fellow beings. Never looked at a horse the same since.

Affordable, no rips or tears or anything like that, only had like 2 scuffs but not super noticeable so thats good. I highly recommend this book😊

The success of Uncle Tom’s Cabin led abolitionist Frederick Douglass to write that “nothing could have better suited the moral and humane requirements of the hour. Its effect was amazing, instantaneous, and universal.” Recognizing this impact, Anna Sewell determined to write the “Uncle Tom’s Cabin of the horse,” as told from the perspective of an actual horse named Black Beauty. Although Black Beauty wasn’t the first autobiography of an animal, the idea that a horse would have a life story to tell in his own words, detailing both the horrors and kindness he received from various masters, was revolutionary for the time. Sewell may have set out to do for horses what Harriet Beecher Stowe had done for African-descended slaves, but Black Beauty’s first-year sales quickly surpassed those of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, reaching international acclaim. Not all societies practiced human slavery, but virtually all of human civilization at that point was powered by equines who were forced to work under the constant threat of whipping or worse. According to authors Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy, 19th century animal movement leaders like Massachusetts SCPA founder George Thorndike Angell “dreamed of creating a new literature of animal appreciation, and he succeeded beyond all expectation, launching one of the nineteenth century’s best-selling novels and helping thereby to create a whole new genre of animal storytelling.” The popularization of Black Beauty by animal advocates like Angell sparked public outrage and real-world reforms, most notably the abolition of the check-rein — a device that painfully forced horses to keep their heads raised — and a campaign against tail-docking. But the book also forced readers simply to imagine what life must be like for a horse, encouraging readers to have empathy and give them a voice when they witnessed equine abuse, which was routine and widespread. Black Beauty opened people’s eyes to the possibility that an animal could have a point of view. Horses were transformed in the story from mere commodities to individuals with personalities, likes and dislikes, and most importantly, a desire to avoid the suffering that humans so frequently deliver upon them.

This book is so well written that it translates very well from generation to generation. Our 8 yr old granddaughter loves to read and has a keen sense for a well written story but since it becomes a little heavy as the story develops the book being read to her. I appreciate that the illustrations are what they are but I wish I could have found an edition that had more variety. It's such a rich story that it really lends itself to elaborate and colorful illustrations so the attention of those who are slightly younger as well as older can easily be drawn into the storyline without being an edited addition. Other than that who can complain about such a classic? Our granddaughter loves animals and a good book. This is a natural fit for her.

A cherished classic from the Victorian Era. As an English Major I have a whole new perspective on this novel than I once did, for Black Beauty is an authentic depiction of the treatment of animals during that era. Animals before were mainly seen as beast of burden, or submissive creatures beneath both God and man. However, the animal was coming into a new light, a light of intelligence and emotion, where-else before seen as simply dumb. I won't bore you with all the historic significance of this novel, except that it turned many mind towards the well being of their animals and laws to be introduced for their health. Anna Sewell only book changed the world, alike to Charles Dickens 'Oliver Twist' to child labor, or Charlotte Brontë's 'Shirley' to feminism and the "women-question." And any adult can enjoy Black Beauty, it is not a children's book but a masterpiece published to sway those who handled horses: "a special aim [was] to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses" - Anna Sewell. Also, a good companion to the unabridged classic is Warner Bros 1994 film starring Sean Bean (James Bond: Golden Eye, Game of Thrones), Andrew Knot (The Secret Garden), and David Thewlis (Harry Potter as Professor Lupin, Fargo), Jim Carter (Downton Abbey, Knightfall). It follows the book pretty well, with a few deviations (that I will not spoil for you). Concerning the Scholastic Classics 2001 Edition, each chapter contain a lovely, detailed image with a few, smaller images here and there throughout the novel. Growing-up with this edition I felt the need to re-purchase it after losing my original copy. This edition is unabridged and has a green cover with an introduction by Gail Carson Levine, author of Ella Enchanted.

Great book. She'd many tears reading it and I sobbed at the ending so happy great book very hard to put down

This was one of my favorite books as a child and I was happy to read it again! I do recommend this book to anyone who loves animals, for Black Beauty is one of my favorites.

This is a well-written classic that I highly recommend, especially to animal lovers. I was disappointed, however, that the design on the cover is not sculpt-embossed as advertised, but just printed flat, as in a regular book. Nevertheless, this edition is still a welcome addition to my collection.

Bought this for a child, as it was actually the first book I remember reading as a child myself. Recommend it highly.

For the sad fact is that it's as pertinent now, as it was back when it was produced by Anna Sewell as a "cry for help" for the horses of her time. Do a bit of research ... how many horse and pony sancturies are in your country? Visit them (online or in person) and check out the state in which some of their residents arrive at that place of care and safety. It'll touch your heart. The book itself is beautifully written, though perhaps not for the under 10's - for in places it'll bring tears to the eyes. It's interesting though - and A.S. has captured a horse's "take" on life with humans well. Indeed Black Beauty and his friends often show quite a touch of that "horse sense" we humans talk about! We are of course glad for Beauty that his own story has a happy ending, with him living out his old age in love and safekeeping. But for many horses, ponies, donkeys, it's not so - this is 2009, and that is a disgraceful fact. As with all Collector's Library books, this is a compact size and a lovely presentation of the story, with occasional good quality line drawings. Well worth a place on your bookshelf - for all all ages to read, and learn from.

Tres beau livre - classique et parfait comme cadeau. Merci.

It's like to see old friends Great joy😃