More Old Friends: Visits with My Favorite Thoroughbreds |  | Author: Barbara D Livingston
Publisher: Eclipse Press
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
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Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 682,517
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 221
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.3
Dimensions (in): 10.6 x 8.6 x 0.9
ISBN: 1581501714
Dewey Decimal Number: 636.120929
EAN: 9781581501711
ASIN: 1581501714
Publication Date: October 1, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
When popular equine photographer Barbara Livingston released her book Old Friends in 2002 to profile and honor Thoroughbred racing's beloved "seniors" through her words and photographs, fan reaction was immediate: "When is Old Friends 2 coming out?!" The original book, now out of print, remains popular with collectors. A Lexington, Kentucky, area equine organization even took on the name "Old Friends" to give r etired racehorses a final home. So, now, Livingston is back with More Old Friends, featuring 175 color photographs of some of racing's most revered retirees.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 11
Barbara Livingston's More Old Friends October 2, 2007
Norris Gelman (Phila., Pa. United States)
25 out of 25 found this review helpful
Barbara Livingston has once again provided us with a superb tribute to many horses whose sterling performances thrilled us so often during their all too short careers.
She has done this, as she always does, with her camera and writing talents. No one, and I mean no one, captures the essence of the horse with a camera like Barbara. Her camera bores into the soul of the animal and brings out its finest qualities. Only an artist can turn photography into poetic expression.
When you consider the longevity associated with other sports i.e. Willie Mays playing from 1951 to 1973, basketball players who have 82 games per season - and football players like Bret Favre who is playing in his 17th season, it is striking to learn that legendary horses such as Secretariat performed no more than 42 minutes over a two year period (21 races) and Seattle Slew no more than 28 minutes in 17 races over a three year racing career.
The brevity of the career of the racing thoroughbred inevitably leaves us on the short side of knowledge of the racer, and memories of his or her accomplishments. In other words, the tradition of baseball, basketball and football is perpetuated in large part by the longevity of those who played the game. The numbers of the greats from each team's past adorn the stadiums or arenas where the games are played. Their tradition is palpable.
Barbara's book does much to retain and document racing's tradition. It reminds us of many great horses and the races they won - and it provides the only record of what became of these titans in their later years.
If anyone has ever wondered about what happened to Personal Ensign and Winning Colors after their 1988 Breeders' Cup struggle, all one has to do is consult this book.
The radical inconsistency of Terlingua who ran exceptional races and also poor ones is recounted here. She, as the dam of Storm Cat, will be immortal as one of the names in pedigrees that will extend for generations to come. Her beauty and challenging disposition will likewise endure because Barbara captured it in her photographs. While her racing record can easily be documented in the past performances of the Racing Form, Barbara provides her story, giving form and content to the mere recital of racing statistics. Barbara also provides the only record of this great racer and producer in her senior years.
Many of the horses included in the book had days which racing fans will never forget. When called upon to summon their talent and courage against other horses who were equally determined to win, they did, and won often. Their achievements should be readily available - not just found on the collected parched newspaper articles that recounted their courage the next day - and which time has long forgotten.
The passing of such knowledge of great achievements from one generation to another is what tradition is all about. Books like Barbara's are rare in racing and play a large role in this process.
Equally important is the love and respect lavished on these horses by their connections. There is a bond between owner and horse - between caretaker and horse - that grows with time - whether the horse is a champion or just a beloved member of the family. Barbara captures that bond in her photographs and articles on each horse - and it glows in her hands.
If you have cheered your horse down the stretch and marveled at the beauty and courage of the animal, you will want this book.
Everyone knows that no matter how loudly you cheer, it has absolutely nothing to do with the outcome of the race. If you come to realize that you shout encouragement because the excitement wells up in you so that you cannot remain a silent observer, and you must publicly identify with the horse you want to win, you will want this book.
I must confess that I have a horse in the book. Urigo is mine, and I am thrilled that he was included. But, whether or not he was included, this is a book to restore some of the great tradition of racing which is being lost.
This book tells us what became of our heroes of yesterday. These horses form a large part of racing's tradition. It is as great a tradition as exists in sports - and if you would like to remember it again, or feel a part of it, or learn about it, you will want this book.
Norris E. Gelman
More Old Friends a must have! November 15, 2007
J. Coughlin (Panama City, FL)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
While perhaps not as good as the first one (the horses are less "famous" overall) this is still an excellent book with the same great pictures and behind the scenes information. What was really heart warming about this book was how many farms and individuals, big and small, actually CARE about their oldsters and keep them happy and comfortable no matter what it takes, high vet bills, special shoes, special feeds, housing, whatever. If only ALL TB owners and breeders would do the right thing that way these farms do then precious few would end up in kill pens or low end auctions.
Barbara Livingston does it again! October 4, 2007
Nona
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
More Old Friends is a gorgeous book; heartfelt, beautiful and intriguing.
Barbara Livingston is a masterful equine historian. Her work is so much more than a tribute to these senior horses; it is important history. These Old Friends will never be forgotten. Their stories and their softly graying faces are captured forever on the pages of these wonderful Old Friends books.
I hope Barbara keeps making Old Friends books. They are treasures!
Thank you, Barbara, for another incredible Old Friends book. I can't wait for the next one!
Great photographs October 11, 2007
Sue (Ormond Beach, FL, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Ms. Livingston makes her living with her photos and this book will show you why. The much-too-brief stories that accompany her photos will make you smile and cry. Wonderful companion book to her original "Old Friends," which I now wish I owned!
Encore, please........... October 3, 2007
M. R. Oakley (Columbus, Ohio)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was fortunate to track down a gently used copy of "Old Friends", which I knew I had to have the minute I opened "More Old Friends". Thank you for sharing the off the race track & out of the spotlight lives of these incredible horses. I'm already eagerly awaiting a third installment.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 11
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