I have to say, honestly, I am amazed and in awe of this book…

…Not because of the topic, but because of the content.

Truly, Alex Brown went all out for us.  He studied, did his homework, cajoled important people, worked amazing photos out of busy owners, told the truth and added his heart – and it shows.

This isn’t just a ‘coffee table book’.  This is a Barbaro reference book that presents beautifully.

SURE, PUT IT ON YOUR COFFEE TABLE…but it is so much more!

Y’know, rarely do you find a coffee table book that is more than fabulous photos and a few interesting captions…

I’m not dissing coffee table books – as I have too many for my coffee table – I’m just saying that it is enough work just to get clearance on a bookful of photos, let alone gather all of the pertinent information.

But in Brown’s book, you get all that, and so much more!  Truly a labor of love…  Brown actually stopped his regular life to spend 2 years researching all about Barbaro.  That takes true dedication and that dedicated passion and tenacity shines through here.

Lucky for us, Alex Brown is a horseman who loved and respected the spirit of this horse enough to seek the truth – and beyond.

SO MUCH CONTENT!

Most books of this nature, tell one story.  Usually, it is the ‘making of a giant’ type of story.

But not this book.

Sure, we do learn about Barbaro’s sire and dam (and their history).  We do learn of his birth and sale and training. Barbaro’s races and owner/fan dreams are documented.  The horrible accident is documented… and his subsequent care, and untimely death – all in there and told honestly.

The rest of the book is truly a gift, I think.  You see, he doesn’t stop there.  Brown goes on…  He tells of all the Fan support.   He tells of how following Barbaro’s life and loss opened Brown up himself to rethink his perceptions of racing, horse slaughter, horse auctions, the plight of the Wild Horse and feedlots.

He also covered, very carefully, the touchy topics of laminitis and founder.  Brown almost pleads in his words for a breakthrough in this mercurial and oft confounding disease.

And finally, the horse who inspired so many.  Brown reflects on how this stoic young horse dealt with his injury and moved a nation of humans to understand and help the equine.

Really… this book is a keepsake.  Not just beautiful, but accurate, robust and heartfelt.

Fans of Barbaro dedicated this bench… and you can see some of the representatives in front of his monument.

ALEX WAS KIND ENOUGH TO OFFER BOOKS FOR the BUCKET FUND!

Now, I don’t know Alex at all.  My only point of reference for him was through Alex Brown Racing – a site for the Fans of Barbaro who also communicate through their message board.  The site lives on and many horse people rally  around horse causes through Alex’s  site.

Alex contacted me and offered to send 5 of his books to offer as a Bucket Fund incentive.

Wow!  OK!  I told him that I was forever grateful and I would save the books for when we had an OTTB (Off The Track Thoroughbred) rescue – out of respect for Barbaro.

Well… it took several months but we do now have a candidate for this lovely offering with Brother, our September Bucket Fund horse.  He is half TB and half draft.

BOOST THE BUCKET FUND WITH SIGNED COPIES!!

So, today, to boost the Bucket Fund for Brother, we are offering 5 – SIGNED “GREATNESS AND GOODNESS: BARBARO AND HIS LEGACY” by Alex Brown!

EVERY DIME will go into the Bucket Fund for Brother!  We have 5 – signed copies with donation fees of $40 each so that is $200 total for Brother if we sell them all!

Thank you, Alex, for this very fine book and for your generosity!

ALL THE BOOKS ARE SOLD!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!  THE BUCKET FUND IS HAPPY!!  I’m sorry you missed out on this wonderful donation book but you can purchase a non-signed copy from Amazon (click here)

(*if the link doesn’t work, then we are sold out!  thank you!! – However, you can still donate to the Bucket Fund if you wish!)