Author: General Jack Seely
Rating: 4.8/5
Sadness: Enough to make your eyes tear up, nothing more.
Comprehensibility: Good, especially considering I'm unknowledgeable about WWI and war tactics.
Correct portrayal of horses/horse training: Yes. Very.
If you haven't read Warrior, read it. (And don't confuse it with the recent "War Horse" movie. Completely different plot.)
In short, it's a book authored by General Jack Seely (Warrior's owner) of a horse that fought throughout the entire Great War. Let me persuade you as to why you should read it:
- It's a tale about an amazing horse.
- The writing is gorgeous.
- It's written by a British fellow who uses terms like "tenner" and "cheque".
- The past-tense facts feel like present-tense happenings.
- The explanation of complex war movements are comprehendible to those unfamiliar with war tactics.
- You get to personally know both the horse and the author.
- The book was written before the horse died, so you don't have to worry about getting all attached to Warrior before his death.
- The author knew his horses and how to train them; this is incorporated frequently throughout his writing.
- It clearly shows that horses have the potential to be more intimate and close with humans than dogs can be.
- It also shows that horses can be more friendly than dogs:
- To quote chapter 7, "... you will note with what immense interest your horse will eye the new A.D.C. He knows very well that much of his comfort and well-being depends on this mysterious man ... who seems able to order about people who are much older than himself! Horses are even quicker than dogs at noticing these things, although, unlike dogs, they are not snobs." The author then goes on to point out that dogs will attach themselves to the highest person in rank. Horses, on the other hand, offer the same amount of affection to a general as to a servant.
Some complain about the book hiding the real horror of war. Let me clarify: The book is about Warrior, a horse. Not World War I. If you want to read about WWI and the depression that comes along with death, go find a different book for now.
If you haven't yet, read Warrior. I think you'll find this a good read even if horses disinterest you.
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