Overview

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The “classic American dream story” (USA Today) about a man and his horse, an unlikely duo whose legendary rise to stardom in show jumping captivated the nation, from the award-winning author of The Perfect Horse and The Ride of Her Life “If you loved the story of Seabiscuit, the surprise champion racehorse . . . check out the true story of Snowman.”—San Jose Mercury News Harry de Leyer first saw the horse he would name Snowman on a truck bound for the slaughterhouse. He recognized the spark in the eye of the beaten-up nag and bought him for eighty dollars. On Harry’s modest farm on Long Island, the even-tempered horse thrived. But the recent Dutch immigrant and his growing family needed money, so Harry reluctantly sold Snowman to a farm a few miles down the road.   But Snowman had other ideas about what Harry needed. When he turned up back at Harry’s barn, dragging an old tire and a broken fence board, Harry knew he had misjudged the horse and set about teaching the shaggy, easygoing gelding to fly. One show at a time, against extraordinary odds, the pair soared past the most expensive thoroughbreds alive, reaching the very top of the sport of show jumping.   The story of this dynamic duo captured the heart of Cold War–era America—a story of unstoppable hope, inconceivable dreams, and a chance to have it all.

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9780345521095

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Reviews

<p> [A] classic American dream story, with a down-on-its-luck horse galloping in for good measure. -- USA Today <br> This is a wonderful book--joyous, heartfelt, and an eloquent reminder that hope can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Most of all, it's a moving testament to the incredible things that can grow from the bond between animals and humans. --Gwen Cooper, author of Homer's Odyssey <br> [Elizabeth Letts] details the intricacies of the show world beautifully, [but it's] the relationship between the people in [Harry's] life and this remarkable, humble horse that will captivate the reader. -- The Star-Ledger <br> The story is thrilling. . . . Letts's taut, detailed writing vividly recounts the excitement of the shows; the heights these underdogs climbed; the world of the Eisenhower fifties; and what Snowman and Harry meant to the everyday people they inspired. --Shelf Awareness <br> If the true stories of horses Secretariat or Seabiscuit kept you spel

<p> [A] classic American dream story, with a down-on-its-luck horse galloping in for good measure. -- USA Today <br> <br> This is a wonderful book--joyous, heartfelt, and an eloquent reminder that hope can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Most of all, it's a moving testament to the incredible things that can grow from the bond between animals and humans. --Gwen Cooper, author of Homer's Odyssey <br> <br> [Elizabeth Letts] details the intricacies of the show world beautifully, [but it's] the relationship between the people in [Harry's] life and this remarkable, humble horse that will captivate the reader. -- The Star-Ledger <br> <br> The story is thrilling. . . . Letts's taut, detailed writing vividly recounts the excitement of the shows; the heights these underdogs climbed; the world of the Eisenhower fifties; and what Snowman and Harry meant to the everyday people they inspired. --Shelf Awareness<br> <br> If the true stories of horses Secretariat or Seabiscuit kept you spellbound, then consider leaving the racetrack setting to learn about the equestrian world's shock in 1958 when an eighty-dollar plow horse arrived to compete in its top show. -- Fayetteville Observer <br> <br> Written in evocative, skilled prose that rings true to the tenor of postwar America . . . Letts deftly calibrates the emotion and suspense that are an indelible part of this tale. -- BookPage

[A] classic American dream story, with a down-on-its-luck horse galloping in for good measure. --USA Today This is a wonderful book--joyous, heartfelt, and an eloquent reminder that hope can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Most of all, it's a moving testament to the incredible things that can grow from the bond between animals and humans. --Gwen Cooper, author of Homer's Odyssey [Elizabeth Letts] details the intricacies of the show world beautifully, [but it's] the relationship between the people in [Harry's] life and this remarkable, humble horse that will captivate the reader. --The Star-Ledger The story is thrilling. . . . Letts's taut, detailed writing vividly recounts the excitement of the shows; the heights these underdogs climbed; the world of the Eisenhower fifties; and what Snowman and Harry meant to the everyday people they inspired. --Shelf Awareness If the true stories of horses Secretariat or Seabiscuit kept you spellbound, then consider leaving the racetrack setting to learn about the equestrian world's shock in 1958 when an eighty-dollar plow horse arrived to compete in its top show. --Fayetteville Observer Written in evocative, skilled prose that rings true to the tenor of postwar America . . . Letts deftly calibrates the emotion and suspense that are an indelible part of this tale. --BookPage -[A] classic American dream story, with a down-on-its-luck horse galloping in for good measure.---USA Today -This is a wonderful book--joyous, heartfelt, and an eloquent reminder that hope can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Most of all, it's a moving testament to the incredible things that can grow from the bond between animals and humans.---Gwen Cooper, author of Homer's Odyssey -[Elizabeth Letts] details the intricacies of the show world beautifully, [but it's] the relationship between the people in [Harry's] life and this remarkable, humble horse that will captivate the reader.---The Star-Ledger -The story is thrilling. . . . Letts's taut, detailed writing vividly recounts the excitement of the shows; the heights these underdogs climbed; the world of the Eisenhower fifties; and what Snowman and Harry meant to the everyday people they inspired.---Shelf Awareness -If the true stories of horses Secretariat or Seabiscuit kept you spellbound, then consider leaving the racetrack setting to learn about the equestrian world's shock in 1958 when an eighty-dollar plow horse arrived to compete in its top show.---Fayetteville Observer -Written in evocative, skilled prose that rings true to the tenor of postwar America . . . Letts deftly calibrates the emotion and suspense that are an indelible part of this tale.---BookPage [A] classic American dream story, with a down-on-its-luck horse galloping in for good measure. USA Today This is a wonderful book joyous, heartfelt, and an eloquent reminder that hope can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Most of all, it s a moving testament to the incredible things that can grow from the bond between animals and humans. Gwen Cooper, author of Homer s Odyssey [Elizabeth Letts] details the intricacies of the show world beautifully, [but it s] the relationship between the people in [Harry s] life and this remarkable, humble horse that will captivate the reader. The Star-Ledger The story is thrilling. . . . Letts s taut, detailed writing vividly recounts the excitement of the shows; the heights these underdogs climbed; the world of the Eisenhower fifties; and what Snowman and Harry meant to the everyday people they inspired. Shelf Awareness If the true stories of horses Secretariat or Seabiscuit kept you spellbound, then consider leaving the racetrack setting to learn about the equestrian world s shock in 1958 when an eighty-dollar plow horse arrived to compete in its top show. Fayetteville Observer Written in evocative, skilled prose that rings true to the tenor of postwar America . . . Letts deftly calibrates the emotion and suspense that are an indelible part of this tale. BookPage [A] classic American dream story, with a down-on-its-luck horse galloping in for good measure. USA Today This is a wonderful book joyous, heartfelt, and an eloquent reminder that hope can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Most of all, it s a moving testament to the incredible things that can grow from the bond between animals and humans. Gwen Cooper, author of Homer s Odyssey [Elizabeth Letts] details the intricacies of the show world beautifully, [but it s] the relationship between the people in [Harry s] life and this remarkable, humble horse that will captivate the reader. The Star-Ledger The story is thrilling. . . . Letts s taut, detailed writing vividly recounts the excitement of the shows; the heights these underdogs climbed; the world of the Eisenhower fifties; and what Snowman and Harry meant to the everyday people they inspired. Shelf Awareness If the true stories of horses Secretariat or Seabiscuit kept you spellbound, then consider leaving the racetrack setting to learn about the equestrian world s shock in 1958 when an eighty-dollar plow horse arrived to compete in its top show. Fayetteville Observer Written in evocative, skilled prose that rings true to the tenor of postwar America . . . Letts deftly calibrates the emotion and suspense that are an indelible part of this tale. BookPage [A] classic American dream story, with a down-on-its-luck horse galloping in for good measure. -- USA Today This is a wonderful book--joyous, heartfelt, and an eloquent reminder that hope can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Most of all, it's a moving testament to the incredible things that can grow from the bond between animals and humans. --Gwen Cooper, author of Homer's Odyssey [Elizabeth Letts] details the intricacies of the show world beautifully, [but it's] the relationship between the people in [Harry's] life and this remarkable, humble horse that will captivate the reader. -- The Star-Ledger The story is thrilling. . . . Letts's taut, detailed writing vividly recounts the excitement of the shows; the heights these underdogs climbed; the world of the Eisenhower fifties; and what Snowman and Harry meant to the everyday people they inspired. --Shelf Awareness If the true stories of horses Secretariat or Seabiscuit kept you spellbound, then consider leaving the racetrack setting to learn about the equestrian world's shock in 1958 when an eighty-dollar plow horse arrived to compete in its top show. -- Fayetteville Observer Written in evocative, skilled prose that rings true to the tenor of postwar America . . . Letts deftly calibrates the emotion and suspense that are an indelible part of this tale. -- BookPage Advance praise for The Eighty-Dollar Champion This is a wonderful book--joyous, heartfelt, and an eloquent reminder that hope can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Most of all, it's a moving testament to the incredible things that can grow from the bond between animals and humans. If you love a great animal tale, you'll love this book! --Gwen Cooper, author of Homer's Odyssey The moving story of an indomitable immigrant farmer, his equally spirited horse, and their against-the-odds journey all the way to the winner's circle, The Eighty-Dollar Champion fascinates from the first page to the last. Elizabeth Letts has uncovered a forgotten slice of American history and brought it to magical life. --Karen Abbott, author of American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee There is something magical about stories in which humans and animals team up to combine their courage, intelligence, determination, physical prowess, and instin

[A] classic American dream story, with a down-on-its-luck horse galloping in for good measure. USA Today This is a wonderful book joyous, heartfelt, and an eloquent reminder that hope can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Most of all, it s a moving testament to the incredible things that can grow from the bond between animals and humans. Gwen Cooper, author of Homer s Odyssey [Elizabeth Letts] details the intricacies of the show world beautifully, [but it s] the relationship between the people in [Harry s] life and this remarkable, humble horse that will captivate the reader. The Star-Ledger The story is thrilling. . . . Letts s taut, detailed writing vividly recounts the excitement of the shows; the heights these underdogs climbed; the world of the Eisenhower fifties; and what Snowman and Harry meant to the everyday people they inspired. Shelf Awareness If the true stories of horses Secretariat or Seabiscuit kept you spellbound, then consider leaving the racetrack setting to learn about the equestrian world s shock in 1958 when an eighty-dollar plow horse arrived to compete in its top show. Fayetteville Observer Written in evocative, skilled prose that rings true to the tenor of postwar America . . . Letts deftly calibrates the emotion and suspense that are an indelible part of this tale. BookPage

[A] classic American dream story, with a down-on-its-luck horse galloping in for good measure. -- USA Today This is a wonderful book--joyous, heartfelt, and an eloquent reminder that hope can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Most of all, it's a moving testament to the incredible things that can grow from the bond between animals and humans. --Gwen Cooper, author of Homer's Odyssey [Elizabeth Letts] details the intricacies of the show world beautifully, [but it's] the relationship between the people in [Harry's] life and this remarkable, humble horse that will captivate the reader. -- The Star-Ledger The story is thrilling. . . . Letts's taut, detailed writing vividly recounts the excitement of the shows; the heights these underdogs climbed; the world of the Eisenhower fifties; and what Snowman and Harry meant to the everyday people they inspired. --Shelf Awareness If the true stories of horses Secretariat or Seabiscuit kept you spellbound, then consider leaving the racetrack setting to learn about the equestrian world's shock in 1958 when an eighty-dollar plow horse arrived to compete in its top show. -- Fayetteville Observer Written in evocative, skilled prose that rings true to the tenor of postwar America . . . Letts deftly calibrates the emotion and suspense that are an indelible part of this tale. -- BookPage

Author Information

Elizabeth Letts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Eighty-Dollar Champion and The Perfect Horse, which won the PEN Award for Research Nonfiction, and The Ride of Her Life. She is also the author of the novels Finding Dorothy, Quality of Care, and Family Planning. She lives in Wyoming Maryland and Northern Michigan.

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