The Black Stallion

MY all time favorite as a kid's book! Read it in about 4th grade, got hooked on all of Farley's books and this was by far my favorite.

I had to buy each book with my own allowance money, which might tell you how much I loved them!

The Black Stallion
Noor Dahik
By Walter Farley
This story talks about a boy named Alec that went to India with his uncle for some months. He was in a boat going back to New York when the boat named "The Drake" got an unexpected guest: a Black Stallion. Alec started giving him some sugar cubes every day. In an ordinary night the boat crashes and Alec and the Stallion swam until they got to an island. Alec and the Stallion started to get hungry. They found a blueberry bush. The next days Alec thought of eating the Black Stallion but instead he found some seaweeds and ate them. One day Alec felt some arms around him and got rescued by another boat that was supposed to land in America. Later Alec and the Stallion got into another boat and got to New York. The Stallion felt pretty scared there but slowly got used to it. A nice reporter asked some questions to Alec about how he found the Black Stallion and about his life on the island. Then the Stallion got to live in an old barn with an old horse named Napoleon. Mr. Henry the owner of the barn offered Alec to train the Stallion for the big horse race they saw in a newspaper between Cyclone and Sun Rider. But first they need to give the Stallion some pedigree. Will they get it into the race? who knows...
Black Stallion
He is Black, tall, strong and with a lot of hair.
His feelings: He is brave, adventurous, impatient, and athletic. He is believable.
Struggle now has no pedigree papers.
I liked it because it has many little problems that get slowly solved.
Quotes
Alec opened his eyes. The sun, high in heavens, beat down upon his bear. His face felt hot , his tongue swollen. Slowly he pushed his tired body from the ground and fell upon the sand.
Suddenly he heard the Stallions's scream, more piercing, more blood curdling he had ever heard before.
Alec's eyes blurred, he couldn't see. He stumbled and fell and then clumbered to his feet. Then they had their arms around him.

I'm putting together a kid's library, and decided to actually read or reread a lot of the "classics" I've picked up over the years. Some are pretty rough going, (have you tried to read "Last of the Mohicans" recently?), and some were very pleasant surprises, ("Robin Hood" and, get this, "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm").

"The Black Stallion" was one I approached with some trepidation. Some of these horse books can get a little cloying. Well, guess what, this is a rousing adventure story that just gallops along. Shipwrecks, island survival, exotic ports, horse racing, compelling characters, an admirable hero protagonist - it really is a classic in the best sense of that word.

"The Black Stallion" has become a staple in children's literature. It tells the story of Alec Ramsay and his partnership with a remarkable horse, referred to only as the Black. While returning from a trip to India, Alec's ship is wrecked in a storm, leaving he and the Black as the only survivors, washed up on a small, deserted island. For nineteen days they must survive in that desolate place, and in this time a strong bond is formed between the boy and the wild Arab horse.

Once Alec and the Black are rescued by a passing ship, the story takes a different turn. Back in New York, Alec asks a neighbor if he might stable the Black in the old barn on his property. As it turns out, Henry Dailey is a former racehorse trainer, and he immediately recognizes the Black's potential for speed. Thus, man and boy pair up in order to train the spirited horse, hoping to harness his energy and turn him into a competitive runner.

In this book, Alec looks forward to going home to his New York hometown of Flushing to start the new schoolyear. He boards a ship called the Drake as he leaves India and his uncle, whom he had spent the summer with and had done many exciting things with...including Alec's all-time dream of learning to horseback ride. The ship stops on the coast of Arabia and the crew captures the most beautiful, noble Arabian stallion the boy had ever seen. He immediately falls in love with the creature, while Alec being the only one who the 'Black' trusts. When a dangerous shipwreck occurs, leaving everyone but the Black and Alec alive, the horse leads him to land instinctively. Another danger on the deserted island saves the two and causes them to be saved at last. When Alec teams up with a retired jockey by the name of Henry, they won't give up on making another dream a reality--seeing the Black on the racetrack.

I'm a read aloud Mom with a family of boys. We liked this book so much better than the school-accepted survival story, "Hatchet."

This book is gently told and a pleasure to read out loud. The survival section is about 1/3 the book, and the remainder is the civilization/adjustment/horse training section.

My edition has 10 black on white drawings by Keith Ward and a nice hardcover. This book is great for 10-year-old boys.

THE BLACK STALLION

By Walter Farley

Alec is a boy that likes horses. Alec's live is about to change .He was in a boat called Drake, when he sows a horse, it was a beautiful horse. The animal was perfect, it was a black stallion! Alec had seen a lot of horses with pedigree, but never a stallion, a black stallion!

When Alec's boat was sinking Alec took the road that was in the big neck of the Black, the horse was taking Alec out from the water and make a sound , eehhhggggeee" They were the only tow survivors .

I liked this book because is about horses and I love horses.

Alec is a good kid, he's passient , and a strong kid .

Don't know how many readers are aware of the fact that Pam in this book (and a short snippet in the following book) is based on Walter Farley's own daughter, Pam Farley, who loved horses...she passed away in a car accident at the age of 20 in 1968 in Europe. Mr. Farley stated several times that this book "The Black Stallion & The Girl" was meant as a memorial of her free spirit and love of horses.
That being said, I do not think it is the best of the series. For one thing, I think that Mr. Farley had lost his 'spark' some time before that - and the early death of his beloved daughter didn't help much. The book has not aged well either - Pam comes across as a '60's hippie girl. Henry becomes an intolerant old geezer, and Alec begins to question his parents' values (why he would do that when they have given him a free rein all this time...well...).
I do admit that it was nice to read about Alec falling in love but all those scenes seemed so contrived to me...
It's still better than the followup that was released 12 years later "The Black Stallion Legend" which is just DEPRESSING.

I liked this book because it was exciting and to read. It has a great ending. Something new always happens that you would not expect. It has a good plot. It is suspenseful. You will want to know what happens next in the story.
Black Stallion is about a boy named Alec who finds and owns a black stallion. They get ship wrecked with no other living thing on the island. He has to find food for both himself and the stallion. The stallion is a big strong horse with a lot of speed and ability to run in a race. Their shelter caught on fire and burnt down. A ship saw the smoke and rescued them.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes horse books. It's fun to read. I would recommend it to fifth through seventh graders. It's an easy book to read. It's a great book with excitement and it is fun to read.

Walter Farley started writing the story which became "The Black Stallion" while he was still in high school. I think I was eight or nine years old when I first read it. I still read the series from time to time, and time has only made me appreciate Farley's fine writing skills all the more. Especially the final chapter about the match race between Sun Raider, Cyclone, and the Black - I can actually HEAR the track announcer's "It's the mystery horse!" in my mind. Mr. Farley had the unique ability to express emotions through the written word - it still gives me tingles.
Only one beef I have - why, oh why, did they decide to re-do the illustrations? I still have my dogeared Scholastic Books paperback with the original illustrations. The original illustrator made the Black truly look like "the wildest of all wild creatures".
This book should be in every child's library!

This is a book I've wanted to read almost my whole life. As a kid I loved animal stories but had an aversion to horse books but as I got older the urge to read this crept upon me until at last today I can finally say I've read "The Black Stallion" and plan on reading its sequel, which I managed to snatch up for a great deal on my Kindle a while back. The writing is wonderful and there are so few references to technology or current events that one is only reminded that the story is taking place in the forties perhaps three times. For me the book had three distinct parts: the shipwreck and Alex's time with Black on the island, his homecoming and settling in with Black, and the preparation for and finally running the race at the end. The first and third parts were extraordinarily good but I found my attention lagging in the middle as I wondered if any excitement was going to happen again after the shipwreck and survival part of the beginning. This is what keeps the book from gaining 5* from me. However as the excitement mounts again at the end I just loved the writing of the man calling the race; it was so real I felt on the edge of my seat even though there is no doubt whatsoever as to how this story is going to end; it being a fairly predictable plot. Alex and Henry are the main characters and the only ones of any real consequence, besides Black, and they are written very real with depth and background. I couldn't help but see Henry in my mind as Mickey Rooney, though, one of my all time favourite actors who played him in the movie and TV series. <3

When I first sat down with the book, I thought that I possibly had accidentally picked up the wrong book. It was a little confusing at first because I thought it was going to be just like the movie. (I had already seen the movie.) But then it got easier once I realized that it wasn't at all like the movie. I mean, the story was the same, but the tone was different and you got a better understanding of The Black in the book than in the movie. You could picture the wild, vicious heart of the stallion. When Alec rode the Black, you got a picture of what is was like to be on top of such a horse and you felt like you were right there riding him beside Alec.
Overall, I loved the book and I hope that someone else will read the book. Horselovers, you should read it too! I highly recommend it!

Started me on a lifetime's journey of reading, that is.

This was the first "real" book I read as a kid - the first book with chapters and limited illustrations. I was hooked and probably checked this book out of the school library two dozen times over the course of a couple of years. Interspersed with all of those re-readings of this book, I started reading everything else I could get my hands on, including milk cartons and the backs of cereal boxes.

Honestly, there might be better children's books out there, but for me and for a lot of young readers THIS was the one. THIS was the book that prompted a good, long look at the globe to figure out where Saudi Arabia might be... where Alec's and the Black's island might be. THIS was the book that shows a young kid that rules may be rules, but if you want something badly enough, creativity and hard work can make the impossible come true.

If you have a child in your life that's just about of an age to be horse-crazy, get them this book. And be prepared to have a newly-minted voracious reader in your life.

The Black Stallion is a very breath-taking book. It's about a boy named Alec Ramasay. Who is heading home in New York City after spending two months in India with his Uncle Ralph. He spends a few weeks at sea on the DRAKE when one day they came to a small Arabian port. At the port was a small crowed of cheering people. Suddenly Alec heared a shrill, loud, clear whistle. He then saw a mighty black horse rear on its hind legs, its forelegs striking out into the air. A white scarf was tied across its eyes. The crowed broke and ran. Its body was completly, pitch black excepted for a white streak across its eye. With a big fuss, the clearly wild stallion was loaded onto the ship. For Alec, it was love at first site. Each night, Alec would take

One of the most stunning horse stories ever told. Alec Ramsey is saved by a wild stallion, but it takes days stranded on an island together to tame him--and ride him. And it is just in time. A ship comes and takes him and his beloved stallion back to New York, where Alec puts the horse in an old barn and meet a crusty but kind trainer Henry Dailey. Together they battle the problem of not having the horse registered and match him against the top Thoroughbreds in the country. You really feel like you are riding the horse here. Combined with THE YOUNG BLACK STALLION (prequel), THE BLACK STALLION RETURNS, and THE SON OF THE BLACK STALLION, this is a perfect gift. p.s. I'm really 14 but please still post this...the adult one won't work for me!

In this book we get the first meeting of Walter Farley's two most famous Horses the Black Stallion (The Black) and the Island Stallion (Flame). During a bad storm the plane, Alec, The Black and Henry are on, crashes. The Black and some mares and their foals, get separated from the human survivors. The Black and his small band, end up finding Azul Island, where Flame is King of his herd. While Henry and Alec eventual get rescued and taken to another island. However they refuse to leave with out looking for the Black. The Black enjoys his found freedom, but two powerful stallions can never coexist for long

The chapters alternated between Alec and Henry's POV , and The Blacks, which is quite interesting to see Walter write from the Horses prospective, something I don't think he ever did before, nor again as far as I know.

We also have a rapid Vampire Bat that stirs up trouble for both the humans and the horses.

One of my favorite books of all time is Walter Farley's "The Black Stallion". This story mostly takes place in Flushing, NY, where our protagonist, Alec Ramsey, lives. While on his way home from India, young Alec meets a glorious wild stallion he calls "The Black". He befriends the horse. It saves his life during a shipwreck, and the pair end up on a remote island. They form a very close bond while surviving the elements together. They are rescued, and Alec claims the horse, knowing that its owner died in the shipwreck. His parents are very surprised, but allow him to keep The Black. Alec stables his horse next door. With the help of his neighbor, Henry Daily, Alec begins trainng his horse. The Black is wild and runs like the wind. Henry was once a jockey and then a trainer, so he knows a fast horse when he sees one. They take him to a nearby racetrack in the dead of night, so as to get an accurate read on his supreme speed. They spend many long nights training The Black. Alec and Henry decide to race The Black against the two fastest horses of the day. It takes much work to get him a spot in the race, but they are up to it. Alec is able to convince his parents to allow him to race his horse. In the end, The Black beats both champions, despite numerous disadvantages. I think everybody should read this book. It is an adventurous tale that both entertains and encourages you to follow your dreams. I am a huge Walter Farley fan, and I continue to reread his books to this day. I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I have.

If you like horses this book is for you. The basic plot:
-after a shipwreck, a kid ends up stranded on an island with a horse
-the two befriend each other and help each other (kid feeds horse, horse kills snake near kid)
-the two our found and taken back to NY, where the kid lives
-all are happy to see the kid's alive
-the horse has amazing talent in the field of racing, but the kid has no papers for the horse so he is unable to race it
-they find a race that was set up by the owners of the horses and ask the owners if he can be entered into it
-they say yes
The book ends with a thrilling race that you feel you are riding in.

The Black Stallion and the girl is about a boy named Alec Ramsey, who works at a farm for an old man named Henry. The Black is Alec's horse, and may be the fastest in America. Henry does not beleive in hiring a girl as the job for a stablehand. But Alec who is in desperate need of help goes against Henry's will and hires her any way. On the job Alec and Pam (the girl) fall in love. As she works there she gets to know a colt named Black Sand. No one beleives she can be a jockey, but dispite all the critisism she entered in a race going in the race with Black Sand. In the race they are close to first until..... pam is thrown off of Black Sand onto a fence where Black Sand was also injured, and later died. Although it was hard Pam had to get over Black Sands death. You know when they say when you fall off a horse you have to get back on so you won't be scared the next time? Well that's exactly what Pam did. Later Pam had to leave. She said to go on with the journey of life. Although it left Alec heart broken, he was now left partnerless, and in need for help again.

the black stallion is about a boy named alec and a horse called the black.
as alec is riding home he comes across his first storm at sea. it was exciting and fun, but not for long! The Drake starts to sink and people are being loaded in life boats. alec rescues the black stallion aboard the ship. the black knocks him off the boat and into the icy cold waters!!! alec ties the lead rope to his waist, and the next morning they are at a deserted island and the only survivers!!!!!
How will he find food? can he tame the stallion who saved his life? if he does will he be able to keep him? will he even get on a ship home? if he does will it sink too? will he be as lucky? if he does make it home and can keep the black where will he keep him? will the black be tamed?
find out in THE BLACK STALLION.

This book is absolutly wonderful and I think Farley did an exelent job. This book keeps you intertained the whole way and it really gets you involved in the story, almost like being there. The Black Stallion is about a boy who is stranded on an island after a devastating ship wreck with a wild stallion. The boy, Alex, soon befriends the horse and they get rescued off the island but he knows that the horse is fast and pairs up with an old racer to train the black stallion to race the two fastest horses at that time. Trust me... this book makes you feel sad when it ends, it's so good. It also gives you a good picture of what it might be like to race on a track.

I first read THE BLACK STALLION when I was 9 - and I became hooked and read several of the books that followed in the series. None held up to this first book - but they were consistent and I still have them.
With the book first being published in 1941 - I wonder now how much of this story was influenced by the SeaBiscuit story?
Anyway - this is one of those books that I remember wishing with all my heart and soul I could be Alec, alone on the island in the sun with that horse. Just riding. And having no other thoughts in the world.
And sometimes, after a particularly bad week, this book is one of those that I scoop up to smooth my edges.

This is a fantastic book about a boy, his fight for survival after a shipwreck, his wild black stallion and racing. There is a lot of action in this children’s book that made me want to keep reading. It is refreshingly uncomplicated and full of adventure. I enjoyed this book very much and plan to read more by this author!

I have read many books, but no matter how many times I read this book, it always seems new. A classic story of boy and his horse, the book starts with Alec returning from a summer with his uncle in Africa. Alec, aboard a steamer bond to New York, watches a magnificent, wild stallion being loaded. During the long trip back, Alec tries to make friends with this beautiful horse. When the ship sinks, Alec is pulled by the black stallion to a small desert island. On the desert island, the boy and the wild horse learn to depend upon each other in order to survive. When Alec is rescued, he brings the "Black" to New York. Alec's neighbor, a retired race-horse trainer, recognizes the Black's true potential- as a racehorse. This book will hold you in suspense untill the end.

I've read this book two times already, going on three! This book is enjoyable, and anyone 8+ should read it. Walter Farley ha s a great imigination, mind, and is very skilled at writing books. I have almost completed The Stallion Island, which is about a boy who is taken on an island, which I can't recall the name, and stays there for days, hoping to stay for two weeks in order to keep a horse on the island. A relative of his will then come to the island an break a horse, in which the boy picks. This is an extrodinary book, even though I have not completed it yet. I also recomend this book to anyone who is 8+. Thank you for your time.

Walter Farley takes readers on a literary whirlwind in this exciting story of a boy and his horse in the mid Forties. HIS, not by legal possession, but rather an ownership born of mutual cooperation for survival. Washed overboard from a tramp steamer near the Mediterranean, Alec Ramsay (12-14) was saved from drowning by clinging to a rope around the neck of a mighty black stallion, who was also plunged into the sea. Long weeks spent on a tiny island forged a loyal and lasting bond between the

sunburned boy and the wild animal--who was never intended for

corrals and civilization. With patience, perseverance and respectful love Alec gradually tamed the suspicious animal, who ultimately permitted him to ride bareback.

Finally rescued they reached Rio and then were shipped back to New York city, but Alex had been given a vision of the Black's future: he wanted to race the magnificent animal on a real racetrack, to share the glory of his Arabian heritage. Countless obstacles were thrown in his way including parental reluctance, lack of money and time and the Black's own fighting spirit. But the greatest hurdle would prove the lack of papers documenting his lineage. Besides the Black had to be king of the herd and would always prove too wild to race with dignified, high-toned thoroughbreds. Can an old jockey and an untried boy pull off the biggest racing coup in US history? This is great fare for horse lovers!

This beautiful novel is so original and capturing that it couldn't be written by anyone other than Walter Farley. It is recommended to children, but I think that both kids and adults will immediately fall in love with the Black and the story itself. I found this book in my school library, and I immediately became interested, me being a horse owner. When I read it, I absolutely loved it. Not only because I have a horse, but just because of the bond between Alec and this wild Mustang that he trained himself, merely with love. This is definately a good one, even if you're not interested in horses. Two "hoofs" up!

This book is spetacular!!! Its one of the greatest books I have read in years. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put the book down. It was about a young boy, named Alec, who finds himself and a black horse to be the only survivors of a shipwreck. Alec soon learns that he owe his life to this black horse whom saved his life, by dragging him to an island. They soon learn they must depend on each other in order to survive on the island, and because of Alec's love for horses, he learns how to become the horse's friend and he starts a type of speacial bond between the horse and himself.
One of my reasons why I liked this book is, because it always gives me that feeling of whats going to happen next. Its just that the book is so full of excitment. Every time Alec rides the black horse, the author makes it seem that Alec is always risking his life. Every once in a while the author, Walter Farley, would write an event where it seems Alec could loss his life. Such as this, "A few minutes later Henry and Jake ran up to them, and Alec weakly climbed down from the saddle. Henry took the reins- they were sticky and wet with blood."
Another reason why I liked this book is, it has just the right level of vocabulary. Sometimes when you choose a book and it turns out to be something a little too easy or a little too hard, that you can't understand what the book is really talking about. Such as this sentence, "The next day Alec set out to obtain more of the carragheen" or this sentence, "he remebered the deep gully that was there.
My most favorite part of this book was, when Alec and the black horse gets rescued from the island they were stranded on, and when Alec finally gets to see his family for the first time in many months. The reason why I like this part is, it's full of happiness. Alec had never seen his family in about five months, and he thought that he was going to die on that island with the horse.

"The Black Stallion" is by far the most important book of my childhood. Captivating with its thrilling storyline, it catches every bit of imagination, excitement and wonder a girl or boy could have for horses and riding. It feels you are right there with the main character the whole breathless way. And, it teaches too. The reader devours knowledge about horses and riding, horse origins and breeds, their beauty and mystery. Importantly, it reinforces relationships between people and animals, and emphasizes the importance of various people's roles in our lives; mother, father, friend, mentor, etc. "The Black Stallion" transports a child(or adult), from their home to a completely different, exciting world where their wildest dreams come true. Farley does this in the most amazing fashion while still emphasizing the importance of following your passion by using self-reliance and persistence. To this day when asked what my favorite book is and I'm forced to cull down to just one, I'll name two anyway; this one along with my favorite "grown up" book.

I just bout this for my 9 year old daughter as mine is I'm proud to say a 1941 1st addition signed by Mr. Farley himself! And way to precious and delicate to be read now. It's a timeless story my favorite as a child, I must have read that book a hundred times before I was 15. And yes, I too wanted a black stallion but never got one of course, realizing as a adult he would only live in my dreams.

The excellent series of Walter Farley's must be noted with an excellent finale in the Black Stallion Challenged, where Flame and The Black and their owners Steve and Alec meet together - highly anticipated drama. This book basically ends the well written, well connected series. The "after thoughts" that are The Black Stallion's Ghost, Black Stallion and the Girl, Black Stallion Legend and the Young Black Stallion are increasingly poorly written , disappointingly crafted, sequels to the original 17 books. One of the very best of the series was The Black Stallion Mystery with the revelation and suspense of realizing and meeting the actual sire of The Black - the golden chestnut Ziyadah. In the attempt to create the prequel and offer the story of the "young black stallion" my guess is that son Steven Farley took over for his father and ( Unfortunately, disappointingly) discounted the revelation of Ziyadah as the sire. Rather the sire was something from another world - almost biblical in interpretation. Indeed, this story suggests that the story of a chestnut sire , that was prepotent and dominant for the chestnut gene, could NOt have produced the black colt. Anyone with any knowledge of equine colour inheritance will know that chestnut is NEVER dominant , but only recessive to bay or black or grey etc. Many chestnuts can and do produce blacks provided that the dam is bay or black , or even a grey masking this colour. While Farley's books - the original 17, were indeed fictional, senior Farley did present the stories with a very educational and well researched background. "Filly' and "Courage" were such examples of novels which gave anyone solid background information to the sport of Racing. Suffice to say that this unfortunate suggestion of a "celestial" sire and a "trashing" of the series' horses and background, rendered the rest of this book too far removed to take seriously as a legit part of the great series - the first 17 - originally crafted by Walter Farley. If you are a first time potential reader of any of these books, please dont choose any of these last four as your introduction. If you have read the whole series I suppose, as I did - curiosity leads to them. Ghost, with its portrayal of an excellent dressage mare has something of the old magic.....but thereafter these sequels are difficult to get through.

I loved this book and I think it's the best book of Walter Farley's that I've read. I guess because I'm young, I liked the fact that it was a sort of romance story, but still had the main theme being focused on horses. I also liked the fact that the book didn't focus mainly on racing as some of his other books do. I thought that Pam was a very well developed character and that she is very unique (which is probably one reason Alec is attracted to her). I can't wait to read the next book and find out what happens to Alec, the Black, Pam, Henry, and everything going on at Hopeful Farm.

Ever since I read my first Walter Farley book 15 years ago, it's been my favorite serie. No other horse books equal it. Even today, I still pull out my old books and re-read them. I've read each one at least 10 times and have yet to get tired of them. I recommend this book to ALL horse and animal lovers. Everything feels so real that you get transported into the stories. You feel Alec's pain at his loss and then his joy a bit further on. The happiness with his triumphs and his disappointment when things don't come out as planned. Read this book, you won't ever regret it.

This book is better than some but never quite makes it up to the level of the earlier ones. I have to agree with the last reviewer in that disaster characterizes many of Farley's plot lines. I mean, Alec is in his early to mid 20s and has already been through a shipwreak, several plane crashes, and a forest fire. It's a pity that the author had to torture his characters just to come up with stories. "The Black Stallion and Flame" is another medicore work that boasts an workable plot that is far from spectacular. Also the Black and Flame start acting out of character which is extremely frustrating. The Flame and the Black that I know from Farley's earlier books would have died trying to kill each other. Not so in this book. In fact they seem to make up and be friends. Overall not very memorable.

The Black Stallion is my favorite book! It's a story about a boy named Alec who is on a ship with a Wild Stallion. Their ship sinks and most everybody dies. Alec lats the Black free from it's cage on the ship so it can fight for life. Alec gets knocked overbourd when the ship is sinking. When he see's something gliding through the water next to him. Blindly he grabbes at it. It's the Black's halter!

The Black Stallion is a thrilling and exciting book. One of the great Walter Farley books worth buying!

Katy Ann.

When the Black returns to Arabia, Abu Ishak promises Alec that he will have the Black's firstborn. When that colt arrives, it soon becomes evident that Satan has inherited his father's savage desire to run and to fight. Alec tries to win the horse's love and confidence, but as Satan grows older he becomes dangerous. Alec, away at college, doesn't realize how savage Satan has become. After Satan throws Alec, injuring him; Henry decides to "teach" Satan-with a whip. Henry realizes too late how dangerous Satan really is, and is almost killed. Henry, in a desperate attempt to save his life, almost kills Satan. Now Satan has no reason to trust humans. Can Satan ever be tamed? Will Satan finally learn to trust and love Alec?

"It can't be!"
Alec and Henry can't believe it when they see three colts that look exactly like the Black! But the Black can't be their sire; the colts are from Spain.
The mystery deepens when a Spanish rancher flies Alec, Henry, and the Black to northern Africa. Here, in the Arabian mountains, he says, they will meet the colts' mysterious sire.
But as soon as they leave the plane, it takes off! Alec, Henry, and the Black are alone in the rugged mountains--and Alec knows that someone has tricked them.
Someone wants them dead!

originally published in 1941, It was still pretty new in my local library when I read it at about age 8. Read it again about 40 years later when thinking to buy it for my two daughters. Now some 70 years later, planning to buy it for a granddaughter and grandson. Current reader comments tell me it is still much loved and a favorite read.

Not enough stars can be given to this book. Any boy, girl or adult who loves horses needs to read this short book. It should be considered a " horse classic." For a book that is not very long it is full of excitement and portrays the horse world.

This book is just odd. I am NOT impressed with Steve Farley's contribution to the series. The whole book is weird. Apparently Alec is in the desert with the Black and starts off on some nonsense about the horsehead nebula that was never mentioned before. Then he has a weird vision/dream about the Black's beginnings. There is some stupidity about the Black's father being "the Stallion of the Midnight Sky" or some made-up silliness that has no basis I have ever heard in Arabic or Bedouin culture. It was mentioned and confirmed more than once in the earlier books that Shetan's father was ZIYADAH, not some mystical ghost horse or whatever. The Black hating all humans intensely because the villain hit him once is silliness as well. I can understand an abused horse being violent with people, but a horse being chased and struck once would not make it a man-hating killer. Even the fall he had afterward from trying to run up the side of a mountain seems unlikely to make him some feral, vicious stallion. Also, having the Black climb around with mountain goats was unrealistic as no horse, no matter how agile, could do that: they don't have the right hooves, they weigh too much, are too large, and are not built to do it. Also, the Bedouin scout that follows the Black is a completely unlikable character, who is selfish and makes excuses for his own actions. The whole book he blames the evil sheik for the death of a man HE stabbed (when he was told NOT to kill anyone) and only stays with the Black so he can catch him and sell him for lots of money. The book ends with Alec waking up and remembering all this stuff as if he were the Bedouin scout or something, which is odd and really rather needless.

In all, disappointing and unrealistic. I think the series would have been better off WITHOUT this book. It is not the worst book I have read, but I would not suggest buying it before you read it. You may feel you wasted your money.

Strange in a way that I loved this book so much when I read it in fourth grade, because, ironically, in real life, horses kind of scare me. I think Walter Farley's book is magical and I hope others who read it find as much meaning as I did in the story of a boy named Alec Ramsey, who survives a shipwreck and befriends a magnificent black Arabian stallion. Yes, this enduring classic is basically a fantasy, but sometimes it takes fantasy to create a book that is capable of touching the human soul in the exact way this one does.

We read this book to our 7-year-old and 4-year-old. Our 4yo needed quite a few words and situations explained, but still enjoyed the action, and kept asking for one more chapter! Our 7-year-old was so enthralled, she talked her 1st grade teacher into reading it to the class. The whole class loved it. The main character disobeys his parents to enter the race, so this issue should be discussed. Overall, the story is well written, and exciting, but I would recommend it for kids older than mine. Try it with younger ones to stretch their vocabulary (just plan on spending a little more time). A good book!

I did not have the privelige of reading 'The Black Stallion' til I was about 10. Even then, the genious vivid pictures you get from the discriptions from this book are breathtaking. A classic children's book that's been around since 1941, this entertaing story should take the horse-loving child to a new place of imagination exploration. Since then I have read numerous other works of Mr. Farley, all as brilliant as this. Farley was a master story teller. This fact shines through in the cherished pieces of literature he left behind.

In my earlier review I mentioned a promise made to Alec by Abu ishak. Well Satan, the first son of the Black is that promise. And now Satan is Alec's horse. His parent's are expectng a nice slow pony that will grow up to be a nice slow horse. But Alec has other plans. But the day at the dock when Satan is finally his everyone gets a surprise. Satan is mean, sour and waiting to strike. Will Alec's dreams go down the drain? Or will the son of The black Stallion go down in racing history?
In all I think this was a great book. But let me just get this off of my shoulders. Satan is not The Black, and never will be, So don't expect the magic that happened between Alec and the Black.

This is a story about a boy named Alec who first sees a savage, yet beautiful horse led onto his ship. Alec secretly befriends him. Then there is a terrible storm and the ship is sinking.Alec lets the Black go and he plunges into the sea with Alec. A day later They have reached land but for the better or worse?
Alec and The Black are finally rescued and Alec joins forces with an ex trainer named Henry Dailey. They plan to make Black a famous race horse but will the Black Stallion ever be truly tamed?
This was a beautifully well written story full of adventure and heart. If you don't try it then you will really be missing out.

I think this book is worth reading as part of the Black Stallion series, and I especially enjoyed reading all of the books in the order they were written. I read most of the books four or five times, but this is one I read only twice. There's something about it that seems overly long, overly repetitive, and the story line just isn't as interesting as the story line of the first two books. Still, I enjoyed this story as part of the whole.

This is the first real book I ever read by myself, nineteen years ago at the age of 5. It is a must have for any beloved child's bookshelf. My copy, which originally belonged to my brother has a honored space in my home. Full of adventure, a little intrigue, and what every kid wants...a secret kept from parents and a best friend. Don't kid yourself and think that the movie was just as good--it gutted the real story of the book and Alec's relationship with his folks. Read the real thing.

This is the first real book I ever read by myself, nineteen years ago at the age of 5. It is a must have for any beloved child's bookshelf. My copy, which originally belonged to my brother has a honored space in my home. Full of adventure, a little intrigue, and what every kid wants...a secret kept from parents and a best friend. Don't kid yourself and think that the movie was just as good--it gutted the real story of the book and Alec's relationship with his folks. Read the real thing.

It's a very good book and pretty realistic about how Alec got the Black. You can always reach a horse by its stomach. Mr. Farley did a very good job in capturing his characters and, thankfully, made them real people! And can you believe it - they have problems! So many books have the main characters as "the perfect people," so I'm so glad that Mr. Farley made them real people. It's all about a boy by the name of Alec Ramsay who gets shipwrecked and stranded on an island with a big black horse. Alec finds food for the Black and gentles him. He finally gets back to the U.S. and races the Black. There is nothing inappropriate in this book like in "The Black Stallion Returns." It's a must for anybody. Great job Mr. Farley!

I left a comment for the other review, but I feel so strongly that his one-star rating could possibly affect someone's decision to buy this book that I had to post a review of my own. The Black Stallion is a WONDERFUL book, in fact, my all-time favorite childhood book, even over the old classic, Black Beauty (which is way too depressing for children, in my opinion). For a very young child, begin with Big Black Horse---also by Walter Farley and when the kids are old enough, buy The Black Stallion. The only caveat I have for parents is: get ready for the "I want a black stallion of my own!!" refrain once they've read these books.
I don't know what became of my original books, but I re-ordered them as an adult and have them sitting proudly on the shelves in my library. That's the impact the books will have on your children! And buy the movie for them, too, while you're at it.

When I was young, I loved horse stories and I read several of Walter Farley's books but not this one. When I saw it recently in a library sale, I decided to read it as an adult. It's a good story. It involves the crash of a plane carrying Alec, Henry, the Black, and many mares and foals. The horses and people were separated in the Caribbean, and the horses found their way to Azul Island, the home of Flame and his band of mares. The plot deals with the interaction of the two stallions, both of whom want to dominate the island and the mares; with Alec's efforts to find his horse; and with a rabid vampire bat who threatens both people and animals. With those elements, you're bound to have an exciting story, and Farley's descriptions of the island environment and the actions of the horses enable the reader to picture everything that is happening. I also found the map of the island very helpful. At the end, I was left with some questions about the nameless owner of the other horses on the plane and how he or she would deal with the issue of their whereabouts. I wish the author had addressed those questions. But I would still recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about horses.

I have no idea where Walter Farley got the idea for this book. It was definitely one of his stranger ones! The Black ends up shipwrecked on Azul Island, the home of Flame. This is exciting enough to me, but Walter Farley throws in a rabid vampire bat for some reason! To make things even odder, the bat keeps dive-bombing and attacking horses in the herd which somehow ends up with Flame and The Black working together. It is quite unrealistic. I am not saying the two stallions should have killed each others; whatever Walter Farley likes to say about "killer wild stallions", 95% of fights between stallions don't result in serious injuries, let alone death. Stallions want to win, not murder each other. However, I don't think the two of them would have teamed up to face the "horrible menace" of the rabid bat. Also, bats do not display rabies. It has been proven that they can carry it with apparently no ill effects, so to have a foaming-at-the-mouth, "insane" bat attacking full grown horses is ludicrous! Vampire bats don't attack anything; they sneak up on SLEEPING animals, make a tiny cut, and lap up the blood without even waking the victim due to special chemicals in their mouths. So in all, a rather disappointing book in my opinion. I love The Black and Flame, but this was not one of the better books involving them.

As a horse lover from a very young age, this is one of those books that was read to me when I was little, which I later read on my own more than once, and of which I still have fond memories today. The first of Walter Farley's twenty-one books, written while the author was in high school and published in 1941, before he graduated from college, "The Black Stallion" has become a staple in children's literature. It tells the story of Alec Ramsay and his partnership with a remarkable horse, referred to only as the Black. While returning from a trip to India, Alec's ship is wrecked in a storm, leaving he and the Black as the only survivors, washed up on a small, deserted island. For nineteen days they must survive in that desolate place, and in this time a strong bond is formed between the boy and the wild Arab horse.

Once Alec and the Black are rescued by a passing ship, the story takes a different turn. Back in New York, Alec asks a neighbor if he might stable the Black in the old barn on his property. As it turns out, Henry Dailey is a former racehorse trainer, and he immediately recognizes the Black's potential for speed. Thus, man and boy pair up in order to train the spirited horse, hoping to harness his energy and turn him into a competitive runner. At this time the racing world is all abuzz about an upcoming match race between two champion horses, each touted as the best racer in the country, but who have never run against each other. But when the Black shows more talent than Dailey would ever have thought possible, he begins to think that this wild, unpedigreed stallion just might have what it takes to beat them both...

The story is a bit far-fetched and idealistic, but it nevertheless makes for one whopping adventure. Farley was an avid horseman and he puts his knowledge to good use here. His descriptions of the proud, fiery Black bring the wild horse magnificently to life before our eyes. The prose is simple and fast-paced, with one event leading rapidly into another, but it still maintains a richness and depth that allows the reader to develop a strong attachment to the main characters. You can really feel the bond between boy and horse, and you can't help but care about them. "The Black Stallion" is an absolute must-read for any young horse lover. The book has a timeless quality to it, and retains every bit of its magic even for modern readers.

After penning "The Black Stallion," Farley went on to write twenty more horse stories, most centered around further adventures of Alec, the Black, and the characters that surround them (the exception being "Man O'War," which is an account of that famous racehorse's life). I have read every one of these additional books, some more than once, and would recommend them to anyone that has read and enjoyed this first book. I don't know of a single die-hard horse lover that hasn't read at least the first few books in the series, and many adult equestrians cite Farley's books as being what got them interested in horses to begin with.

"The Black Stallion" was also turned into a decent movie starring child actor Kelly Reno in 1979. Fans of the book are advised to check it out, but I strongly recommend against skipping the book in favor of the movie. The movie is good, but it is not entirely true to the original story, and doesn't quite capture the full texture of Farley's creation. The book, as always, is the place to start. It is simply written, and so should be easy for elementary-aged readers to handle. For younger children, the book makes an excellent read-aloud story. It is reasonably short. As an adult reader, I am able to get through it in a couple of hours. One final word of advice: As another reviewer mentioned, if at all possible, try to look for an older copy, with cover art by Pamela Patrick. The art of John Rowe on this new edition's cover just doesn't quite capture the spirit of the original.

When Henry and Alec check out some yearlings they are shocked to see a very strong resemblance to the Black. So they question if the Blacks Sire could still be a live, but they were told by Abu (Blacks Original owner) that his father had died years ago in Arabia. The temptation that the Blacks father is still a live is too much for them. So they decided to head abroad to the man who sold the Yearlings and see if it is true. The Storyline has interesting twists and turns and Alec meets people who he hasn't seen in years. The book is quite fast paced and is probably one of the best Black Stallion books.

Arthur Sams
Linda Turner
The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
Brief Summary and Review
The Black Stallion is the first in a series of stallion novels written by Walter Farley. The story is about a seventeen-year old boy who is shipwrecked on a deserted island with a wild black Arabian stallion. The boy and the stallion become dependent on each other for survival and soon learn to trust each other and form a lasting friendship. The boy and stallion are rescued from the island by a freighter. The boy returns to New York with the black stallion and trains him at night to race. The boy and the black stallion enter into a race against the two fastest horses known at that time and wins. Even though this book was first written in 1941 I found it to be moving and exciting. This book is so well written that it will be read and enjoyed by many generations to come. The friendship and bond formed between the boy and the stallion is a clear example of understanding and trust. The determination of the boy and stallion to overcome all odds shows that if you are determine to succeed you will.

The Black Stallion is one of those books that have you glued to your chair 'til you finish it. It's about Alec Ramsay's avdventure on a ship with this black stallion. The ship sinks, and Alec and the horse are the only survivors. Stranded on an island Alec tries to get the stallion to trust him. When they get off the island Alec decides to keep the horse. To find out more abouut their adventure read The Black Stallion by, Walter Farley.

Although the copy sitting on my shelf is the dog-eared Scholastic version of my youth, not this new edition, I feel that every child who has ever looked at a horse with wonder, seen it as a thing of beauty and nobility, or dreamed of having a horse of his or her own, should read this excellent series, beginning with this very book.
A fascinating and fantastical story of sea rescue, perseverance, and courage, as well as a peek into the world of horse racing half a century ago, these stories, despite being written in 1941, have a timeless quality that will always capture the heart of any adventurer.

I read this as a young girl and now that I have "horse-crazy" daughters I decided to read it aloud to them. They LOVED it. I imagine they will be begging me to read the next book in the series now that we've finished this one.

As a kid I bought 2 copies and I still treasure them. The book contains beautiful color photos from the motion picture with Mickey Rooney, Kelly Reno, & Teri Garr. The book contains an abbrieviated version of the story in simple large print that is great for the 7-10 age group to read. It's also a nice keepsake for those of us who still wish we could have a "Black Stallion" of our very own.

Love finally comes to Alec and Farley handles what could have been a disaster with sensitivity. Carefully skirting sexism, he creates a touching story about what happens when you fall in love. No, this book doesn't have a fairy tale ending (thankfully!) and no it is not mushy but touchs on the very personal ways that people can be changed. A rare treasure in the waning years of the Black Stallion series and a thoroughly unpredicatable and satisfying book.

The first book in a series of truly great horse stories. This magical black stallion captures the heart of everyone and simply draws you in for the adventures of him and his offspring in the many books that follow. Walter Farley blessed us truly with The Black Stallion. Thank You

I loved all the Black Stallion books as a child growing up. I think they fueled my love of horses that survives to this day. I can not wait to share these books with my great-niece. I hope to give her a love for horses starting with these books !!!

The Black stallion series is amazing.How Walter Farley (author)makes it sound so real it's cool.The main chrachter of the book is Pam.She gets on one of the horses that aint broke yet Black sand.The setting is at a training barn calledHopefull Farm.the plot is that Henry doesn't like girls workin around animals.The conflict of the story is when Henry finds out that Pam is working at the barn.The resolution is to fire pam but Alec doesn't fire pam.

A young boy was on a cruise with his father. Suddenly a lightning storm struck the ship and fireblew.Separated from his father, the boy was soon to find himself stranded with a coal black fierce wild stallion.

If you like adventure and a struggle to survive, this is the book for you.

I highly recommend this book and I gave it a 5(out of 5)star rating.

The Black Stallion Random House, 1941, 196 pp., $17.00

Walter Farley ISBN: 0-679-81349-7

How would you feel if you were the only one to survive a boat wreck? What if you had to live on a stranded island with no vegetation or wild life; just a small pond and an untamed horse.

Thirteen-year-old Alec Ramsey is on boat back to his home-land, New York City, to see his parents. But his plan changes when his boat wrecks. He is forced to live on a deserted island with a wild Arabian stallion. He comes to love and gain the horse's trust and they become friends. He comes to call the horse The Black. As their trust blooms, he gets to ride The Black. When he does he is nearly thrown off due to how fast The Black can run. Will they be saved? And if they are will he get to race The Black.

The Black Stallion is exciting, and thrilling. It was hard for me to even put the book down. I believe if you love horses that you will not be able to put the book down either. I would suggest the book to ages 8 to 12. Remember if you like this book a lot there are plenty of books that Walter Farley has written.

My 8 year old daughter has read this book twice in about 6 months. She is a horse lover as well as an avid reader. She loves this book. She thought it was really exciting, and much better than the movie! She loves this book so much we made a deal. If she would continue with swimming lessons, I'd buy her a really nice hard cover version of the Black Stallion.

As I mentioned in my review of THE BLACK STALLION LEGEND, I think that this book eclipses all others in the series. THE BLACK STALLION AND THE GIRL brings the reader up to date with the time it was published in 1971. In the chapter titled "Wild Flowers and the Blues," there is mention of Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and Buddy Guy, musicians still going strong today.
The girl, Pam Athena comes like a breath of fresh air into Alec's life, bringing with her powerful emotions that Alec is not prepared for. A love interest soon develops, and Alec must give of himself by letting Pam ride the Black in THE EMPIRE STATE HANDICAP when he is suspended as a jockey for reckless riding during a race. No one had ever rode the Black except Alec, or Abu Ishak, his original owner.
But it ends all too soon. Citing the need to "find herself"and visit some friends down in Maryland, and eventually France, Pam jumps into her car and leaves with the promise of someday returning to Alec and Hopeful Farm. Where does that leave Alec? In one of the most beautiful and bittersweet endings, Alec looks into the starlit sky and realizes that: "Whenever he wasn't with her, her fingers would be the wind, and the wind her fingers, and all space would be the smile of her." Rarely can I look into the nighttime sky and not feel those words of loss and longing...

I first started reading the Black Stallion series when I was 9 years old....and now, 20 years later, I'm getting them for my daughter. If you have seen the movie but have not read the book, PLEASE take the time to get the book and read it. The movie doesn't do the book justice, believe me. This book, and the ones that follow it, are essential reading for children (and adults). I highly recommend it.

"The Black Stallion" is surely a classical piece of literature. The timeless story of a boy and a very special horse. It just happens that that horse can run faster than any racehorse. Definately something that lovers of horses and fiction can't have missing from their shelves. Don't be fooled by the juvenile fiction catergory, this is a classic for all ages.

Hi, I read the Black Stallion and I loved it. Maybe why one of the reasons I loved it so much was becasue I love horses. I am sure that if you buy this book, you would love it. I hope some day i will get a horse just like the black, and i hope my friendship with my horse will be as loving, caring and as lasting as the black had with Alec!!!!!

I think this book is great for people and children of all ages. The exciting life of a young boy named Alec Ramsay, just started after his life on the empty island. I can imagine him on the black stallion's back clasping his mane in his hands. I can tell that Alec enjoyed an awful lot the rides on the on the shoreline. I could just see what a beautiful creature the stallion was, from his long strong legs to his silky coat that shone in the sunlight. If you can't just say goodbye to the book and set it down there are many others, like The Black Stallion Returns. Even Walter's relatives wrote some books to go with the series to make them even more interesting. So many rides of glory when Alec was with his new best friend, the stallion who was so strong, wondrous, so amazing. I hope I have inspired you to read Walter Farley's amazing book, The Black Stallion.

The Black Stallion was the first horse book I ever fell in love with that wasn't a picture book. The books are aimed at young readers, but even as an adult, I still love them. For children who are ready to go from picture books about horses to reading stories about them, this is a good book to start with, and, better yet, it's a series that they can read through. Excellent book!

This was the first horse book I read when I was perhaps 8 or 9 years old. I then went on to read all of the books by the author that I could find, including his island stallion books. It's an uplifting, exciting story that is appropriate for kids. There are a few tense moments, but that only makes the story more exciting.

I orginally ordered what was depicted and described as a beautifully illustrated large book as a gift for a six year old boy. What I received through a customer service agent was this ugly, unillustrated old version. Very disappointed in the store.com

I read this book for the first time almost 25 years ago. It quickly became one of my favorites and I started collecting the others in the series. I was very suprised to open a box of books last year and find that I still had all of the originals! This book is the classic, timeless story of the relationship between a lonely boy and the wild stallion he comes to love. I would recommend it for any tween or teenage child.

Pam is a great addition. This book explores Alec's life even more, which I found nice. Even when I was young, I was touched by Farley's sensitive portrayal of their love. Aside from that, it is another great story about the Black. You gotta read it if you really want to understand the whole series. Read it.

I remembered reading every single Walter Farley book as a child and thought I would see if it was as good as I remembered and it was. Took me back to those days of daydreaming about a horse of my own. What an AWESOME book and author!

I'm reading Black Stallion in class right now and I think it's great for even a second grader. It's very interesting how only the boy can touch the Black.I've read a lot of horse books in my days and so far this is the best one.I'm planning on trying to read some of the sequels of the Black Stallion.

Walter Farley captured my attention as a small girl with his Black Stallion series. An avid horse girl I would read each book time and time again. My favorite of these books was the Black Stallion and the Girl. Farley created a perfect balance of horses and teen romance that every young girl would love to experience. The book still sits on my shelf years and years later. The pages severely worn from overuse, it is waiting for my daughter to read one day. I must confess, when no one is looking, the book still finds its way to my bedside table, so I may relive the romance and horsey thrill of The Black Stallion and the Girl.

Book is great. My kids hang on every word. the store- not so great. I ordered a hard cover and got a paperback. I let the store know and they replaced it with another paperback. Again, I let the store know and they suggested that I give it up and send it back for a refund or a small discount if I wanted to keep it. I figured the store needed the money more than me and decided not to get my discount. My kids and I are continuing to read our paperback.

I have just re-read this book to my two children and found it to be just as wonderful as when I read it as a child. Children can relate to the bond between Alec and the Black. There is also adventure, suspense and, of course, a happy ending. What more could you want? This book is a classic.

I remember reading this book in 2nd grade and I loved it so much that I brought it to a party and read it, which was really weird for me to do since I can't really sit still and I love to have fun, but the book was amazing! I don't really remember h book anymore so I'm going to put it on my wish list.

This is the most thrilling book in the world!
Alec,The Black, and Henry are out on an adventure... once again!!
Alec is baffled by three colts that arrive for sale from Spain. They look so much like his horse, that Alec is sure they have the same sire.But that wonderful stallion died years ago in Arabia. Or did he?In search of the answer Alec and the Black begin a dangerous journey.
In spain they meet the colts' eccentric owner, Angel Gonzalez, who takes them to a remote mountian stronghold of anb Arab sheik. The sheik insists he's seen the Black's sire running free, in the mountains. And he wants Alec and the Black to catch him.Yet Alec is suspicious. He thinks the whole story is nothing more than an elaborite plot to lure him and his horse to this desolate place-but why??
You have to have read the first book in the series to know who Tabari is and if you don't then, you wouldn't get the whole book (expeacially the end!).

I love this book sooo much but all my friends think I'm nuts because I read so much horse books so I told my best friend I would read one of those Dear America Books if she read The Black Stallion Book and she loved it and.....(I personally I hated hers but she loved The Black Stallion so I guess it was a fair trade).

If you enjoyed the first two Black Stallion books, "The Black Stallion" and "The Black Stallion Returns" and you want keep reading the series, I have bad news for you. It goes downhill from here. No mistake, "Son of the Black Stallion" is a good book and worth reading but it isn't up to the form of the first two.

This is a story of a boy named Alec who, when on The Drake meets the horse of his dreams. The bonds, and adventures the two share are incredible. It is one of my 10 favorite books of all time!! I highly reccommemd this book to 3-7th graders, especially if they like horses.

This is the kind of story that makes me admire Walter Farley. He figures out a way to get the Black and Alec back to Arabia, along with Henry, of course. Some things there are the same, but some have changed, and Alec's quest to discover whether the Black's sire is still alive leads to the springing of a trap. Very well done, and worth reading.

I just got done reading this book in class today and I though it was great. I really loved the part when Alec first got on the Black on the island. This book was very interesting and Icouldn't put it down. My advice to you is to read this book. You will really love it.

I have read this book and loved it. It's about a boy going home from Australia. The boat crashes and he survives on an Island. He is all alone with an Arabian Black Stallion! I recommend this book to all ages, people who love horses, and people who like adventure.

This book is one of the best of the Black Stallions series. I liked Pam because she relaxed Alec and he really needed it. Pam was also nice because she had a carefree way and nothing scared her. If you've read the other books you should definately get this one.

The Black Stallion is a great classic for all kids! The story tells about how Alec(one of the main people) trys to make friends with the stallion and once they're on the island they work together to survive, but that's all I'm going to say. I don't want to give the whole story away! every child will love this book!

I mean, think about this. The son of the black stallion - Satan - is so terrible at the beginning of the book that Henry doesn't want him around Alec. Henry sees something in the colt's stony gaze that makes him think that this horse is a demon, worse than his sire. Alec doesn't believe him, thinking that 'oh, this is my horse, he'll fall in love with me like the Black did'. The thing is, it doesn't work that way. And even after the horse is saved by Alec, he shouldn't all of a sudden act like he trusts the boy. If anything, in my experience with horses, the animal would be much more skittish than ever with someone connected to that event. Henry in particular, yes, but Alec too since he was around. Anywho, read the book. It's good beside that.

The Black Stallion is an excellent book. It is about a kid named Alec and, of course, the Black Stallion. Alec went out to visit his uncle. Their boat sank on the way back to America, and Alec and the Black were stranded on an island. They were the only ones alive. Read the book to find out the rest. Bye!

I purchased this book when I was 8 years old. When I saw the beautiful black horse running through the surf, with the gold bar edging, I was mesmerized. I bought the book, and ordered the rest of the series. I am now 14, and am still rereading the book. They are the first racing series I ever read, and now the most informative. I love reading about Alec and the Black. The way they each save the other's life, and their trust, and their love, is wonderful. They never get old. The age level on this book should be 8 and up! This book has a place alone on my book case, because no book has ever come close to deserving a place next to it. Buy it. Read it. Love it.

I first read this entire series when I was a little girl in the 60's. I would literally haunt the local library waiting for another books in the series to arrive. Years later, I'm an equine nutritionist and (soon to graduate) veterinarian in large part to the love of horses I developed reading about the Black, Alec Ramsay, Black Minx, Satan, Flame and all the rest. I have many friends from racetrack exercise riders to members of the USET who all remember these books with great fondness. Now I have an eight year old daughter and can't wait to give her the same joy I had reading these books.

This is the book you want to read if you want to hear about all of the blacks early adventures right up to the point when The Black boards The Drake. Great for adventure lovers and all who want to know the whole story. Yet something about it doesn't appeal to me maybe its because theres no Alec. You can judge fthis book yourself but I'd definetly try it.

The Black Stallion- this is one of my favorite books of all time, and I'm a 40 year old male who has read a lot. Mr Jones, my 5th grade teacher, would read a few pages everyday from this book for us as an incentive to behave in class. Lemme tell you, it worked. Walter Farley is famous because of his Black Stallion books, they were so popular, he had to have sequels. And they are very good also. Highly recommended to anyone who loves adventure and horses, etc. Happy Reading!!!!!!!

I read this book almost every day when I went horse-back riding. It told me even if some thing is scary or frightning there is always a way to not be scared of it. The book is about a boy named Alec who travels to Bombay,India to visit his uncle. The book starts out when Alec is traveling back to New York where he lives. He is on a boat called "Drake". Alec watches men put a wild black stallion on the boat. The men do not feed the stallion so Alec put sugar cubes in the stallion's stal. One night a storm breaks out. Alec does not want the stallion to die.So Alec ties himself to the stallion. Every one on the ship except Alec and the stallion die. Alec and stallion find themselfs streanded on an island the next morning. Want to find out what happens next? Then read the book!

I have read this book many times. It's still wonderful. I have the whole series and plan to read them all in order. It is such a classic! Walter Farley's horse racing scenes are the best! I recommend this book.

The Black Stallion is an exiting, Sad and happy book all in one. Alec gets shipwrecked on a island with a horse. He builds a shelter out of drift wood. One day there is a fire. I think this book Shows the true meaning of friend ship.

I read it in my teens and enjoyed it now, many years later. Focuses on a boy's adventures with his amazing fast horse, written in 1941. I think this story should be required reading for school-aged boys and girls!

The Black Stallion and Flame is an awesome book! It is about a boy who gets in a plane accident and loses his horse The Black. The Black helps other mares gets saftly to an island. Later in the story it talks about how The Black finds Flame and they help eachother. The boy finally finds his horse. I recommend this book!

Finnaly the Black Stallion and Flame meet. The bat is a nice twist. I am also glad that The Black and Flame didn't kill each other. But why does Walter Farley always have a plane crash? Its getting a little old. Where is Steve any way?

The story is about a black stallion and a red stallion trying to

survive on a island. On the plane the black stallion crashed on the island. The island has the red stallion named Flame that has a herd. On the island the black stallion fights the red

stallion. Who will win the fight for both the herd and for life? One will die and one may live.

Pam here is what we on the internet like to call a Mary Sue, a character, often a perfected version of the author, though in this case it is the author's daughter, who is suddenly thrust into a storyline where she does not belong and is, essentially, perfect.

While some other characters may not like her, it is inevitable that she will be pretty and kind and charming and have some sort of special, unique ability. Like, say, being able to ride a horse that refuses anyone but Alec Ramsey, often to the point of attacking them.

And, of course, the main character always falls madly in love with her.

Pam was a weak device, and even as a girl growing up, hoping I would stop growing so I could be a jockey, I thought she was rather pointless.

I read this book almost twenty years ago as an eight year-old, and the image of the Black has never left my mind since. After that I was obssessed with the Black and I read every book. I will continue to follow the adventures of the Black and Alec, and I highly recommend this book (and the rest of the series) to all children and people alike who like or even dislike horses. An unbreakable bond, trust, teamwork, love, and friendship are just some of the solid themes Farley has incorporated into this series. The movies are also wonderful. A must for all!

This is truly the most realistic, culture-related, fantastic, adventurous books Farley has come up with! My eyes where glued to the pages at all times. And in some parts, I was even rubbing gooseflesh from my arms. This is an excellent read! Must buy for young and older Black Stallion lovers! Please check it out, it's worth it.

I just had to say something about the other two reviews for this book. This hardback version is the original and does have illustrations and very beautiful ones at that. The reviewer that said there were no illustrations was mistaken and most likely meant the paper-back version. I am in my seventies and read this book as a child. It started my ever- long interest in horses and I still think it is one of the best books ever written about horses. I just bought a copy for my eight-year-old niece and know she will love it as I did. Buy this version if you want illustrations.

This book got me hooked on the black stallion series! A boy, Alec Ramsey is on his way back from visiting his uncle in another country. The boat makes a suprise stop in Arabia. There, a wild, black stallion is boarded on The Drake. The boat gets caught in one of the worst storms of the century! The boat goes down. Alec and the stallion are shipwrecked on a lifeless, deserted island! Will Alec and the stallion get rescued? Will the wild stallion tear Alec to shreads? Will they survive? To find out read the book!

I just bought this book for my horse crazy 10 year old niece. It was my favorite book when I was her age. Most of the books in this series are great and are HIGHLY recommended for horse crazy kids!!

What a awesome book! I absolutely loved it! I had seen the movie allready and I decided to check out the book. It is at least ten times better. It captures the majesty of a wonderful horse who grows to love Alec with all of his heart. Farely describes the black so well and you can just see him in your eyes. I simply loved it! It taught me so much and I could read it over and over a million times! You HAVE to read this book and if you haven't, WAIT to see the movie untill after. You'll love it too!

This first book by Walter Farley has been in print for 62 years. That is a pretty good indication it's good readin'. If you like horses and you haven't read this book, I would recommend spending the extra money on the edition with library binding. You are likely to wear out a paperback copy (I did) and I can guarantee you will want to keep this book in your personal library.

This book was excellent! I reccommend it to anyone who likes horses- not just people 9-12 years of age. I read it when I was 8, and have read it several times a year since then, and I'm now 13. If you read this book, you are sure to read the next, and the one after that, etc.!!! The Black Stallion is a hero in his own way- he is a champion, and so is anyone who reads the book!

This was a GREAT book! I got it at the library after trying to find it for myself and LOVE it! Although, I do ask, when does Pam die in the car accident? I've heard it more than once but when? It never said....does it say that in The Young Black Stallion? I haven't read that yet, but I thought that was like a prequel to the series...anyway, Black Stallion and The Girl was an awsome book and I am trying to get it for myself, hehe!

I have been re-reading this book for thirty-five years, and it remains remarkable and enchanting. Alec and the Black have a relationship that few of us can ever imagine, and that Mr. Farley gave us through the whole series. As long as I own a bookshelf, the whole series will be on it waiting to transport me away....

Everything about this story is "larger than life" - the shipwreck, the rescue, and the race at the end. It's a bit of a fantasy, but somehow it doesn't seem to matter... if anything, it only heightens the experience.

Farley has a easy, pleasant writing style that will draw you in and never let go. Two thumbs up!

I read this book when I was in the fourth grade. I went on to read the entire series of Walter Farley books. Walter Farley's way of keeping an intriguing book at a child's level was simply amazing. It was nice to have something that I could continue to read and understand at such an early age. This book made me the avid reader that I am today.

Alec and the Black has a mystery on their hands. Could Ziyadah, the golden stallion, who sired Shetan be alive? It would prove to the mystery of the year as Alec, Henry and the Black venture to Spain where the three colts' 'sire' lives.

A group of my students chose this book for a literature circle because the boys wanted a mystery and the girls wanted a "horse story." I talked them into this one, and it was a great hit with all!!! Taking the reader to exotic lands and throwing in the proverbial "red herring" kept my students absorbed the entire time. Great read!

This was a very good book. I enjoyed it because Alec finally found someone who was unlike him in so many ways, Pam, and he fell in love with her. The story is sad because Hopeful Farm loses a precious horse,Black Sand, and Alec loses Pam in a terrible car accident. I think everyone who has ever wanted to own a horse should read this book.

this book is great!!!
i got handed down one of the origional copies by my aunt and i thought, oh just another book.
after reading it, i found that it was really good all the way through apart from the ending could have been a bit better because it really lead you up to something but the tension, i felt, could have been held better!
i would still reccomend this book to people at the age of 13+

Wow I thought that book was awesome!Pam was such a free spirt it made the book one that you can't put down. Pam was also one that never stops tring. I loved the way Alec loved her so much he let her ride the Black. That was big on his part! My qustian is what book dose Alec go see her in? Any way it was a great book!

If you are a fan of the Black Stallion series, you may notice that this book is different. In all of the others, Alec and The Black have a unique bond that no one understands. In my opinion, it should be kept that way. Here, the girl can ride The Black, and Alec is obsessed with her. I recommend readers to read all of the series except this one.

The Black Stallion is defently one of the best books I've ever read. Walter Farley is the most discriptive and interesting author I've ever read about! Now, i'm on a long search for the rest of the series. The Island Stallion is also a wonderful book by him!

The books about the black stallion were my favorites as a child.
Compared to today's complicated stories about society, these are very much from a different era. Still, Walter Farley's books draw students in and make them want to read more. I am happy to share them with my children.

This action packed novel is written in the 30's. Alec Ramsey gets on a ship from India where he spent the last two months with his Uncle Ralph.Then they head to Arabia. Where a Black Stallion comes on board. Then the trouble starts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Reader,
This book is a great it tells you all about the Blacks father.And it also tells you a lot about Arabian horses.I love this book.If you had a chance to read this book It is great.The Black Stallion Mystery.
Your pal,
Dash Render

A boy and his horse.

In something of a change of pace, a horse book that may just be slightly more directed at boys than girls, although the plot stays fairly similar.

Boy helps out horse in island shipwreck situation. Horse returns the favour. Horse of course is an impressive specimen and can do the fast running thing quite nicely.

So, off to the races then go.

I greatly enjoyed this book when I was younger, and I still like it. However, in recent years I have come to realize how prejudicially obsessed Walter Farley was about Arabians. Even in his book The Great Dane Thor, the horses only briefly mentioned in the book were Arabians. He didn't seem to realize that there were other breeds in the world. For instance, he had the Black's daughter, Black Minx run in the Kentucky Derby--a race exclusively limited to Thoroughbreds.

In recent years, I have also realized Farley's poor writing stile. Not only did he not do research, but he presented his views as FACT, not opinions. For instance, ALL horses are intelligent, but especially ARABIANs; ALL horses are more sensitive than people and can find water by smell in a desert...or land in an ocean. Among horses, Farley stated on no uncertain terms that Arabians are by far the most superior, and that among Arabians, The Black was king.

I don't know about you, but I'm kind of tired of that. I'd like to see the Black lose a race or two, or sire a dud colt. The Island Stallion was the same--in fact, when the Black met Flame, the fight between them was a draw because they were both FLAWLESS Arabians, so perfect that neither could beat the other. It was a satisfying end when I was little, but now it annoys the fire out of me. I have read most of the series, and it is always the same: The Almighty Arabian wins out over man, nature, or other horses...and here is one once-avid reader who is sick of it.

The book may be a great classic, but this Audible version leaves much to be desired. Audible downloads are a non-standard format, not the more common mp3 or wma formats. In addition, the list of supported devices does not include such common devices as the Sony Walkman, or a wide variety of other less common ones. Bottom line, we just spent $21 (there were an additional $3 in fees that weren't disclosed prior to ordering) for a present my wife cannot give to her 6-yr. old grandson, as his player is not supported. There wasn't a hint of any of this until after we purchased the book.

This book reads as if it was written by a high school kid, and it was, in part. But it won the the Young Reader's Choice Award in 1944, and I was amazed to see that The Incrdible Journey, by Sheila Burfored, won that same award in 1964, and I consider The Incredible Journey one of the best books I have ever read and I read it when I was an adult. But The Black Stallion is poorly plotted, filled with unlikely events, and the dialogue is painful to read. Furthermore there is no suspense in the book because Alec and the horse who saved him when the ship they were on sank always triumph. I guess it just goes to show that some juvenile fiction should not be read by an adult, whereas some is worth reading.