This is the first book of a series by Walter Farley that have become a favorite of many a horse crazy girl. They bring back fond memories of my childhood as I read them over as an adult to my children. The story of The Black, a wild Arabian stallion, and Alec Ramsey, the boy who gets shipwrecked on a desert island with the horse, begins a long series of stories of the wonderful relationship that develops between horse and boy. Farley's writing is wonderful - it brings you right into the story, and you get to know each character as if you were right there with them. These are timeless books that no child should grow up NOT reading!

Pros: draws you in from page 1 - great for kids and adults

Cons: not a one

Given that Walter Farley is obviously a very talented writer, I wish he had done some actual research on horses before writing this book. Even as a child, I found my enjoyment cut short by one fallacy after another about horse behavior, horse care, the horse world such as rules for entering the Kentucky Derby. This book is on the level of a wild day dream fantasy constructed by a child who knows nothing about horses except they are pretty. I always thought it was one of the worst horse books I ever read. I dipped into a few of the sequels and discarded them after a few pages, never to return.

Pros: Nice fantasy

Cons: full of incorrect facts

This book series was among my father's favorite books growing up. He was very eager for me to read them when I became old enough and his excitement was evident when I picked up this book, the first in the series. Of course, I fell in love with it and I read the entire series, with my father grabbing a few he had missed in his earlier days. My father has already passed along this book to my son, hoping to get him hooked as well.

Pros: Exciting

Cons: None

Walter Farley captures your attention in this story of a boy's bond with "The Black."

This book was written in 1941 and was one of my mother's first books as a child. She often told us her version of the story.

When I was 14 and got my first library card, I took this book out...I loved it. Of course, it made me cry but that just goes to show you how well Farley worded it.

A must read for anyone that loves animals!

Pros: Keeps your attention

Cons: none that I am aware

Written in 1941, a true classic about the bond between a boy and his horse "The Black", which was a series of books, Alec Ramsay is the main character along with "The Black". Anyone who loves horses, what a great book to pick up and read. There were also a couple of movies made about the great Stallion.

Pros: great characters, good plots

Cons: none