Horse: How the Horse Has Shaped Civilizations - Softcover

"A paean to the horse, our ambassador between the wild and the civilized. . . . Ambitious and sweeping." --"The Washington Post Book World"

"Both as a genuine labor of love and awe and as a treasure trove of equinalia, "Horse "is bound to find many delighted fans." --"Los Angeles Times"

"If you can't own a horse or ride one, reading this book is a good second best. In fact, it might get you riding, so be careful." --"The Globe and Mail"

"An enchanting essay: poetic and personal, but also learned and reflective. Chamberlin combines equine magic with horse sense." --Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, author, "Civilizations"

"Brings a sweeping historical and cultural viewpoint. . . . Chamberlin reaches back through the nearly 10,000 years during which he says horses have been domesticated." --"South Florida Sun-Sentinel"

"Even for those who think they know a lot about horses . . . Chamberlin's remarkable and engrossing book will provide a wealth of unexpected--and entertaining--knowledge about the role of the horse in human history." --Michael Korda, author, "Horse People"

Drawing on archaeology, biology, art, literature, and ethnography, this singular work illuminates the relationship between horse and human throughout history. From the Ice Age to the postindustrial age, horses have provided sustenance, transportation, status, companionship, and the ability to establish and expand empires. Stories of horses at work, at war, at play, and in art, film, and books are included, starting with the first equestrian encounters in which early humans in Asia and Europe hunted native horses for food but also painted beautiful horses on the walls of their caves. Ever since, horses have been crucial in building?and destroying?civilizations. Training techniques and breeding practices are examined from a global viewpoint, discussing cultures as varied as the Persians and the Nez Perce and horses that range from Lippizaners to quarter horses. Written in lucid prose full of wisdom, passion, and wonder, this far-reaching story explores a vital shaping force in the history of the world.