‘Filled with insight and intriguing detail’.

The Horse
A Biography of Our Noble Companion
Wendy WilliamsHorses have been our companions in work and leisure for thousands of years. As a species we have profited immeasurably from their resilience, strength and intelligence.
In The Horse, Wendy Williams travels the globe to discover the history of our noble companion, one which stretches back fifty-six million years. From the streets of Vienna to the rugged terrain of Galicia, Williams demonstrates the horse’s intelligence and strength. Blending profound scientific insights with remarkable stories, The Horse is a unique biography of the animal which has carried us across plains and into battle, and whose fascinating past and finely-nuanced mind are brought to life here in this masterful work of narrative non-fiction.
Reviews
'Simultaneously a fascinating natural biography; a scientific travelogue…and a compelling exploration of the bond that unites horses and humans'.
‘Engaging, comprehensive... delightful... an accessible read and a gift for horse lovers.’
‘Charming and deeply interesting... Williams does a marvellous job of exploring the nature of horses from many different perspectives.’
‘Noble, intelligent, graceful. These are words we use for the best horses. They apply also to Williams’ book. I guarantee that after reading it you will never look at a horse in the same way again. And I have spent decades on horses. She explores psychology – horses have an incredibly intense emotional life – evolution, biology, the history with humans, to emerge with the horse revealed. Utterly, lovingly, fascinatingly. A winner’s rosette for it.’
‘A remarkable treasure chest of a book. Wendy Williams ropes together history, science and fascinating personal experiences to give new insights on every page. You'll never look at a horse the same way again.’
‘She knows what it means to entrust your body to an animal many times your size whose acute perception of danger may differ substantially from your own. Few writers manage to capture the magic of that extraordinary relationship as Ms. Williams does.’
“A truly fascinating and insightful read that brings the science of equine evolution to life with page-turning drama. Williams has presented a captivating and compelling account of the early history of the horse and of our great romance with this most majestic of animals. Thoughtful, thought-provoking and excellently researched, this book is a must have for every book shelf.”
‘A magnificent natural history of this magnificent animal. If you get a thrill when a horse thunders by, you must read this book.’
‘The Horse is a scientific ode to one of the most charismatic mammals on Earth—it is an essential book and a loving exploration of our complicated relationship with the charming animal that we’ve variously hunted, tamed, and venerated throughout history. Readers could not ask for a better guide than Wendy Williams as she takes us to the badlands where mustangs still roam, the bones of their ancestors beneath their hooves.’
“An enthusiastic history of and appreciation for all things horse... Anyone with a love of horses will treasure this book, which provides scholarly yet accessible insight into a beautifully constructed animal that has chosen to domesticate man, just as dogs have.”
“For every equestrian, here finally is a book that explains in great detail the long journey that has given us the modern horse and all of its magnificent varieties. Wendy Williams's The Horse is full of love and first-hand experiences that make the book a most pleasurable and informative read.”