THE STORY OF HORSES

In appearance and to a considerable extent in coverage this is a slightly younger version of Marguerite Henry's All About Horses; roughly, both relate the history of the horse and the role of various breeds today. However, this generalizes where the other informs. It also devotes proportionately much more attention to the prehistoric evolution of eohippus into equus and to deductions about his use for work and war in early civilizations. After a cursory review of the middle ages comes the most interesting section--the history of the Quarter Horse, the Percheron, etc. in America--but even here Henry is firmer, better-organized and better-illustrated. Illustration is inadequate throughout--there's not even a plate identifying parts of the horse's anatomy. As a younger brother, this is a weak sister.