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The Last Diving Horse in America: Rescuing Gamal and Other Animals--Lessons in Living and Loving
Named Best Equine Non-Fiction Book at the 2022 Equus Film & Arts Fest
The rescue of the last diving horse in America and the inspiring story of how horse and animal rescuer were each profoundly transformed by the other—from the award-winning animal rescuer of retired racing greyhounds and author of the best-selling Adopting the Racing Greyhound
It was the signature of Atlantic City’s Steel Pier in the golden age of “America’s Favorite Playground”: Doc Carver’s High Diving Horses. Beginning in 1929, four times a day, seven days a week, a trained horse wearing only a harness ran up a ramp, a diving girl in a bathing suit and helmet jumped onto its mighty bare back, and together they sailed forty feet through the air, plunging, to thunderous applause, into a ten-foot-deep tank of water.
Decades later, after cries of animal abuse and changing times, the act was shuttered, and in May 1980, the last Atlantic City Steel Pier diving horse was placed on the auction block in Indian Mills, New Jersey. The author, who had seen the act as a child and had been haunted by it, was now working with Cleveland Amory, the founding father of the modern animal protection movement, and she was, at the last minute, sent on a rescue bidding for the horse everyone had come to buy, some for the slaughterhouse (they dropped out when the bidding exceeded his weight). The author’s winning $2,600—and Gamal, gleaming-coated, majestic, commanding, was hers; she who knew almost nothing about horses was now the owner of the last diving horse in America.
Cynthia Branigan tells the magical, transformative story of how horse and new owner (who is trying to sort out her own life, feeling somewhat lost herself and in need of rescuing) come to know each other, educate each other, and teach each other important lessons of living and loving. She writes of providing a new home for Gamal, a farm with plentiful fields of rich, grazing pasture; of how Gamal, at age twenty-six, blossoms in his new circumstances; and of the special bond that slowly grows and deepens between them, as Gamal tests the author and grows to trust her, and as she grows to rely upon him as friend, confidant, teacher.
She writes of her search for Gamal’s moved from barn to barn, from barrel racer to rodeo horse, and ending up on the Steel Pier; how his resilience and dignity throughout those years give deep meaning to his life; and how in understanding this, the author is freed from her own past, which had been filled with doubts and fears and darkness. Branigan writes of the history of diving horses and of how rescuing and caring for Gamal led to her saving other animals—burros, llamas, and goats—first as company for Gamal and then finding homes for them all; and, finally, saving a ten-year-old retired greyhound called King—despondent, nearly broken in spirit—who, running free in the fields with Gamal, comes back to his happy self and opens up for the author a whole new surprising but purposeful world.
A captivating tale of the power of animals and the love that can heal the heart and restore the soul.
The rescue of the last diving horse in America and the inspiring story of how horse and animal rescuer were each profoundly transformed by the other—from the award-winning animal rescuer of retired racing greyhounds and author of the best-selling Adopting the Racing Greyhound
It was the signature of Atlantic City’s Steel Pier in the golden age of “America’s Favorite Playground”: Doc Carver’s High Diving Horses. Beginning in 1929, four times a day, seven days a week, a trained horse wearing only a harness ran up a ramp, a diving girl in a bathing suit and helmet jumped onto its mighty bare back, and together they sailed forty feet through the air, plunging, to thunderous applause, into a ten-foot-deep tank of water.
Decades later, after cries of animal abuse and changing times, the act was shuttered, and in May 1980, the last Atlantic City Steel Pier diving horse was placed on the auction block in Indian Mills, New Jersey. The author, who had seen the act as a child and had been haunted by it, was now working with Cleveland Amory, the founding father of the modern animal protection movement, and she was, at the last minute, sent on a rescue bidding for the horse everyone had come to buy, some for the slaughterhouse (they dropped out when the bidding exceeded his weight). The author’s winning $2,600—and Gamal, gleaming-coated, majestic, commanding, was hers; she who knew almost nothing about horses was now the owner of the last diving horse in America.
Cynthia Branigan tells the magical, transformative story of how horse and new owner (who is trying to sort out her own life, feeling somewhat lost herself and in need of rescuing) come to know each other, educate each other, and teach each other important lessons of living and loving. She writes of providing a new home for Gamal, a farm with plentiful fields of rich, grazing pasture; of how Gamal, at age twenty-six, blossoms in his new circumstances; and of the special bond that slowly grows and deepens between them, as Gamal tests the author and grows to trust her, and as she grows to rely upon him as friend, confidant, teacher.
She writes of her search for Gamal’s moved from barn to barn, from barrel racer to rodeo horse, and ending up on the Steel Pier; how his resilience and dignity throughout those years give deep meaning to his life; and how in understanding this, the author is freed from her own past, which had been filled with doubts and fears and darkness. Branigan writes of the history of diving horses and of how rescuing and caring for Gamal led to her saving other animals—burros, llamas, and goats—first as company for Gamal and then finding homes for them all; and, finally, saving a ten-year-old retired greyhound called King—despondent, nearly broken in spirit—who, running free in the fields with Gamal, comes back to his happy self and opens up for the author a whole new surprising but purposeful world.
A captivating tale of the power of animals and the love that can heal the heart and restore the soul.
- GenresNonfictionAnimalsHistory
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 19, 2021
21 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 16, 2021
I was intrigued by this topic (always loved the movie Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken) but man - Branigan‘s memoir BLEW ME AWAY. This book was one that, upon finishing, I could not get the topic of animal rescue out of my head and more than once, was looking up horse auctions and crunching numbers on how to find a barn nearby to rent space. Branigan goes into detail about her early work for The Fund for Animals, which was run by Cleveland Armory (who is quite a character himself), and then she ends up rescuing a horse, Gamal, that had been a diving horse on Steel Pier in Atlantic City. The Fund for Animals and their work (the burros!!!) I found to be absolutely fascinating - and Branigan writes beautifully from the heart and with a deep connection to these animals. More than once her words made my heart twist and I def cried, but what a selfless passion she has thrown herself into working with the fund. She is rewarded - her connection with Gamal is nothing but a miracle, and then later, other animals that come into her care. This is a must read for anyone who has an appreciation for these groups that work to save animals that are neglected, abused, or just have no home. Anyone that enjoys reading about horses would also enjoy this - I learned so much.
December 28, 2021
After reading a novel which begins with a diving horse act, it was serendipitous that I had waiting on my TBR shelf the story of the last diving horse in America.
Cynthia A. Branigan‘s memoir is about her early work for The Fund for Animals, run by Cleveland Armory, and rescuing a horse that had been a diving horse on Steel Pier in Atlantic City. She fell in love with the horse called Gamal. In her work, she was involved with finding homes for thousands of burros rescued from the Grand Canyon. She was responsible for purchasing horses who were slated for slaughter. She settled the animals at Black Beauty Ranch in Texas or in temporary refuges, or placing them in forever homes. While in temporary charge of the ranch, she met a chimp who was part of an experiment and taught sign language, and when the study was terminated, was returned to a cold and lonely lab.
The subtitle “Rescuing Gamal and Other Animals–Lessons in Living and Loving” explains the focus of the book. During this time period, Branigan blossomed into a competent, capable woman. She handled professional and personal crisis, “one trauma at a time.” Just standing close to Gamal, matching his breathing, was a lesson in meditation that calmed and strengthened her.
Branigan searched for the story of the diving horses, which she had seen as a girl at Atlantic City. As Gamal illustrated when he found a creek and couldn’t wait to roll in the water, the diving horses liked water, and they loved the limelight. So did the women who rode the horses, even when it caused blindness. Over time, the act became a mere money-making business, the last horses passed along with the property with no consideration for their welfare. One of the three was auctioned for meat. Branigan was able to track down another and purchase her. But Gamal was the first to be brought to the Fund’s attention.
The story of the rescued animals are inspirational and also horrific because of the horrible condition many arrived in. I thought about the dog we fostered who had spent nine years in a puppy mill. He arrived weak and ill and stinking, having been carted from car to car from Missouri to Michigan, and yet when he saw us, he wagged his tail. We rushed him to a vet the next day. Although he had been two weeks in a temporary shelter after being bought at auction, he had infected ears, was dehydrated and weak, his legs were bald from chewing because of allergies, and he had a bladder infection. We discovered he had broken a leg that was not treated and was in continual pain, had lost the tips of his ears to frostbite, and had kidney failure. We nursed him to relative health and he had a very happy nine months in our home before the kidney failure treatments no longer worked.
There are so many ways I connected to this book.
The three puppy mill breeder rescue dogs we adopted, each with physical or psychological damage, each becoming a beloved family member. The memories of living in Bucks County, PA. How we stop and chat with a woman who walks her adopted rescued greyhounds. I thought of a childhood favorite book, Brighty of the Grand Canyon by Marguerite Henry. And of T. C. Boyle’s new book Talk to Me about a chimp taught sign language, living with humans, and when the study is ended, is stuck in a lab.
At the end of this memoir, Branigan has lost her companions and is given a rescued greyhound who prompted her to start the first rescue organization for these racing dogs, the subject of her earlier books.
The Last Diving Horse in America is a lovely combination of memoir, history, and activism for animal rights. For all whose lives have been changed for the better because of a loving animal companion, this is a must read. And may it change your awareness to the many ways animal cruelty flourishes in our world and inspire you to make a difference.
Thanks to Pantheon for the free book #AAKnopfPartner
Cynthia A. Branigan‘s memoir is about her early work for The Fund for Animals, run by Cleveland Armory, and rescuing a horse that had been a diving horse on Steel Pier in Atlantic City. She fell in love with the horse called Gamal. In her work, she was involved with finding homes for thousands of burros rescued from the Grand Canyon. She was responsible for purchasing horses who were slated for slaughter. She settled the animals at Black Beauty Ranch in Texas or in temporary refuges, or placing them in forever homes. While in temporary charge of the ranch, she met a chimp who was part of an experiment and taught sign language, and when the study was terminated, was returned to a cold and lonely lab.
The subtitle “Rescuing Gamal and Other Animals–Lessons in Living and Loving” explains the focus of the book. During this time period, Branigan blossomed into a competent, capable woman. She handled professional and personal crisis, “one trauma at a time.” Just standing close to Gamal, matching his breathing, was a lesson in meditation that calmed and strengthened her.
Branigan searched for the story of the diving horses, which she had seen as a girl at Atlantic City. As Gamal illustrated when he found a creek and couldn’t wait to roll in the water, the diving horses liked water, and they loved the limelight. So did the women who rode the horses, even when it caused blindness. Over time, the act became a mere money-making business, the last horses passed along with the property with no consideration for their welfare. One of the three was auctioned for meat. Branigan was able to track down another and purchase her. But Gamal was the first to be brought to the Fund’s attention.
The story of the rescued animals are inspirational and also horrific because of the horrible condition many arrived in. I thought about the dog we fostered who had spent nine years in a puppy mill. He arrived weak and ill and stinking, having been carted from car to car from Missouri to Michigan, and yet when he saw us, he wagged his tail. We rushed him to a vet the next day. Although he had been two weeks in a temporary shelter after being bought at auction, he had infected ears, was dehydrated and weak, his legs were bald from chewing because of allergies, and he had a bladder infection. We discovered he had broken a leg that was not treated and was in continual pain, had lost the tips of his ears to frostbite, and had kidney failure. We nursed him to relative health and he had a very happy nine months in our home before the kidney failure treatments no longer worked.
There are so many ways I connected to this book.
The three puppy mill breeder rescue dogs we adopted, each with physical or psychological damage, each becoming a beloved family member. The memories of living in Bucks County, PA. How we stop and chat with a woman who walks her adopted rescued greyhounds. I thought of a childhood favorite book, Brighty of the Grand Canyon by Marguerite Henry. And of T. C. Boyle’s new book Talk to Me about a chimp taught sign language, living with humans, and when the study is ended, is stuck in a lab.
At the end of this memoir, Branigan has lost her companions and is given a rescued greyhound who prompted her to start the first rescue organization for these racing dogs, the subject of her earlier books.
The Last Diving Horse in America is a lovely combination of memoir, history, and activism for animal rights. For all whose lives have been changed for the better because of a loving animal companion, this is a must read. And may it change your awareness to the many ways animal cruelty flourishes in our world and inspire you to make a difference.
Thanks to Pantheon for the free book #AAKnopfPartner
September 17, 2021
If you grew up on VHS tapes from the library, you may have seen the movie 'Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken.' That was fictionalized, but this book is the story of what happened to one of the real horses after the diving show ended, as well as the many other rescue animals encountered by the author.
Branigan's love and reverence for animals comes through so strongly in her writing.
Emotional, funny, honest and interesting!
Branigan's love and reverence for animals comes through so strongly in her writing.
Emotional, funny, honest and interesting!
May 21, 2022
I was a kid when “Wild Hearts Can’t be Broken” was released by Disney. My mom took me to see it and I adored the story and emotion. I guess when I saw this book I thought I would get more history and backstory to Doc Carver and Sonora Webster than is actually there. While there is some, I could have done without the other animal stories. Maybe there would have been a much shorter book? It was nice but not what I was hoping for.
March 23, 2024
The Last Diving Horse in America is filled with the history of the people and origins of this incredible stunt performed by horses and girls. As an eleven year old girl ,Ms Brannigan, remembers a wondrous vacation at Atlantic city where she experienced the thrill of the diving horse show. As happenstance, Ms Brannigan later came to be employed by Cleveland Amory,founder of the animal rescue ranch,the Black Beauty Ranch. The dismantling of the company and sale of the horses resulted when the high diving act was closed in the seventies. The horses needed saving . Of the three performing horses, one was lost to a meat buyer, another sold as a saddle horse and one older gelding was offered at a horse auction. Ms Brannigan succeeded in buying Gamal. The relationship that formed between them was heart warming as is her other rescue work involving burros, mustangs, research apes,and racing greyhounds.The writing is amusing, picturesque, and uplifting.
December 21, 2021
I really wanted to be in love with this book. It represents a lot of things I believe in: the healing power of horses, animal rights, and rescuing animals in need. Unfortunately, there were quite a few things that just made me cringe too hard to love the book.
As a horseperson, some of the things that Branigan describes feeding to horses and doing with the horses is equal parts reckless and scary. I understand that she knew little to nothing about horses at the time described in the book, but there’s no mention of asking anyone for advice or checking if it was ok before doing these things. There’s also no mention that it’s not a good idea and shouldn’t be done unless given permission by the horse’s owner. You never know which horse has dietary or metabolic issues or even behavioural issues until something goes wrong.
As for the story of Gamal, it was equal parts him rescuing her and her rescuing him. The former diving horse gave Branigan the confidence and courage to move forward in her life and become the legendary animal rescuer she is today.
Overall, it’s a well-written memoir with interesting stories tying together to explain how Branigan came to be an animal rescuer and advocate. I just couldn’t get past some of the horsey faux pas parts to completely enjoy it.
Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a horseperson, some of the things that Branigan describes feeding to horses and doing with the horses is equal parts reckless and scary. I understand that she knew little to nothing about horses at the time described in the book, but there’s no mention of asking anyone for advice or checking if it was ok before doing these things. There’s also no mention that it’s not a good idea and shouldn’t be done unless given permission by the horse’s owner. You never know which horse has dietary or metabolic issues or even behavioural issues until something goes wrong.
As for the story of Gamal, it was equal parts him rescuing her and her rescuing him. The former diving horse gave Branigan the confidence and courage to move forward in her life and become the legendary animal rescuer she is today.
Overall, it’s a well-written memoir with interesting stories tying together to explain how Branigan came to be an animal rescuer and advocate. I just couldn’t get past some of the horsey faux pas parts to completely enjoy it.
Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2022
One of my favorite movies as a horse crazed little girl was Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken, so as an adult professional in the equine industry, I was excited to see this book and couldn’t wait to devour it. Sadly, I couldn’t even finish. It wasn’t the author’s writing, as I found her writing to be well done, however halfway through I was getting tired of the author herself and her self proclaimed crusader speal. It really left a bitter taste in my mouth. I have participated in all aspects of the equine industry - and I was getting the opinion that the author was an anti-any sport involving horses or animals when she was new to horses period.
There was a lot of misinformation in this novel, as it was written by someone who herself is new to the horse world and she will have a lot of readers that take her at word value that she knows what she is talking about 100% because they also don’t have the experience. It traveled off topic from Gamal’s story to the author’s propaganda.
This book will be for some and not for others. Sadly, wasn’t what I was expecting, even though I was fully aware it was a “rescue” type memoir.
There was a lot of misinformation in this novel, as it was written by someone who herself is new to the horse world and she will have a lot of readers that take her at word value that she knows what she is talking about 100% because they also don’t have the experience. It traveled off topic from Gamal’s story to the author’s propaganda.
This book will be for some and not for others. Sadly, wasn’t what I was expecting, even though I was fully aware it was a “rescue” type memoir.
November 10, 2021
A lovely memoir about an important part of the author's life...the rescue of a no-longer-needed horse. There is much history to learn and many emotions to feel while reading this book. It also brought back many memories of my own life-long love affair with animals, horses in particular. Beautifully written.
November 1, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Last Diving Horse in America is a warmly personal memoir of animal (and human) rescue and the special inter-species bonds which define and enhance us. Released 19th Oct 2021 by Knopf Doubleday on their Pantheon imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a touching and well written memoir full of anecdotes of a lifetime of animal rescue by Cynthia A. Branigan. She begins with the plight of performing animals and "diving" horses, specifically Gamal, one of the last, and moves on to other rescue animals and their stories. The book moved me deeply and is written in an honest and unvarnished way in plain language. I enjoyed reading about her life and her family and her work in rescue and animal protection. The book is peppered with personal and family anecdotes and wry self deprecating humor. There are a number of black and white photos from the author's personal family archive as well as publicity and newspaper historical photos.
Four stars. This would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, and for readers who enjoy memoir and biography. Well written, informative, and engaging.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Last Diving Horse in America is a warmly personal memoir of animal (and human) rescue and the special inter-species bonds which define and enhance us. Released 19th Oct 2021 by Knopf Doubleday on their Pantheon imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a touching and well written memoir full of anecdotes of a lifetime of animal rescue by Cynthia A. Branigan. She begins with the plight of performing animals and "diving" horses, specifically Gamal, one of the last, and moves on to other rescue animals and their stories. The book moved me deeply and is written in an honest and unvarnished way in plain language. I enjoyed reading about her life and her family and her work in rescue and animal protection. The book is peppered with personal and family anecdotes and wry self deprecating humor. There are a number of black and white photos from the author's personal family archive as well as publicity and newspaper historical photos.
Four stars. This would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, and for readers who enjoy memoir and biography. Well written, informative, and engaging.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
July 11, 2023
This is my kind of book! I've always been fascinated with the idea of diving horses and this book answered a lot of my questions. That, combined with my interest in animal rescue, made me truly enjoy this read. I had no idea Cleveland Armory was such an animal lover. Most interestingly, I realized halfway through that the author is the same woman who wrote the "bible" about adopting greyhounds from the racetrack. I well remember referring to it often when I adopted my two greyhound girls from a local track back in 1992.
October 25, 2024
This book is a little bit about the diving horses of old, and a lot about animal rescue—horses, burros from the Grand Canyon, mustangs, greyhounds, chimps, llamas. Branigan was hired by Cleveland Amory (longtime animal rights activist) at a very young age to assist the efforts of The Fund for Animals.
I had heard of Cleveland Amory before, but I wouldn’t have been able to say why. While he was physically absent from most of the book, he was still very much leading the work of animal protection. He died in 1998.
This book is less a history of diving horses and much more Branigan’s memoir. She loved the last diving horse until his death in 1989 at the ripe old age of 35.
I have no personal connection to horses (or burros or llamas or greyhounds or mustangs or chimps) so can’t say I felt the same emotion that Branigan did about her subjects, but she told a good story and I learned new things. For instance, I didn’t know that a burro, donkey, and ass are the same animal/species—nomenclature depending simply upon location. Mules are different (horse mother, burro father). The more rare hinny has a horse father, burro mother.
I had heard of Cleveland Amory before, but I wouldn’t have been able to say why. While he was physically absent from most of the book, he was still very much leading the work of animal protection. He died in 1998.
This book is less a history of diving horses and much more Branigan’s memoir. She loved the last diving horse until his death in 1989 at the ripe old age of 35.
I have no personal connection to horses (or burros or llamas or greyhounds or mustangs or chimps) so can’t say I felt the same emotion that Branigan did about her subjects, but she told a good story and I learned new things. For instance, I didn’t know that a burro, donkey, and ass are the same animal/species—nomenclature depending simply upon location. Mules are different (horse mother, burro father). The more rare hinny has a horse father, burro mother.
September 3, 2022
What an absolutely beautifully written memoir by an animal activist/rescuer. I had never heard of diving horses before reading this book . She adopts the last diving horse Gamal. She rescues him but in turn her rescues her giving her confidence to become a better person.
It was so heartwarming to read about her activism as she works with well known activist Cleveland Armory and alone rescuing retired racing Greyhounds,chimpanzees,horses,burros,goats and more animals. Of all the animals she worked with they were not all success stories but that's not from lack of love for them or trying it's because they came to her too late and in deplorable condition.
Yes, this book did make me cry, I can't stand to see any animal suffer and people can be so cruel just wanting to profit from animals but not caring about them. This is why I can not stand the thought of eating meat,fish,poultry.
Having an animal or helping an animal will enrich your life in many ways!
Pub Date 19 Oct 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
It was so heartwarming to read about her activism as she works with well known activist Cleveland Armory and alone rescuing retired racing Greyhounds,chimpanzees,horses,burros,goats and more animals. Of all the animals she worked with they were not all success stories but that's not from lack of love for them or trying it's because they came to her too late and in deplorable condition.
Yes, this book did make me cry, I can't stand to see any animal suffer and people can be so cruel just wanting to profit from animals but not caring about them. This is why I can not stand the thought of eating meat,fish,poultry.
Having an animal or helping an animal will enrich your life in many ways!
Pub Date 19 Oct 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
December 22, 2022
This is an interesting woman found herself through her love of and relationship with animals, especially the retired diving horse Gamal. An early employee of animal welfare pioneer Cleveland Amory, Branigan broke ground in many of the processes we take so for granted now. She gives a history of the early movement for animal rights, which really is being kind and sympathetic to beings who are sentient and feeling in ways we didn't realize until fairly recently, not just property to be used for human benefit. She has also shone a light on the history of pre electronic device entertainment, a world unto itself.
As a child, Branigan felt abandoned by her parents when they sent her to boarding school. She also wanted to be a writer, and her writing here is excellent. The development of her relationship with Gamal, therapeutic for both, is sensitive and believable. In addition to her work with Amory, she also founded a greyhound rescue which placed over 5,000 in homes.
All in all, a great read.
As a child, Branigan felt abandoned by her parents when they sent her to boarding school. She also wanted to be a writer, and her writing here is excellent. The development of her relationship with Gamal, therapeutic for both, is sensitive and believable. In addition to her work with Amory, she also founded a greyhound rescue which placed over 5,000 in homes.
All in all, a great read.
November 27, 2021
The Last Diving Horse in America is a great story about the history of this spectacle on the Steel Pier in Atlantic City and how the The Fund for Animals came about purchasing and rescuing one of the last horses to perform this feat for spectators. The main part of this story is about the special bond between Gamal, the last diving horse, and the author. Cynthia Branigan's story flows freely between purchasing Gamal at a horse auction and saving him from the slaughter houses in Canada to the rescue of hundreds of burros from the Grand Canyon and later hundreds of wild mustangs that the NPS wanted to just outright kill to the rescue of Shiloh another Steel Pier Diving Horse and back to Gamal. Heartrending at times but well worth reading this fascinating story.
June 13, 2024
This was a DNF for me. I made it halfway through the book and decided I didn't want to continue. The writing is good enough, I just was growing weary with the wide-eyed approach to horses. In my extremely humble opinion, horses are complicated enough that, if rescued, they should fall into the hands of someone with experience. I also craved more information about the history behind the diving horse spectacle itself in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Maybe that's loaded into the back half of the book, but I'll never know because I'm not going to continue with the story. Hats off to all who uphold animal rights though. It's apassion and I can see that Branigan is sincere in that pursuit.
March 31, 2022
I loved discovering the concept of diving horses, what a sight that must have been!
The author is an inspiration in her dedication to save animals and learn about them - whether horses, diving horses, burros, chimpanzees, greyhounds or more.
Her relationship with Gamal, the last diving horse in America, was wonderful to read about - they both hit gold when they found each other.
The writing style is quite journalistic, and the photographs peppered throughout the chapters help bring the story and its characters to life.
If you love animals or horses, you may enjoy this read.
The author is an inspiration in her dedication to save animals and learn about them - whether horses, diving horses, burros, chimpanzees, greyhounds or more.
Her relationship with Gamal, the last diving horse in America, was wonderful to read about - they both hit gold when they found each other.
The writing style is quite journalistic, and the photographs peppered throughout the chapters help bring the story and its characters to life.
If you love animals or horses, you may enjoy this read.
July 15, 2022
When I was younger, I had seen one of the shows at the Atlantic City Pier, and I remembered it clearly; therefore this book caught my eye.
The horse would dive 40 feet straight down into a tank of water with a female rider on board.
The act was shut down in the 1980s. Afterwards, the author purchased the last of these diving horses at an auction. The horse was named Gamal, and the book provides not only a history of diving horses, but also the tender story of caring for this animal and what it can teach us.
The horse would dive 40 feet straight down into a tank of water with a female rider on board.
The act was shut down in the 1980s. Afterwards, the author purchased the last of these diving horses at an auction. The horse was named Gamal, and the book provides not only a history of diving horses, but also the tender story of caring for this animal and what it can teach us.
August 13, 2022
I think I was misled by the title and a skim of the description of this book, but I thought this was going to cover more history of performing animals, whereas this is mostly a memoir about haphazardly accidentally starting an animal rescue farm. It also really feels like Branigan is projecting a lot onto these animals (though admittedly I think the standard idea that animals have no feelings or whatever is also not correct). I would probably not have read this if I knew what it was going to be.
August 17, 2022
I am in awe of and appreciate people who dedicate their lives to animal advocacy. I enjoyed reading about what the author and the non-profit for which she worked were able to accomplish and also about the animals with which she was directly involved. It was also interesting to read how she came to know more about herself from being involved with some the animals she saved or took care of after their rescue. The book will be an interesting and enjoyable read for anyone` interested in the welfare of animals.
February 25, 2025
Mixed bag. Fascinating information about diving horses; intolerable naivety by the author. She is campy and childish about animals. She personifies unapologetically; she speaks to them and considers them her best friends. She also has a completely unrealistic view of how people treat horses after they are no longer rideable. This is far less about diving horses than about a zealot. I love animals too, but I’m realistic. If you can get by her preachy and annoying whine, there is some interesting information about the NJ diving horses.
February 15, 2023
I knew going into it that this was primarily a personal memoir, but the "last diving horse" angle was so played up that I was hoping for more history and background on that. There was some, but I have lingering questions, not least of which is: was it cruel to the horses? This was a well written book but I wish Branigan had put in a little more effort to uncover that question. I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering.
February 15, 2023
Old book and feels it. Of a recent but bygone era. Interesting and easy read. Picturesque, excellent descriptions.
Hippodrome building was used for exhibitions. I worked for one company who had offices we used in the new building on that site.
with·ers
/ˈwiT͟Hərz/
the highest part of a horse's back, lying at the base of the neck above the shoulders. The height of a horse is measured to the withers.
Hippodrome building was used for exhibitions. I worked for one company who had offices we used in the new building on that site.
with·ers
/ˈwiT͟Hərz/
the highest part of a horse's back, lying at the base of the neck above the shoulders. The height of a horse is measured to the withers.
November 13, 2021
As an animal lover I avoid books like this because they will only hurt me, but she did a great job of keeping the details of abuse to a minimal, although I did skip at least four sections. I commend her life of rescue, I wish her book great financial success since I know where her profits will be spent. Thank you for a life of devotion.
July 10, 2023
I didn’t want this book to end. Towards the end, I listened to 5 minute segments to prolong the book. I also felt that I had to be in the right headspace to finish it, knowing it would talk about Gamal’s death. Hearing the audio book narrated by the author made it so special. It was really difficult to finish as I didn’t want the story to end.
January 10, 2023
Beautiful story of the powerful relationship between a horse and human. I really related to Cynthia and enjoyed her writing style. This book also discusses animal welfare and brings awareness of many different issues. Highly recommend! Also a bit of a tear jerker at the end.
May 5, 2023
author shares how she was able to rescue the alleged final horse to have participated in stage diving. goes on for numerous chapters sharing how she developed a ... relationship, breathing with the animal. b/w pix. mentions 'wild hearts can't be broken'.
May 30, 2023
Giving 5 stars because of the subject matter and description of the relationship between the author and Gamal.
But giving the author as a person 0 stars for what she did, by way of not doing, at the end of the book and Gamal's life. Shame on you, Cynthia Branigan.
RIP, Gamal (and Sparkplug)
But giving the author as a person 0 stars for what she did, by way of not doing, at the end of the book and Gamal's life. Shame on you, Cynthia Branigan.
RIP, Gamal (and Sparkplug)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2024
This book is mainly about Cynthia Branigan's life, focusing on the time she had with Emir (who she calls Gamal) and when she works for the Fund. She is definitely an animal lover and forges a deeper relationship with Emir/Gamal than with any human.
Makes me want to see the diving act.
Makes me want to see the diving act.
March 7, 2025
The author writes about her experiences with working for the Fund for Animals. In particular she describes her experience with rescuing one of the diving horses from Atlantic City. An interesting book about the welfare of animals.
October 31, 2021
Loved it
I am old enough to have seen the diving horses on the steel pier. The book is an education and an emotional read for any animal lover.
I am old enough to have seen the diving horses on the steel pier. The book is an education and an emotional read for any animal lover.
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