The first time I picked up this book and read it I fell in love with it. I even now in my read this book at least once a year.


Could have told more of the real story...   July 22, 2003
 38 out of 41 found this review helpful

Marguerite Henry took great license in telling the story of the Godolphin Arabian, but it's likely there were two reasons she did so; first, because she based the majority of her novel on heavily romanticised reports like that which appeared in Western Horseman in 1949; second, to illustrate to young children what could happen to perfectly good horses that were considered worthless because of prejudice or unwillingness to see what was there.

The real Sham was born in Tunis and given by the Bey of Tunis to King Louis XV with a group of other horses. But there's no evidence that he was reduced to pulling a cart in the Paris streets before rescue by Edward Coke. Coke probably got him from the Duke of Lorraine, who'd gotten him from the King.

A contemporary described Sham as "beautiful but half-starved", so the rough sea voyage with the greedy staff is likely true, even if the cart-horse story is not. He also said that Sham (he spelled it Shami, and other accounts have "Scham") was temperamental and generally disliked by the stable hands. A vet who cared for Sham in his last years said he was built to sire champions: "his shoulders were deeper, and lay farther into his back, than those of any horse ever yet seen. Behind the shoulders, there was but a very small space ere the muscles of his loins rose exceedingly high, broad, and expanded, which were inserted into his hindquarters with greater strength and power than in any horse I believe ever yet seen of his dimensions, viz fifteen hands high."

Agba was real; there are portraits of the little horse with a handsome dark-skinned young man in flowing Arab dress and turban. Whether or not he was mute is debatable. Again, many of the later accounts have been greatly romanticised. But Grimalkin the stable cat was real too, according to early records which report his presence in the famous portrait.

There is no record of the apocalyptic battle with Hobgoblin. We can look at that, and Sham's subsequent exile to Wicken Fen, as symbolic of the prejudice felt by the complacent English toward this relatively small, strange-looking newcomer. The truth is that Sham did mate with Lady Roxane and sired Lath. He sired 116 others in his long lifetime.

With all the interest in Seabiscuit of late, one would like to point out that as a direct descendant of Man O'War, he was also a direct descendant of the Godolphin Arabian. Just another horse who seemed worthless, but was not, and came from behind to prove the superiority of Arabian blood.

Look up "Davenport Arabians" to learn more about this proud line.


The Godolphin Arabian   January 30, 2003
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

KING OF THE WIND by Marguerite Henry, was a great book! I love how the battle between good and evil was portrayed. The way the white spot was the sign of swiftness and the wheat ear on Sham's chest foretold evil. Also, how these influenced Sham and Agba's life.

Sham is a Godolphin Arabian that lived in Morroco with his new horseboy, Agba. Sham only listens to Agba and even the most talented horse trainer cannot convince him otherwise. This book is about their journeys through life from living at a palace in Morroco to living nowhere on the streets of England. This book is very moving, and at times, sad. On the way through good and evil, Agba and Sham met a cat named Grimalkin who is very sweet and loving to Sham and Agba. Sham encounters a beauitful mare in Gog Magog, the best, Lady of Roxana. From there life is just as it was meant to be. I highlighly recommend this book !!


The Godolphin Arabian   January 30, 2003
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

KING OF THE WIND by Marguerite Henry, was a great book! I love how the battle between good and evil was portrayed. The way the white spot was the sign of swiftness and the wheat ear on Sham's chest foretold evil. Also, how these influenced Sham and Agba's life.

Sham is a Godolphin Arabian that lived in Morroco with his new horseboy, Agba. Sham only listens to Agba and even the most talented horse trainer cannot convince him otherwise. This book is about their journeys through life from living at a palace in Morroco to living nowhere on the streets of England. This book is very moving, and at times, sad. On the way through good and evil, Agba and Sham met a cat named Grimalkin who is very sweet and loving to Sham and Agba. Sham encounters a beauitful mare in Gog Magog, the best, Lady of Roxana. From there life is just as it was meant to be. I highly recommend this book !!


King of the Wind   January 15, 2003
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

King of the Wind is composed by Marguerite Henry. I rate this book with five stars. This book is about the adventure and friendship of a spirited horse named Sham and his horse boy. Agba the horse boy is a mute. When Sham was born he
was a weak horse but grew strong thanks to Agba's careful care. Agba and Sham were part of the royal stables in Morocco. The sultan of Morocco wanted to send six of his finest horses and their horse boys to the king of France as a present. Sham and Agba were chosen and endured the rough, long journey to France. By the time the small group of fine horses got to France they were mere skin and bones. The little group was laughed at and sent away lickety split. Agba and Sham stayed to help carry food to and fro the market for the kitchen at the kingdom. Eventually things happened leading them to live in many different places each time with different experiences. They had many rough times and sometimes by themselves. In one of the events a cat joins the boy and his horse. These three are quite n sync with each other and are quiet. The three endure many hardships as the story continues and in the end the story unexpectedly twists leading to a
happy ending.

King of the Wind was an awesome book. As you read this book you will come to realize you can not put it down. Whether you are a horse lover or not you will enjoy this book. This book is written for ages nine through twelve but yet people
of various ages will probably enjoy this book.