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Black Stallion Series: One of the best-loved of all the American pony book series. Follows the adventures of Alec and The Black, a magnificent stallion whom he rescues when they are both shipwrecked on a desert island (as you do!) Some of the novels are adventure stories, others set in the world of horse racing. There is also a mystical element in a couple of the books. Unlike many pony book series, such as the Jackie books for example, Alec grows up and develops as a character throughout the course of the series. This also seems to reflect the writing style which grows more complex and mature as the series progresses, although I feel that the supernatural element which creeps into some of the later books does not really sit well with the traditional feel of the rest of the series.
The last book in the series proper, The Young Black Stallion, was co-written with Walter's son Steven Farley and is actually a prequel to the rest of the series, so could be read first. After Walter Farley's death, the Black Stallion series was continued by Steven, although as I haven't read them yet I don't know if they follow on from the later books in any chronological order. He has additionally written a new tie-in series which features Alec and The Black, but which focuses on a new horse hero and a new main character. (See Steven Farley author page for both the continuation of the series and the new tie-in)
As well as the main series, Walter Farley wrote two other books about sons of the Black who are trained as harness racers. Only one features Alec (Sulky Colt) and they both can be read as stand-alones. Interestingly, the Black Stallion series merges with The Island Stallion series when the two horses and their respective owners meet. (See the Island Stallion Series section for more info)
Three of the books have been made into films, although the adaptation of The Young Black stallion is extremely loosely based upon the book. The films spawned a number of film tie-in editions.
All in print in the USA at time of latest update, 2011.
PONYMAD SERIES RATING: 4-5 HORSESHOES
1) THE BLACK STALLION (RANDOM HOUSE 1941) ILLUSTRATED BY KEITH WARD Reprinted many times in hardback and paperback in both the USA and the UK This was revised as a picture book for younger readers called THE BIG BLACK STALLION (see below for more info) There was also a movie tie-in edition illustrated with photographs (see below for more info) SUMMARY: Alec meets the Black Stallion when they are both marooned in a shipwreck. Made into a film in 1979
2) THE BLACK STALLION RETURNS (RANDOM HOUSE 1945) ILLUSTRATED BY HAROLD ELDRIDGE Reprinted many times in hardback and paperback in both the USA and the UK There was also a movie tie-in edition illustrated with photographs (see below for more info) SUMMARY: The Black is in danger! When he is taken away from Alec by an Arab who claims to own him, Alec must follow his horse all the way to Arabia to rescue him! Made into a film in 1983
3) SON OF THE BLACK STALLION (RANDOM HOUSE 1947) ILLUSTRATED BY MILTON MENASCO Reprinted many times in hardback and paperback in both the USA and the UK SUMMARY: Alec and Henry attempt to train Satan, the wild son of The Black.
4) THE BLACK STALLION AND SATAN (RANDOM HOUSE 1949) ILLUSTRATED BY MILTON MENASCO Reprinted many times in hardback and paperback in both the USA and the UK SUMMARY: The Black is forced to race against his own son.
5) THE BLACK STALLION'S FILLY (RANDOM HOUSE 1952) ILLUSTRATED BY MILTON MENASCO Reprinted many times in hardback and paperback in both the USA and the UK SUMMARY: Back Minx, daughter of The Black, shows tremendous potential as a race-horse, but she is very temperamental. How will she behave on the day of the big race?
6) THE BLACK STALLION REVOLTS (RANDOM HOUSE 1953) ILLUSTRATED BY HAROLD ELDRIDGE Reprinted many times in hardback and paperback in both the USA and the UK SUMMARY: The Black is sick of life in captivity so Alec sets off with him into the wilds of California. There however their plane crashes and they must confront more adventure and danger than they bargained for!
7) THE BLACK STALLION'S GHOST (RANDOM HOUSE 1969) ILLUSTRATED BY ANGIE DRAPER Reprinted many times in hardback and paperback in both the USA and the UK SUMMARY: Alec and his horse are trapped in the mysterious Everglades at the house of a strange man and his ghostly mare.
8) THE BLACK STALLION'S COURAGE (RANDOM HOUSE 1956) ILLUSTRATED BY HAROLD ELDRIDGE Reprinted many times in hardback and paperback in both the USA and the UK SUMMARY: The Black, now retired, must return to racing again to save Hopeful Farm. But how will he fare against new much younger champions?
9) THE BLACK STALLION MYSTERY (RANDOM HOUSE 1957) ILLUSTRATED BY MAL SINGER Reprinted many times in hardback and paperback in both the USA and the UK SUMMARY: Three yearlings appear who seem to be brothers of The Black. Alec and Henry set off to see if they can find The Black's sire.
10) THE BLACK STALLION AND FLAME (RANDOM HOUSE 1960) ILLUSTRATED BY HAROLD ELDRIDGE SUMMARY: This book brings together the Black Stallion series and Mr. Farley's other series about the island stallion Flame. (See below Island Stallion Series section for more info.) The Black Stallion and The Island Stallion meet, when a plane crash deposits The Black on Flame's secret island. (Alec certainly seems to have a travel jinx!)
11) THE BLACK STALLION CHALLENGED aka THE BLACK STALLION'S CHALLENGE (RANDOM HOUSE 1964) ILLUSTRATED BY ANGIE DRAPER Reprinted many times in hardback and paperback in both the USA and the UK The title was slightly changed when it was reprinted (in both USA and UK) and 'challenged' became 'challenge.' SUMMARY: Once again a merging of the Black Stallion and Island Stallion series. (See below Island Stallion Series section for more info.) Alec receives a challenge from Steve Duncan, owner of Flame, for the two horses to race against each other.
12) THE BLACK STALLION AND THE GIRL aka THE BLACK STALLION AND THE STRANGER (RANDOM HOUSE 1971) ILLUSTRATED BY ANGIE DRAPER Reprinted many times in hardback and paperback in both the USA and the UK Reprinted in the UK by Knight under the alternative title THE BLACK STALLION AND THE STRANGER SUMMARY: When Alec persuades Henry to take on a girl at Hopeful Farm, he finds himself falling in love with her.
13) THE BLACK STALLION LEGEND (RANDOM HOUSE 1983) Reprinted many times in hardback and paperback in both the USA and the UK After a terrible tragedy, Alec flees into the desert with his horse. There they find themselves caught up in ancient Indian legend.
14) YOUNG BLACK STALLION (With Stephen Farley) (RANDOM HOUSE 1989) Reprinted in paperback in the USA and the UK SUMMARY: A prequel to the rest of the series which looks at the early life of the Black Stallion before he was shipwrecked with Alec, and was living in the wild deserts of Arabia. There was also a film made which was loosely based on the book
Other editions:
THE BIG BLACK HORSE (RANDOM HOUSE 1955) ILLUSTRATED BY JAMES SCHUCKER Reprinted in hardback. There was a hardback reprint by Purnell in the UK which is now hard to find. It is now in print again. SUMMARY: A picture book version of the first Black Stallion book aimed at younger readers.
THE BLACK STALLION PICTURE BOOK (RANDOM HOUSE 1979) ILUSTRATED WITH COLOUR PHOTOS Reprinted a couple of times. SUMMARY: Book of the 1979 Black Stallion film.
THE BLACK STALLION RETURNS MOVIE STORY BOOK (RANDOM HOUSE 1955) ILUSTRATED WITH COLOUR PHOTOS Reprinted a couple of times. SUMMARY: Photo story book based on the movie version of the book.
Other books related to the series:
THE BLOOD BAY COLT aka THE BLACK STALLION'S BLOOD BAY COLT (RANDOM HOUSE 1950) ILLUSTRATED BY MILTON MENASCO Re-published as THE BLACK STALLION'S BLOOD BAY COLT In print. SUMMARY: Tom wants to prove the colt Bonfire, son of The Black , can be a top harness racer. But Tom is completely inexperienced…
THE BLACK STALLION'S SULKY COLT (RANDOM HOUSE 1954) In print. SUMMARY: A racing accident resulting in a frightened horse and an injured driver leads Alec and Henry to try harness racing, working a son of the Black toward the Hambletonian.
THE HORSE TAMER (RANDOM HOUSE 1958) Reprinted in hardback and paperback. In print. SUMMARY: Historical horse story. Linked to the Black Stallion series. Whilst waiting for a delayed airplane, Henry tells Alec a story of his own youth, travelling with his brother Bill who was a talented horse whisperer. The pair meet an unscrupulous con-man who mistreats horses into behaving temporarily. Bill is determined to show that the man is a fraud, but can he unmask the con without getting hurt?
Collectors Info: All the series were reprinted many many times, and are therefore easy to find in both the UK and the USA. They are all still in print in America, some of the titles in the UK also. One or two titles in the older paperback series are harder to get hold of in the UK. Hardbacks are not often seen here. First editions are rare in the UK, but could be picked up much more cheaply on a US based auction site or website.
Strangely, Black Stallion's Ghost is listed as number 7 in the series however it was actually published after Challenge. However for purposes of reading it doesn't really matter as the book's plot does not pose any chronological issues.
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