I am very much late in my review for this book but when I did pick it up, I kept putting it down again because I was enjoying it so much. I loved the bond that Annie and Bird formed. And, as a horse lover, I very much appreciated the realistic "voice" given to the horses throughout. I have to say, I'm not looking at a herd of horses in the same way after reading this book! ( )

This book was one I was honestly looking forward to getting because of the fact it’s about horses. Since I had a strong bond with my horse, Tripp, growing up I believed this was going to be a book I could relate to a lot. Unfortunately though, due to the way the author laid out this book, I couldn’t stay involved in it at all. The author made the horses talk, and made me feel like I was reading a child’s book instead of a mature adult version of this book. The idea behind this book was great, but the layout really turned me off from it. You can read more at http://www.tidbitsofexperience.com/ten-thousand-heaven-book-review/ ( )

This is the story of a spirited mare, Annie, and her unconventional owner/rider, "Bird". The first two-thirds of the book is about the building of the relationship. The final third has a desperate situation, where horses must work together on their own, and it has a kind of "Incredible Journey" feel to it.

Ten Thousand Heavens was difficult to read, because it is told from the horse's perspective and the horses have a different language and different ways of thinking about things. I can appreciate what the author was trying to do... after all horses DON'T think like we do. But it made reading feel like a chore. ( )

As soon as I started reading Ten Thousand Heavens I discovered it's told from the horse's perspective. Uh-oh. My last foray with a book told from an animal's perspective was irritating.

However, as I continued to read on, I discovered that the author utilizes his background in philosophy to deliver some thoughtful gems via horse speak. It's clear that Mr. Rosenthal has spent a fair amount of time around horses and has given some thought to the why behind their instinctive nature. It was entertaining for me to read his take on equine behavior after spending so much time thinking about it myself. Philosophy and behavior aside, it's a touching story of a man whose mission is to rehabilitate a Thoroughbred Arabian mare named Annie using time and love instead of whips and spurs. My feeling is that this is the true story of the author's relationship with his mare, Jackie O, but it's called fiction because of the point of view it's told from.

One of my favorite quotes made me think of the Morgan mare I used to ride. That horse had spunk! "A horse that wouldn't try to buck you off once in a while was no companion at all."

If you like horse stories you will gallop through this little book of friendship and compassion. ( )

I received this book from the Early Reviewer's Giveaway. It is the story of a man and his horse. It was to long and plain. Sometimes telling a part of a story before it was relevant, which at times made it confusing. Really didn't want to finish it, but felt obligated to do so. It might have been ok as a short story. ( )