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Spring 2003

SEABISCUIT AUTHOR STILL RIDING HIGH
By Kim Kenney

Laura Hillenbrand, the best-selling author of Seabiscuit: An American Legend, seems to be everywhere these days. That’s quite a feat for someone who can rarely leave her Washington , D.C. brownstone.

With her finely crafted book about the beloved 1930s racehorse still riding atop numerous “best of” lists, a PBS documentary about ’Biscuit featuring her as one of the main storytellers, a star-studded motion picture based on the book headed for theatres this July and media interviews blanketing print and broadcast outlets, it seems the country just can’t get enough of Laura. It’s a boon for CFIDS awareness since Hillenbrand uses every opportunity to talk about the illness that has narrowed her life for the past 16 years.

Even though her health is somewhat better than it was at the worst point of her battle — when she needed help just to roll over in bed — Laura still must carefully limit her commitments. She does radio interviews by phone from her bedroom and reporters must come to her.

Laura joined Tony Kornheiser’s noon sports talk radio show on April 21, the day the PBS documentary first aired. When he asked about her health (she’s been his guest several times before), she sought to explain her perky voice and articulate answers. “I’m doing better, but am still not as well as you might think or as I might sound. Few people realize how serious CFS can be.”

Yet the truth is evident when you hear about the opportunities she’s had to give up. Even though her book has achieved staggering sales records, she’s only made two public appearances since it hit shelves two years ago. She has consulted with film producers on the Seabiscuit movie that stars Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper, but she didn’t get to rub elbows with the actors (including the five horses that play Seabiscuit) or visit the set. And she’ll miss out on the glitzy premiers being planned for Hollywood and Manhattan . She’s simply too ill to take advantage of the perks to which she is entitled.

Expect to hear more from Laura as the film premier draws closer. Her own account of her harrowing CFIDS story will run in New Yorker magazine when war coverage subsides. People magazine is planning a profile about how she overcame odds to write Seabiscuit. Other interviews with top media outlets are in the works, too. A special illustrated edition of Seabiscuit and a paperback version featuring photos from the movie will soon be released, likely generating another round of media interviews.

Laura’s hinted that she’s finally settled on the subject of her next book. Although it will be another work of non-fiction, she remains tight-lipped about further details. “I hope it’s something that will inspire the same interest and excitement as Seabiscuit’s story.” And, hopefully, it will create more venues to educate people about CFIDS and Laura’s own long-shot triumphs.

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