Historical novels tell interesting stories about a time, a place, and the people living there. Authors do extensive research so their writing accurately reflects the history. Using Horse by Geraldine Brooks as the launching point, this class offers a one-hour look at the history of the development of horseracing in America, with a focus on social, economic, cultural, and racial influences on the horses and the people. We will then spend an hour discussing the novel as contemporary literature. Readers and history buffs welcome! Participants should read Horse before class.

Moderators: Stan and Diane Henderson are avid readers--Stan reads history, Diane fiction. In other lives, they would have been history and English professors. Now they team up to share their passions with us. Pre-retirement, Stan was Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Life at the Univ. of Michigan-Dearborn, and Diane an educational program planner/consultant. Both are failing retirement.