Black Beauty, first published in 1877, is literally an autobiography of the inspiring characteristics of a beautiful black horse. The story tells about a mistreated horse that keeps his strength and goodwill despite his difficulties. It also tells about how his encounters with various individuals brought about both joy and suffering.

Black Beauty is the only book Anna Sewell ever published. She tried to inform people about the mistreatment and the cruelty that is often inflicted upon animals. The book was extremely influential as pro-animal propaganda. With Anna Sewell’s gentle and plain writing style, this touching story has changed our attitudes toward animals and also has encouraged people to take better care of horses. Not only is Black Beauty an exciting and moving “horse story,” but it also reflects the realities of life found within the relationships between one horse and another horse, a human and another human, and finally, a human and a horse.