Gaudenzia, Pride of the Palio

Marguerite Henry, creator of Misty of Chincoteague and Brighty of the Grand Canyon, has turned to one of the most colorful spectacles of the modern world, the traditional Sienese festival of the Palio. This is the story of a contemporary Tuscan boy and his obsessive desire to take part in this survival of an ancient ritual. Torn between his love for a particular horse, Gaudenzio Guadenzio, Giorgio nearly loses his desire when he realizes he is obliged to fight against the horse he has trained. However, the intricacies of the game add the strong conviction that ""fate is the mistress of the Palio"" keep him true to the spirit of the Palio, until both he and Gaudenzia can walk the streets of Siena with pride. Once again, the author has captured the poignancy of her story and the inimitable flair and flavor of the event against which the tale is told. Medieval war and war games take on new meaning through these pages. Lynd Ward's lovely drawings in color and black and white will add to the value of a surely popular text.