Written during a major period of growth in the movement for humane treatment of animals, Black Beauty became the work that represented the movement. Humane societies across the United States bought and distributed thousands of copies of the book, espousing animal rights.

Black Beauty takes place in the same period in which Sewell lived: mid- to late-nineteenth-century England.

Showing the range of uses for horses during this period, Black Beauty works as a saddle and carriage horse on a wealthy country estate, is rented as a beast of burden from a livery stable, pulls a cab, and draws a cart through the crowded London streets. The frequent changes in setting provide a good overview of British life during this era.

The first week of my life as a cab horse was very trying.

Horses were not only the primary mode of transportation during Sewell's lifetime, they were also...