Sewell's intention in writing Black Beauty was to promote the humane treatment of horses, and the book is credited with having the greatest effect on the treatment of animals of any publication in history. It has resulted in legislation protecting horses and a changed public attitude about animal treatment. Anna Sewell only wrote one book in her lifetime, as she died a few months after publication, but Black Beauty has proven to be a book of great importance and popularity, and is still one of the most widely read books in the world. Barely a year goes by without a new print edition being published, thus continuing the life of this timeless classic.