NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of The Eighty-Dollar Champion, the remarkable story of the heroic rescue of priceless horses in the closing days of World War IIWINNER OF THE PEN AWARD FOR RESEARCH NONFICTION In the chaotic last days of the war, a small troop of battle-weary American soldiers captures a German spy and makes an astonishing find—his briefcase is empty but for photos of … find—his briefcase is empty but for photos of beautiful white horses that have been stolen and kept on a secret farm behind enemy lines. Hitler has stockpiled the world’s finest purebreds in order to breed the perfect military machine—an equine master race. But with the starving Russian army closing in, the animals are in imminent danger of being slaughtered for food.
With only hours to spare, one of the U.S. Army’s last great cavalrymen, Colonel Hank Reed, makes a bold decision—with General George Patton’s blessing—to mount a covert rescue operation. Racing against time, Reed’s small but determined force of soldiers, aided by several turncoat Germans, steals across enemy lines in a last-ditch effort to save the horses.
Pulling together this multistranded story, Elizabeth Letts introduces us to an unforgettable cast of characters: Alois Podhajsky, director of the famed Spanish Riding School of Vienna, a former Olympic medalist who is forced to flee the bomb-ravaged Austrian capital with his entire stable in tow; Gustav Rau, Hitler’s imperious chief of horse breeding, a proponent of eugenics who dreams of genetically engineering the perfect warhorse for Germany; and Tom Stewart, a senator’s son who makes a daring moonlight ride on a white stallion to secure the farm’s surrender.
A compelling account for animal lovers and World War II buffs alike, The Perfect Horse tells for the first time the full story of these events. Elizabeth Letts’s exhilarating tale of behind-enemy-lines adventure, courage, and sacrifice brings to life one of the most inspiring chapters in the annals of human valor.
Praise for The Perfect Horse
“Winningly readable . . . Letts captures both the personalities and the stakes of this daring mission with such a sharp ear for drama that the whole second half of the book reads like a WWII thriller dreamed up by Alan Furst or Len Deighton. . . . The right director could make a Hollywood classic out of this fairy tale.”—The Christian Science Monitor
“Letts, a lifelong equestrienne, eloquently brings together the many facets of this unlikely, poignant story underscoring the love and respect of man for horses.”—Kirkus Reviews
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The Perfect Horse by Elizabeth Letts, while nonfiction, reads like an action packed novel. Set during World War II, the goal is to save the Lippizaner performing stallions and breeding stock from destruction. Thanks to all those involved, all these years later, we can appreciate the magnificent dancing horses.
Normally I am not a fan of non-fiction as pleasure reading, but this book was exception. I saw a summary and was intrigued. I won’t say this is the best book I’ve ever read, but it was very interesting. The author did a good job of telling the story in narrative form, so it was very readable. The Perfect Horse is the true story of how the Arabian and Lippizaner horses were captured by the Germans during WWII in an effort to breed “the perfect horse”. While the story takes place during and around atrocious events during the war, the author focuses on the horses and the men who gave of themselves completely to save these national treasures. They even endangered themselves secretly asking the Americans for help. Once the war was over many of the horses end up in America with a variety of different paths that their lives followed. If this had been a fictional story, I know the end would have been written a little differently, but truth is truth, and I am glad there are horse lovers who followed their hearts for the sake of these beautiful creatures. If you like horses, then you will find this an interesting read.
This book caught my attention as soon as I started reading it. It was not only informative with things we probably never knew, but also a page turner in every aspect of the book. There were parts in it that were extremely overwhelming sad, but at the same time, so uplifting and courage in the events. I would highly recommend this book for anyone to read.
The Perfect Horse by Elizabeth Letts, is written with stunning contrasts of destruction in war and the beauty of these horses. Many men and women sacrificed their own lives and safety to preserve the Lipizzaners and Arabians. So much is destroyed by war that will never be replaced; let us all strive for peace.
True story of the Americans and Germans saving valuable horses during WWII. Something good out of such a terrible time. Excellent non fiction.
Incredible story of how the most beautiful horses of Europe, particularly the Lipizzaner, were taken by the Germans during World War II and how a small group of dedicated equestrians risked their lives to save them. One of the best stories I’ve ever read.
I love horses, period, so this true story of the US Army’s rescue of the legendary Lipizzaners of the famed Spanish Riding School was right up my alley. I already knew the basic history, but this fleshed out the details in how it all happened. Great read for WWII history buffs or horse lovers.
Animal lovers will appreciate the great lengths taken to protect the Lippizaner stallions during WWII.
This is the true complete history in great detail of an unusual rescue of priceless stallions and mares kidnapped during World War II. Alois Podhajsky’s (Director of the Spanish Riding School) love for all the horses finds help from many people he never thought would help him including; General George Patton, Colonel Hank Reed, Tom Stewart and many soldiers. I listened to this on an audio book and visualized everthing in my mind and cried a few times.
I have loved horses all of my life and remember seeing 20 of the Lipizzaner horses accompanied by Alois Podhajsky at Madison Square Garden in 1964 with my parents when I was 12 years old. I was totally in love watching these beautiful horses and their riders and will never forget them.
I loved this book! It was incredibly well researched and yet read almost like a novel. Ms. Letts obviously worked on this sprawling subject and condensed the information into a very readable book. Especially nice was the last section which related how all the characters ended up after World War II. Recommend it highly!
Loved this telling of the events of saving the reknown Lippinzer Stallions from falling into Hitler’s hands! Page turner!!!
Well written and researched. Horse lovers today owe a huge debt to the men in this book.
One of the best books about WWII
A little known and amazing true story.
i like history and have had horse all of my life. As I read this book I got the impression that the author thoroughly researched this book. I got more insight into the mind of hose involved in WWII and of the heroes. The value system of an individual or a nation. Has significant barring on he outcomes of our decisions. This book shows that. There really is a “right” way and a wrong way to live ones life.
I had previously seen the movie, Miracle Of The White Stallions, and read Alois Podjhajski’s book, My Dancing White Horses about the rescue of the Spanish Riding School by Patton’s US Army during WWII. I almost passed over reading this book, thinking I knew the story. I knew only part of it. There was so much more I had no idea about. Saving the horses was by no means a ‘done deal’, or as easy as it was reported in my earlier contact with the events. It is an excellent book about a most unusual story. No horse lover or person interested in in the unusual portions of WWII should miss out on this book.
I am a horse person and cant even imagine the daring, courage and trust the horses had in their handlers to get them even out of their stable, much less out of the country
History made readable and fascinating
Like the story of the greatest war horse that ever lived, “Sgt. Reckless”, this little known chapter in history tells the story of the Nazi’s quest to breed the perfect horse, and rhe many people who fought to save the original bloodline from extinction.
Fascinating to learn the story of horses during the period of Hitler’s reign.
Fascinating and well researched.