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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Excellent book about World War II and the rare horses caught in its crossfire. It details the heroic efforts that Alec Podlaski endured to save his beautiful Lippizaner stallions and broodstock. The heroes in this story are many and real. I especially appreciated how enemies worked together to ensure these fabulous horses were able to escape virtually in the last hours of World War II. I could not put this book down and I loved the historical photos.
I don’t know why these horses appeal to me so much but I’ve seen several performances of the Lipizzaner horses and visited the breeding stables in Slovenia – so the topic piqued my interest. This book relates the story about what happened to the horses during and after WWII — or perhaps more importantly, the story of the people that worked to save them. I learned some interesting history along the way. Altogether it was more than I expected.
I love horses so will read anything I can about them. I’m so happy I found this book. It was factually based and so you might learn a lot about WWII. I sure did. But the writing was terrific and kept me hooked.
I knew a bit about the history, but sure found out a whole lot more detail in this well researched and well written book. It’s truly a wonder the horses survived. I wish that it had kept up the pace more towards the end.
A true account of how the U.S. Cavalry and Gen. Patton helped rescue hundreds of valuable horses stolen by the Reich and spirited away at the end of the war. Learned about the Spanish Riding School and the Lipizanner stallions.
I have read a lot of books about WWII, but this was a story I had never heard before. The fact that it was about horses and people who loved them was icing on the cake.
I enjoyed reading this book. The author kept me engaged in the true story.
Very happy that the right thing was done to keep them alive.
Loved this story! Great read for anyone who loves horses and anyone who wants to know more about the lippizaner horses and their history.
Brought that time in history to the forefront. Not everyone realizes the roll horses had during WW2 in Europe. My grandfather was in the Army Cavalry during that time but he died before I was born. My Dad shared lots of stories but would have enjoyed hearing his take on so much. So sad what happened to the horses. I owned a beautiful Polish Arab had all the research on the background. Beauty was 34 when she died. Need to dig out her family tree, she was trained to do all the classic moves they spoke of. A real pleasure to ride! Thanks for a great read.
I have owned and cared for my own horses for the past 35 years. The people and circumstances that came together to save these beautiful animals had to be guided by a power much higher than what we usually experience. The men in uniform who worked together, even though their countries were at war, and risked their lives to save these beautiful animals, were true heroes. This book gave me a chance to learn about a part of history that more people should read and enjoy.
Love these horses and the story of saving the breed during the horrors of WW 11.
Another “little known” bit of WWII history. I saw the horses in the Spanish riding school in Vienna. This book gave me a context I hadn’t known.
I was always looking for more information about the incredible Lipizzaner horses, their caretakers and their trainers. Incredible story!
The book is wonderful! The people and the horses come alive in the well-crafted telling of their story. It tells of a piece of history which I had never considered.
Glad to finally find out the whole story behind the movie”Miracle of the White Stallions”. Hard to believe what the horses went thru during the war and then afterwards when they get to the states, how indifferent the bureaucrats were towards these horses.
If the reader is a fan or lover of horses, this book is for you. Set in WWII, the famous Lipizzaner horses of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria are targeted for use in Hitler’s army. Alois Podkajsky, director of the school risks life, uncertainty, extreme danger and anything in his power to save his beloved horses. Intrigue, adventure, danger and daring permeate the book as the horses are moved from Vienna to various locations before Hitler is defeated and the Lipizzaners are rescued by American intervention. Very good read and eye opening as to horse breeding in Europe before WWII.
Loved every second of this book. Felt the pain of these beautiful horses!! Everyone would love this great ,historical read!,
Often we do not know the hardships that animals endure during a war and the caring people who risk their lives to save them. An inspirational story of hope courage and honor. That shows when it comes to the love of an animal sometimes which side you are on comes in second. A must read for anyone who loves history and horses.
I loved this action packed & historical story about saving these Special horses from Hitlers army,