The Perfect Horse

The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis

De: Elizabeth Letts

Narrado por: Paul Boehmer

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of The Ride of Her Life and The Eighty-Dollar Champion comes the “winningly readable” (The Christian Science Monitor) true story of the heroic rescue of priceless horses in the closing days of World War II.

“Hard to put down . . . One need not be an equestrian or horse lover in order to appreciate this story.”—New York Journal of Books

WINNER OF THE PEN AWARD FOR RESEARCH NONFICTION

In the chaotic last days of the war, a small troop of American soldiers captures a German spy and makes an astonishing 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 an equine master race. But with the starving Russian army closing in, the animals are in danger of being slaughtered for food.

With 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 determined force of soldiers, aided by several turncoat Germans, steals across enemy lines to save the horses.

An exhilarating tale of adventure, courage, and sacrifice, The Perfect Horse brings to life one of the most inspiring chapters in the annals of human valor.

Great Story Ruined by Narrator

Any additional comments?

I have been a horse lover all of my life. I still remember with great fondness the Marguerite Henry books I read as a child, particularly the "White Stallion of Lippizza". I was excited to read a nonfiction account of what actually happened to the Lippizaner horses during WWII but found myself mostly irritated with the narration of the book. If I had wanted a lesson in German phonetics I would have bought Rosetta Stone instead. I somehow managed to finish the book but I will never listen to another book narrated by Paul Boehmer.

An Equestrian or Historian's Dream Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This story is magnificently written, beautifully narrated and emotionally charged. Whether you are an equestrian, historian or just someone looking to enjoy a story filled with larger than life passionate characters, this is the choice for 2016.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Perfect Horse?

The chapters devoted to the intense sense of loyalty, commitment, hard work and partnership that the caretakers and riders of the Austrian Lippizaner stallions. Their love for these amazing horses was complete and incomparable! The huge sacrifice made by multiple individuals in Europe and the U.S. to save an invaluable asset...the lives of the priceless horses, caught in the middle of the battle of WWII. The reader also comes to appreciate the importance of the relationship between man and equine and how the significance of such a bond exceeds the human need for control, dominance and power of humans and their geographic territorial needs.

What about Paul Boehmer’s performance did you like?

Paul's ability to capture the true essence of each character and his flexibility in moving back and forth between complex personality types made the story a joy to listen to. I was so riveted by the story that I purposefully sat in my driveway, unwilling to shut my car off so I could listen to every last word of a given chapter on more than one occasion.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Rescuing the Lippizaner: The U.S. Military and Their Role in Europe During WWII

Any additional comments?

I loved this book so much that I bought several copies and sent them to fellow equestrian friends as a holiday gift. The result was an overwhelming love for the story told in such a heartwarming and flawless manner.

A bit florid but very absorbing

I had conflicting reactions to this book. First of all it certainly evoked a lot of deep emotions in that I am a horse owner and my dad is a combat veteran of WWII. Although the narrator bothered me sometimes I think ultimately he was successful in telling the story. The author's style is quite florid and manipulative. She interweaves imagined thoughts and feelings of horses with the historical narrative. In addition, she misleads the reader to set up a false drama. This is especially true when it comes to the story of Witez, where Black Beauty appears to be retold. However, undeniably this is a great and mostly true story.

Wow

What in interesting history and story. This got a little bogged down in the middle with details about some of the individuals involved and wasn’t the kind of book I could stay up all night listening to, but it was perfect to have on while cooking or doing other things. Loved all the facts. It’s definitely worth buying.

What a read!

Only rarely does a book get my undivided attention and The Perfect Horse did just that. If you have even a assign interest in the majesty of horses or the details of WW 11, this will keep you listening for hours at a time. The narration/narrator is also worthy of high praise. Job well done to all involved.
Thank you for sharing this story with all of us.