The Perfect Horse

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

By: Elizabeth Letts

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

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 II

Winner 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 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 US 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' 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.

“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)

©2016 Elizabeth Letts (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[Elizabeth] Letts, a lifelong equestrienne, eloquently brings together the many facets of this unlikely, poignant story underscoring the love and respect of man for horses.... The author's elegant narrative conveys how the love for these amazing creatures transcends national animosities." (Kirkus Reviews)

“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)

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

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.

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.

Love the detail!

love that the story named people, places, and horses! Horsexlovers like to know them. Knowing the conditions, and what was done for the horses was the best version I have heard/read.

I forgot to review right after I finished this so can't think of a more descriptive review. Essentially even if you are not a big fan of horses, the wartime description of helping then is well done.

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.

great story and a very entertaining performance

What did you love best about The Perfect Horse?

how joint cooperation between characters of similar values overcame great odds to save innocent horses of amazing talent from extermination

Good history/horse story

Where does The Perfect Horse rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Gee, I've listened to so many over the years! This book is definitely in my top 20% and since I rarely listen to history books, I'd rate it as in the top 10% among nonfiction books.

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

The race in the middle of the night, with Lessing and Stewart one on a black and one white horse was described perfectly.

Which scene was your favorite?

As a horse person, I really enjoyed several of the descriptions of being around horses. There was one description about Hank Reed's familiarity of those things any horse person knows - the rhythm of a horse's gait, the scent of fresh straw and "what the end of a day on horseback felt like, salty with sweat, dirt under his nails, and a mind white-washed on worry".

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I am always drawn to people who understand that the animals of this world are worth saving.

Any additional comments?

This is an excellent book for horse lovers who are not regular history readers. Instead of just dates and battles, Letts educates her readers about the people and places in this book. Not as good as In the Company of Elephants, but still quite good.

Excellent story, irritating narration

I loved the story. I am an avid equestrian and for years I have wanted to know the details of how Patton's men saved the Lipizzaners during WWII. The story is fascinating and the writing has moments of true beauty. The author weaves disparate strands of seemingly unrelated topics into a tapestry that contains rich elements of setting and characterization. The reader begins to understand the art of classical riding, social Darwinism as applied by the Third Reich, and even the complexities of horse breeding.

The narrator, on the other hand, so faithfully reproduces German pronunciation of words that at times it sounded like the SNL spoof of news anchorpersons saying Spanish place names like a native.

Great story, stick with it beyond the first chapter

This is my fourth book on audible, and I realize how important the style of narration is. I was not a fan of the narrator's style of speaking, especially in the first chapter. Initially, it felt too distracting and I almost quit the audible book to order it in paperback. The style seemed to be exaggerated especially in the beginning of the book, but it toned, and I was able to focus on the story, which was very good - especially if you happen to be a horse lover. I ordered a hardback of the book as well as a gift for a family member.