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)

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.

Amazing story!!

Great book about an amazing story!! I laughed and cried while listening to this incredible story to save such magnificent creatures during WWII

Different angle on suffering of World War II

I found the book fascinating in hearing about the plight of horses during World War II. There are so many facets of tragedy and valor in that tragic war. I was slightly bored at times because I felt there was some filler that made it a bit long for me, but overall, I appreciated learning about what happened to animals during the war.

Very Good Book - Intense Story

I think the voice talent is very good, very clear, and set the right tone

The story is both history and story. For me, the book is very stressful because I am worried about the horses the whole time. The Russians want to destroy and desecrate, the Americans want to be fair, and Vets want to preserve life.

It's amazing that within a conflict that killed millions and destroyed so much, there was still a way to save these amazing and intelligent horses.

I say I was stressed, that's because I love animals and don't like to read about them being purposely harmed. It bothers me.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

A great telling of the story of saving the Lipizzaner horse during WW2. I'm so grateful that enough people cared, and that just enough luck was had, to make this possible!

Courage and Struggle

This true story has every element of what makes a good book great. Under the deadly annihilation of all life during Europe WWII, a few courageous people go to the penultimate risk to save endangered Lippizaners and Arabians for generations of the future.

Fantastic read.

It is a amazing story of history. I love untold stories and this one was my favorite.

Perfect Tale of the Perfect Horse

I always loved the beautiful white stallions, and I had seen the Disney movie, “Miracle of the White Stallions” when I was MUCH younger. I was surprised at the rather important discrepancies of the book compared to the movie, but that was explained and it made sense to me. The tale was fascinating, and made possible by many who never received credit- at least until now! GREAT read, even if one isn’t a horse fanatic. And fascinating details and trivia about people and places. Kind of makes one realize that miracles do, in fact, still happen!