I
received a free copy of this book from NetGalley exchange for an honest review
Summary:
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 Army's last great cavalrymen, American 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.
With only hours to spare, one of the Army's last great cavalrymen, American 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.
Review:
This
is my first non-fiction review I’ve every done.
It’s not the first I’ve read, as I’ve read many over the years. I’m a huge history fan and love to read books
written about the different wars. I took a chance on reading this book for two
reasons one it’s about WWII, and it’s about horses. I currently own four horses myself and have
dreamed of seeing Lipizzaners perform. I
knew little of what had happened to them during the war.
This
book is so well written it paints a picture in the readers mind so you see it
almost like a movie. This book even as a pre-copy is very well edited. I hate books poorly edited; it takes away
from the enjoyment you receive from reading the book. I didn’t come across any errors.
From
the very first page you feel a connection with each of the characters as well
as each of the horses we come to know and love. It’s one of those books that
once you start reading you don’t want to put it down for anything. There’s
really not much that I can say other than, it’s insightful and delightful to
read.
Conclusion:
Would
I recommend this book to others? YES
Would
I read other books written by this author? YES
Is
this book a Novel or Novella? NOVEL
Is
this book priced correctly? YES…… I don’t
say that often as I’m a budget buyer as I live on a fixed income, but after
reading this book. I know when it come
out I will buy a copy as to me it’s a must have for any history buff.
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