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The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis (2016)

di Elizabeth Letts

Altri autori: Vedi la sezione altri autori.

Utenti	Recensioni	Popolarità	Media voti	Citazioni
606	28	38,912	(3.98)	18
Biography & Autobiography. History. Nature. Nonfiction. HTML: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 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 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.… (altro)

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Not only the famous Lipizzaner stallions from Vienna, but others like the Arabians from Poland, were bought, stolen, or kidnapped by the Nazis who planned to use them to improve German horses. The U.S. 2nd cavalry had just transitioned to mechanized mounts but many still felt close to horses, so it fell to them to rescue the horses as they liberated Europe. Lots of detail. (

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Pferdina | Jan 20, 2024 |

Having been to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna last October, whenI saw this book in my local used book store, I coiuld not pass it up. While the author at times is a bit repetative in her florid descriptions of the Lipizzaner horses, the book is a great read about a little known operation that took place in the closing days of World War II. The author gives a well researched history of the horses, the school and the players in the risky adventure to rescue the remarkable horses. (

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BlaueBlume | Apr 8, 2023 |

Fascinating true story of how a group of horses, appropriated by the Third Reich from various European nations, survived WWII, including the famous Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna. This book is logically laid out in four parts. The first establishes the background of the Lipizzaner breed and major players from Germany, Poland, and Austria. It tells how the horses came under the control of the Germans and their plans to breed a “perfect horse” (based on their flawed theories of eugenics). The second recounts the history of the US Army’s 2nd calvary and introduces the Americans that will participate in the rescue. The third covers the rescue itself, including negotiations, excursions behind enemy lines, and logistics involved in recovering the group of 300 horses. Custodians of the Lipizzaner, Arabians, and other thoroughbreds desired to keep them out of the hands of the Russians, since the Russian Army had been slaughtering horses to feed their troops. In addition, Nazi officials were giving orders to make a last stand near the end of the war. The fourth part explains the transportation and disposition of the animals after the initial rescue. An Epilogue relates what ultimately happened to the named people, places, and horses.

The author brings this complex story together in an engrossing manner. She helpfully provides a map, photos, and meticulous documentation of her sources. An amazing number of factors had to come together to safeguard these beautiful animals. This book is an inspiring account of what can be done when people (in this case enemies at war) put their differences aside in pursuit of a common goal.
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Castlelass | Oct 30, 2022 |

Unlike most of the other reviewers, my main interest in The Perfect Horse involved the story behind the saving of the Polish Arabians.

It is impossible to estimate the importance of these horses to the Arabian horse world. Of my own Arabians, 75% of them are/were descended from the Polish horses saved.

With sad tears for those who died in World War II, but with grateful tears for those who managed to save the horses which would have otherwise left the world a poorer place. (

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MsMixte | Aug 13, 2022 |

This was a gift from a close friend who knows I am an equestrian. It is my "car book/waiting room book." I often found myself setting in the car after my appointment reading. I love horses. I worked with the Univ. of Notre Dame/Saint Mary's equestrian club and team for many years. I admire the Lipizzaner and their dressage skills. The book is a history of their rescue during WWII caught between the Nazis and the Russians (who love horse meat and had no respect for the Lipizzaner breed). As a librarian, I appreciate the excellent research and footnotes within this book. It is very readable. Many times I found myself very emotionally invested in the story, often choked up and reading through my tears. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves horses or the history of WWII. (

)

shayes1 | Jul 13, 2021 |

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Nome dell'autore	Ruolo	Tipo di autore	Opera?	Stato
Elizabeth Letts	—	autore primario	tutte le edizioni	calcolato
Boehmer, Paul	Reader	autore secondario	alcune edizioni	confermato

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PEN Center USA Literary Award (Vincitore)

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Data della prima edizione

2016

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(mostra tutte le voci 15)

Luoghi significativi

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Spanische Hofreitschule / Spanish Riding School, Vienna, Austria.

Vienna, Austria

Janów Podlaski Stud, Janów Podlaski, Poland

Janów Podlaski, Poland

Hostouň, Czech Republic (known as Hostau under German domination)

Eventi significativi

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World War II

Film correlati

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Miracle of the White Stallions (1963 | IMDb)

Epigrafe

Dedica

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THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED
TO
MY FAMILY MEMBERS WHO SERVED:

W. Jackson Letts, second lieutenant, U.S. Army, Korea

AND TO THE MEMORY OF

J. Spencer Letts, reserve captain, U.S. Army

Vern Carroll, captain, U. S. Marine Corps, Korea

Verny Carroll, commander, U. S. Navy, World War I and World War II

To the men of the 2nd Calvary and their families

And to all the fallen horses --
may we honor their sacrifice

Incipit

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VIENNA, AUSTRIA,
SEPTEMBER 10, 1944

A shrill air raid signal pierced the quiet of the cobblestoned Michaelerplatz, a plaza in the heart of central Vienna. (Prologue)

BERLIN, GERMANY, 1936

Alois Podhajsky wore the cares of the world on his narrow, melancholy face.

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Porter, Susanna

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▾Descrizioni del libro

Biography & Autobiography. History. Nature. Nonfiction. HTML: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 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 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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