The Perfect Horse cover art

The Perfect Horse

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

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The Perfect Horse

By: Elizabeth Letts
Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
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About this listen

 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. Animals Biological Sciences Military Outdoors & Nature Science War Solider Sports Animal Sports Imperialism Russia Holocaust Arabian Horse

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All stars
Most relevant
I put off listening to The Perfect Horse for a few months as I wasn't sure I could cope with it. (Other horse owners will understand!) This is one of the most engaging books I've ever read/listened to and I've seldom come across such a powerful narrative of the extreme feats of endurance demanded of the Arab breeding stock.


This was emotionally heavy going but well balanced between the horrors of war and the beauty of human compassion towards the horses. Thoroughly well researched, it is an eye opening perspective of life and politics during and after the war from both sides.

Fascinating but an emotional storm.

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Wow this book is amazing. Such an unbelievable story but real life. This should never be forgotten. Beautifully written and easy to follow. It touched my heart.

This story should not be forgotten

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I loved this book learnt so much about the war and the horses and people involved if you live horses and history it's a must. Will be listening to it again and again as I'm sure I will pick up more each time x

Loved this book

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The story seems to be romanticized to the extent that it takes from the facts. It left me trying to guess what was true and what was the authors imagination. Also it doesn’t deviate from what’s horse related and what’s going on in the wider context of ww2. I would have expected to hear a little more about what the individuals were doing outside of their interactions with the horses - the line at the end saying that Mr Xs character has been brought into question by historians shows that there was a lot more in the story than we are being told. Disappointing.

Rose tinted glasses

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