My commute to work is pretty long, so I pass the time with podcasts and audiobooks.
Recently I picked up a book called The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis written by Elizabeth Betts. The book was released in 2017 and a New York Times Best Seller.
Just as ballroom dancing and pair skating command partners to work together seamlessly, in the sport of dressage, the rider performers an intricate pas de deux with his partner—a twelve-hundred-pound four-footed beast.
Elizabeth Letts – The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis
The story tells of the Lippizaner stallions that were taken from the Spanish riding school by Nazis during World War II. It also speaks of priceless thoroughbreds and Arabians taken during the war; telling of how much joy these horses brought to the people who laid eyes on them. It was no secret these horses were special.
Elizabeth takes stories retold from survivors to capture the time. I found myself in wonder at how much detail was put into these events from eighty years ago. I would love to know what went into making this book, the stories, the memories. How much of this is accurate I do not know…but it feels that way.
Elizabeth talks about The Nazi’s mission to create the perfect horse and experiment with eugenics. The breeding program inbred the horses over and over to develop a uniform horse that looked the same. I was pretty alarmed to learn of this, though not very surprised. Terrible atrocities happened during this war that can never be undone.
The book covers the horses during the entirety of the war. She follows their journey being captured and moved. She covers some harrowing events including the rescue mission. She covers their journey back to the United States.
The war had destroyed many things, but one of the worst casualties was the loss of hope for a peaceful world. Yet every man who saw these horses at Hostau ended up with a smile on his face and an image in his mind of a world less troubled than the one in which he currently dwelled.
Elizabeth Letts – The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis
I need to be straightforward with you. History is not my strongest subject. I was interested in several parts of this book but even with it being an audiobook I found myself daydreaming through much of it. The tale was lengthier than I feel it needed to be and my attention waned several times. I love Lippizan horses; as a kid, my aunt brought me to see a show at our local 4H facility. I even sat on one. I find them fascinating and always thought it would be a dream to see them in Vienna. Because of this I really wanted to like the book…and there were elements I did like, but I wouldn’t have been able to finish it if it weren’t for the audiobook.
If history is something you enjoy you might like this book a lot more than I did. For me, it was a bit too dry. I absolutely encourage you to read it but be prepared for lengthy descriptions and a drier storyline than most books of today.
The Green Horseman 
Leave a comment