SKU: 49109646174

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

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The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the NazisNEW 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

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

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: 05/23/2017
ISBN: 9780345544827
Pages: 400
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 7.90h x 5.30w x 1.10d
Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 501338 / Perfect Horse: The Daring Rescue of Horses Kidnapped During World War II
Reading Level: 8.2 / Interest Level: Middle Grade / Point Value: 9
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SKU: 49109646174

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Product Reviews
J
John
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Built Tough Enough to Handle Serious Chewers
Size: Medium & Large, Color: Red Scorpion
This toy is noticeably harder and denser than standard dog chew toys, which is the whole point. My dog went after it immediately and the nylon held up through serious chewing sessions without gouging, cracking, or pieces breaking off. For a dog that destroys softer toys in minutes, this actually lasts. Based on a few weeks of use I would expect it to hold up for a month or longer depending on the dog, which is significantly better than most toys in this price range. The peanut butter groove is the engagement feature that makes a difference. Stuffing it with peanut butter or other spreadable treats keeps a dog interested longer than just chewing on it plain. The scorpion shape (though it resembles a lobster to some eyes) gives multiple parts to chew on, so the dog can rotate between the legs and tail when one section gets boring. That variety helps extend how long the toy stays interesting. Cleanup is straightforward since it is dishwasher safe, which matters after using peanut butter or other treats in the groove. The teeth cleaning claim is harder to verify in short-term use, but as a durable boredom relief toy for aggressive chewers this performs solidly. It is the kind of toy that actually justifies the price because it does not end up in the trash after a week.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2026
A
Amazon Customer
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Crawfish that cleans her teeth and tastes like bacon, enough said.
Size: Medium & Large, Color: Red Scorpion, Size: Medium & Large, Color: Red Scorpion
This chew toy is for a medium to large-sized dog and smells like bacon, and who doesn't love bacon? The toy has a heavy-duty safe for dogs nylon core, making it virtually indestructible for aggressive, all-day chewers like my dog. I am from Louisiana, and I love all things crawfish. I thought if she didn't like it, then I could use it to decorate for crawfish parties, but she loves this toy. There is a groove for treats like peanut butter or cheese, whatever your dog is into. My dog likes carrying it around, but I don't think she understands to chew on it yet. However, she must love the bacon taste in her mouth because she hardly takes it out. I wanted her to chew on it to help clean her teeth; maybe in time, she will start. This toy is dishwasher safe after rinsing it off with soapy warm water. Just place it on the top rack and turn it on. The crawfish is smooth and non-porous, so there are no spots for bacteria to hide. I really like this crawfish, and I hope that in time my little weirdo will understand that it is meant to be chewed, not sucked on. I highly recommend this for larger dogs that love to chew, and I am happy with this order.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2026
J
Joe’s Garage
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 1
Our dogs wouldn’t touch this chew toy
Size: Medium & Large, Color: Red Scorpion, Size: Medium & Large, Color: Red Scorpion
I ordered this Bacon Flavored Nylon Chew Toy for my boxer mix dog. She sniffed it and wouldn’t have anything to do with it. We waited a day and still no luck. We figured that we would give it to our pit bull because she can annihilate a chew toy. Nope, she wouldn’t touch it. The thing looks like a big chunk of plastic with a very faint smell of bacon. Based on our experience with this product I cannot recommend it.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2026
K
KandS
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Surprisingly Tough Chew Toy for Aggressive Chewers
Size: Medium & Large, Color: Red Scorpion, Size: Medium & Large, Color: Red Scorpion
This chew toy is made from a very hard nylon style material and feels substantially tougher than the average dog toy. It definitely seems geared toward aggressive chewers and larger dogs that destroy softer toys quickly. Our pup immediately liked it, especially with the peanut butter groove feature, which helped keep them interested longer. The toy feels almost indestructible during normal chewing sessions and has held up very well so far with no major gouges, cracks, or chunks coming off. Based on first impressions, I would expect this to last at least a month or more for many dogs, which is far better than a lot of chew toys in this price range. Another nice bonus is that it is dishwasher safe, making cleanup easy after using peanut butter or other treats in the groove. As for the teeth cleaning claim, I honestly cannot comment much on that yet. I have not personally noticed any obvious difference in our dog’s teeth or dental condition from using it. Still, as a durable boredom relief chew toy for aggressive chewers, it has been a solid performer so far and seems like a good value.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2026
M
Mia’s-Vine-xperience
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
My dog approves
Size: Medium & Large, Color: Red Scorpion, Size: Medium & Large, Color: Red Scorpion
My dog absolutely loves these flavored chew bones! She’s a very aggressive chewer, and this toy has held up really well to her constant chewing. It keeps her entertained for a long time and seems to be one of her favorite toys. I also love the unique scorpion shape. Living in the desert, we see scorpions pretty often, so I thought it was a funny and fitting design. While I don’t expect it to turn her into a scorpion hunter, it definitely adds a fun touch! The flavor keeps her interested, and the durable material makes it a great option for heavy chewers. Overall, a great toy that has been a huge hit with my pup. Will definitely be purchasing more!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2026

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