Unabridged Audiobook
Incredible time in our history. Those horses were indeed the pride and joy of Austria and no expense was spared to keep them safe. Loved the story and the narrator was clear and easy to listen to
I'm a horse person; how could I not like the book. I grew up reading Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley. I saw the movie "The Miracle of the White Stallions", as soon as it came out. I attended the traveling troupe of Lippizaner stallions when they first toured our city. Later, I read Alois Podhasky's "My Horses, My Teachers". But I listened to the book; I imagine it would have been a dry read. It is an important piece of history and I enjoyed learning more about the politics of the demise of the U.S. Cavalry, the number of horses used in WW11, and the actual events that lead to the horses needing rescue. But, I couldn't help but be annoyed at the pampered treatment the horses received juxtaposed with the human suffering and genocide happening at the same time. I couldn't help but cringe every time a sugar lump was fed to a horse....Really, when sugar was such a rationed commodity. I think that is a bit of poetic license. Elizabeth Letts could have used this juxtaposition more effectively in her writing, instead of embellishing each part separately, causing a disconnect. She was quite free offering her opinion through her word craft, she could have done a better job, putting each part of her account in context. As a horse and history lover, I would recommend this book to similar interest listeners. But if you are looking for a story, give this one a pass.
Admittedly I am only at the 7:23 hour mark and there's still 4 1/2 hrs left to go. This is a somewhat interesting book much like reading the encyclopedia can be interesting but not exactly entertaining. There is no plot! The book is filled, overflowing would be more apt, with character background but so many of those characters play such a minuscule, if any, part in the actual story that you are left wondering if anyone even bothered to edit the book before it was published. I've heard it as described as The Horse Whisperer meets Saving Private Ryan. Well it's neither of those great tales and if you are looking for The Nightengale you won't find it here.
Awesome story telling what some people did to save the priceless horses during WWII.
Wonderful book if you are a World War II buff and love horses.
Just a fabulous tale. Whether a military fan, patriot or horse lover, this story is for you. Saving Private Ryan meets Horse Whisperer.
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