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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
Interesting story of the horses saved in World War 2 by those that cared for them and the lengths they went through to save them.
Parts of this book I really enjoyed but other parts were very dry. I enjoyed when the author described the relationship between the horse and rider, specifically in dressage.
This story is fascinating! And having a connection to the South African Lipizzaners made it even more special for me. I didn’t love the writing style though and sometimes it felt like a bit of a drag. Worth the read if you’re into history and/or horses though!
The author's style is a little breathlessly dramatic at times, especially when describing a horse's feelings (!). In the thick of the rescue mission she does a great job with the tension and uncertainty. While the details of the individuals' history might be a little "boring" it was good to know their backgrounds so that the why of the rather daring and potentially horrific rescue operation was better understood.
It doesn't hurt that visiting the Spanish Riding School has been on my list of things to do for decades!
It doesn't hurt that visiting the Spanish Riding School has been on my list of things to do for decades!
Listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the reader's voice and pronunciation of all the French and German towns and people. This story was about how many people from different countries kept these priceless horses alive during the war and saved them from the incoming Russian troops at the end of the war. The part about the history of the cavalry was a little long winded, but the story still kept my attention.
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
This was good and it honored all the suffering that happened in WWII while still focusing the narrative on the story of the horses trials in particular.
I'm not sure if I was the audience for this book, but I read it because my horse loving mother wanted me to. I might have a lot more praise if I was as much of a horse lover as she is.
But it's well written and interesting nonetheless.
My only critique would probably be that it wasn't always easy to keep all the different people (and occasionally the timeline) straight.
I'm not sure if I was the audience for this book, but I read it because my horse loving mother wanted me to. I might have a lot more praise if I was as much of a horse lover as she is.
But it's well written and interesting nonetheless.
My only critique would probably be that it wasn't always easy to keep all the different people (and occasionally the timeline) straight.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
Was hoping for a little more from this book. I've been on a World War II reading mission this year and thought this might be a mix between Seabiscuit and Unbroken, but it didn't have the story-telling or drama quotient of either of those fine two tales.
Brilliant for horse lovers and history buffs alike. I honestly cried a little at the end it was so heartbreakingly good.