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I‘ve enjoyed listening to this book, but it didn‘t quite live up to my expectations. There is a fascinating story here of the horses‘ movement and survival throughout the war as well as the people that kept them safe. However, I wanted more about the ones that remained in Europe along with the ones that came to the U.S. after.

📷: Photos from recent walks as I listened.

#audiobook #audiowalk #nonfiction #WWII

#Movie2BookRecs @TheSpineView
Mocie: War Horse

#WithHorse #TemptingTitles @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

So I have always loved horses & horse stories. I read Letts's book about Seabiscuit a few years ago & was so impressed by her ability to tell a story, making the main players engaging & knowable. She does it again with this riveting story about the fate of the world-famous Lipizzan horses during WWII. She starts by explaining how horses in general were still considered a crucial part of military might in the 1930s &40s & how this meant that ⬇️

For those of you wondering how many books you can read without scoring a bingo, the answer is at least 17 😂 Should FINALLY get one when I finish the tagged book!!

#BookSpinBingo

Preserving the Lipizzaner horse, and saving the centuries-long way of life of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, was the right call. Would it have been easy to learn horses were saved while people died or suffered? No, even as someone who considers pets family.

But thankfully the collaborative efforts of people from opposing sides of the war were able to pull off the operation.

I recommend to anyone interested in horses and/or WWII history.

This is a very detailed account of the wartime rescue of the famed horses of the Spanish riding school, as well as important Arabians and Thoroughbreds from history. It was engaging enough that I bought another related book by one of the key players, if eBay cooperates. 😊 Well done as some historical accounts can be quite dry. I found parts at the end quite sad. Not everything ended well. (The shoe is from the horse I ride.)

A gift from my son who visited South Korea. It is much prettier in person. I love a good bookmark.

I feel like I have been reading this forever. Almost finished though.

Such an awesome, well-written and well-researched book! The author does such a good job of describing the events before, during, and after WWII around how the Lippizaner and the Spanish Riding School were saved. Would recommend to people who likes World War II history and/or horses (and anyone who‘s ever seen Disney‘s Miracle of the White Stallions).

This is such an interesting read. Not only does it cover the evacuation of the Spanish Riding School during WWII, it also covers the devastation of the Polish Arabians during the same time period. Just started on the section about the American calvary. I highly recommend it so far.

So excited to read this. This is event is one of my favorite from World War II.

"Evenly spaced scarlet Nazi swastika banners stained it's perimeter."

A true story, painstakingly researched and beautifully told. What makes this piece of history so readable is Letts' attention to detail. She gives you the background and personalities of the main characters. You feel their emotions, their agonizing decisions, and you relive the events through their eyes. You come to know and admire the horses as well and understand how these magnificent animals brought the humanity in soldiers on both sides.

This was a really interesting audio book about the efforts to save the Arabians and Lippazzaners in eastern Europe during WWII. It took me a little bit to get into the story (I'm not a big horse person), but ultimately I found it compelling. Some good elements in here for discussion as well since after the rescue, Americans took many of the horses to the US -- maybe saving them, but it also took them from their rightful home.

All 3 of these Father's Day gifts for my dad I discovered on Litsy covering 4 of his great loves: canoeing, horses, history, and running. Actually I'm assuming Canoeing with the Cree will discuss fishing at some point, so let's make that his 5 great loves.

Thanks @Blueberry @Ellsbeth @Rudis

The first part of this book is particularly interesting, with the histories of the Lipizzaner and Polish Arabian breeds in Europe. (I am still thinking about the Bolsheviks horrific impact on the Polish Arabians.) If you enjoy military history or stories about horses, this book is a good choice. Photo: Witez II, the famed Polish Arabian stallion who traveled across Europe during Wild War II and later ended up in CA.

I'm excited to start this book today. I've wanted to know more about the rescue of these famed horses during WWII since I was a kid. I saw the traveling show perform a few times and got to spend an afternoon hanging around the horses with some friends. I'd love the opportunity to visit the Spanish Riding School. Thank goodness for books! 📚🐴 Photo: Alois Podhajsky, Director of Vienna's Spanish Riding School during WWII.

I, of course, knew the story of the Lippazner. While there were some parts of the book I could have done without, I understand why they were in the book. It was very well written and made for an enjoyable read. The only downside that I wish the author would have talked about is how the stud farm at Piber dealt with and fared during and after the war, as that stud farm is probably the most important to the breed.

Hmmmm which one next?

Snow day, new book

It's a little slow so far but it's good and sourced

@Liberty #Allisnotlost

Looking forward to reading this😊

I didn't get as much reading in as normal but it picked up towards the end of the month. Full report at http://www.spiritblog.net/November-wrap-up-2

#setineasterneurope for #photoadaynov16
Set in Poland, Czechoslovakia, and also Germany, Austria, and U.S.

This book is a bit too close to home right now.

I tried to go to Barnes and Noble to kill some time reading. I had to flee because of the horrific country music they were playing. Ran to a coffee shop with my headphones. Any else think bookstores are overrated?

Whelp, I didn't think it was possible to get mad at the Nazis and Bolsheviks for entirely new reasons but this book is doing it.

Even with a HORRIBLE lack of citations and the authors insistence on stupidly flowery metaphors, ("like sprinkles on ice cream" ?) a fun read. An enjoyable story about #horses during #WWII and the men who loved them. The author made interesting parallels to #nazi pure blood theory and horse breeding. w/ no citations I don't know if book is fact based, but I hope so. 3/5 stars read if u like horses and history. Sad ending though ?poor horses.

I just started this (OMG, can you tell I can't focus on anything right now..SQUIRREL!). In the 1936 Olympics the judges changed the dressage scores so the Germans took first and second and our hero, the Austrian, took third. I've been pissed off about this all day. I've called the Nazis all kinds of nasty names. Like, ok, I know you are horrible humans but what kind of low lives change dressage scores? 😡😤 It isn't proper. 👎🏽