Rebecca (msimaginary) -
Helpful Score: 2
One man escapes an ambush and through the mountains of snow he runs for freedom only to discover that after the first few hours of running his flight had turned into a minute by minute grasp for survival.
From village to village without provisions, he endures and realizes that his life depended on the aide of strangers. German occupied Norway, each encounter he made with civilization could help him in his escape but he is torn in asking for help from villagers because if they are caught helping him, they will find themselves in front of a German firing-squad.
Heart-wrenching at times and a definite page turner.
The gripping emotions of personal surrender; what a man had to do when survival or death were the ONLY two options and what he thought when he felt that death would be his escape from survival. The one time he totally surrendered to his fate...fate played a nasty trick on him and would not allow his surrender.
The human capacity to help one survive and escape (even though at times they thought they were saving a dead man), knowing your life was in jeopardy for doing so was quite moving. The human spirit and will to survive is brought to life with extreme "realness" in We Die Alone.
Highly recommended!
From village to village without provisions, he endures and realizes that his life depended on the aide of strangers. German occupied Norway, each encounter he made with civilization could help him in his escape but he is torn in asking for help from villagers because if they are caught helping him, they will find themselves in front of a German firing-squad.
Heart-wrenching at times and a definite page turner.
The gripping emotions of personal surrender; what a man had to do when survival or death were the ONLY two options and what he thought when he felt that death would be his escape from survival. The one time he totally surrendered to his fate...fate played a nasty trick on him and would not allow his surrender.
The human capacity to help one survive and escape (even though at times they thought they were saving a dead man), knowing your life was in jeopardy for doing so was quite moving. The human spirit and will to survive is brought to life with extreme "realness" in We Die Alone.
Highly recommended!
Don H. (madcity) reviewed We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Here is one of the most exciting escape narratives to emerge from the challenges and miseries of WWII. In March 1943, a team of expatriate Norwegian commandos sailed from northern England for Nazi-occupied arctic Norway to organize and supply the Norwegian resistance. But they were betrayed and the Nazis ambushed them. Only one man survived - Jan Baalsrud. This is the incredible and gripping story of his escape.
Dick W. (wendyatlanta) reviewed We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
If you are in to WWII and an extraordinary experience, read this book! Sometimes, the English is a little stilted, but this is an unforgettable read.
Sarah A. (sla506) -
Helpful Score: 1
Though these words may sound trite, the best way I can describe this book is fascinating and unbelievable. The book started out a bit slow, but by the end, I couldn't put it down. I am fascinated by stories of survival during WW2. I like to learn about what people went through outside of the concentration camps during this time. This man's story is beyond extreme, and I think my jaw was on the floor throughout the whole second half of the book.
I definitely recommend this book for those interested in WW2. I haven't really heard/read much from the Norwegian perspective during WW2, so the setting and and story line fascinated me.
I definitely recommend this book for those interested in WW2. I haven't really heard/read much from the Norwegian perspective during WW2, so the setting and and story line fascinated me.
