Helpful Score: 2
Based on Nazi occupied Denmark in 1941, the rebellion of a group of freedom fighters, the Nightwatchmen, takes them on some harrowing escapades that keep you on edge. Follett tends to go into great detail about the subjects in his books, which makes me want to jump ahead to the exciting parts, but that's what makes him a great writer. He makes you feel as if you are there.
Helpful Score: 1
In June 1941 a Luftwaffe radio message is picked up by Allied intelligence - an experimental radar station in Denmark is suspected.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a story set in 1941 with the WWII raging on in a German-occupied Danish island. It is a love story with espionage intrique. Very good.
This is one of my favorite Follett books. Fun but thrilling, based on a true story. Not too closely based, but that makes it even better. I'm not usually a big WWII fiction fan but this one is worth reading.
Ken himself says of it:
"I came across an extraordinary story about two Danes who wanted to escape from German-occupied Denmark in 1941. They wanted to get to England, but of course would have to cross the Channel. They decided to do this in a dilapidated Hornet Moth a small fabric-and-wood biplane. So they fixed it up, stole parts and petrol for it, and eventually took off and flew across the Channel, which was a very hazardous journey in such a small plane.. Needless to say, several RAF fighters were scrambled to investigate, but the young men hung a white towel out of the window, and managed to land safely in a field."
Ken himself says of it:
"I came across an extraordinary story about two Danes who wanted to escape from German-occupied Denmark in 1941. They wanted to get to England, but of course would have to cross the Channel. They decided to do this in a dilapidated Hornet Moth a small fabric-and-wood biplane. So they fixed it up, stole parts and petrol for it, and eventually took off and flew across the Channel, which was a very hazardous journey in such a small plane.. Needless to say, several RAF fighters were scrambled to investigate, but the young men hung a white towel out of the window, and managed to land safely in a field."
Intrigue and espionage based around early days of WWII
Britain is in trouble in this WWII novel because the Germans somehow know their flight patterns and bombers are being shot down. A young 18 year old stumbles upon the secret and it's up to him to deliver the information. All he has at his disposal is an old Hornet Moth biplane. This story of espionage will keep you at the edge of your seat and of course, there's a love angle.
Germans able to determine British bomber path in 1941. Brits attempt to determine secret.
An excellent Follet thriller.
A novel about espionage during World War I in Britain. Follett always writes a good story.
First Ken Follett book I have found disappointing. Interesting premise, Follett's usual great writing, but ruined by a totally unbelievable sequence toward the end when the heroes delay saving the world to go to a ballet. If was as if Follett finished the book too quickly and needed a couple more chapters so he came up with this bit of foolishness. I'll continue to read Follett, but I sure hope they will show more reasonable plotting than this one.
This was a fast paced book. Follett does a great job with detail and keeps you turning the pages.
great book....Follett does it again!
This is one of the best books I have ever read. Once you are into it, you can hardly put it down. Harald is the true hero. If anyone is interested in WW2 reading, this is the book!!
Good WWII story
This is another Ken Follet hit...Cant put it down..!
nice idea but abrupt ending after I actually kindda cared about the characters. Obviously a "get it finished and get paid" book.
Typical Ken Follett style. A real page turner.
This was my first book to read by Ken Follett. What a wonderful book!
This book will have you thinking even as you turn the last page. Based on a true, young Danish hero, this book will keep you spell-bound! Love,family,espionage, and unfathomable risks, I will be recommending this book to my book club!
This book will have you thinking even as you turn the last page. Based on a true, young Danish hero, this book will keep you spell-bound! Love,family,espionage, and unfathomable risks, I will be recommending this book to my book club!
Lovely non-fiction, grades 1-2.
Buzzing with intrigue - an intricately woven espionage tale in which a gang of misfits goes behind Naze line to do the impossible.
"Have you ever dug into the pockets of an old coat and found a wadded five dollar bill? Imagine the secret delight, the sense of discovery, the feeling of regaining something you'd totally forgotten about.
"Hornet Flight" is that sort of delight. I was an early Follett fan, devouring "The Eye of the Needle," "The Key to Rebecca," and "The Man from St. Petersburg." His strengths--his characters, his detailed research, his pacing--kept me coming back for more. Then, as Follett branched into other areas of fiction, my interest wavered.
The WWII theme of this latest book brought me back, and I discovered that forgotten "five dollar bill." The story revolves around young Harald Olafsun, a Danish man faced with the occupation of the Nazis and the bland apathy of many of his countrymen. When he realizes that the Nazis have a new technology that gives them the edge in air-battles, when he finds himself entangled in a budding resistance movement, he uncovers his own courage and the surprising resilence of his fellow people...and the treachery of some of her trusted authorities. Soon, Harald and an attractive Danish upperclass girl come to the realization that they alone have the ability to get invaluable info to the British by way of a dangerous flight in a dilapidated Hornet Moth.
"Hornet Flight" is not the most valuable thriller I've ever found, not the slickest or most modern, but it's a nice surprise all the same. Follett's old skills are evident--characters we can believe, well-balanced pacing, and the details to make wartime Denmark seem touchable. I'm sure glad I dug into these old pockets. You just never know what you might find."
- Eric Wilson
"Hornet Flight" is that sort of delight. I was an early Follett fan, devouring "The Eye of the Needle," "The Key to Rebecca," and "The Man from St. Petersburg." His strengths--his characters, his detailed research, his pacing--kept me coming back for more. Then, as Follett branched into other areas of fiction, my interest wavered.
The WWII theme of this latest book brought me back, and I discovered that forgotten "five dollar bill." The story revolves around young Harald Olafsun, a Danish man faced with the occupation of the Nazis and the bland apathy of many of his countrymen. When he realizes that the Nazis have a new technology that gives them the edge in air-battles, when he finds himself entangled in a budding resistance movement, he uncovers his own courage and the surprising resilence of his fellow people...and the treachery of some of her trusted authorities. Soon, Harald and an attractive Danish upperclass girl come to the realization that they alone have the ability to get invaluable info to the British by way of a dangerous flight in a dilapidated Hornet Moth.
"Hornet Flight" is not the most valuable thriller I've ever found, not the slickest or most modern, but it's a nice surprise all the same. Follett's old skills are evident--characters we can believe, well-balanced pacing, and the details to make wartime Denmark seem touchable. I'm sure glad I dug into these old pockets. You just never know what you might find."
- Eric Wilson
I love to read Ken Follett books.This book takes place in mainly in Denmark during WWII. Lots of espionage and keeps your interest until the very end.
Intricate plot re: England during the 2nd WW.
It's June 1941 and hte war is not going well for England. Somehow, the Germans are anticipating the RAF's flight paths, and shooting down British bombers with impunity. Meanwhile, across the North Sea, 18 year-old Harald Olufsen takes a shortcut on the German-occupied Danish island of Sande and discovers an astonishing sight. He doesn't know what it is, but he knows he must tell someone. And when he learns the truth, it will fall upon him to deliver the word to England--except that he has no way to get there. He has only an old derelict Hornet Moth biplane rusting away in a ruined church: a plane so decrepit that it is unlikely to ever get off the ground...even if Harald knew how to fly it.
It is June 1941 and the war is not going well for England. The Germans are anticipating RAF flight paths and shooting them down.Eighteen-year-old Harald Olufsen takes a shortcut on a Danish island occupied by the Germans and discovers something he doesn't understand, but knows he must tell someone and soon discovers that he must make his way to England, on his own, to let the RAF know of his discovery.
Very good read. This is a page turner. Another good one by Ken Follett.
Ken Follett is on my top 10 list of favorite authors. With this one you keep wondering how the hero can triumph over the evil Nazis, but of course, they do. A real page turner!
A gripping story of love and espionage in occupied WWII Denmark
An espionage thriller set in wartime Europe. Another great Follett tale.
Wow! I loved this book. I may read it again before someone requests it to be sent. I can't get enough of Ken Follett.
Although this is another WWII story, it is an account of the Nazi occupation of Denmark in 1941 and a group of resistance fighters known as the Nightwatchmen. England is wondering why so many of their bombers are being shot down across the channel. A German radar station is found to be located on Denmark's island of Sande. Harald Olufsen's mission is to take pictures of the radar station and somehow get them to England before the largest aerial assault begins. The story starts out a little slow in the beginning as the main characters are introduced but mid-way takes off and become a very suspenseful read. The characters are well-drawn, the plot has twists and turns and this page-turner becomes unputdownable to the end. Follett is an excellent storyteller and I look forward to reading another of his books soon. I would recommend this book to those who love to read about WWII.
ALWAYS A GOOD READ
WWII spy type novel. Good read.
Good detail on Hornet. Not much of a spy story.
Jack Higgens move over
I would have rated it higher except I did not appreciate some of the language. I really did not like the explicite sex scenes. I do not know why a good writer has to through this in. Taking out about three pages would have fixed this. I have been told that this author's other books have a lot more of this. So I will not be reading any more of his books.
WWII suspense. Good beach read.
I LOVE THIS WRITER
Good WWII story set in Europe.
