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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
I knew little about the subject matter of this book prior to reading it. I had heard of heavy water and how it could be used to build an atomic bomb, but that the Nazis weren't able to get enough of it during the war to make a bomb.
This book was thrilling. I've read a lot of historical books like this and it's very difficult for authors to present the subject in a factual way without boring the reader to death or letting their own opinions influence the telling of the events. Mr. Bascomb was able to draw the reader in and make you want to keep reading. There were times my heart was literally pounding and I couldn't stop myself from reading. During one operation in particular, I was nearly shaking while reading. There's a reason I read it in two days!
I will admit that the scientific stuff at the start of the book was a little deep. I know enough about science to understand the general idea, but this was still a bit over my head. That being said, I think it was important to include information of this depth in order to demonstrate how truly difficult of a problem both sides were faced with when deciding on a moderator to use in a potential bomb. Not to mention how difficult it would be to obtain the necessary amount of heavy water, which is what drives this whole book. Without having a true understanding and respect for this, the efforts of the individuals in this book pale.
At the moment, I consider this book to be the authoritative voice of the events described. The pictures add an extra depth to the telling of the story. The narrative is at times so detailed, you can see the characters easily in your mind's eye. The sheer insanity of their mission was such that you wonder if there have been many military companies of their ilk since. It would be a challenge for any author to produce a more thorough account of what happened on the Vidda in 1942 and 1943.
This book was thrilling. I've read a lot of historical books like this and it's very difficult for authors to present the subject in a factual way without boring the reader to death or letting their own opinions influence the telling of the events. Mr. Bascomb was able to draw the reader in and make you want to keep reading. There were times my heart was literally pounding and I couldn't stop myself from reading. During one operation in particular, I was nearly shaking while reading. There's a reason I read it in two days!
I will admit that the scientific stuff at the start of the book was a little deep. I know enough about science to understand the general idea, but this was still a bit over my head. That being said, I think it was important to include information of this depth in order to demonstrate how truly difficult of a problem both sides were faced with when deciding on a moderator to use in a potential bomb. Not to mention how difficult it would be to obtain the necessary amount of heavy water, which is what drives this whole book. Without having a true understanding and respect for this, the efforts of the individuals in this book pale.
At the moment, I consider this book to be the authoritative voice of the events described. The pictures add an extra depth to the telling of the story. The narrative is at times so detailed, you can see the characters easily in your mind's eye. The sheer insanity of their mission was such that you wonder if there have been many military companies of their ilk since. It would be a challenge for any author to produce a more thorough account of what happened on the Vidda in 1942 and 1943.
During WWII, both the USA and Nazi Germany were working to develop an atomic bomb. Germany surrendered (May 8, 1945) before either country had developed the bomb. But the USA tested the first atomic bomb soon after (July 16, 1945) and, less than a month later, the USA dropped two bombs on Japan (August 6 and 9, 1945). Japan surrendered less than a week later (Aug 15, 1945). So it’s hard to imagine what the consequences might have been if Nazi Germany had developed the atomic bomb first. So, for the Allies, hindering Germany’s ability to develop an atomic bomb was of the highest priority.
To develop an atomic bomb, Germany needed heavy water. Germany had invaded Norway and so were occupying the country. Fortunately for Germany, Norway already had a major heavy water production facility. But conquering Norway meant many patriotic Norwegians became resistance fighters, saboteurs that slowed production (or contaminated the heavy water) or spies that reported on German activities and movements in Norway.
This book focuses on the raid against Norway’s heavy water plant. The training, depravation, intense storms, near captures, isolation, starvation. All is brought forth vividly to the reader. I also found the Norwegian game hunters, with their isolated wilderness cabins, to be an interesting glimpse into life in Norway.
Bottom line: Important history told well.
To develop an atomic bomb, Germany needed heavy water. Germany had invaded Norway and so were occupying the country. Fortunately for Germany, Norway already had a major heavy water production facility. But conquering Norway meant many patriotic Norwegians became resistance fighters, saboteurs that slowed production (or contaminated the heavy water) or spies that reported on German activities and movements in Norway.
This book focuses on the raid against Norway’s heavy water plant. The training, depravation, intense storms, near captures, isolation, starvation. All is brought forth vividly to the reader. I also found the Norwegian game hunters, with their isolated wilderness cabins, to be an interesting glimpse into life in Norway.
Bottom line: Important history told well.
An Unknown Aspect of WW II
I was not aware of the Norwegian resistance involvement in the war effort prior to training this book. The author provides a thorough well written and easy to understand presentation of the relevance and importance off that resistance
I was not aware of the Norwegian resistance involvement in the war effort prior to training this book. The author provides a thorough well written and easy to understand presentation of the relevance and importance off that resistance
Really enjoyed reading this book. Definitely one of the stories that we probably overlook when we study the Second World War. I think the last chapter of the book gives a good summary of the questions regarding this whole operation and whether it was worth it.
This book was the last part of yet another 2020 reading goal I had. This goal was where I asked a good friend and mentor to select three non-fiction works that they thought I might enjoy. I'm glad that I was able to squeeze this one in before the year ends.
I have to get my main complaint out of the way to start. I am so used to works of fiction that the withdrawn way in which this story was told seriously threw me off for the first hundred pages or so. This leaned more towards a history book telling of events than I am used to. I wanted more descriptions of people and places, more talk about relationships and emotions. Instead, this book is jam packed with information and details. It was kind of like reading a fantasy book that is ninety percent exposition. Not that I haven't read something similar to this before just that I didn't connect to it at start.
Once I got past that, this was one wild story. These people accomplished great things and did so by being extraordinary on a near daily basis. I was perhaps most impressed with the survival skills of the saboteurs on skies. The sacrifices they made in an extreme climate while under intense pressure and stress was nothing short of astonishing.
I have to get my main complaint out of the way to start. I am so used to works of fiction that the withdrawn way in which this story was told seriously threw me off for the first hundred pages or so. This leaned more towards a history book telling of events than I am used to. I wanted more descriptions of people and places, more talk about relationships and emotions. Instead, this book is jam packed with information and details. It was kind of like reading a fantasy book that is ninety percent exposition. Not that I haven't read something similar to this before just that I didn't connect to it at start.
Once I got past that, this was one wild story. These people accomplished great things and did so by being extraordinary on a near daily basis. I was perhaps most impressed with the survival skills of the saboteurs on skies. The sacrifices they made in an extreme climate while under intense pressure and stress was nothing short of astonishing.
This book was simply amazing. When I think of WW2, I take a very American centric view and tend to think of it in pretty straight American/European terms. I forget about the Pacific theater and to be totally honest, pretty sure I never knew Norway was occupied by the Nazis.
This book changed all of that. It was thrilling and saddening and awe-inspiring and epic and so very, very, well written. In a war that effected millions and millions of people, it's often the stories of just one or two or ten that really bring it home. This is one of those stories.
This book changed all of that. It was thrilling and saddening and awe-inspiring and epic and so very, very, well written. In a war that effected millions and millions of people, it's often the stories of just one or two or ten that really bring it home. This is one of those stories.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
A fascinating story of the Allied efforts to hinder heavy water production in Norway. It was amazing to me how small mistakes or seemingly inconsequential decisions regarding priorities and execution could have such a significant impact, to and including the cost in lives.
The writing was a bit of a struggle for me at times. The flow of the story/events seemed disjointed at times, but never to the extent that it hindered my devouring of the book.
The writing was a bit of a struggle for me at times. The flow of the story/events seemed disjointed at times, but never to the extent that it hindered my devouring of the book.
Amazing! This is a detailed, clear, and exciting account of important historical events. Highly recommended.