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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
I would rate this 3.5.
This book reminds me again that WWII brought out the best and worst in people. This story focused on the Norway front, the underground resistance and specifically the missions against the heavy water plant, Vemork. While the pacing was sometimes slow, and parts of the book dragged, it was fascinating to hear about the men who survived in the wild, fought against the Nazis and stalled the war effort. Such sacrifice from every quarter of every nation. It made me think of all the small towns where people took steps to fight against the Nazis, even when it meant reprisals to their town, and families. I found myself confused as to which men where in which cabin at times, but overall a very interesting account. I will never read all the stories from WWII.
This book reminds me again that WWII brought out the best and worst in people. This story focused on the Norway front, the underground resistance and specifically the missions against the heavy water plant, Vemork. While the pacing was sometimes slow, and parts of the book dragged, it was fascinating to hear about the men who survived in the wild, fought against the Nazis and stalled the war effort. Such sacrifice from every quarter of every nation. It made me think of all the small towns where people took steps to fight against the Nazis, even when it meant reprisals to their town, and families. I found myself confused as to which men where in which cabin at times, but overall a very interesting account. I will never read all the stories from WWII.
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
Don't worry about the nuclear science, it's relatively short. The background information of those involved; not that short, but they led interesting lives. And the mission(s); nothing short of riveting. Another extraordinary piece of WWII history expertly told by Neal Bascomb. I like how he does not need big words to describe big happenings, actions, emotions, etc. Commendable.
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
sad
medium-paced
Well researched and thorough, but I found it way too hard to keep up with the various people and felt there was too much personal detail (almost like the author just put everything he learned in the book). There are 2 climaxes in the book, and a lot of other relatively less interesting detail. Cool story, not necessarily enjoyable book.
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for WWII history, especially history involving crazy plans that shouldn't work but do. The Winter Fortress fits neatly in that specific little category. Although the first 100-ish pages were a slow read, and even though I'm still not exactly clear on what heavy water is, the detailed story of Norwegian resistance groups working with Allied forces to keep the Nazis from building a functioning atomic bomb was incredibly interesting and I had a hard time putting the book down. Once I slogged through that first 100 pages, anyway. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who has read such amazing classics as Operation Mincemeat and wanted more.
This was a really interesting book about a part WWII that I had no idea about. I found parts to be really slow though, so I can only give it 3 stars.
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
Solid, fascinating, heartbreaking. Beautifully researched.