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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
It seems meticulously researched. And as someone just now getting interested in the WW2 occupation of Norway, this was a good read. It humanizes the war by zooming in on this one place and these handful of places. In a war of millions upon millions of deaths, we can care very deeply about 20 who died. It also shows how the American and British forces ignored the expertise of the Norwegian resistance multiple times when the Norwegians said don't do X because of Y and the allies did it anyway, leading to mission failure and more unnecessary deaths. I learned a lot about atomic science. I don't think any nation should have the atomic bomb, and I'm certainly glad Hitler didn't get it.
Excellent book about a lesser-known, but crucial, part of World War II. I'd wager almost everyone who reads this learns something they weren't aware of before, which is my favorite aspect of reading nonfiction.
I read this in preparation for my trip to Norway and learned a ton about Norway, the Norwegian resistance, and generally a different perspective on WWII than I had previously learned.
Wow. What a thrilling true story. Reads like the very best thrillers that come out of Hollywood - expect this actually happened! Incredible bravery and determination in the midst of extreme adversity. The Norwegians are seriously tough. Inspired.
Thrilling account of the multiple attempts to destroy Norway's heavy water generation capability, to prevent its use by Nazi atomic research and weapons production. Bascomb captures both the sense of urgency felt by Allied and Norwegian underground operatives to stop heavy water production, while the Norwegians simultaneously tried to prevent Nazi reprisals against the occupied Norwegian population. A nine-person team finally crippled the generating plant, slipping in unseen, planting explosives, and then successfully escaping, many skiing 250 miles over two weeks to enter Sweden, others remaining in Norway to continue their resistance work. Following Allied bombing of the plant a year later, the Nazis decided to move the remaining stock of heavy water to Germany, which the resistance prevented by sinking the ferry into deep water, from where it was never recovered. The book shows the decency of the Norwegian fight against Nazi occupation, always trying to prevent damage to innocent civilians. An excellent history.
I did have similar issues that others have had getting into this book but once the action starts its a fast paced thriller. That is to be expected with any historical read I find.
"You have to fight for your freedom and for peace. You have to fight for it every day, to keep it. It's like a glass boat; it's easy to break. It's easy to lose."
This is the story of Norway in 1942 during the Nazi's occupation. The race by the Germans to build the bomb of the future and the key plant at Vermork (in Norway) that was the only plant in the world to produce the rare substance they needed, heavy water.
The story tells tales of the allies involvement in thwarting production of this substance in Norway as well as the Kompani Linge a British Special Operations Executive (SOE) group that consisted of many Norwegians who escaped to Britian to be a part of this special group.
Little is known to most of the German occupation in Norway. I found it very fascinating as I have Norwegian roots. I also did not know that there was never any help to push out the Germans in Norway, that when the war was over the people of Norway rose to the occasion arresting Nazi's and Nazi sympathizers to face charges for their crimes.
"You have to fight for your freedom and for peace. You have to fight for it every day, to keep it. It's like a glass boat; it's easy to break. It's easy to lose."
This is the story of Norway in 1942 during the Nazi's occupation. The race by the Germans to build the bomb of the future and the key plant at Vermork (in Norway) that was the only plant in the world to produce the rare substance they needed, heavy water.
The story tells tales of the allies involvement in thwarting production of this substance in Norway as well as the Kompani Linge a British Special Operations Executive (SOE) group that consisted of many Norwegians who escaped to Britian to be a part of this special group.
Little is known to most of the German occupation in Norway. I found it very fascinating as I have Norwegian roots. I also did not know that there was never any help to push out the Germans in Norway, that when the war was over the people of Norway rose to the occasion arresting Nazi's and Nazi sympathizers to face charges for their crimes.
Thrilling account of a slice of WWII history that plays into the what if.
Well written, well researched, engaging non-fiction about the saboteurs that took on Vemork and destroyed The Reich's attempt at an atomic weapon. These guys were incredible and the lengths they went to for their country astonishing.
Rating: 4* of five
I voted for this book in the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards. I won the book in a Literary Hub Daily Giveaway, for which I thank them.
The beginning, for once, is the fifth star's vanishment. The physics lesson went on too long. Yes, I agree that it was needed. This being a popular history book, however, a lesson of half the length and a quarter the depth would've been more appropriate, not to mention more palatable.
But the tale itself is exciting and engrossing and, if over-detailed at times, sets a spanking pace. We owe a lot to the Norwegian resistance movement. Does anyone still know, or use, the noun "quisling," I wonder? It's Norway's other huge contribution to world culture. Oh yeah, some Brits were involved as well. In minor roles.
Heh.
I voted for this book in the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards. I won the book in a Literary Hub Daily Giveaway, for which I thank them.
The beginning, for once, is the fifth star's vanishment. The physics lesson went on too long. Yes, I agree that it was needed. This being a popular history book, however, a lesson of half the length and a quarter the depth would've been more appropriate, not to mention more palatable.
But the tale itself is exciting and engrossing and, if over-detailed at times, sets a spanking pace. We owe a lot to the Norwegian resistance movement. Does anyone still know, or use, the noun "quisling," I wonder? It's Norway's other huge contribution to world culture. Oh yeah, some Brits were involved as well. In minor roles.
Heh.
To state the obvious, this incredibly well-researched account of WWII heroism reads like a thriller, which indeed it is. The courage of dozens is Norwegians against the Nazis, and the privations they underwent, is humbling. At times, the plethora of unfamiliar names gets in the way of drawing the characters, but that's a small issue. Terrific book.