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A review by steveab
We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance by David Howarth
4.0
This unusual escape narrative comes from a little known (here) part of World War II--the German occupation of Norway. The book tells the story of a bold yet ill-fated raid to occupied Norway. Launching from England, a small group of trained Norwegian commandos landed in isolated Northern Norway to connect with and activate the local resistance.
When the mission failed, one man, Jan Baalsrud, evaded initial capture and sought to escape. The Germans knew he remained at large and sought him vigorously.
The story has two points of view. First we see Jan's spirit and will to live tested under harsh arctic conditions in mountainous, blizzardy country. His persistence and positive spirit outside in the cold tests credulity. I found myself checking more than once that the story was a true story.
The other point of view focuses on the resistance members and families who protect Jan. This side too shows really strong spirit, community, and commitment to ideals. Germans thoroughly controlled the region yet little fighting had taken place in these small, remote towns. The war had limited reality there. And nearby Sweden remained stubbornly neutral.
Yet each town had a resistance group.They waited pretty much on hold and on call for more organized forces to activate them. That had been the mission of the commandos.
Once Jan appeared, and with minimal guidance from Norwegian forces in England, the local groups worked together to figure it all out. This became their moment to contribute to the war. And do so at tremendous risk to themselves and their families.
Jan clearly had unusual qualities. I would say we learn more about why towns people did what they did than about Jan himself. For me, both sides made the book worth the read.
If all you remember from history class was the Quisling collaborator government in Norway, then you have missed the widespread determination of Norwegians, as well as the Lapps in this remote territory. In this book, one sees people acting with everyday commitment and ideals that will surely inspire.
Written by historian David Howarth and introduced by Stephen Ambrose, I recommend the book.
When the mission failed, one man, Jan Baalsrud, evaded initial capture and sought to escape. The Germans knew he remained at large and sought him vigorously.
The story has two points of view. First we see Jan's spirit and will to live tested under harsh arctic conditions in mountainous, blizzardy country. His persistence and positive spirit outside in the cold tests credulity. I found myself checking more than once that the story was a true story.
The other point of view focuses on the resistance members and families who protect Jan. This side too shows really strong spirit, community, and commitment to ideals. Germans thoroughly controlled the region yet little fighting had taken place in these small, remote towns. The war had limited reality there. And nearby Sweden remained stubbornly neutral.
Yet each town had a resistance group.They waited pretty much on hold and on call for more organized forces to activate them. That had been the mission of the commandos.
Once Jan appeared, and with minimal guidance from Norwegian forces in England, the local groups worked together to figure it all out. This became their moment to contribute to the war. And do so at tremendous risk to themselves and their families.
Jan clearly had unusual qualities. I would say we learn more about why towns people did what they did than about Jan himself. For me, both sides made the book worth the read.
If all you remember from history class was the Quisling collaborator government in Norway, then you have missed the widespread determination of Norwegians, as well as the Lapps in this remote territory. In this book, one sees people acting with everyday commitment and ideals that will surely inspire.
Written by historian David Howarth and introduced by Stephen Ambrose, I recommend the book.