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hadeanstars's review
4.0
An incredible story. Incredible not just for the sheer endurance of the protagonist who lived for weeks in a snow bank halfway up a mountain, cut his toes off with a pen-knife to prevent frostbite from killing him, and who lost over half his body weight, but incredible too for the risks that so many ordinary people took to preserve and ultimately save his life.
And this really happened too. It restores one's faith in human nature that people are capable of such selfless behaviour. Maybe in these self-absorbed times it could not happen, but perhaps it is even better to hope that we never have to find out.
And this really happened too. It restores one's faith in human nature that people are capable of such selfless behaviour. Maybe in these self-absorbed times it could not happen, but perhaps it is even better to hope that we never have to find out.
skellig19's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
mtnmama's review
3.0
Unbelievable survival story. Some editing issues, but a great true story of overcoming daunting obstacles.
sevenlefts's review
4.0
I heard about this book in a NYT op-ed piece by David Brooks, of all people. He wrote it in the context of how amazing the Norwegians are on skis in the winter Olympics. I think he needed to make a deadline, so he summarized a book he read once. Kind of lame, but still, it pointed me to an amazing story.
Toward the end of WWII, Jan Baalsrud was one of a group of Norwegian commandos who trained in Scotland and traveled to the northern coast of Norway with the intention of working with the local populace in resistance against their Nazi occupiers. Right away their plan went horribly wrong and within a few days of reaching the Norwegian coast, Baalsrud found himself alone, running from German soldiers across a tiny frozen island with only one shoe and part of his big toe blown off.
After a narrow escape to the mainland and a bit of recuperation, Baalsrud decided to cut his losses and head for the Swedish border with a mind to making his way back to Britain in order to get back into the fight. What should have been a trip of a few days covering only 40 miles turned into an excruciating ordeal involving avalanches, snow-blindness, frostbite, gangrene, delirium, penknife amputations, and weeks buried in snow caves while a network of loyal locals risked their lives and their communities to try and get Baalsrud to safety.
This is an amazing story. It was originally written about 10 years after the events that take place in the book, and it does seem a bit dated. But the black and white photographs (taken by the author visiting the scenes of events later?) add to the sense of bleakness in the whole story. And since it involves harrowing experiences at subzero temperatures, I had to like it.
There was a film made of this story in Norway in the late 1950's. Apparently it was Oscar-nominated. I'd love to find a copy on DVD to watch.
Toward the end of WWII, Jan Baalsrud was one of a group of Norwegian commandos who trained in Scotland and traveled to the northern coast of Norway with the intention of working with the local populace in resistance against their Nazi occupiers. Right away their plan went horribly wrong and within a few days of reaching the Norwegian coast, Baalsrud found himself alone, running from German soldiers across a tiny frozen island with only one shoe and part of his big toe blown off.
After a narrow escape to the mainland and a bit of recuperation, Baalsrud decided to cut his losses and head for the Swedish border with a mind to making his way back to Britain in order to get back into the fight. What should have been a trip of a few days covering only 40 miles turned into an excruciating ordeal involving avalanches, snow-blindness, frostbite, gangrene, delirium, penknife amputations, and weeks buried in snow caves while a network of loyal locals risked their lives and their communities to try and get Baalsrud to safety.
This is an amazing story. It was originally written about 10 years after the events that take place in the book, and it does seem a bit dated. But the black and white photographs (taken by the author visiting the scenes of events later?) add to the sense of bleakness in the whole story. And since it involves harrowing experiences at subzero temperatures, I had to like it.
There was a film made of this story in Norway in the late 1950's. Apparently it was Oscar-nominated. I'd love to find a copy on DVD to watch.
gwit's review
4.0
Fascinating story of a failed WWII military operation and its aftermath. The copy I read contained a handful of great photos. I wish it contained a few maps. Reminded me a bit of Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/102066.Rogue_Male )
jmoses's review
4.0
An interesting read about a man who will make you feel like a tiny child, crying when you stub your toe.
barbaraskalberg's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars for the story, if not the writing...
"Sanitized" isn't the correct word because I feel like that has negative connotations, and I for sure don't mean anything negative, but I also don't think the horror of what Jan Baalsrud endured is even really touched on. This story of survival is remarkable. The people who risked so much to help a stranger is nothing short of truly awe-inspiring.
"Sanitized" isn't the correct word because I feel like that has negative connotations, and I for sure don't mean anything negative, but I also don't think the horror of what Jan Baalsrud endured is even really touched on. This story of survival is remarkable. The people who risked so much to help a stranger is nothing short of truly awe-inspiring.
babyanimals's review
5.0
Get this book. Tell all your friends. It's crazy awesome. Just when you think the true! story can't get any epic-er, it does. It's amazing what this guy endured and survived. Great if you want to restore your faith in humanity and/or get a little perspective on your life.