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mimiep's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
tanyarobinson's review
4.0
We Die Alone is World War II Norway's version of Lone Survivor. Written shortly after the war, it tells the story of Jan Baalsrud's unlikely survival in the far northern fjords and mountains after his commando group was wiped out while trying to infiltrate Nazi-occupied Norway. Like Marcus Latrell, Jan was stranded in a harsh environment and completely dependent on the local population to smuggle him to safety. That he eventually made it to Sweden and finally London after such extensive subzero exposure is nearly unbelievable.
I had no idea the Germans had any presence on the Northern coast of Scandinavia, but I now understand that this was the route to crucial Russian Arctic ports. I enjoyed this book because it dealt with a part of World War II which was totally new to me.
I had no idea the Germans had any presence on the Northern coast of Scandinavia, but I now understand that this was the route to crucial Russian Arctic ports. I enjoyed this book because it dealt with a part of World War II which was totally new to me.
steveab's review
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.
kpiter01's review
3.0
I've been wanting to learn more about the Nazi occupation in Norway so this book fit the bill. I've also skiied in the vicinity of the setting so that was neat to compare on the map. Good story. Despite the title, it will make you feel good about humanity.
joncav07's review
5.0
A Miracle
It's a miracle this man survived. This was a fascinating story about survival. It's amazing what this man went through.
It's a miracle this man survived. This was a fascinating story about survival. It's amazing what this man went through.
pamelas's review
4.0
Wow! An amazing story of survival and perseverance during WWII. For weeks to come, I will think of Jan Baalsrud every time I think I am cold, hungry or just having a bad day. Not as well written as Unbroken, but a spellbinding story just the same.
mirificmoxie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
4.5
We Die Alone popped up on my Goodreads recommendation page. Although I have been somewhat burnt out on WWII stories, I was still intrigued by this book. I love survival stories particularly true ones. We Die Alone is the incredible true story of a man not only evading the Nazis but also surviving in the harsh mountains of Norway. But it goes beyond one man's tenacity and looks at the inspiring way that communities came together to do what they could against the enemies occupying their homeland.
Don't let the fatalistic title fool you. Despite how utterly depressing the name sounds, this is in fact an uplifting, touching story. I am at a loss as to why they picked that title. The whole time I was reading it, I kept looking for some quote that would explain the title, but I did not find any. All I can do is reiterate that people should not let the title dissuade them from reading this book! It is a short book and a quick read. Although given the small font and small margins, I'd say that if it was reset with a modern print type it would probably be closer to a normal length book.
The reason I did not give this five stars outright is due to a couple little things. At times the author seems to be trying to shelter the reader from the atrocities of war. Perhaps this was due to the book being written shortly after the war when those memories were still so fresh in many minds. But it was irksome when Howarth would say something to the affect of "And then the Nazis did something so atrocious that it should not be repeated to moral people." I am paraphrasing obviously, but that was the affect. There were also a couple of times that Howarth stepped into the story to moralize on people's actions thus breaking the cardinal rule of keeping personal opinions out of biographies. However, there were only a couple of instances of this. Overall, the book was well-written and poignant. It is a shame that this book is now mostly unknown to modern readers.
RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 5 Stars
Emotional Level: 5 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 5 Stars
Attention to Detail: 5 Stars
Objectiveness: 4 Stars
Don't let the fatalistic title fool you. Despite how utterly depressing the name sounds, this is in fact an uplifting, touching story. I am at a loss as to why they picked that title. The whole time I was reading it, I kept looking for some quote that would explain the title, but I did not find any. All I can do is reiterate that people should not let the title dissuade them from reading this book! It is a short book and a quick read. Although given the small font and small margins, I'd say that if it was reset with a modern print type it would probably be closer to a normal length book.
The reason I did not give this five stars outright is due to a couple little things. At times the author seems to be trying to shelter the reader from the atrocities of war. Perhaps this was due to the book being written shortly after the war when those memories were still so fresh in many minds. But it was irksome when Howarth would say something to the affect of "And then the Nazis did something so atrocious that it should not be repeated to moral people." I am paraphrasing obviously, but that was the affect. There were also a couple of times that Howarth stepped into the story to moralize on people's actions thus breaking the cardinal rule of keeping personal opinions out of biographies. However, there were only a couple of instances of this. Overall, the book was well-written and poignant. It is a shame that this book is now mostly unknown to modern readers.
RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 5 Stars
Emotional Level: 5 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 5 Stars
Attention to Detail: 5 Stars
Objectiveness: 4 Stars
pinkrain718's review against another edition
3.0
While to story was interesting and full of adventure, I was often confused by the Norwegian names and locations. I listened to the audiobook and that could have led to my confusion. Also, the narrator's voice was incredibly dull...
bgeorgeashton's review
4.0
Crazy story about the will to survive and the selflessness of a small group of Norwegian resistance.