Defiant Courage: Norway's Longest WWII Escape [Hardcover]

Astrid Karlsen Scott (Author), Tore Haug (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0963433989 | ISBN-13: 978-0963433985 | Publication Date: October 2001

In late March of 1943, four commandos arrive in northern Norway with a mission of establishing a base for sabotage operations. Before they can unload their cutter, they are betrayed, as a German Schnell boat arrives and turns the quiet fjord into a battle zone. Only one man, Jan Baalsrud, surrvives the attack. This is the story of his perilous journey to freedom.

Wounded, the dauntless soldier swims icy fjord waters, climbs snow-laden granite peaks, endures violent snowstorms and is hurled off a mountain by an avalanche. Fleeing the Gestapo and battling the harsh Arctic cold, Jan suffers snowblindness and frostbite. Though he possesses raw courage and an iron will, they are not enough to deliver him all the way to neutral Sweden and safety.

The people of northern Norway's Troms district step forward to assist Jan. Selflessly defying Nazi dictates, more than sixty people risk their lives to help the fugitive commando.

Flee

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Astrid Karlsen Scott is a native of Norway, is internationally known for her seven books on Norwegian culture. She is a producer and director of two award-winning videos, "Christmas in Norway," and "Cooking Norway Style."

Dr. Tore Haug is a second cousin of Jan Baalsrud. He is a specialized general practitioner with a private practice in Oslo, Norway. He studied and received his medical degree from Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, West Germany, and the University of Oslo. He has practised medicine in Germany and Norway.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 366 pages
• Publisher: Nordic Adventures (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963433989
• ISBN-13: 978-0963433985
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,112,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars warning, contains spoiler, December 24, 2002

By 

B. Barrett (Kansas City, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Defiant Courage: Norway's Longest WWII Escape (Hardcover)

This remarkable true story will make a lasting impression. Jan Baalsrud was a WWII Norwegian commando trained in Britain for a special sabotage mission in Norway. The mission was preempted by the Germans, and all the commandos were executed except Jan who got away with his big toe shot off. To be caught was a death sentence, and civilians could only help him under penalty of death. Without proper clothing or footware, he waded through icy water, snow and an avalanche for many days with occasional help along the way. For the second half of the journey Jan was too ill to walk and was conveyed by underground members. Frost bite took all his toes, which he cut off himself. He finally made it to a hospital in Sweden.

The ever present cold and Jan's seemingly unending journey while freezing most of the time makes me question if I've ever had any discomfort worthy of the name. The book is well documented with 5 pages of sources.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Patriotism and Caring, May 12, 2003

By 

Dan Poynter "Author-Publisher-Speaker" (Santa Barbara, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Defiant Courage: Norway's Longest WWII Escape (Hardcover)

This is a fascinating account of occupied Norway in WWII. It is a true story of good over evil; of dozens of people risking torture and death, not only to them selves but, to their families. This is an account of true patriotism and caring for a fellow countryman against incredible odds.

When I first picked up this book, I wondered: how could an escape through the snow and over the mountains be spread over 340 pages? I began to read and was hooked. The authors provide so much fascinating detail. You feel the cold and live the uncertainty of being discovered.

Jan's challenges become greater and greater as the story progresses. His strength is amazing but the heroes are those who risked their lives to come to his aid.

The maps let you follow his route and bring the story alive. .

Dan Poynter, ParaPublishing.com

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courage beyond comparison, May 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Defiant Courage: Norway's Longest WWII Escape (Hardcover)

Defiant Courage told the story of one man's struggle to escape the German army during WWII. His story made me feel in complete awe of his determination and the will of the people of Norway to aid him. If he had been caught, anyone helping him would also have been put to death. Each time he turned for help, people didn't hesitate a moment but immediately gave food and clothing to help him escape across the mountains and into Sweden and safety. And exciting read and also a true experience.