Customer Reviews

Defiant Courage: Norway's Longest WWII Escape

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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.

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

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.

I bought this as a followup to reading "Unbroken," hoping it would be along the same lines. The actual story is amazing. However, the writing suffers by comparison. "Unbroken" is a masterful work. "Defiant Courage" is an interesting recitation of a fascinating event in WWII.

This is an extremely well-told true story of an amazing escape. The author's voice is wonderfully transparent, telling the story and explaining everything extremely well in spite of geographical, cultural, and language barriers without interjecting opinion or getting in the way.

The result is an incredible story with realism that grips you and will have you turning page after page to see what happens next.

I met Astrid in person, and she is a warm, unpretentious person who is thrilled to be working in her gifts. She told me that she is hopeful of a movie to come, and I wish her the best of luck with it. Let us hope that every bit of the excitement in the book is translated well to the screen.

Fast shipment.The book was an amazing read. I will strongly recommand
This book. Amazing how people help each other even if someone threthen
To kill them if they do so.

This book was incredible! I found that I had a tough time putting it down and enjoyed it from the beginning. It was a great book for those who love history, Norway, survival, compassion or patriotism. It truly is a testimony of one mans will to live and overcome incredible adversity. I don't know how he did it!