Night of Flames: A Novel of World War II [Paperback]

Douglas W. Jacobson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2008

Painting a vivid and terrifying picture of war-torn Europe during World War II, this tale chronicles the lives of Anna, a Krakow University professor, and her husband Jan, a Polish cavalryman. After they are separated and forced to flee occupied Poland, Anna soon finds herself caught up in the Belgian Resistance, while Jan becomes embedded in British Intelligence efforts to contact the Resistance in Poland. He soon realises that he must seize this opportunity to search for his lost wife, Anna.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Outstanding Achievement recognition for a 2007 publication by the Wisconsin Library Association Literary Awards Committee

"Suspenseful, rich in convincingly detailed incidents, and impeccably researched."  —Library Journal

"A vast, flowing, unstoppable tale of World War II . . . It is historical fiction at its best."  —Homer Hickam, author, Rocket Boys

"Well researched and skillfully executed . . . a highly readable work which is both informative and imaginative."  —The Historical Novels Review

"A taut and twisting thriller with memorable flesh and blood characters . . . Jacobson's clockwork plot draws the reader onto its roller coaster ride [and] clicks along at breakneck speed."  —James Conroyd Martin, award-winning author, Push Not the River and Against a Crimson Sky

About the Author

Douglas W. Jacobson is an engineer and business owner. He lives in Elm Grove, Wisconsin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: McBooks Press (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590131665
• ISBN-13: 978-1590131664
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #337,581 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Douglas W. Jacobson is an engineer, business owner and World War Two history enthusiast. Doug has travelled extensively in Europe researching the courage of common people caught up in the most catastrophic event of the twentieth century. His debut novel, NIGHT OF FLAMES: A Novel of World War Two was published in 2007 and released in paperback and Kindle in 2008. NIGHT OF FLAMES won the "2007 Outstanding Achievement Award" from the Wisconsin Library Association. Doug has published numerous articles on underground resistance actions in Europe and is currently completing his second historical novel set in Europe during World War Two. Doug and his wife Janie live in Elm Grove, Wisconsin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, gripping tale!, December 2, 2007

By 

An American in Antwerp (Antwerp, Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Night of Flames: A Novel of World War II (Hardcover)

I was gripped by this tale from the first page! It is beautifully written and impeccably researched, weaving a heart-stopping and sensitive tale of the experiences and heroics of common people during WWII. The focus on Poland and Belgium lends this WWII story a unique flavor, and the strong main characters take you right along with them across war-torn Europe and into the depths of the tenatious resistance movements. Fascinating story, talented story-telling. Can't wait for the sequel! Highly recommended - not only for historic fiction enthusiasts, but anyone who wants a good read!

51 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs to be more focused and less dispersed, May 22, 2008

By 

Drewry F. Wofford III (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Night of Flames: A Novel of World War II (Hardcover)

I love good historical fiction, and while this has many redeeming feature, it also has a fatal flaw. The author tries to cover too much territory in way too few pages. The book covers all of WW II in 379 pages. Never going to happen. The book is at its best when in focuses on a single event - for example the beginning which deals with the Nazi invasion of Poland and the cities of Warsaw and Kracow. Or the end, which focuses on the battle for Antwerp (well, hardly a battle in the end). Here, Douglas Jacobson gives both color, detail, and strong narrative to the events. Unfortunately, between these two bookends, the characters are thrown all over Europe, over a period of five years, and the book rather meanders without any good purpose. The ending is also contrived. It is a first novel, and a good start. Perhaps next time Jackson wil focus more, deal with a small number of characters around a single defining event, and become less difuse and less scattered. Easy, enjoyable read nonetheless.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best in years, November 4, 2007

By 

Traveller "Byron" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Night of Flames: A Novel of World War II (Hardcover)

Right from the first page, Night of Flames thrusts the reader dead center in the middle of the German assault on Poland and never lets up. Anna Kopernik is a college professor from Krakow, her husband, Jan, is a cavalry officer and their lives will never be the same. Rising from the ashes of defeated Poland they each make their own way over the next five years in a desperate struggle against the overwhelming power and brutality of the Nazi oppressor. Theirs becomes the fight of the common people of Europe, who vow never to yield until they have taken back their lives and their humanity. As sweeping in scope as Winds of War and as intense as Eye of the Needle, this is one of the best World war Two novels in years.