Real Heroes of Telemark [Paperback]

Ray Mears (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 24, 2004

Sixty years ago, four men parachuted onto a Norwegian glacier, carrying only the most basic equipment. Their mission was to prevent the Nazi regime from building an atomic bomb. Now wilderness expert Ray Mears tells the true story of this gruelling campaign, showing how these men's ability to survive in extreme conditions influenced the outcome of the Second World War. The Telemark campaign was an example of the bravery and skill of the SOE trainees. The Norwegians transformed a military disaster into a triumph. This book tells the full story for the first time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'If Ray Mears isn't a Great Living Englishman, then goodness me, who is? The man is great, and he doesn't even begin to know how great he is. Ray is a persuader, pragmatist and populariser in the Durrell-Attenborough-Bellamy tradition.' -- Robert Crampton, The Times Magazine 'Ray Mears is a bushman first and foremost and really can survive in any extreme environment. I can't think of a better companion in a crisis.' -- Tim Lewis, GQ 'The foremost purveyor of bushcraft in the UK today.' -- Geographical Magazine

About the Author

Born in 1964, Ray Mears has travelled the world studying and teaching the art of survival. As well as his TV and writing work, he founded Woodlore, a company which runs training courses in bushcraft and associated skills.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Coronet (May 24, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340830166
• ISBN-13: 978-0340830161
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.8 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > History > Europe > Norway

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So well written..., May 20, 2007

By 

Ole Bjrsvik "Ole Bjørsvik" (5172 Loddefjord, - Norway) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Real Heroes of Telemark (Audio CD)

I haven't read Thomas Gallagher "Assault in Norway" yet, but this is the best written book about the heavy water sabotage I've read so far. And so well fitting that an outdoor specialist like Ray Mears is behind it. His general insight, research of old Allied notes and the advantage of distance in time makes it into fascinating reading. - The Hardanger Plateau is still serious business in winter, but it is almost depressing that the low temperatures that Grouse/Swallow/Gunnerside experienced seems to be rare today. (I've only experienced them twice in the area. I hope it's due to luck, not global warming.) - The Audio CD is conveniently divided into tracks of approximately 3 minutes, which makes easy to find back if you loose concentration. ...and it's a bit fascinating to hear the reader Christopher Kay struggle with Norwegian names and words, and doing the best out of it. Most of the places are still possible to find on maps while listening. Although someone could have told him that 'Telemark' is pronounced slowly, not fast. That Ray Mears seems to have shortened Hardangervidda to 'Hardanger' and not to 'Vidda' or 'The Plateau' is something most Norwegians just have to live with...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After Sixty Years, the Truth, February 3, 2010

By 

Catherine Revland (New York City) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Real Heroes of Telemark (Paperback)

I have a friend who grew up in London during the Blitz. After talking to her about this book, she told me that she remembered well how the English had celebrated the RAF for their "glorious success" in blowing up the heavy water plant near Telemark. When I told her that the RAF glider mission had ended in torture and death for all who survived the landing, and that the story of their success was circulated to protect the Norwegian Resistance from Nazi reprisals, she said, "Then they were all the real heroes of Telemark." I highly recommend this book to WWII afficiandos as well as anyone who needs a book that will make their spirits soar.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Heroes of Telemark, January 6, 2009

By 

R. Klusmann "Captain Dick" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Real Heroes of Telemark (Paperback)

An excellent history of The Norwegian and British destruction of the heavy water plant in Norway to prevent Germany's development of the A-bomb. Reads like prose.