Customer Reviews

Report From #24 (No. 24)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sonsteby was obviously one of the unsung heroes of the war. His work with the resistance was essential in keeping the Germans looking over their shoulders for the next incident. But, the book seemed to ramble for much of the first half of the story. I found it hard to keep up with the details, and often had to look back in earlier chapters to get myself re-oriented. The later chapters were much easier to follow. It was a quick and interesting read, but there are better books available on this topic.

I'd highly recommend Blood and Water (by Dan Kurzman) if you are interested in a related story of the resistance in Norway.

Of course this book contains a great story of heroism. I found Max Manus' book "9 Lives Before 30" (translated into English) to be a little more readable. Mr. Sonsteby does record the dates and other details much more than Manus.

Being interested in the people's resistance during World War II since childhood, I have read many books, Watched TV programs and films (The Flame and the Citron (Danish) is an excellent example). It took me a bit to get into #24; No.24 as the writing style felt like a diary written with some haste. I'm not sure if the author translated this book from Norwegian to English, but it is not a great job. It irritated me a bit but as I finished the book I had gotten used to this awkwardly translated rhythm. Otherwise very exciting stuff and what heroes they all were. Balancing the fight with the Germans, their (at the time) own government and the opinions of their fellow Norwegians watching from the sideline - not an easy task. People put their lives on the line and it was not a game, but stark reality with the possibility of losing ones life after torture and other extreme punishment. Before you purchase, you should read some of the sample stuff if bad translation might bother you.

In 1942 John Steinbeck published his propaganda novel about the Nazi occupation of Norway, "The Moon is Down." The Moon Is Down (Twentieth-Century Classics) I read it some years ago, and although it is not Steinbeck's greatest work, it gave me a close feeling for the courage of the Norwegian people during World War II. I was delighted to hear of Gunnar Sonsteby's book, the true story of the Norwegian Resistance Movement written by its most famous hero.

The opening day of the Nazi occupation the radios all blared the unbelievable news. People were appalled and indignant. The resistance movement took years to become effective. There were internal conflicts with the British and the Swedes. The teachers were all sent to prison. This is a chronical of a mild, pacific people who faced torture and death every day in the bitter years of Hitler's rule.

Since I am not familiar with Norway, I found the travels of Gunnar and his couriers difficult to follow. I'd have enjoyed a nice simplified map to help me along. The second half of the book is much easier to follow. Perhaps because by that time the Resistance Movement itself had become focused. Gunnar Sonstegy is a real live James Bond.

Excellent book!
The book starts at the invasion of Norway in 1940 and documents the emergence and evolution of the
resistance movement. It is Sonsteby's story and is told through his experiences. It ends with the surrender
of the nazi occupiers and the return of the royal family in 1945.

The book captures the atmosphere of occupied Norway and the constant threat that the Nazis posed
to everyone.
One gets a sense of the restrictions, the lack of basic resources and the cruelties that was part of every day.
The book puts the events of the war in context, illuminating the constant threat to the lives of the resistance workers,
and anyone who are found to be assisting them. With this deepened understanding, the members of Milorg and
other resistance groups emerge as the true heroes that they are. Gunnar Sonsteby is an amazing man and so humble -
the sabotages that he lead are truly impressive and it is hard to even imagine how anyone could have
those nerves of steel needed to pull it off. I highly recommend this book - a true story of a modern hero.

I received this book as a gift. It is a great read for a Norwegian (&anyone else) of how Norway fought back during WWII. The Nazi did them a great wrong but Norwegians did with what they had.

REPORT FROM # 24 THIS IS A GREAT BOOK TO READ WHEN GOING TO BED .. YOU COULD BE DREAMING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE MILORG WITH GUNNAR. YOU THINK JAMES BOND IS EXCITING, WELL, YOU HAVEN'T READ GUNNAR'S BOOK. WHY WATCH TV? YOU HAVE THIS BOOK TO READ.