The German war machine is in retreat as the Russians advance. In Warsaw, Resistance fighters rise up against their Nazi occupiers, but the Germans retaliate, ruthlessly leveling the once-beautiful city. American Adam Nowak has been dropped into Poland by British intelligence as an assassin and Resistance fighter. During the Warsaw Uprising he meets Natalia, a covert operative who has lost everything—just as he has. Amid the Allied power struggle left by Germany’s defeat, Adam and Natalia join in a desperate hunt for the 1940 Soviet order authorizing the murders of 20,000 Polish army officers and civilians. If they can find the Katyn Order before the Russians do, they just might change the fate of Poland.
The Katyn Order: A Novel
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Suspenseful, rich in convincingly detailed incidents, and impeccably researched." —Library Journal, on Night of Flames
"Well researched and skillfully executed . . . a highly readable work which is both informative and imaginative." —The Historical Novels Review, on Night of Flames
"Jacobson follows his debut, Night of Flames, with another solid WWII thriller. The author makes the bloody fight for Warsaw both exciting and suspenseful . . . the saga of the brave men and women of the Armia Krajowa who must first battle the Germans and then the Russians [is] the heart of the story." —Publishers Weekly (March 16, 2011)
"[Jacobson crafts] a well-constructed struggle between Communist and Nazi psychopaths and two lovers risking all to relieve Polish suffering." —Historical Novels Review (May 2011)
"Jacobson tells a riveting tale . . . combining . . . a moving love story and a detail-rich recreation of the Resistance fighter's world. Don't miss this one." —Booklist (May 1, 2011)
"Compelling authenticity and evocatively rendered detail will captivate history buffs and thriller fans alike." —Library Journal (March 2011)
About the Author
Douglas W. Jacobson is an engineer, a business owner, and a World War II history enthusiast. He is the author of Night of Flames, which won the 2007 Outstanding Achievement award from the Wisconsin Library Association. He lives in Elm Grove, Wisconsin.
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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's second book, THE KATYN ORDER was published in 2011 and is now available in paperback and Kindle. THE KATYN ORDER, which won a 2011 award from the Wisconsin Writer's Association, is an historical thriller centered around one of history's most notorious war crimes. Doug has also published numerous articles on underground resistance actions in Europe and is currently working on his third 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
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
My dad loves movies about World War II. Growing up, it would annoy me to no end to have to sit through those movies. Was that really the best kind of entertainment that he could come up with? Something must have clicked with me somewhere, though, as out of my resentment for watching those old movies has grown a real love of history. I have a special fascination with Russian history. When I had the chance to read and review The Katyn Order, the latest novel by Douglas W. Jacobson, I jumped at it.
Set in Poland near the end of World War II, The Katyn Order is a gritty novel about survival and revenge. Polish-born American Adam Nowak has been operating as an assassin in Poland, seeking revenge for the arrest and presumed murders of his beloved Aunt and Uncle. Natalia, born and raised in a small Polish village, has joined the AK, an army of Polish citizens determined to fight the Germans and Russians for control of their country. Her hatred of the Russians runs deep, as she blames them for the death of her brother and the destruction of her home village.
Reading the book was much like watching one of my dad's old movies. I could see the action in my mind, just as I would on a movie screen. Jacobson's writing style she his passion for history and the great deal of research he did in order to write this book. My heart pounded from the first battle scene until the very last word of the book.
One thing I did not enjoy about this book was the language. I don't care to watch movies full of foul language and I don't care to read books full of cursing. However, taking into account the time period where this novel is set (the characters are, after, at war), I could tolerate it. While I did not particularly enjoyed reading some speeches in the book, the dialog would not ring true if written any other way.
Over all, The Katyn Order met and exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend it to any history buff, even my dad.
Though I knows Dad's response will be, "I'll just wait for the movie."
Set in Poland near the end of World War II, The Katyn Order is a gritty novel about survival and revenge. Polish-born American Adam Nowak has been operating as an assassin in Poland, seeking revenge for the arrest and presumed murders of his beloved Aunt and Uncle. Natalia, born and raised in a small Polish village, has joined the AK, an army of Polish citizens determined to fight the Germans and Russians for control of their country. Her hatred of the Russians runs deep, as she blames them for the death of her brother and the destruction of her home village.
Reading the book was much like watching one of my dad's old movies. I could see the action in my mind, just as I would on a movie screen. Jacobson's writing style she his passion for history and the great deal of research he did in order to write this book. My heart pounded from the first battle scene until the very last word of the book.
One thing I did not enjoy about this book was the language. I don't care to watch movies full of foul language and I don't care to read books full of cursing. However, taking into account the time period where this novel is set (the characters are, after, at war), I could tolerate it. While I did not particularly enjoyed reading some speeches in the book, the dialog would not ring true if written any other way.
Over all, The Katyn Order met and exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend it to any history buff, even my dad.
Though I knows Dad's response will be, "I'll just wait for the movie."
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Tom
Format:Hardcover
Douglas Jacobson is a regular contributor to the conservative/traditionalist Polish American media so I was somewhat hesitant about reading his second novel, The Katyn Order, but I borrowed it from the library anyway.
Adam Nowak, born in Poland but raised in the USA, is a Rambo-like assassin, dropped by the British Special Operations Executive into Warsaw to assist the Home Army (AK-Armia Krajowa) against the German occupiers in the 1944 Uprising. Whilst bedeviling the enemy, Adam encounters AK member, Natalia, and romance blooms. As the Soviet army waits on the east side of the Vistula, allowing the Germans to destroy Warsaw, Adam and Natalia manage separate escapes.
Dimitri Tarnov, a disgruntled NKVD agent who played a major role in the Katyn Massacre, had given a copy of Stalin's order authorizing the mass killing of captured Polish officers to Hans Frank, Nazi Governor of the General Government, in November 1942 as an insurance policy just in case the Wehrmacht was victorious over the Red Army. Huh? Say what? Seriously? After the Soviets "liberated" Poland, Tarnov frantically searched Frank's former headquarters at Wawel Castle in Krakow for the evidence that would brand him as a traitor. Adam's uncle worked under Frank's direction, and was believed to have had knowledge of the Katyn order. British intelligence, in cahoots with Russian General Kovalenko (he with the Polish mother), send Adam on a mission to find his uncle and the document, which could alter Poland's fate as Stalin prepares to officially abscond with Eastern Europe at Potsdam.
Adam, assisted by Natalia, and Tarnov collide in their race to find the uncle and document as the novel reaches a stunningly ambiguous climax.
As expected, The Katyn Order is a traditionalist Pol Am crowd pleaser. Naturally, the protagonist is a courageous, intelligent, and honorable Pol Am. In fact every single Polish character in this novel is entirely brave, noble, and selfless (except for one solitary AK member who gets a bit rough with Natalia after too many wodkas). When Adam travels to the Gorale region I thought I was reading about the Polish version of Shangri-La. Look, I don't begrudge any ethnic group some cotton candy-feel good literature but The Katyn Order is quite over the top. On the other hand, considering the West generally doesn't have a clue about Katyn, the 1944 Uprising, the NKVD, etc., I'm willing to overlook some of author's parochial cheerleading. Jacobson does a serviceable job with his descriptions of Warsaw and Krakow although it's clear his research went only skin deep.
I must admit I did enjoy the last half of the book as the pace began to pick up. But let's be totally honest, folks, the idea of an NKVD agent giving a copy of Stalin's Katyn order to Hans Frank in 1942 as a hedge, and Frank then keeping it a secret for two years is beyond ludicrous. I honestly don't believe I've ever read a novel with a more implausible backdrop. Also, the author deals with the ultimate fate of Stalin's order in a very ambiguous and unsatisfying manner. Readers are left scratching their heads wondering, What the ....?
To the reviewers who awarded The Katyn Order five stars, I suggest you all recalibrate by reading some Milosz, listening to some Gorecki, or viewing some Wyspianski or Kieslowski for an actual Polish five-star experience.
Adam Nowak, born in Poland but raised in the USA, is a Rambo-like assassin, dropped by the British Special Operations Executive into Warsaw to assist the Home Army (AK-Armia Krajowa) against the German occupiers in the 1944 Uprising. Whilst bedeviling the enemy, Adam encounters AK member, Natalia, and romance blooms. As the Soviet army waits on the east side of the Vistula, allowing the Germans to destroy Warsaw, Adam and Natalia manage separate escapes.
Dimitri Tarnov, a disgruntled NKVD agent who played a major role in the Katyn Massacre, had given a copy of Stalin's order authorizing the mass killing of captured Polish officers to Hans Frank, Nazi Governor of the General Government, in November 1942 as an insurance policy just in case the Wehrmacht was victorious over the Red Army. Huh? Say what? Seriously? After the Soviets "liberated" Poland, Tarnov frantically searched Frank's former headquarters at Wawel Castle in Krakow for the evidence that would brand him as a traitor. Adam's uncle worked under Frank's direction, and was believed to have had knowledge of the Katyn order. British intelligence, in cahoots with Russian General Kovalenko (he with the Polish mother), send Adam on a mission to find his uncle and the document, which could alter Poland's fate as Stalin prepares to officially abscond with Eastern Europe at Potsdam.
Adam, assisted by Natalia, and Tarnov collide in their race to find the uncle and document as the novel reaches a stunningly ambiguous climax.
As expected, The Katyn Order is a traditionalist Pol Am crowd pleaser. Naturally, the protagonist is a courageous, intelligent, and honorable Pol Am. In fact every single Polish character in this novel is entirely brave, noble, and selfless (except for one solitary AK member who gets a bit rough with Natalia after too many wodkas). When Adam travels to the Gorale region I thought I was reading about the Polish version of Shangri-La. Look, I don't begrudge any ethnic group some cotton candy-feel good literature but The Katyn Order is quite over the top. On the other hand, considering the West generally doesn't have a clue about Katyn, the 1944 Uprising, the NKVD, etc., I'm willing to overlook some of author's parochial cheerleading. Jacobson does a serviceable job with his descriptions of Warsaw and Krakow although it's clear his research went only skin deep.
I must admit I did enjoy the last half of the book as the pace began to pick up. But let's be totally honest, folks, the idea of an NKVD agent giving a copy of Stalin's Katyn order to Hans Frank in 1942 as a hedge, and Frank then keeping it a secret for two years is beyond ludicrous. I honestly don't believe I've ever read a novel with a more implausible backdrop. Also, the author deals with the ultimate fate of Stalin's order in a very ambiguous and unsatisfying manner. Readers are left scratching their heads wondering, What the ....?
To the reviewers who awarded The Katyn Order five stars, I suggest you all recalibrate by reading some Milosz, listening to some Gorecki, or viewing some Wyspianski or Kieslowski for an actual Polish five-star experience.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By K. Suhr
Format:Hardcover
Jacobson's fictional treatment of the Katyn Massacre is a terrific read with strong, sympathetic characters and a compelling plot. The author has obviously done plenty of research to create such a believable backdrop for the action and relationships of the story, but he renders it skillfully and seamlessly. Not a history buff myself, I appreciated learning about this historical event in its context and with its very real human consequences. Rather than "closing the book" at the end of "The Katyn Order," I felt driven to learn more. That is a tribute to the writer and his work.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thrilling
Jacobson's second novel suffers no hint of sophomore syndrome; The Katyn Order is more mature and even better than Night of Flames. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Lisa J. Lickel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping historical novel about a little known Soviet atrocity in WWII
Douglas Jacobson provides graphic detail about the Soviet massacre of thousands of army officers, intelligentsia and leadership in of Poland in the Katyn forest and nearby sites,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by ejm
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Poland fights!"
This well-written and extremely interesting book begins during the Warsaw uprising in August 1944 and ends at the Potsdam Conference. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Frank J. Konopka
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great WWII Thriller
Great WWII Thriller
The Katyn Order is a wonderful page turner by author Doulgas W. Jacobson. Read more
The Katyn Order is a wonderful page turner by author Doulgas W. Jacobson. Read more
Published 7 months ago by BookLoverRome
4.0 out of 5 stars
read this
Such a historical coverup on the part of the Russians! Things like this are just not taught in school. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Lunareist
4.0 out of 5 stars
Competent WWII Page-Turner With an Interesting Polish Focus
I'm a sucker for a good WWII-set thriller or crime book, and that's just what this is -- good, but not great. Read more
Published 10 months ago by A. Ross
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absorbing Historical Fiction
The Katyn Order tells a message of the atrocities committed against the Polish people by the Nazis and Russians during World War II, skillfully woven through a tale of espionage... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Matthew L
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Insight into a Horrifying Event
It's books like this that make me grateful for, well, books. Invariably there is always something that is new for me, and an event like this is one that we cannot forget. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Coffee
2.0 out of 5 stars
Lacking, unoriginal, and too repetitive
I am a fan of historical fiction, especially by authors who have done the required research to be able to paint a picture for readers who are familiar with the time/place/events in... Read more
Published 19 months ago by T. Kunikov
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Katyn Order
Thought "Night of Flames" was excellent and am more impressed with "The Katyn Order". Comprehensive research, well written, fine story, loved it. TAL
Published 21 months ago by TAL
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