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Defiant Courage: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance Kindle Edition

by Astrid Karlsen Scott (Author), Tore Haug (Author), Harald Zwart (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 410 ratings
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The incredible true story of one man’s escape from Nazis in Norway.

“I remember reading We Die Alone in 1970 and I could never forget it. Then when we went to Norway to do a docudrama, people told us again and again that certain parts were pure fiction. Since I was a Norwegian that was not good enough; I had to find the truth. I sincerely believe we did,” writes author Astrid Karlsen Scott. Defiant Courage is the true story of what Jan Baalsrud endured as he tried to escape from the Gestapo in Norway’s Troms District.

In late March 1943, in the midst of WWII, four Norwegian saboteurs arrived in northern Norway on a fishing cutter and set anchor in Toftefjord to establish a base for their operations. However, they were betrayed, and a German boat attacked the cutter, creating a battlefield and spiraling Jan Baalsrud into the adventure of his life. The only survivor, a wounded Baalsrud begins a perilous journey to freedom, swimming icy fjords, climbing snow-covered peaks, enduring snowstorms, and getting caught in a monstrous avalanche. More than sixty people of the Troms District risk their lives to help Baalsrud, suffering from snow blindness and frostbite, to freedom. Meticulously researched for more than five years, Karlsen Scott and Haug bring forth the truth behind this captivating, edge-of-your-seat, real-life survival story.

Skyhorse Publishing, along with our Arcade, Good Books, Sports Publishing, and Yucca imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. Our list includes biographies on well-known historical figures like Benjamin Franklin, Nelson Mandela, and Alexander Graham Bell, as well as villains from history, such as Heinrich Himmler, John Wayne Gacy, and O. J. Simpson. We have also published survivor stories of World War II, memoirs about overcoming adversity, first-hand tales of adventure, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
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  1. Print length
    430 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Skyhorse
  5. Publication date
    June 3, 2014
  6. File size
    17583 KB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“This story is a natural treasure for Norway. It’s a great survival story; it sheds light on all the people who helped Baalsrud. They were the people in the country, fishermen and grandmothers who proved to be heroes themselves."―Director Harald Zwart

"This is a must-read book for anyone who enjoys reading true historical, well-researched stories of intrigue, suspense, and adventure."—The Norwegian American

"My colleagues and I have read [The 12th Man] with great interest...we have been impressed with the way [the authors] make this truly remarkable story come alive, focusing not only on Jan Baalsrud, but showing the quiet courage and determination of his many helpers."—Jan Gerhard Lassen, Norwegian Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs

"A welcome and much appreciated contribution to the growing library of World War II memoirs and eye-witness accounts. [The 12th Man] is a compelling story of courage and triumph against incredible odds, and set against the backdrop of the war that was to forever change the world."—The Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Astrid Karlsen Scott is internationally known for her books on Norwegian culture. Her award-winning video, Christmas in Norway, has been shown on television in the United States and in Europe. She is the president of Nordic Adventure.
 
Dr. Tore Haug is a second cousin of Jan Baalsrud. He is an MD, and a specialized general practitioner with a private practice in Norway. Haug studied and received his medical degree from Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany.
 
Harald Zwart is a well-known Norwegian film director currently living in Los Angeles. His films include One Night at McCool’s, starring Michael Douglas, and the remake of The Karate Kid, starring Jackie Chan. He has been named one of Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00J75ISYY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Skyhorse (June 3, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 3, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 17583 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 430 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 410 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
410 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Steven Bouchard
5.0 out of 5 stars Just outstanding! The real heros.
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2018
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5 stars for lack of higher number of stars! Just an excellent read!

I have read many WW II books and holocaust books. This book revealed to me the really true heros of WW II that were just "people" in Nazi fascist controlled areas. Whatever happened to those citizens of any country that fought with the underground and suffered so much than generals, colonels and majors? Who really made a difference and should have been recognized above and beyond those that were trained, educated and bound by rules?

This is a fantastic story of every kind of resilience, determination, belief systems, integrity, credibility, social resilience of integrity and of a very beautiful people we rarely hear about, because they don't bear the names of regularly tooted military leaders. Just every day people, a not so every day world, but, an every day belief system

True heros not reported to the world! A complete shame! If one has ever wondered about skill, education, compassion, neighborhood resistance, regional skills and morality, then, this is the top 1% of books to read! I

So sad that, at 64 years of age, this is the first time and book I have read about true heros and the "little insignificant people." Shame upon writers!
28 people found this helpful
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Brenda Brown
4.0 out of 5 stars Story of incredible bravery and unflinching courage
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2020
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I had never heard this story before. It's difficult to read in parts, sometimes a little dry but what comes through is the incredible courage of all involved, especially the locals who helped him for whom the consequences would have been dire if caught. I would have liked to read more about if he maintained relationships with those who aided him after the war. As I said, it's a little dry in parts but persevere, this story is a testament to what the human spirit can endure.
One person found this helpful
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David. Corner
5.0 out of 5 stars A world war 2 escape story from Norway
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2022
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A interesting book that goes more into details than David Howarths book of we die alone about Jan's escape from Norway to Sweden and the people that helped with different parts of the journey putting their lives at risk of the Germans finding out what they have done to save Jan and help the Norwegians in the fight to beat the Germans
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Irene Gardner
5.0 out of 5 stars Defiant Courage
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2014
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The hero of this true story is almost too heroic, tenacious, persistent and patient to be real. I cried out loud while reading of the consistent courage and endurance of this young Norwegian man during World War II. Those who helped Jan through his ordeals also deserve kudos. There would have been no other way to escape the insane grasp of the German Gestapo through the gripping, life-sapping cold of Norway.

Who's to say whether we might be tempted to save our own lives and that of our loved ones by revealing the whereabouts of Jan to the Gestapo. Everyone was in need of food, clothing, shelter and warmth. The gripping events in this revealing book will break your heart.

We can't afford to go through events like this--ever again!
30 people found this helpful
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fiznatty
3.0 out of 5 stars Tense and Entertaining, but...
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2020
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The true tale of heroism and survival makes it worth reading, but the book isn't without its faults. As others have mentioned, the prose comes across as clunky, almost amateurish at times. And perhaps that's a byproduct of translation.

Too often the purported thoughts and feelings of the people at the heart of the story are expressed in the same flowery, overwrought way that it sadly becomes a bit tedious to hear more about inspired patriotism, love and fear. All of which were undoubtedly genuine emotions that were felt by our protagonists... but that well is revisited too often, diminishing the impact of emotional reflections throughout the story.

The story is remarkable, and I would definitely describe this as a page turning thriller. My only disappointment with the narrative structure is that we learn very little about life *after* the escape, specifically any reunions between our hero and the brave souls that helped him. So many bonds (some, apparently, for life) were established during the escape, that it would be pretty meaningful to hear about the next meetings between Baalsrud and those that helped him. Those might have offered a rousing, emotional finale to an inspiring story, rather than the perfunctory summary of his post-war life that we get instead.
9 people found this helpful
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gkops
4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Story of Escape
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2019
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And of wonderful Norwegian families who helped Jan Baalsrud. He escaped the Germans with the help of so many good people who risked their lives to help him in unbelievable bad conditions in the Arctic. The author includes pictures of most of these people which is great. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because it so detailed and such a lot of same type of conditions to read.
One person found this helpful
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DVJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling read
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2016
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I selected this book as it was suggested in the Sons of Norway newsletter. Just returned from 28 days in Norway so the areas were more meaningful. The book captures the spirit, strength and fortitude of the Norwegian people. Their warmth and kindness comes out in the book, as I experienced. One can appreciate the extreme physical and mental cost of all the participants in the two month hiding and moving of the very sick and drastically disabled warrior. Highly recommended!
27 people found this helpful
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Robert & Carolyn McElfatrick
5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable survival
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2014
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This is a fascinating story of survival in extremes of nature and extremes of oppression. The brutality of Norwegian occupation by the Nazis is well documented and this book is a very personal look at what real courage means, man by man, woman by woman. Although it is mentioned only once, I believe many of the people acted out of dedication to Christian faith. Love others more than self and defend the defenseless. Add to this their love of Norway and of freedom and we are challenged to consider what we would do under similar circumstances. This story should be read by young Americans to teach them what courage and patriotism really means.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

mary cook
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on March 10, 2017
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Very intriguing
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gary machin
5.0 out of 5 stars Epic tale
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2017
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An outstanding tale of courage and endurance one that shows human suffering can be over come in times of adversity
One person found this helpful
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mms
4.0 out of 5 stars Eternal hope
Reviewed in Canada on February 10, 2017
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It was refreshing to read a WWII writing from the Norwegian perspective, a journey that took me through fjords, over daunting topography in the quest to find ultimate safety, especially after such human cost had already been paid. At a time when unspeakable atrocities were taking place, the selfless care of average civilians extended to a desperate fugitive reaffirms the hope that humanity still has a soul.
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mark crosby
4.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2015
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A Norwegian commando becomes the sole survivor of a failed sabotage mission in occupied Norway. His comrades imprisoned ,he faces an arduous journey on foot to neutral Sweden and freedom. Despite seemingly limitless determination the wilderness mountainous terrain and freezing weather conditions combine to make his journey a true test of endurance. Suffering frostbite hunger and fatigue he is forced to seek help from his fellow countrymen. A fledgling resistance movement scattered throughout the countryside takes up the challenge, risking certain death if caught by the Germans the men women and children help to feed clothe and transport him. A heartwarming story of courage and defiance.
4 people found this helpful
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Radiomem.
5.0 out of 5 stars Best read this year so far.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2017
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An amazing story of exceptional courage and endurance ,if it had not been true it would be unbelievable.
One person found this helpful
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