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"Riveting and poignant . . . The Winter Fortress metamorphoses from engrossing history into a smashing thriller . . . Mr. Bascomb's research and, especially, his storytelling skills are first-rate."â??The Wall Street Journal "Weaving together his typically intense research and a riveting narrative, Neal Bascomb's The Winter Fortress is a spellbinding piece of historical writing." â?? Martin Dugard, author of Into Africa and co-author of the Killing series
In 1942, the Nazis were racing to complete the first atomic bomb. All they needed was a single, incredibly rare ingredient: heavy water, which was produced solely at Norway's Vemork plant. Under threat of death, Vemork's engineers pushed production into overdrive. If the Allies could not destroy the plant, they feared the Nazis would soon be in possession of the most dangerous weapon the world had ever seen. But how would the Allied forces reach the castle fortress, set on a precipitous gorge in one of the coldest, most inhospitable places on earth? Based on a trove of top-secret documents and never-before-seen diaries and letters of the saboteurs, The Winter Fortress is an arresting chronicle of a brilliant scientist, a band of spies on skis, perilous survival in the wild, Gestapo manhunts, and a last-minute operation that would alter the course of the war.
"A taut and peerlessly told adventure story full of thrills, derring-do and heart-stopping tension." â?? Seattle Times
"Told with both historical and scientific accuracy . . . this book has rocketed into my pantheon of the top suspense-filled stories about [World War II], along with The 900 Days and The Colditz Story." â?? Ethan Siegel, Forbes<… (meer)
Reading like a novel, this is the detailed description of how the Norwegian Underground and British military battled to keep Hitler from obtaining an atomic bomb. Starting with the attacks on the hydro plant in Vemork by British special forces which ended in disaster for the soldiers attempting to fly in to Norway in gliders to the successful bombing by the Norwegian underground of the heavy water plant inside the hydro plant, Bascomb gives incredible detail of the operations from both sides of the battle.
The Norwegians while planning and organizing their attack during the severe winters conditions of the area, lived in the most winter conditions with limited access to food. That these men would ski hundreds of miles to obtain supplies including weapons on meager amounts of food is an important part of their success in hindering the German efforts to guard the heavy water plant.
This is a first rate adventure story that is true and highlights the sacrifices some men will make to preserve their freedoms. ( )
I couldn't decide between two of Bascomb's books, this and "Hunting Eichmann." So I read them both. This book has the same flaws, too much detail and lackluster writing. In both books, Bascomb does a poor job giving the context and bigger picture for the story. In "Hunting Eichmann" he didn't even try. In this book, he goes for it, but slips on a banana peel. This material could have made a great magazine story, but it couldn't sustain a book.
> The nine were still not exactly sure how this target could possibly be of such value. They had been told that the plant produced something called heavy water, and that with this mysterious substance the Nazis might be able "to blow up a good part of London." The saboteurs assumed this was an exaggeration to ensure their full commitment to the job. ( )
The book presents a background, the development of the nuclear race in World War II, Nazi Germany, England, and the United States at the same time.
The main story is the race for heavy water produced in Norway and efforts to prevent it of the Nazis. This is a heroic epic of fighters of various kinds. It is a well-written story. The writer manages to bring the harsh conditions of survival in the Scandinavian winter with improvisation that stems from a lack of supplies and the fear of being discovered. However, somehow the book could not make me keep my eyes fixed to the pages and occasionally found myself thinking about extra things as I read. ( )
A very interesting read about a slice of WWII history I was not aware of. The story was slow to get going but as I continued to read the paced really picked up. At times this read more like a thriller than a work of non-fiction. The Norwegian men that played central roles in this tale were true heroes - exhibiting courage, intelligence, toughness, incredible stamina, and - when needed - ruthlessness. ( )
I like the author. like the premise. But could never get into the story. It never grabbed me. I started plodding through it. So just gave up. It wasn't bad - it just didnt hold my interest. Maybe something to try again one day. ( )
Informatie afkomstig uit de Engelse Algemene Kennis.Bewerk om naar jouw taal over te brengen.
You have to fight for your freedom and for peace. You have to fight for it every day, to keep it. It's like a glass boat; it's easy to break. Â It's easy to lose. - Joachim Ronneberg, Gunnerside leader
Opdracht
Informatie afkomstig uit de Engelse Algemene Kennis.Bewerk om naar jouw taal over te brengen.
To those who brave the struggle
Eerste woorden
Informatie afkomstig uit de Engelse Algemene Kennis.Bewerk om naar jouw taal over te brengen.
(Prologue) Nazi-occupied Norway, February 27, 1943 In a staggered line, the nine saboteurs cut across the mountain slope.
On February 14, 1940, Jaques Allier, a middle-aged, natty dressed banker, hurried through the doors of the Hotel Majestic, on rue la Perouse.
Citaten
Laatste woorden
Informatie afkomstig uit de Engelse Algemene Kennis.Bewerk om naar jouw taal over te brengen.
Some, like Heisenberg, we're already putting together the framework of their own defense, conveniently justifying the failure of their efforts as a calculated strategy to keep Hitler from obtaining the bomb.
(Epilogue) "You have to fight for your freedom," he said. Â "And for peace. Â You have to fight for it every day, to keep it. Â It's like a glass boat; it's easy to break. Â It's easy to lose."
"Riveting and poignant . . . The Winter Fortress metamorphoses from engrossing history into a smashing thriller . . . Mr. Bascomb's research and, especially, his storytelling skills are first-rate."â??The Wall Street Journal "Weaving together his typically intense research and a riveting narrative, Neal Bascomb's The Winter Fortress is a spellbinding piece of historical writing." â?? Martin Dugard, author of Into Africa and co-author of the Killing series
In 1942, the Nazis were racing to complete the first atomic bomb. All they needed was a single, incredibly rare ingredient: heavy water, which was produced solely at Norway's Vemork plant. Under threat of death, Vemork's engineers pushed production into overdrive. If the Allies could not destroy the plant, they feared the Nazis would soon be in possession of the most dangerous weapon the world had ever seen. But how would the Allied forces reach the castle fortress, set on a precipitous gorge in one of the coldest, most inhospitable places on earth? Based on a trove of top-secret documents and never-before-seen diaries and letters of the saboteurs, The Winter Fortress is an arresting chronicle of a brilliant scientist, a band of spies on skis, perilous survival in the wild, Gestapo manhunts, and a last-minute operation that would alter the course of the war.
"A taut and peerlessly told adventure story full of thrills, derring-do and heart-stopping tension." â?? Seattle Times
"Told with both historical and scientific accuracy . . . this book has rocketed into my pantheon of the top suspense-filled stories about [World War II], along with The 900 Days and The Colditz Story." â?? Ethan Siegel, Forbes
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The Norwegians while planning and organizing their attack during the severe winters conditions of the area, lived in the most winter conditions with limited access to food. That these men would ski hundreds of miles to obtain supplies including weapons on meager amounts of food is an important part of their success in hindering the German efforts to guard the heavy water plant.
This is a first rate adventure story that is true and highlights the sacrifices some men will make to preserve their freedoms. (