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" this book tells an interesting, but not well-known story of bravery, and kindness and injustice, of WWII. As the US and the allies keep bombing the Axis oil refinement factories, more and more airmen get downed in Yugoslavia. The people of the countryside help these downed airmen deliberately against the Germans, and a risky rescue mission is set up under all odds. "
- Dante, 2/11/2014
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" Excellent. Hard to beat non-fiction about the lives of heros. A remarkable story of human compassion. "
- Laurie, 2/11/2014
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" I found this book interesting as it told a story I was unfamiliar with about World War II. However it was a little to much of a non-fiction book and not enough of a story to make me fall in love with it. "
- Tina, 2/4/2014
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" "The Forgotten 500" is a remarkable story of a little known event during World War II when literally hundreds of Allied airmen (mostly American) were trapped behind enemy lines in the rugged hills of Yugoslavia. More than a tale of courage and a nearly impossible rescue that the United States somehow pulled off, the books goes into detail about the social, political, and religious landscape of the Balkans. The OSS, the precursor of the modern day CIA, played no small role in this event and it was interesting to read how this organization came about during the Second World War. Learning about the conflicts between Yugoslavian military leaders Tito and Draza Milhailovich and all the hazy and cloudy political shapeshifting was a real eye-opener for me. This book has it all -- the daring airmen, British spies and moles, Communists and Nazis, the OSS, the State Department, Presidents Eisenhower and Truman and so much more. For anyone interested in American history, especially the stories that are rarely told, this is the perfect book. "
- Larry, 1/14/2014
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" I very much enjoyed reading this story of the airmen who were stranded in Yugoslavia. The details of the rescue were riveting. It is never easy to detail happenings in different parts of the world that are occurring at the same time but Author Freeman was able to skip back and forth seamlessly without losing my interest. "
- Ron, 1/12/2014
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" Unexpectedly Awesome! I never did know what was going on with Serbia (former Yugoslavia) and now I not only understand that, but also more of WWII history as well. I highly recommend this book. "
- Rebecca, 1/7/2014
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" This is a great book about the courage and sacrifice of all the people involved. "
- Mary, 12/31/2013
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" Fascinating yet surprisingly unkwown story detailing the US rescue of over 500 downed pilots from German occupied Czech Republic. Also provides great insight into the foundation of the Cold War struggle between US and USSR starting with the Czeck civil war in the 1940's. "
- Gregg, 12/26/2013
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" I loved the parts of the story that dealt with the escape from Nazi territory, but the political rhetoric was more than I bargained for ... or wanted in this story. "
- Amy, 12/16/2013
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" A combination of individual and national heroism combined with international political failure. Who knew that Great Britain and the U.S. unintentionally handed Yugoslavia directly to the communists? Interesting history and a decent read. "
- Dale, 11/30/2013
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" If you like war history this is a good one so far. "
- George, 11/21/2013
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" A truly fascinating read about an unknown World War 2 event that by all accounts should have been publicized decades ago. "
- Jen, 10/25/2013
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" great story of escape "
- Valerie, 10/24/2013
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" This is a fascinating book about the rescue of 500 men. This awesome deed was kept a secret since WWII. It also shows how Tito silenced the United States and finally killed the great hero of this mission . "
- Frances, 9/26/2013
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" Very interesting about Tito's communists and Mihailovich's partisans in the context of downed fighters. Both opposed to Nazism yet hated each other. Britain's communist infiltrators steered US opinion away from Mihailovich and towards Tito. Interesting on getting the US soldiers out. "
- Merrill, 9/25/2013
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" As an audiobook, it was hard to follow the jumping from one character to another, but I enjoyed the book and learning about the airmen and the men who rescued them. "
- Barb, 9/3/2013
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" I enjoyed this book and learning about yet another aspect of World War 2. "
- Jennifer, 1/11/2013
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" Pretty good read about a little known and amazing story to come out of WWII. "
- Paul, 7/18/2012
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" Had the makings of a really interesting read, but the telling only briefly rose to the level of the tale. "
- Pete, 7/6/2012
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" Definatly intresting but gets boged down in the middle. "
- Dylan, 4/27/2012
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" Fantastic story...not unusual to hear of such heroic acts. But these life giving acts by civilian peasants who sometimes paid with their lives. Great read! "
- Mike, 3/21/2012
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" A great true story. Would make a great movie. "
- Chuck, 12/30/2011
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" Absolutely amazing book. Highly recommended to everyone. Think you don't like history or non-fiction? It reads very much like a novel, so give it a try. "
- Amanda, 12/17/2011
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" Documented an lesser known lives of downed airmen performing bombing runs over Italy and Hungary "
- Chuck, 11/9/2011
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" An incredible story, learned a great deal, liked the ability to blend the documentary side to the storyline. A must read for any interested in WW II - especially from the human side of the story. "
- Ernie, 10/6/2011
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" I've really been into WWII books lately. The Forgotten 500 covered an entirely different aspect of the war. I had no idea the people of Yugoslavia played such a role in saving our soldiers and hope this book helps showcase their spirit and generosity. "
- Nikki, 9/3/2011
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" Barely two chapters into this one. I read so many WWII books that I was surprised to find a 'unknown' story just being revealed. The writing style is not on the level of an Ambrose but I don't want to solely compare- but finding the story itself fascinating so far. "
- L.J., 6/15/2011
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" This was an interesting account of a WWII resuce mission that until recently had been top secret. The book provided a great overview of the war scene in Yugoslavia during World War II. Informative, interesting, and well-written. "
- Hayley, 11/28/2010
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" Great story. Writing is orginary but so glad to learn about this.
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- Seena, 11/13/2010
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" Amazing WW II era story! Frustrating that the Allies turned their backs on General Mihailovich in Yugoslavia in favor of the Communist Tito. Inspite of that, Mihailovich safeguarded over 500 airmen downed over Yugoslavia and helped the OSS get them out. This would make a great movie.
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- Ann, 10/31/2010
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" A piece of non fiction that reads like fiction. Only interesting to those of us who are interested in WWII hero stories.
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- Billiesol, 6/10/2010
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" Incredible untold story of a daring WWII rescue mission. Although, I could live without all of the political back and forth because it didn't really improve the read for me at all.
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- Dave, 5/17/2010
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" Fascinating yet surprisingly unkwown story detailing the US rescue of over 500 downed pilots from German occupied Czech Republic. Also provides great insight into the foundation of the Cold War struggle between US and USSR starting with the Czeck civil war in the 1940's.
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- Gregg, 2/24/2010
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" Definatly intresting but gets boged down in the middle.
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- Dylan, 2/18/2010
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" Documented an lesser known lives of downed airmen performing bombing runs over Italy and Hungary
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- Chuck, 1/2/2010
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" This is a virutally unknown story about bomber crews shot down over Yugoslavia in WWII and their life on the run from enemy forces.
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- Craig, 1/2/2010
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" Interesting story, but the writing/structure is not the best.
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- Snail, 9/22/2009
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" Exciting. Appreciative. Historical. Damning U.S., Britain. Heart warming. Very worthwhile read.
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- Fred, 9/20/2009
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" Very interesting about Tito's communists and Mihailovich's partisans in the context of downed fighters. Both opposed to Nazism yet hated each other. Britain's communist infiltrators steered US opinion away from Mihailovich and towards Tito. Interesting on getting the US soldiers out.
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- Merrill, 8/16/2009
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" Story was repetitive, but more exciting was the story of how the spies got in and out of the country to set up the rescue.
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- Jamon, 6/25/2009
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" My husband's great uncle is the first man followed in this book!
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- Mary, 4/16/2009
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