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We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance Audiobook
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(4.01) - 1,839 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
One of the most enthralling true adventure stories ever written, We Die Alone, set in Nazi-occupied Norway in 1943, is an epic tale of survival against staggering odds.
It begins with an ambushed commando raid that leaves all but one of the expatriate resistance fighters dead or captured. Though wounded, Jan Baalsrud, the sole survivor, takes off on a courageous, incredible trek into the wilds of the Lyngen Alps, while the Nazis relentlessly pursue him. In the course of his journey he suffers frostbite, snowblindness, and a terrible fall in an avalanche. At last, delirious and near death, he chances onto a cabin, where the first in a series of remarkably brave and clever men and women come to his aid. These “ordinary heroes” will eventually get the crippled Baalsrud to safety and freedom, and the amazing story of how they do it will fill listeners with wonder at the capability of the human spirit.
This edition includes a never-before-published afterword by the author’s son.
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"Unbelievable true story of Norwegian military commandos who sailed from them UK and snuck into Nazi-occupied Norway to try and take down the Germans. All but one were killed, and the entire story is of his near death experiances and eventual escape as he is on the verge of death and nothing seems to kill him. I could not put it down and kept telling my husband how incredible the story was as I was reading it."
— Missy (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A mere outline of Jan’s adventures cannot possibly suggest the emotional impact that Mr. Howarth creates by his sharp selection of revealing details and his terse skill in telling a plain, unvarnished tale. We Die Alone fills one with the humble admiration for the stubborn courage of a man who refused to die under circumstances that would have killed ninety-nine men out of a hundred.”
— New York Times -
“One of the great escape stories of our time.”
— Chicago Sun-Times -
“Almost unbelievable. We Die Alone is a spine chiller. It may well become a legend.”
— Boston Post -
“If this story of espionage and survival were a novel, readers might dismiss the Shackleton-like exploits of its hero as too fantastic to be taken seriously…How he avoids capture and ultimately escapes—revealing that much spoils nothing in this white-knuckle narrative—is astonishing stuff…This amazing book will disappoint no one.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review -
“Awe-inspiring…Stuart Langton’s narration is an apt fit. His delivery is as spare as the text and every bit as intriguing. His voice has a force of delivery that makes this exciting and unbelievable tale one that the listener will want to hear in one sitting.”
— AudioFile -
“One of the most remarkable survival stories ever written.”
— Library Journal -
“[Langton’s] mostly uninflected reading intensifies the drama of this story of unflagging courage. A Top 10 Travel Audiobook.”
— Booklist
Awards
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A Booklist Top 10 Travel Audiobook
We Die Alone Listener Reviews
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John McDonald, 10/31/2021
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" This guys is absolutely amazing...I can't believe he survived!! "
— Allison, 2/11/2014 -
" Outstanding story and extremely well written. "
— Alice, 2/10/2014 -
" This was a pretty good book - really amazing survival story. Jan really went through a lot and he came through alive because of his endurance and determination. I liked "The Long Walk" better but "We Die Alone" is still good. Near the end of this book I got almost a little bored. Yet it is still a great non fiction story. "
— Mary, 2/7/2014 -
" Fascinating true story of an amazing story of courage in Norway during WWII. Learned lots! "
— Kathy, 2/5/2014 -
" Interesting, read it practically in 1 day. "
— Amy, 1/21/2014 -
" Interesting true story about the survival of a Norwegian soldier going through Nazi-occupied Norway to get to neutral Sweden. And the help he was given along the way. Survival against all odds. "
— Eevi, 1/19/2014 -
" I thought this story of survival and escape was amazing. It deserves 5 stars. I would have rated it higher had I liked the author's writing better. "
— Kristin, 1/17/2014 -
" Very interesting story of a Norwegian commando in WW2 who escaps and hides from the Nazi's. Pretty amazing book of survival. "
— Coleen, 1/13/2014 -
" Amazing story - so remarkable. "
— Saman, 1/3/2014 -
" As gripping as "Unbroken" with just the WWII part. Could not put it down, so I'm glad it wasn't as long. Great story of heroism on the part of the main character, as well as all those who helped him. "
— Lynne, 12/28/2013 -
" My favorite part was when he amputated his own toes and set them up on the snow shelf so he couldn't see them because they made him sick. "
— Sara, 12/22/2013 -
" This just may be my favorite WWII non-fiction. The story of a Norwegian agent trying to flee to Sweden is part war/part climbing tale. Although the author's voice grated on me a bit, it's still a great tale. "
— Joy, 12/15/2013 -
" Unknown gem!!! If you like WWII stories, or adventure/war stories, this is a must read. "
— Andrea, 12/3/2013 -
" An excellent story of survival by a Norwegian resistance fighter in the cold winter of German occupied Norway during World War II. "
— Steve, 12/2/2013 -
" You won't believe it unless you read it. Four stars because it can be slow, and it probably isn't for everyone - I thought it wasn't for me until I read it. "
— Brittany, 11/17/2013 -
" A great story of human endurance. Interesting, well written and motivating. "
— Adam, 8/6/2013 -
" I love to read this novel and have read it a number of times. It is an unbelievable story that keeps me wanting to read more. "
— Brent, 6/21/2013 -
" This was an excellent book. A quick read based on an amazing true story. "
— Erin, 3/7/2013 -
" A spare and unemotional read about a British spy's amazing escape from German-occupied Arctic Norway during WWII. Survival stories often focus on the iron will of the individual. This one is different in that it includes the stories of those who risked all to help the spy survive. "
— Bridget, 1/11/2013 -
" Wow! An amazing story of survival and perseverance during WWII. For weeks to come, I will think of Jan Baalsrud every time I think I am cold, hungry or just having a bad day. Not as well written as Unbroken, but a spellbinding story just the same. "
— Pamela, 10/9/2012 -
" An incredible, true story of strength, perseverence, and survival. "
— Paul, 9/30/2012 -
" If this book were not a true story you would never believe it. I stayed up all night to read it. "
— Carol, 8/16/2012 -
" What an amazing and inspiring story!! Couldn't put it down these last few days!! "
— Adam, 3/8/2012 -
" Some men quit when the going gets tough, and some don't. Jan Baalstrud didn't quit. His mission in Norway was in trouble from the moment it started. He escaped but with German troops hounding his every step. They were relentless, but he was tough. Adolf didn't know with whom he had picked a fight. "
— Ray, 2/11/2012 -
" This is the best true story of survival ever told. This man has to be one of the strongest willed individuals that ever lived. I highly doubt if there is a single person alive on this planet today that could live through what he did. "
— Jason, 9/14/2011 -
" I'm glad they put a forward in the front b-cuz I really did think the adventure was a little too convienient. I would've liked to have more of what he did through the weeks of solitude in the cabin, and on the mountain. It was a fast read. "
— Jenn, 6/14/2011 -
" A historical narrative of one man's survival in Nazi-occupied Norway that is all the more powerful and interesting for its understated ending and added appendix. Thoroughly enjoyed it. "
— Josh, 5/24/2011 -
" I read this along time ago...and even with my bad memory it is a story that sticks with me. "
— Gwen, 5/19/2011 -
" Really enjoyed this WWII story of survival. "
— Jim, 5/12/2011 -
" I read this eons ago and still have the original hardback version. I found it to be a very gritty tale indeed. "
— Tony, 4/17/2011 -
" Amazing tale of derring-do. Can imagine literate teenage boys enjoying this one. "
— Justin, 4/14/2011 -
" An amazing story detailing the strength of the human spirit and the honor of brotherhood in patriotism. One of my favorite books. "
— David, 4/2/2011 -
" One of the most amazing and spellbinding accounts of survival I've ever read. He said he knew, if he ever survived, nothing would ever annoy him again. That thought is one that stays with me when I'm complaining about the driver ahead of me or whatever silly thing. "
— Emily, 4/1/2011 -
" Very interesting...the poor man and all the others like him who had to suffer so throughout the wars.. "
— Kassie, 1/24/2011 -
" Wow! An amazing story of selfless service on the part of many in keeping Jan alive. Would we do as much?? "
— Linda, 1/11/2011 -
" If this book were not a true story you would never believe it. I stayed up all night to read it. "
— Carol, 11/23/2010 -
" Amazing true story. It was also interesting to read about WWII in Norway. "
— Jessica, 10/3/2010
About David Howarth
David Howarth ran a spy ring during World War II. He was also the author of two dozen major books of history.
About Stuart Langton
Stuart Langton is an award-winning theater, film, and television actor. He has been an audiobook narrator for more than ten years. He lives in New York City.