Rating: 
Summary: A well-told, true story of the indomitable human spirit.
Review: Howarth's narrative of a World War II commando's survival against all odds behind enemy lines in Norway is a gripping tale of the triumph of the human spirit. Howarth immediately captures the tension as a small team of well-trained commandos recruited by the Allies embark on a hazardous mission to rendezvous with and coordinate the efforts of the Norwegian resistance. Within the first chapters, the reader is captivated as the entire mission is compromised and the sole survivor mounts an almost super-human effort to evade the enemy and survive the elements. Crafted from a mosaic of perspectives garnered from post-war interviews with the Norwegians whose lives touched and were touched by this commando, Howarth skillfully cobbles together the tattered fabric of this amazing story. Given up for dead on any number of occasions, this commando simply will not concede defeat. . . for to do so is to die. The reader is alternately amazed and repulsed by the strength of his spirit and will to survive. Setbacks abound. Uncommon courage is a common attribute of the civilians whose lives and communities are threatened if their abetting is discovered. Nature progressively invites greater enmity than the German pursuit. The reader is drawn ever more deeply into one man's battle for survival. Shunning any attempt at artful embellishment, Howarth compellingly portrays dignity under unimaginable duress. Undauntable spirit is found not only in works of fiction!
Parallels to Krakauer's "Into Thin Air" will inevitably be drawn. Though superior in neither prose nor literary craftsmanship, "We Die Alone" dwarfs Krakauer's work in its conveyance of selflessness and the power of individuals united--vice divided--in their humanity. A moving story of an occupied country's heritage and a testimonial to the human spirit, it is a good and worthwhile read.
-- Dan'l Steward, retired US Navy SEAL
Rating: 
Summary: A story of unsung heros
Review: I am drawn to stories which highlight the strength and endurance of the human spirit. Some(like Mawson's Will) focus on an individual who survives the worst that nature has to offer through sheer guts and determination. Others (the Shackleton story) are studies of leadership in groups as a number of people overcome the same desperate circumstance.
We Die Alone is unique because, although it focuses on Jan Baalsrud's incredible ordeal and his tenacious grip on life, he only survived because of the large number of people who risked their lives to help him. Early in the book we learn that two fishermen and two leading members of the resistance wound up dying in concentration camps because they were found out when the saboteurs were captured. These consequences for collaboration were well known and, conceivably, could have lead to the slaughter of a whole village. Certainly the Germans exhibited such tendencies during the war.
That was what moved me about the book-the many people, young and old, who put aside their fear to do something noble and good for a fellow man and for their country.
As a physician, I will say that although the story has been researched and authenticated, Jan's 3 week stay on a plateau with little shelter, little fluid, and in extremely poor physical shape seemed beyond incredible. It seems to be that he would have succumbed to hypothermia in a much shorter time. Yet, amazing things can and do happen.
That notwithstanding, I read the book in what amounted to one sitting. It was quite riveting.
Rating:
Summary: A great adventure story
Review: I bought this book because it was highly recommended by Stephen Ambrose, my favorite historian. I am glad I did.I'd put this book right up there with "Into Thin Air" and "Endeavor" by Alfred Lansing as a first class adventure story. I still cannot believe that the facts of this story are true, that it was possible for Jan Baalsrud to survive in such harsh conditions for as long as he did and with as much good humor. The courage of the Norwegians who gave him aid and comfort is inspiring . This is truly a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Why?
Review: I bought this book for a buck at a used bookstore during a particularly low point in my life when I was just looking for a way to pass the time. It baffled me that this man would go through so much just to survive. He had no one else to live for but himself. I've finally realized that it was the unlived life, the life of possibilities that he was fighting for. I think of this book whenever fear threatens to keep me living an insulated life.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: I first read this when I was teaching high school English. A fellow teacher of Norwegian heritage recommended it. It blew me away, and now twenty-five years later, I read it again. I had forgotten most of the details, but the effect remains--it is an incredible story of human survival. It is a testimony to the law that says in war nothing goes as planned and if something can go wrong, it will. It is also a testimony to the basic humanity and courage of ordinary people--the many who risked their lives to help Jan Balsrud when they could easily have left him for dead, as indeed he almost was. His suffering, determination to survive, and ultimate acceptance of what seemed to be certain death before his final rescue are inspiring to those of us who have not been so tested. The photographs that were included in the later edition were helpful and one can believe the entire story because of the documentation. This is a book that makes fiction pale beside it.
Rating:
Summary: A well-written story of escape and survival
Review: I rarely bother with adventure stories, but Howarth's fine prose swept me into this tale and kept me at it. The last half of the book I took in one sitting. We hardly care about the protagonist, Jan Baalsrud, as a personality. He has remarkable courage and incredible physical stamina but little spiritual depth. In the hands of a lesser writer, his story could easily have degenerated into a limp survival yarn of the sort regularly published in Reader's Digest. But Howarth gives meaning to the story both through his fine description of the harsh natural world and by his sympathetic treatment of the dozens of volunteers who came to Baalsrud's rescue. Their attempt to rescue one soldier at the risk of their lives became a political as well as a humanitarian cause, virtually the only blow these Norwegians could strike against German invaders in the wastelands of northern Scandinavia.
Rating:
Summary: We die alone
Review: I read for pleasure and this was a pleasure to read. It was so interesting I could hardly wait to see what would happen next to our escapee.
Rating:
Summary: read this book in 1963, glad its still available
Review: I read this book in 1963 as a young girl. The nuns always found my taste in stories strange for a girl. I found this tale of courage remarkable. I'm glad to find this book is still available for a new generation of readers.
Rating:
Summary: INCREDIBLE STORY OF SURVIVAL AND RISK
Review: I read this book several years ago and just recently picked it up again. I wanted to see if it still gripped me like it did the first time. IT DID! The story takes place is Nazi occupied Norway during WWII. I don't want to give the story away but it is sufficient to say that the man in this story defies all odds to survive one of the most harrowing experiences ever put to paper. It is a tribute to one mans will to live. It is also a tribute to the brave men who risked death by the Nazis had they been caught helping him escape. Just thinking back on what this man went through in the extreme cold of Norway is mind-numbing. Its safe to say after reading this book you will put it down and just say WOW!!!
Rating:
Summary: Worth buying again
Review: I read this book years ago but could never remember the title. The moment I started to read this review I knew that this was the book. Just don't give the book away as in my case. You'll want to read it again a few years down the road.
| 
