Defiant Courage Audiobook By Astrid Karlson Scott, Tore Haug cover art

Defiant Courage

A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance

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Defiant Courage

By: Astrid Karlson Scott, Tore Haug
Narrated by: Peter Altschuler
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In late March of 1943, four commandos arrive in northern Norway with a mission of establishing a base for sabotage operations. Before they can unload their cutter, they are betrayed, as a German Schnell boat arrives and turns the quiet fjord into a battle zone. Only one man, Jan Baalsrud, surrvives the attack. This is the story of his perilous journey to freedom.

Wounded, the dauntless soldier swims icy fjord waters, climbs snow-laden granite peaks, endures violent snowstorms and is hurled off a mountain by an avalanche. Fleeing the Gestapo and battling the harsh Arctic cold, Jan suffers snowblindness and frostbite. Though he possesses raw courage and an iron will, they are not enough to deliver him all the way to neutral Sweden and safety.

The people of northern Norway's Troms district step forward to assist Jan. Selflessly defying Nazi dictates, more than 60 people risk their lives to help the fugitive commando.

©2010 Astrid Karlsen Scott and Dr. Tore Haug (P)2012 Audible, Inc. World War II Wars & Conflicts Europe Military War Scandinavia Modern 21st Century United States Americas

Editorial reviews

Some listeners might already be familiar with this amazing true story of survival during World War II. But even armed with the general knowledge of Jan Baalsrud’s escape from the Nazis into Arctic Norway after a failed sabotage operation, nothing compares to listening to this incredible tale as it unfolds moment by moment.

Peter Altshuler performs the diligently researched Defiant Courage with a keen ear not only for Norwegian names but also for texturizing and adding life to a story. Not that the story needs much embellishment. At one point in his escape, Baalsrud had been buried under an avalanche, had amputated nine of his toes, and was snow blind. His unlikely survival remains one of the great stories of World War II.
Inspiring Survival Story • Captivating Historical Account • Excellent Narration • Remarkable Wartime Courage

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Got this book after I watched the movie. Could start reading by myself, so I decided to hear the audio. The narrator was incredible, he made me feel every page he read. I absolutely love the book more than the movie because of him.

Amazon book with an espectacular narrator

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A well read and very interesting story. Amazing courage from all involved in Jan’s escape.

Great untold story.

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insane stuff happened in this situation during world War 2 incredible story telling that will leave you wanting more

what a great story

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The tone of this book reminded me of 1950s America, before Nam and endless scandals stole our innocence.

The subject matter is first rate. The heroic soldier certainly inspired me not to whine about my little physical problems. I’ve been recommending this one to everyone I know who uses Audible.

Excellent, old-school story

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This is a great story and Audible has done another outstanding job with the audio version of this book.

The Courage of a Community to Rescue One Man

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