The 12th Man: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance

The details of this amazing story of survival are all there! The movie of the same title changed and excluded so much. The book was well researched. I found the writing lacking though, creating confusion by inconsistency for example when discussing a character they would switch between using his first name and last name; many had the same first names so the authors should have been careful to be clearer. It seemed the writing was worse towards the end of the book. Also talking about so many towns and the distance between them - would help to have a map showing these, for clarification. They did include some maps for other parts of the escape route. Still a great read.

The authors of this book deserve the highest accolades. The story is a very personal one and yet it is written in such a way that the reader can imagine being the main character. Not only does it tell Jeans story but it also gives the reader an insight into the daily lives of Norwegian people, what it was like to be under nazi control but most significantly how the weather and climate was the ultimate force to deal with daily.All in all a wonderful book

The true account of Jan Baalsrud’s flight to freedom in Sweden after a failed commando raid in Norway. Tells the story of the unbelievable efforts of Jan B and the compassionate help of people along his escape route who risked their lives to provide assistance. The reader also gains insight regarding what life was like in occupied Norway during the war.

Amazing story covering this mans extraordinary survival .I have read many true stories on world war 2 survivors and this one is certainly one of the best.

If you enjoy historical nonfiction and world war ll stories. The story of Jan’s survival and escape from the Gestopo in the Norwegian article. A must read.