Reckless Courage: The True Story of a Norwegian Boy Under Nazi Rule

by Jack Haines and William F. Fuller

Book Overview

The book portrays the the waqrmth, humor, and daily life of a Norwegian family and the unusual exploits of a younger son who worked at a hotel housing German officers during the occupation. A wealth... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0976925206
• ISBN13: 9780976925200
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Taber Hall Press
• Length: 147 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Age Range: 14 years and up

Customer Reviews

A captivating issue of survival under German rule

Reckless Courage: The True Story of a Norwegian Boy Under Nazi Rule is a collection of true anecdotes and inspirational true stories about a Norwegian family during the German occupation of World War II. The story focuses upon a young errand boy who worked at a hotel housing German officers, painting a captivating issue of survival under German rule, and the appendices raise thought-provoking questions such as whether Norway was more important in World War II than historically recognized - did Hitler's invasion of Norway ultimately cost him the war? Did one Norwegian colonel, through disobeying orders, save civilization? A welcome and much- appreciated addition to World War II history and narrative shelves.

Life under occupation has relevance for today

Fuller's attention to detail makes Norwegian life in 1940 come alive -- and life was tough (the family makes do without food and necessities) and exciting (to an adolescent boy who believes in a cause). Fuller's account should be required reading for today's American teenagers, many of whom are far removed from the realities of a life under foreign occupation. Emotion is downplayed and the moral lesson subtly presented; it will make our youth (and us) think more deeply about the world situation today. Berkeley, CA

non fiction that reads like fiction

This book is wonderful! It is hard to find non-fiction history that reads like fiction. You will not want to put it down and neither will your children! I loved it as did my 14 and 17 year olds. The book is a quick read about a young boys adventures yet at the same time it is filled with historical facts that don't weigh the story down. The reader gets a sense of life for Norweigans during the German occupation and an insight into the resistance movement through the eyes of the Haines children. Would highly recommend it for all ages and a great non fiction for a school history project.

Engaging and Educational

I loved this book, and so did my 17-year-old nephew. The stories about Gunnar Haines and his family are enthralling and often humorous--how they made do despite rationing; the Norwegian traditions; the boys' adventures, particularly Gunnar's several furtive visits to a Russian POW camp to bring food and tobacco to the prisoners. And the historical details about the war are informative and often fascinating. It is a quick read. Neil Wollman, Ph.D. Senior Fellow, Peace Studies Institute Manchester College