We Die Alone

A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance

By: David Howarth

Narrated by: Stuart Langton

Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

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 pursue him relentlessly. He suffers frostbite, snowblindness, and a terrible fall in an avalanche. At last, delirious and near death, he chances on to 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.

©1955 David Howarth (P)2001 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"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)
"Almost unbelievable. We Die Alone is a spine chiller. It may well become a legend." ( Boston Post)
"One of the most remarkable survival stories ever written." ( Library Journal)

Great Story

Wow! How much can one man endure? Find out by reading this story. I love survival stories and have read many, including Unbroken (which I loved). The absolute solitude that Jan endured in this book is more than I think I could. A modern rewrite and performance of this story would bring it up a star I think.

amazing story

An incredible story of endurance under conditions most people would never survive. I wasn't familiar with it but it certainly amazed me.m

Unbelievable

While the narration might be odd to some people I’m sure, this story is wonderful. It is the stuff of Hollywood scripts that get reflected for being so clearly fabricated. But it isn’t. Listen to this one to go on an adventure that shows human kindness and determination unlike anything else.

One of those great stories you rarely hear - read

I just finished Unbroken, an exceptional audio book. We Die Alone was a fitting sequel. Despite my own life's challenges, I am amazed by the resilience and inner drive-strength of some people beyond anything anyone can dream up. And sadly, they make me think of how pathetic some people are, hearing them whine about a 10 minute wait or that their dinner bread is not warm enough, all the while never giving a thought about those who risk their lives and minds for others and their countries. At times I had some challenges figuring out the landscape of the book, even having spent much time in Scandinavia and having been to the fjords, but no matter, Google Earth helped me out :-)

incredible

A truly heroic story. I found that I didn't want to shut my player off until the story was finished; so that's what I did. It is good to remind ourselves of the courage people can show in trying times.

Incredible journey of survival

Incredible Journey of one man surviving World War II in the fjords of Norway with the help of two villages and lats and reindeer! wow! it is amazing I recommend you read this. better yet listen to it

Incredible story

Yeah, there are a few things (the way the author describes the “Lapps” and women) that remind you instantly that this is a book that was written when such descriptions would not have been seen as racist and misogynistic—and that are, frankly, a little stomach churning to read. But the story itself is incredible. My mother was born during the war in the islands close to Bergen and her young childhood was filled with the stories of the defiance and heroism of her family and the people of the island as they resisted the occupation in whatever ways they could. This story really captures the willingness that so many had to sacrifice and take great risks on behalf of others.

Fantastic!

Read first time in 1990 and was thrilled to find it on Audible. Enjoyed this 2nd read even more since the narrator pronounced the Scandinavian names and places correctly (which I couldn't do reading the book in 1990). The story is still unbelievably incredible with the human spirit's endurance tested far beyond what we would think are its farthest limits and the excess of generosity of humans to risk all to save even when reality screams hopelessness. Wow! What a read!!

We Die Alone

Amazing true story of the human capacity for pain, suffering, and loneliness. Yan”s willingness to engage in a highly dangerous mission in Labrador to offset German occupation during WWII led to. harrowing story of deprivation, a blinding blizzard, and German patrols. Excellent narration and accounting of this man’s endurance in the face of great odds!

Great read…but…

I thoroughly enjoyed this book until the very end. The end comes up a little bit short and more detail about what happened to all of the characters after the war would have been a nice way to finish this wonderful book properly in my opinion. The story up to that point is so riveting that I will forgive the author. This is one of those books that tells a horrible story in a way that makes you feel terrific inside about humanity. Not only is what this man went through rather stunning, but what others did to help him will knock you off your feet.