Remember Us

American Sacrifice, Dutch Freedom, and A Forever Promise Forged in World War II

By: Robert M. Edsel, Bret Witter

Narrated by: Dion Graham, Robert Edsel

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Amazon Editor’s Pick

“An intimate, moving look at the war that extracts deep meaning from the carnage and loss.” – Publishers Weekly

What happens when you lose your freedom and the people who eventually get it back for you are no longer alive to thank?

Remember Us, by Robert Edsel—#1 New York Times bestselling author of The Monuments Men—begins in the pre-dawn hours of Hitler’s invasion of Western Europe on May 10, 1940, when his forces rolled into the small rural province of Limburg in the Netherlands shattering more than 100 years of peace. Their freedom gone, the Dutch lived through four-and-a-half years of occupation until American forces reached Limburg in September 1944, the last portion of Western Europe liberated by the Allies before their advance on Nazi Germany slammed to a halt.

Like The Monuments Men, Remember Us is an ensemble piece that follows twelve main characters over a six-year span, zeroing in on ordinary people including Frieda van Schäik, a teenager who falls in love with an American soldier; Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cole, the first member of the 101st Airborne to receive the Medal of Honor; and Sergeant Jeff Wiggins of the 960th Quartermaster Service Company, who escaped the poverty and racism of Alabama for yet another indignity—digging graves.

Drawing on never-before-seen letters, diaries, and other historical records, Edsel shows the painful price of freedom, on the battlefields and inside American homes. In this rich, dramatic, and suspenseful story, he captures both the horrors of war and the transcendent power of gratitude, showing the extraordinary measures the Dutch have taken to thank their liberators. Remember Us is exactly the book we need—a reminder that grief is universal, that humanity knows no national or racial boundaries, and that we all want to be remembered, somehow, someway, by somebody.

Maps, photos, and a bibliography can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Outstanding

Amazing story and most certainly well researched and heartfelt!
Brings the human aspects of war to life from both sides of the libration of a people !!!

Moving Book

Saw the author on a news program. I’ve never heard this piece of WWII history. I thoroughly enjoyed the reading and material.

Unknown story of Dutch

Wonderful history of WWII, bravery of American soldiers and Dutch honoring their liberators, enjoyable narration

Amazing Heart Tugging Stories

Extraordinary stories interwoven and connected. Everyone can learn through reading this book. Unforgettable! I loved Remember Us!

Much better than I expected

I thought this book would just focus on all the details about the cemetery. I was surprised that he spent so many years researching the details of everything about these men. I am so grateful that the Dutch people continue to honor our soldiers to this day, it was surprising that extensive renovations were done to the cemetery that kept it closed for 12 years. The Dutch did not forget and still adopted each grave as one of their own.

Brings the experience of the war to a human level

Brought these heroes, both American and Dutch to life. Cried throughout hearing the stories about their lives and what they went trough. Brilliant research by Robert Edsel.

The love and care the Dutch people showed for their liberator’s graves

Liked information on graves registration service and how how information was finally passed to families.

Fantastic

A beautiful story, beautiful writing, fantastic performance - I look forward to visiting the cemetery and appreciating the beautiful care in person soon.

Amazingly detailed and thorough research!

Fantastically beautiful and impartial work.
Absolutely captivating book from beginning to end. I will visit the cemetery in the Netherlands this fall.

Great Book

This is a a really great book. It is ultimately about the American Cemetery in Margraten in Holland, but it really tells the stories of both servicemen and Dutch civilians whose lives (and sometimes deaths) become intertwined at the cemetery. It is often tragic, but also uplifting. The book does lead one to conclude that, along with the evil, there are generous and good people in the world.

The book is very well-written. It is a bit long, but it moves well. The individual stories are compelling.

One of the best in a while.