X Troop

The Secret Jewish Commandos Who Helped Defeat the Nazis

By: Leah Garrett

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin. 

June 1942. The Third Reich is victorious everywhere. In desperation, Winston Churchill and his chief of staff form an unusual plan: a new commando unit made up of Jewish refugees from Germany and Austria who escaped to Britain just before the war. Many have lost their families, their homes - their whole worlds. And now, in the crucial final battles against the Nazis, they will stop at nothing to defeat them. Trained in counterintelligence and advanced combat, this top secret unit becomes known as X Troop. Some simply call them a suicide squad.

Drawing on extensive original research, including interviews with the last surviving members, Leah Garrett follows this unique band of brothers from Europe to England and back again, with stops at British internment camps, the beaches of Normandy, the battlefields of Italy and Holland and the hellscape of Terezin concentration camp - the scene of one of the most dramatic, untold rescues of the war. For the first time, X Troop tells the astonishing story of these secret shock troops and their devastating blows against the Nazis.

©2021 Leah Garrett (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Must have for ww2 history enthusiast/ researchers

The story and witness of the incredible X Troop.
A commando unit in ww2 of mainly Jewish refugees serving in the British army.
Not a lot is known about this unit, hopefully more will be published in the future.

Amazing account of Jewish Commandos

Breathtaking narrative of young boys and men thrown into the treadmill of WWII who stood up and got their revenge.

Very good story, well narrated

Really interesting story that is well told and is set at a good pace. you can really appreciate the effort the author has gone to for the narrative and getting an accurate history and portrayal.

narrator is superb. great pronunciation, good accents and kept the very hard topic, interesting and thoughtful.

Fantastic book.

I cannot believe there is no film made of these amazing men and feats of bravery.

Brilliant

Exceeded my expectations by a country mile. A seriously good story, which in fact was a series of stories within a story. Superbly written and beautifully narrated. The ending brought a lump to my throat. I cannot rate this gem of a book highly enough.

Essential. Brilliant. Reads like a John le Carre novel!

This is a truly magnificent book. It is the most extraordinary story one wouldn’t have believed it if it were a movie. Heroic and desperately sad on so many levels, beautifully told with intriguing details and personal stories. This deserves a Netflix movie of its own.

an amazing story

coming from a family with ties to the ww2 I often look for books about this period.
this book is amazing, the pain and suffering the germans inflicted on Jewish people is awful and is always going to be a stain on the human existence.
this is such a interesting story and one that any person who is interested in this time should listen too

My book of the year

Leah Garrett should be wholly proud of this book, which lifts the lid on one of WWll's secrets. How these men found it within themselves to go to war for a country that had been both kind and harsh to them shows their innate goodness and bravery. What they did has gone unremarked upon for too long. Ms Garrett presents us with a book containing detailed research as well as the human side, and cost, of war. I did something with this book that I have never, ever done before. The minute I finished it, I started it all over again. One listen wasn't enough. I'm just about to head in to my 3rd listen as every time an amazing feat or remarkable achievement blows my mind. A wonderful book exquisitely written and narrated.

Essential Reading

This is an extraordinary collection of stories, about extraordinary people, expertly and humanely written. I have listened to it several times and recommend to anyone who is curious about these commandos. As the author is telling the stories of individuals of X Troop, it's a highly personal account, and as such is completely absorbing and engaging.

Initially I wasn't sure I'd get on with the narrator, I'm not sure why, but after I settled into to it I think that he is perfect for it, and good at bringing to life the quotations included in the book.

This is now one of my top 10 books.

Brilliant book.

Absorbing. Personal and sadly highlights another episode of those who fought for us being treated poorly by the UK

Fantastic book

One of the best books I’ve ever read, all the more incredible because it is a true story. Incredibly well researched, it reads like a well plotted fast paced action novel. Highly recommend.

Amazing

an incredible story of the men of xtroop.
If only I was 10% as brave as these soldiers my life would be different. a lovely yet harrowing account of their survival, their skills and their commitment to rid the world of evil, even when that evil is so close to home.