Well written and a good reminder of the times of World War II
593349
Well written and a good reminder of the times of World War II. A believable account of how the war effected young people at the time.
3373093
A well written historical novel providing details of modern history during the second world war from a German prospective. The main character is likeable because you identify with his human weaknesses.
553654
If you are interested in reading about  life  during WW II  in Poland, this novel should be high on your list. Avoiding death is a theme of this novel and the author did a good job of that.
744914
This was well-written and an overall good WWI story.
684360
Even though the content was sad and a reminder of a horrible time, the book kept my interest. The story of this young girl let you know what life was like for her during that time in history.
4410240
This is a well-written book about a very interesting period in American history, the early years of WWII and the emerging effect on both the troops and the American population in general.
4589891
It was very well written and shed some light on what navigators endured during the latter part of WWII in the Pacific.
4435695
I read this immediately following Fall of the Giants, which made it easier than allowing a period of time between books.  Remembering names, and relationships could have been more difficult if I had  read another novel in between the 2.  The World War II era was one that I lived through as a child, and as I was reading the account of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, I of course remembered where I was and what I was doing at that time.  I was surprised at what I didn't know about the war, so found the historical content a true learning experience.  Follett does a masterful job of building a good story and weaving it into actual historical events.  I liked his characterizations and the positive changes that occurred in several of the characters.  Some of the coincidental meetings of characters were a bit contrived though they helped  in the weaving of  the sub-plots.
1614303
This is an old woman's memories of her time during WW 2 written for her family. I learned about a slice of the war I had never considered. Very much worth reading. Uplifting despite the horrors of war.
4157995
This book is written in remembrance of a childhood that took place in simpler times in America. These childhood events helped to form positive character traits or where just good life lessons.  It is a refreshing read that I enjoyed and related to.
3292449
A good read. Quick pace, no lingering over trivia. A stark reminder of the end of WW2
573822
Well written view of D Day from the German side and the violence of war.
1003966
This is a book that makes a person think about the time when the world was at war and
people fell in love in a matter of minutes. It was touching and well written.  I think that
anyone would enjoy it.  This was my first book by this author and I am looking forward
to reading more of her books.
3902287
I have been reading several books by WWII veterans, and this was one of the best.  I remember the old TV show "Silent Service", about the submariners of the Pacific during WWII, not only of the actions, but also of the life between engagements.  I wish I could thank them for their service.  It also reminds me of an earlier time when personal pride and dignity were in greater supply than today.
1015563
I thought this book was very well written.  I liked how the characters were portrayed and how they all handled their own individual dilemmas.  The setting of World War II is one of my favorites and I am always in awe of people who had to endure such hardships.  For me, the measure of a book is how long it stays with me after I read it.  In this case I am still thinking about the individuals and how their lives might have continued.
2053899
This was a very well written book, based historically on World War I and its aftermath. It is written sensitively from the point of ex-soldiers and their life altering experiences in the war. When a sister of a soldier suffering from shell-shock contacts an old friend, Laurence Bartram, to look into the apparent suicide of her brother, they never knew what a chain reaction that the investigation would take. Laurence's wife died in childbirth along with his newborn son prior to his returning uninjured from the war. He had been spending his time supposedly writing a book about the great churches of Britain, although in reality he was suffering from depression and nightmares. So he was glad to have something else to focus on. With the help of his friend Charles, they investigate Captain John Emmett's death and the circumstances surrounding it. Feeling that it went back to something that happened during the war, they tried to identify and locate the soldiers in a picture that John had in his possession. As they investigated, they found that several of the men in it had been murdered in basically the same manner and that the group in the picture had been an execution squad assigned to execute a British officer for desertion. The story takes the men throughout Great Britain, and they hear the stories of the men involved in both the war and the execution and the difficulties they still experienced from that situation that they had been forced to do.

The book is loosely based on the execution of two officers of the three that were executed during World War I along with around 300 enlisted men. I find it hard to think that in the midst of the horror of the war that they were struggling through, that these men were tried and sentenced. The sentence was carried out within sight and sound of enemy fire within weeks of being accused with the accused man not having adequate legal help or defense.

This was a well written book, but certainly not entertaining as many mystery books tend to be. It is a book that makes you think and a book that totally erases the 'glamour' of war.
291694
This is a good book for those of us who love to read about the Second World War. To find out about the continuation and expansion of hostilities between Russia and the USA in this well written book was a real pleasure?
I was a very young child in the early 1950's  yet this book brought back the fear of ordinary citizens and the crazy actions of people in congress "investigating Reds." Actually it is much like out congress today.
I recommend this book to people who are interested in history and also enjoy a love story woven I tot.