The Estonian Spy: A True Story of Resistance to Russian Oppression

by Reinolt Tofer, Ken Hallenbeck

In this remarkable true story, follow the transformation of Estonian Tom Saar from childhood refugee to Special Forces soldier. Born in 1934, Tom is forced to flee Estonia at age 5 and is recruited into Hitler's Youth before ultimately escaping to Sweden. Seeking to avenge the loss of his family, he enlists in the U.S. Army and becomes one of the founding Special Forces "Green Berets". His exploits behind enemy lines include sabotage, kidnapping, assassination, and even a wedding infiltration. But when a close call leaves him staring death in the face, he is forced to choose between his quest for vengeance and the safety of civilian life. Will he escape the violence of Europe to settle in America? Or will he be sucked back into the war?

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2023

Reviews

[Sally Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a great read.

Amazing life and story. And to think that was real life. Now I need more stories about his life. I'm hooked.

[Cynthia Karpa McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting account of a young refugee fleeing his country into U.S. Special Forces. This slim volume covers his family's escape from Estonia to Berlin to Sweden. An enterprising youth, Tom Saar discovers a path both to U.S. citizenship and a chance to fight his country's oppressors. He lived to tell the tale, and I'm glad he did. Given all he lived through, this book could have been much longer. Saar left us with a valuable account of little-known behind-the-senes political history.

There are a few typos - could use a proofreader.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating! We are losing people from this generation so fast. I am very glad these stories have been preserved.