Report From #24

by Gunnar Sonsteby

Sonsteby tells his courageous story of espionage and sabotage against the Naziz and of eluding capture through daring, intuition, and a constant slew of changing identities.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Biography Memoir, War, Memoir, Military Fiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 1964

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Known as a master of disguise, Norwegian freedom fighter Gunnar Sonsteby did much to weaken the Nazi stranglehold on Norway during WWII. Despite being on their most wanted list for many years, Sonsteby was able to elude capture by the Gestapo and survive to personally guard the royal family upon their return to Oslo. He is the most highly decorated person in Norway.

"Max Manus", was screened at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival - my hopes is that it be shown in the US. It features another member of the Norwegian resistance to Nazi occupation, and comrad of Gunnar Sonsteby.

[Einar Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the last year, my daughters have been reading about World War II. I read a couple of their books and found my interest rekindled. This morning I finished Report from No. 24 which is an autobiographical report of Gunnar Sonsteby’s efforts as a resistance fighter in Norway after the Nazis invaded. He led 17 attacks against German targets in Norway including an airport, machine tool factory, and oil storage depot. He also coordinated and in many cases conducted movement of Norwegians to “neutral” Sweden so they could escape arrest from the puppet government and/or Gestapo forces.

Sonsteby writing is easy to follow and his recall of detail was amazing. Twenty years had passed since the war’s end, but those few years no doubt left a mark on the man. He was in his mid-20s during the war and his mind craved details. He managed to maintain networks of contacts and multiple identities throughout southern Norway, escaping arrest and minimizing what details his contacts could know to help keep them safe. His humility and courage are apparent in how he shared his story.

This book offers a glimpse into part of the European Theater overlooked by most descriptions of WWII and it offers a glimpse into a local resistance effort. I’ve heard tales about my family members’ experiences in Norway during the occupation, from serving with the resistance to “surviving” time in a concentration camp to enduring. This book helps me understand how my ancestors resisted. I recommend it.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜ · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren’t many pages in this book but oh my goodness what a read! I somewhat, generally know about the French resistance, not a lot, but have heard about it over the years, but didn’t know about the dreadful occupation of Norway by the Germans or about the courage of the Norwegian people during Word War II. The heroic work of the Norwegian resistance was nothing short of amazing.
If you do read it, and I highly recommend this book, instead of constant googling of places you probably should have a detailed map of Norway at the ready. Wish I had thought of this sooner.

[Simon Utbjoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lydbok

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is again one of those little corners of WWII History that is stranger than fiction and all true! It is a quick read in a fast diary narrative style. It rambles a bit, but gives some rich details about the Norwegian resistance and the truly heroic efforts of a small cadre of fighters against the Nazi machine. I did not give it more stars because I felt the transition from the Norwegian to English should have been a little smoother, consequently that slightly detracted from the flow. Nonetheless it is a good read and shines a light into those shadows of history that are not a part of our (U.S) mainstream WWII history education.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason my reading follows a thread and now it is WWII, particularly about Norway. Nevile Shute and the destruction of the heavy water plant precede this story about the heroic effort made by ordinary people to overthrow invading tyrants. It just seemed to happen and everyone was pulling in the same direction. Great story about a country we love.

[Mary Farnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent adventure, amazing courage and ingenuity, devotion and good luck. Not great literature, but worthwhile read. Netflix “Number 24” seems like it faithfully brought Gunnar Sonsteby’s story to the screen. Interesting details of Norwegian Resistance relationship with SOE and OSS. Propaganda work to keep Norwegian citizens supportive of Resistance despite drawn-out war and Nazi reprisals is fascinating — as well as actions taken to avoid civilian casualties from Resistance acts of sabotage — e.g. phone calls: “The building you’re in will blow up in 5 minutes: exit now!”

[Karen T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Story

My husband watched the movie “The 24” while I was busy doing other things. It looked good so I got the book. The writing style was simply giving facts. That is the reason for the 4 rating. For me, there was no sense of urgency in events. It was simply, “I did this, I did that…” While I realize the “this and that” was important, dangerous work, I just didn’t feel it. I am, however, thankful for the bravery and daring of all of the resistance fighters and their networks.

[Carmen Amato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authentic memoir of one of the most active members of the Norwegian Resistance during WWII. Not a comprehensive history of Norway's war, but a very personal account of a young man caught up in the war and his efforts to fight Nazi occupation. He ended up being the most decorated Norwegian resistance fighter and his narrative is too modest.

[Dave Hoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Norsk should read this and other accounts of the Resistance fighters during WWII. What a thrilling book this is.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome little piece of history. Well worth the read for anyone interested in WWII sabotage or the Norwegian resistance...or just a great story.

[Carina Munthe-Kaas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rapport fra nr. 24 er kanskje ikke et litterært mesterverk i tradisjonell forstand, men det gjør den ikke mindre verdifull. Tvert imot – denne boken gir et sjeldent, nært og autentisk innblikk i motstandskampen under andre verdenskrig, sett gjennom øynene til en av Norges mest sentrale sabotører og frihetskjempere.

Språket er enkelt og rett fram, og nettopp det fungerer svært godt. Det er ingen litterære krumspring eller skjønnmalte beskrivelser. En usminket og presis rapport fra innsiden av motstandsbevegelsen. Det gir en følelse av at man sitter ved siden av Sønsteby selv og får historiene fortalt irl.

Boken er spennende fra start til slutt, og det er nesten vanskelig å forstå at dette faktisk er virkelige hendelser. De dramatiske operasjonene, de konstante fluktene, de taktiske vurderingene og det enorme presset – alt formidles med en slags nøktern ro som gjør innholdet enda mer virkningsfullt. Spesielt historiene om de mange menneskene som måtte betale med livet, for sin innsats i motstandsarbeidet.

Noe av det mest interessante er hvor nært man kommer både hendelsene og menneskene. Sønsteby er ikke ute etter å fremstille seg selv som en helt, men heller å dokumentere et liv i kamp for frihet og rettferdighet. Det gjør historien både menneskelig og gripende. Gjennom hans øyne får vi også en sterk påminnelse om betydningen av mot, fellesskap og sivil ulydighet i møte med undertrykkelse.

Rapport fra nr. 24 er en bok alle burde lese – ikke for den litterære opplevelsen, men for innsikten den gir. Den er både informativ, tankevekkende og spennende.

[E. Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decorated, modest hero... a genius in leadership, an instinct for war.

This 23 year old insurance clerk understood the indications of coming war & without any experience or training, stepped up to the resistance to risk all. His example of personal management & self discipline are fit for formal training. He tried to learn from every mission, & shared his lessons to train his men. His leadership demanded the respect of his fellows. He led by example & instilled discipline & the habit of careful planning in his men. He was a skilled observer of the human condition who believed that freedom comes first in the choices of life. The movie NUMBER 24 lends context to this fine book.

CW4 E D Kingsley
US Army, Retired

[Kathy Overstreet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It starts off while he's eating breakfast
. He's eating eggs and toast. Then he finds out that the Nazis has taken over Norway. At that moment he wasn't going to let the Nazis ruin his breakfast. It's a good book and if you like history, this is a great book to read!!!

My grandpa was from Norway. He left Norway when he was 16. He never went back to Norway. He had several brothers and a baby sister.He said that Gunnar was his nephew many years ago. My grandpa died in August, 1976 in Texas.
When Gunnar was in the states he appeared on a game show, To Tell The Truth back in the 50's. In Gunnar's book there's some pictures of him when he was younger. He looked a lot liked my brother.

[Trine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leste boka fra 2024. Spennende å lese Gunnar Sønsteby sine egne minner fra krigen. Ligner litt på filmen, men denne var mer virkelighetsnær enn filmen, da de har kortet ned på masse. Anbefaler å lese denne hvis du kjenner til krigen i Norge, da han viser til hendelser som om vi burde vite om pga den ble skrevet i 1960.

[Bjorn Solli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book about WW2 and the resistance work in Norway. It was unbelievable what they got away with and the chances they took. Unfortunately good people lost their lives doing it.

[Nadia Aguilar · Rating 3 out of 5]

La resistencia Noruega fue encarnada por Gunnar Sonsteby 1918-2012
Cuando Alemania invadió Noruega en 1940 este chico abandonó todo para ser parte del movimiento de resistencia. Personaje legendario que realmente vale la pena conocer su historia.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This autobiographical account details the many missions of Norway’s most decorated WWII hero. He describes these dangerous operations in a matter-of-fact manner, giving credit to his companions.
I highly recommend this book!

[Whitney W · Rating 3 out of 5]

This told the story in a pretty different way from the Netflix movie (honestly, less action). I appreciated this book and his bravery and work.

[Ole Anders Froknestad · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 / 5

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story - but I didn't think it was very-well written. It was confusing at times - he would mention new people without have introduced them. Also, the way the action was written was very matter of fact and didn't really draw you into the story. A map also would have been helpful. However, despite these criticisms, I think it is still worth reading if you are interested in the subject matter. It's really an amazing story about Sonsteby and his colleagues, and their heroic accomplishments in the Norwegian Resistance.

[Constance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author has an absolutely amazing story! I've heard him speak twice and read his book twice. I found his adventures as a member of the Norwegian Resistance during WW2 extremely interesting. I understand there is now a statue of him in Oslo.

[Gerry Connolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Report from #24 recounts Norwegian Gunnar Sonsteby's exploits in anti-Nazi resistance. Real courage.