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Those We Carry
A heartbreaking love story about people we carry with us, who change our lives. Inspired by the true story of a Canadian soldier and a young Dutch Resistance woman during World War II.
Ardagh Cadieu joins up to fight to overcome his troubled past, but when the shooting starts, he struggles to move forward, hesitating. The loss of his mentor and the tragedy that followed holds him back. Does he have what it takes to fight and survive, or even to lead? Most of all, will he eventually be able to overcome his burdened past? And at what cost?
Koos van den Berg has troubles of her own – the German occupation of her hometown, controlling parents, and traitors in her midst. Her struggles seem hopeless until the unexpected arrival of Ardagh. Two people amidst the chaos of conflict, struggle to form an unbreakable bond and dare to dream of the future …. if they can make it through the war.
Number 1 on the Calgary Herald's Bestseller List - 16 November 2024
“An authentic story of love and war vividly detailed.” — Kirkus Reviews
“With vivid detail and emotional depth, Those We Carry is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, war epics, and stories that explore the resilience of the human spirit. Saxberg’s gripping prose makes this novel both heart-wrenching and unforgettable.” — Cece M. Scott, CANREADS Calgary Book Review
“He is rich in examining the multitudes of things we think about and carry from our past behaviours, colliding with and meshing with our present circumstances. And all of it handled with deep respect for the Canadian military, the atmosphere of the times, the struggles during the war, and the friendships and enemies that are encountered. This is historical fiction at its best. It is informative, engaging, emotional and satisfying.” — Michael Sobota, The Chronicle Journal
“With crisp attention to historical details, Those We Carry is a tragic, triumphant novel about wartime love.” — Ryan Prado, Foreword Reviews
"Those We Carry shows the powerful connection we all have, and the bond with those who are gone, but never leave us. This deeply emotional book is based on a true story." - Bonnie Demoss, Historical Novels Review
Ardagh Cadieu joins up to fight to overcome his troubled past, but when the shooting starts, he struggles to move forward, hesitating. The loss of his mentor and the tragedy that followed holds him back. Does he have what it takes to fight and survive, or even to lead? Most of all, will he eventually be able to overcome his burdened past? And at what cost?
Koos van den Berg has troubles of her own – the German occupation of her hometown, controlling parents, and traitors in her midst. Her struggles seem hopeless until the unexpected arrival of Ardagh. Two people amidst the chaos of conflict, struggle to form an unbreakable bond and dare to dream of the future …. if they can make it through the war.
Number 1 on the Calgary Herald's Bestseller List - 16 November 2024
“An authentic story of love and war vividly detailed.” — Kirkus Reviews
“With vivid detail and emotional depth, Those We Carry is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, war epics, and stories that explore the resilience of the human spirit. Saxberg’s gripping prose makes this novel both heart-wrenching and unforgettable.” — Cece M. Scott, CANREADS Calgary Book Review
“He is rich in examining the multitudes of things we think about and carry from our past behaviours, colliding with and meshing with our present circumstances. And all of it handled with deep respect for the Canadian military, the atmosphere of the times, the struggles during the war, and the friendships and enemies that are encountered. This is historical fiction at its best. It is informative, engaging, emotional and satisfying.” — Michael Sobota, The Chronicle Journal
“With crisp attention to historical details, Those We Carry is a tragic, triumphant novel about wartime love.” — Ryan Prado, Foreword Reviews
"Those We Carry shows the powerful connection we all have, and the bond with those who are gone, but never leave us. This deeply emotional book is based on a true story." - Bonnie Demoss, Historical Novels Review
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2024
52 people are currently reading
3615 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 5, 2025
Ardagh Cadieu joins the Canadian Army to fight against the Nazis in WWII, but he is also fleeing from a horrific mistake in his past. Can he overcome his guilt and move forward? Koos van den Berg is part of the Danish resistance while the Germans occupy her hometown. Can she stay alive long enough to help her country? Then there is the boy she had liked, who did the unthinkable and joined the Dutch Nazis. When Koos and Ardagh meet, his past and her controlling family seem too much to overcome. Can they beat the odds and stay together?
This is a gritty, realistic look at the casualties of war, and of life. The mistakes and choices we make, and even the people we love, we carry with us as long as we live. Even brief contacts can make lasting impressions: “The fish and chips guy,” Ardagh said. “It’s funny the things you remember of the guys, brief clips or moments, or gestures they made, but if you asked me about a conversation we had, I couldn’t remember a thing.” The descriptions of battle are very detailed and well-researched. The bond between soldiers who fight together and the grief of watching your friends die on the battlefield is brought home over and over. The scene of the padre walking through the aftermath of The Battle of the Gap, speaking to the dead men, is one the reader will carry with them after the book is finished. Even those who are never on the battlefield carry others with them through loss, regret, and even love. Those We Carry shows the powerful connection we all have, and the bond with those who are gone, but never leave us. This deeply emotional book is based on a true story.
I received a free copy of this book via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
This is a gritty, realistic look at the casualties of war, and of life. The mistakes and choices we make, and even the people we love, we carry with us as long as we live. Even brief contacts can make lasting impressions: “The fish and chips guy,” Ardagh said. “It’s funny the things you remember of the guys, brief clips or moments, or gestures they made, but if you asked me about a conversation we had, I couldn’t remember a thing.” The descriptions of battle are very detailed and well-researched. The bond between soldiers who fight together and the grief of watching your friends die on the battlefield is brought home over and over. The scene of the padre walking through the aftermath of The Battle of the Gap, speaking to the dead men, is one the reader will carry with them after the book is finished. Even those who are never on the battlefield carry others with them through loss, regret, and even love. Those We Carry shows the powerful connection we all have, and the bond with those who are gone, but never leave us. This deeply emotional book is based on a true story.
I received a free copy of this book via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
August 8, 2025
“Those We Carry” is a work of fiction inspired by the real-life story of a Canadian soldier and a Dutch resistance woman during WW2. I rate it as a solid but not exceptional work. The story takes place primarily in Holland with tragic events in Fort William, Ontario providing some of the backstory.
Ardagh Cadieu from Fort Willians joins up to fight in the war motivated in part by tragic events in his past. The novel follows his experiences, as part of the Lake Superior Regiment, in battle and the relationships he develops with his fellow soldiers. Ardagh struggles to redeem himself in his own eyes and matures into a seasoned officer amidst the horrors of war.
The parallel narrative centres on young Dutch woman Koos van den Berg whose hometown is occupied by the Germans. She chafes under the strict hand of her traditional and religious parents and battles for her independence. Ardagh and Koos meet and fall in love when the Lake Superior Regiment arrives to free her hometown from the Germans.
The accounting of battles and the horrors of war in “Those We Carry” is solid and convincing. However, the relationship that develops between Ardagh and Koos is a bit weak and predictable. The Koos character is rather one-dimensional which detracts from the novel’s overall strength,. Nevertheless, “Those We Carry” is an interesting and enjoyable read.
Ardagh Cadieu from Fort Willians joins up to fight in the war motivated in part by tragic events in his past. The novel follows his experiences, as part of the Lake Superior Regiment, in battle and the relationships he develops with his fellow soldiers. Ardagh struggles to redeem himself in his own eyes and matures into a seasoned officer amidst the horrors of war.
The parallel narrative centres on young Dutch woman Koos van den Berg whose hometown is occupied by the Germans. She chafes under the strict hand of her traditional and religious parents and battles for her independence. Ardagh and Koos meet and fall in love when the Lake Superior Regiment arrives to free her hometown from the Germans.
The accounting of battles and the horrors of war in “Those We Carry” is solid and convincing. However, the relationship that develops between Ardagh and Koos is a bit weak and predictable. The Koos character is rather one-dimensional which detracts from the novel’s overall strength,. Nevertheless, “Those We Carry” is an interesting and enjoyable read.
February 11, 2025
The measure of a book is in its ability to captivate. As Koos and Ardaugh’s stories develop I found myself reaching for the book when I should have been doing other things.
It wasn’t until I finished the book that I read the author’s notes about the historical context. He grew up hearing stories from his father about his great-uncles who served in WW II. He then spent 5 years rigorously researching primary sources about the Lake Superior Regiment. His research included meetings with relatives of Koos and certain others.
I have recently read several books set in wartime. Saxberg captures the intense friendships as well as the romantic relationships (sometimes thwarted) that can occur in war zones. At the end of the story the author lists names of the characters with details about their lives where they were based on real people. Reading through the birth and death dates is like walking through a military cemetery - so many died in their early 20s.
My grandfather was a Marine stationed in the Pacific in WW II. I understand he came home a changed person and refused to talk about the war.
The book’s title - “Those We Carry” - is a testament to remembering.
It wasn’t until I finished the book that I read the author’s notes about the historical context. He grew up hearing stories from his father about his great-uncles who served in WW II. He then spent 5 years rigorously researching primary sources about the Lake Superior Regiment. His research included meetings with relatives of Koos and certain others.
I have recently read several books set in wartime. Saxberg captures the intense friendships as well as the romantic relationships (sometimes thwarted) that can occur in war zones. At the end of the story the author lists names of the characters with details about their lives where they were based on real people. Reading through the birth and death dates is like walking through a military cemetery - so many died in their early 20s.
My grandfather was a Marine stationed in the Pacific in WW II. I understand he came home a changed person and refused to talk about the war.
The book’s title - “Those We Carry” - is a testament to remembering.
September 11, 2025
Those we carry is a fictional story but based on the stories the author's father told him about the family in WWII.
I originally gave it 3 stars, but when I read the Author's note, about how much time had gone into research and how most of the names used in the story were accounted for I decided on 4 stars.
I originally gave it 3 stars, but when I read the Author's note, about how much time had gone into research and how most of the names used in the story were accounted for I decided on 4 stars.
October 9, 2025
This title was selected for IngramSpark's Indie Title Discovery Spotlight 2025!
A gripping WW2 historical novel inspired by real events. Perfect for fans of sweeping romance, highly researched historical fiction, and emotional war epics!
A gripping WW2 historical novel inspired by real events. Perfect for fans of sweeping romance, highly researched historical fiction, and emotional war epics!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews