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Narrative Non Fiction
True Stories: Second World War
A collection of twelve true stories that took place during World War Two, including a real life naval battle, a duel between solitary snipers for the control of Stalingrad and other tales of bravery and heroism.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1900
31 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Paul Dowswell
143 books65 followersPaul Dowswell is a British writer of nonfiction and young adult novels who has written over 70 books for British publishers. He was a senior editor at Usborne Publishing, then went freelance in 1999.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 48 reviews
October 28, 2011
What my experience about reading the book was that these stories are great. But the one of the lower perks is that these stories are undeniably short. Of couse the story really calls for your attention.And for a nonfiction bok, this choice is rather interesting.This book, being a short book contains several nonfiction stories. Some of which are highly intriguing. I do recommend this book to the general public, because it is not too gory yet not to boring, a perfect combination.Although a great combination, this book does not show too much detail in some of the stories. For example; In the story about the bismark it lacked detail.This comared to a tv documentary based on the Bismark.Regarding its flaws, this book is a great way to inform yourdelf, or others on shorts stories of WWII. hence it's title "True Stories Of The Second World War.Overall I do reccomend this book, but more in the sense of a late middle scholar challenge. not much of a secondary/high school challenge. but still is rather fun to read as a book in spare time. as it has great stories like "Cracking Enigma." which takes place in the ocean near Northern Britain.In which a British Ship intercepts a Nazi submarine. And to their surprise they manage to find a German coding machine. Used for enciphering and deciphering messages that the nazis sent in encoded format.
May 30, 2017
Very good stories, some of them I didn't even know. Narration is also very simple and if you don't like history much, this is a good book to start to broaden your reading base.
January 13, 2020
”Störst chans att få komma hem igen tycks Wallenberg ha haft 1946, när den avgående svenske ambassadören i Moskva kallades till ett sista möte med den sovjetiske diktatorn Josef Stalin. Stalin frågade om han hade några särskilda önskemål, den svenske ambassadören svarade då att om Raoul Wallenberg befann sig i sovjetiska händer, skulle det vara bra om de släppte honom. Tragiskt nog medgav sedan ambassadören för Stalin att han personligen trodde att Wallenberg var död. Han kunde lika gärna ha undertecknat Wallenbergs dödsdom. [...] Om svenskarna trodde att Wallenberg var död, var det bra mycket enklare att bara döda honom än att medge att han suttit fängslad på felaktiga grunder.”
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”Till slut, och det är inte utan att det ligger en viss ironi i detta, var det ett kärleksbevis som förrådde Eichmann. Den 21 mars 1960 kom han hem med en blomsterbukett till sin hustru. Agenterna visste att han och Vera hade gift sig den 21 mars 1935. Det räckte för att övertyga dem om att Klement verkligen var Eichmann.”
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”Till slut, och det är inte utan att det ligger en viss ironi i detta, var det ett kärleksbevis som förrådde Eichmann. Den 21 mars 1960 kom han hem med en blomsterbukett till sin hustru. Agenterna visste att han och Vera hade gift sig den 21 mars 1935. Det räckte för att övertyga dem om att Klement verkligen var Eichmann.”
May 12, 2016
Very good broad overview of World War II, suitable for mature children (but many adults would also find it interesting). Covers many topics including the conditions that led to the war, the various battles, political and military leaders, effects of the war on civilians, atrocities (including the Holocaust), technology, and the postwar world. Features many difficult and disturbing topics, but details are relatively age-appropriate.
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March 11, 2021Review of “True Stories Of The Second World War” by Paul Dowswell
This is a historical book. For example it records some stories during the WW2 that are not well konwn.
I choose this book because I always want to read books about WW2, and learn information form that. When I first read this book, I think this is a 100 precent history book, but then I find that the author also put some details in this book let readers feel some emotions. But I don’t have a favorite quote of this book. The person this book recorded that I remember the most is a women named Violette Szabo. She joined army to be a British agent, she fought to Germany but was captured in a mission, then she was killed by Nazi. And the scene I remember the most is last voyage of Bismarck, the battle on the sea shows the allied force’s victory. This book let me think of schemes and intrigues because the WW2 began with conflict about interest and cause so many people died.
You should read this book if you want to know WW2 information.
This is a historical book. For example it records some stories during the WW2 that are not well konwn.
I choose this book because I always want to read books about WW2, and learn information form that. When I first read this book, I think this is a 100 precent history book, but then I find that the author also put some details in this book let readers feel some emotions. But I don’t have a favorite quote of this book. The person this book recorded that I remember the most is a women named Violette Szabo. She joined army to be a British agent, she fought to Germany but was captured in a mission, then she was killed by Nazi. And the scene I remember the most is last voyage of Bismarck, the battle on the sea shows the allied force’s victory. This book let me think of schemes and intrigues because the WW2 began with conflict about interest and cause so many people died.
You should read this book if you want to know WW2 information.
January 13, 2025
This book was assigned to my son as part of a book report, apparently it was obtained by the school through a Scholastic series. It is aimed at grade-6 to grade-8 students. The language is plain and comprehensible.
The book starts of ok enough, it is a collection of stories from WWII. Unfortunately it does take a dark twist, explaining details of the decision to commit genocide, details of gas chambers and concentration camps, explaining the horrors of war (letter from a soldier describing being hit by body parts as grenades explode). Certainly adult themes that children can't understand. The fact that they are true is especially haunting for my kid. We stopped reading it, and it is being pulled from the school library. If you do read this book with your child, you better have an in-depth knowledge of WWII to explain and put things into context, it is definitely not the type of book you want them to read alone in their room, as the themes are particularly disturbing.
The book starts of ok enough, it is a collection of stories from WWII. Unfortunately it does take a dark twist, explaining details of the decision to commit genocide, details of gas chambers and concentration camps, explaining the horrors of war (letter from a soldier describing being hit by body parts as grenades explode). Certainly adult themes that children can't understand. The fact that they are true is especially haunting for my kid. We stopped reading it, and it is being pulled from the school library. If you do read this book with your child, you better have an in-depth knowledge of WWII to explain and put things into context, it is definitely not the type of book you want them to read alone in their room, as the themes are particularly disturbing.
August 5, 2018
Of course, not all history needs to come in heavy tomes with impenetrable text, that's a given. As such, one could not only forgive, but welcome, a collection of short stories with no connection between them. After all, World War 2! An unimaginable amount of interesting, surprising, exciting or simply unbelievable stories. No?
As it turns out, not really. This is a collection of not very interesting stories, told in an unimaginative way and all within a few short pages that don't do them justice. And when I say "not very interesting stories", I realise it's the writer's fault - you can't really call the Bismarck sinking as 'not very interesting', but that's how it comes out from the story in the book. Similarly with the others.
As it turns out, not really. This is a collection of not very interesting stories, told in an unimaginative way and all within a few short pages that don't do them justice. And when I say "not very interesting stories", I realise it's the writer's fault - you can't really call the Bismarck sinking as 'not very interesting', but that's how it comes out from the story in the book. Similarly with the others.
March 27, 2025
True stories of the second world war by Paul Dowswell. 12 stories it talks about warships in battle. The Soviet air force. The Bismarck was a war ship it was the largest ship it was destroyed by the British ship. Soviet loss to the operation of Marina Raskova. there is a atomic bomb called little boy. The book was interesting I give 4 star rating. I learned the Bismarck was the largest ship in 1941. I recmend it people the like war
December 21, 2023
Accessible, inspiring, educational. A series of true short stories from WW2 aimed toward youth; however, I quite enjoyed this as an adult. This is such a riveting period of history, and the sacrifices people willingly made for their countries are inspiring.
December 27, 2023
I'm so glad that I read this book. It gave me more insight into WWII. I've read a lot of historical fiction from this war, but each story in this book gave insight to much more. It is a part of history that should never be forgotten.
February 27, 2024
I didn’t know any of these stories or at least these parts. Like I knew about the enigma machine but I didn’t remember or know how the code books and machine were retrieved from a submarine. It was an easy read. It makes me proud of courageous people who did so much to win the war.
October 4, 2017
A powerful book. It tells most facts of individuals in world war 2.
December 27, 2017
Not bad..not very in depth.
November 15, 2018
A book for middle school level readers, perhaps. Dowasell seems to have written five or so books with adventurous themes directed at youngsters.
April 10, 2019
Brutal accounts of the horrors of war, from trench warfare to the battles in the Vietnamese rainforests.
June 10, 2019
A collection of true stories from WWII.
Many of these short pieces were gripping / fascinating.
Read time around ninety minutes.
Many of these short pieces were gripping / fascinating.
Read time around ninety minutes.
January 9, 2022
160 sidor. Nu kanske jag inte var så intresserad av alla berättelser men vissa händelser har man bara hört om men inte varit så djupt insatt i. Så det var intressant att läsa. Men helt okej bok.
October 6, 2016
The author's purpose of writing the book titled True Stories of the Second World War is to inform the reader about courageous stories that happened during WWII. The author directly states the purpose of personal accounts that soldiers experienced throughout the war.
The theme of this book is that young boys became men at an early age and demonstrated leadership for their country. The author was indirectly stating that they would rather die in battle then be captured by the enemy.
This book was written in 3rd person because the author, Paul Dowswell is retelling the stories of soldiers first hand experiences of war. I had a personal bonding with the soldiers. I happen to be close in age to many of the soldiers in the story. This is why the story was effective to me. This book is a narration because it tells the story through a series of events that described what happened in chronological order.
I believe this book is a true account of our American soldiers who fought the Germans to help our country achieve ultimate victory. I liked that the author gave gruesome and emotional details about the horrors of war. The only thing I disliked was when the author spoke of the Holocaust and how the Nazis treated the Jews. I wouldn't change anything because you can't change history. Yes this book is very similar to another book that I've read called soldier X.
The theme of this book is that young boys became men at an early age and demonstrated leadership for their country. The author was indirectly stating that they would rather die in battle then be captured by the enemy.
This book was written in 3rd person because the author, Paul Dowswell is retelling the stories of soldiers first hand experiences of war. I had a personal bonding with the soldiers. I happen to be close in age to many of the soldiers in the story. This is why the story was effective to me. This book is a narration because it tells the story through a series of events that described what happened in chronological order.
I believe this book is a true account of our American soldiers who fought the Germans to help our country achieve ultimate victory. I liked that the author gave gruesome and emotional details about the horrors of war. The only thing I disliked was when the author spoke of the Holocaust and how the Nazis treated the Jews. I wouldn't change anything because you can't change history. Yes this book is very similar to another book that I've read called soldier X.
February 25, 2012
18-23 FEB 2012 2:30 min Jurgen Hempel 7-G
This is a very interenting book because I contains real stories related to World War 2. The combat in this war was between two blocs, the Axis (Germany, Italy and Japan) and the Allies (British, United States and Russia). The main cause was because the Axis wanted more territories and the Allies did not let them go thru with their plans. The war was fought in Western and Eastern Europe, Russia, North Africa, and the Eastern Pacific and South East Asia. It began when Germany invaded Poland in 1939. It ended in 1945, when Japan surrendered after two of its cities were distroyed by atomic bombs.
The story The first and final voyage of the Bismarck - The Bismarck was a huge battleship. Was visited by Adolf Hitler in 1941. The capitan of the ship was Ernst Lindemann. The Bismarck was sent to fight against Britain, which was the major European power that still undefeated. The mission was called "Operation Rhine". As soon as Britain knew about the mission, thy started preparting their defense. They sent two battleships to intercept the Bismarck and the Prinz Eugen. Then they also sent aircrafts to the rescue. The German ships were expecting the attack, but did not know how close the British army was. Once the British saw the German ships and the German became aware of the British ships, the battle began.
This is a very interenting book because I contains real stories related to World War 2. The combat in this war was between two blocs, the Axis (Germany, Italy and Japan) and the Allies (British, United States and Russia). The main cause was because the Axis wanted more territories and the Allies did not let them go thru with their plans. The war was fought in Western and Eastern Europe, Russia, North Africa, and the Eastern Pacific and South East Asia. It began when Germany invaded Poland in 1939. It ended in 1945, when Japan surrendered after two of its cities were distroyed by atomic bombs.
The story The first and final voyage of the Bismarck - The Bismarck was a huge battleship. Was visited by Adolf Hitler in 1941. The capitan of the ship was Ernst Lindemann. The Bismarck was sent to fight against Britain, which was the major European power that still undefeated. The mission was called "Operation Rhine". As soon as Britain knew about the mission, thy started preparting their defense. They sent two battleships to intercept the Bismarck and the Prinz Eugen. Then they also sent aircrafts to the rescue. The German ships were expecting the attack, but did not know how close the British army was. Once the British saw the German ships and the German became aware of the British ships, the battle began.
September 16, 2015
I think The Second World War was hard for others because of Adolf Hitler killed and capture the Jews or other people (not Jews). Adolf Hitler (Chancellor of Germany) armies(German army) went to different countries and states to conquer their place. The first battle took place on land in Europe where they were pushed down to the beach and told all the Jews that they have to be killed or work for them. The second war was the sea, where the Germans sunk other ships and all the other died from drowning or being shot from the Germans soldiers on their ships. Then the final fight was in the air where houses and buildings been destroyed. The Germans fought in the air mostly and killed all the people if they see them. Adolf Hitler was a killer were he never gave up killing until he died. In his house, his wife has a gun with Hitler and when they hear them coming inside they pointed the gun in their mouth then pulled the trigger. Hitler's death made the Germans give up from fighting, they were either killed by the Americans, British, and the French or committed suicide. This is what I think about The Second World War was hard for them to survive.
February 9, 2017
I read this to the Podlings over the last few weeks. I chose it specifically because it does not dramatize or glorify war. On the contrary, the author's very clear about the horrors. The details are laid out in such a way as to be sobering for children without being emotionally overwhelming. In spite of that, I found myself tearing up multiple times while trying to get through them. (3.5 star review.)
March 22, 2012
This book is about battles and events that took place in World War 2. Some of the stories include the sinking of the Bismarck, the Battle of Stalingrad, and the Battle of Iwo Jima. The book does have a lot of violence in it and at some parts is graphic.
I like the book because I am fascinated in history and World War 2. However I wish that the book was longer and had more stories in it. Some things that stood out to me were some of the stories, for examples the story about Stalin's Female Falcons, which were a group of Russian female aviators that I had never heard about before. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history, or wants to know more about World War 2, overall it was a very well written book that explained everything and was easy to understand.
I like the book because I am fascinated in history and World War 2. However I wish that the book was longer and had more stories in it. Some things that stood out to me were some of the stories, for examples the story about Stalin's Female Falcons, which were a group of Russian female aviators that I had never heard about before. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history, or wants to know more about World War 2, overall it was a very well written book that explained everything and was easy to understand.
March 21, 2016
Synopsis:
This book is a collection of stories from world war two. There are stories about Ships, combat, Spy's and machinery that was used during world war two. One of stories is about about a woman named Violetta who was a spy. It tells you about her life and all the things that she accomplished during the world war. There are many other accomplishments.
I really loved this book. I was able to sympathies with the characters and their stories. There were even moments that make you want to cry. It is a very factual book with lots of information. It really appeals to to young adult that are 12 and up. It is a great book to find neat stories about people who have contributed during world war two.
Rate; 12 and up
Content; violence but not the main focus in most stories
This book is a collection of stories from world war two. There are stories about Ships, combat, Spy's and machinery that was used during world war two. One of stories is about about a woman named Violetta who was a spy. It tells you about her life and all the things that she accomplished during the world war. There are many other accomplishments.
I really loved this book. I was able to sympathies with the characters and their stories. There were even moments that make you want to cry. It is a very factual book with lots of information. It really appeals to to young adult that are 12 and up. It is a great book to find neat stories about people who have contributed during world war two.
Rate; 12 and up
Content; violence but not the main focus in most stories
November 24, 2008
"True Stories of The Second World War" was a very interesting and educating book. With short stories from many points of view during World War Two. Some of the titles include: "The First and Final Voyage of the Bismark", "The Lost Hero", and many more. Many of these stories are autobiographies. This collection of heart wrenching stories is an experience like no other. From epic naval encounters, to intense struggles in consentration camps, this book by Paul Dowswell is one that you will always remember. Dowswell put together a great collection of stories that I would recommend to anyone and everyone. True Stories of The Second World War was truely terrific.
December 20, 2012
I loved reading this book. It had lots of amazing survival stories in it and lots more. Some amazing battles took place and told the stories of some of the more famous events of the war. It has a wide variety of events, each different from the next. Not every story has a happy ending, but that is war in one of the worlds biggest wars.
I felt that the title fit very well. Even though this isn't a novel it's still a good non-fiction book. I feel that many people who like action, war, survival stories, and learning about the past would love this book. I loved the parts of the book that talked about people up against eachother.
I felt that the title fit very well. Even though this isn't a novel it's still a good non-fiction book. I feel that many people who like action, war, survival stories, and learning about the past would love this book. I loved the parts of the book that talked about people up against eachother.
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October 7, 2015 True Stories of the Second World War by Paul Dowswell is a collection of true stories from people who were in the Second World War. The most exciting and scary is about the sinking of the German ship the Bismarck.
I like the some of the book when I read about the brave men who fought in the war. I did not like the parts about the killing of innocent people by the Nazis. It makes me sad to think about the bad things that happened and I wish I didn't even read those parts.
People who like history will like this book. It is not a good book for a young person or a sensitive person because of the horrible things that happen in war.
I like the some of the book when I read about the brave men who fought in the war. I did not like the parts about the killing of innocent people by the Nazis. It makes me sad to think about the bad things that happened and I wish I didn't even read those parts.
People who like history will like this book. It is not a good book for a young person or a sensitive person because of the horrible things that happen in war.
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June 12, 2009This book is about the world war when hitler and the natzis was still alive. I leaned that back then it was so serious about spies and all the other stuff. But this book was sad in a way because there was a part when a girl spy got caught and they executed her by shooting her in the back of the neck. Very sad. I would rate this book a 5star because it was very cool a lot of the stories there was very interesting u just fall into the book its so good.
May 30, 2012
Tue. May 29, 2012
I've read some of the stories here before but still and all a good light read about happenings in W W II
Could've read the whole thing in one go of several hours (maybe less than 6 if no interuptions...i know, i know, i'm slowing down in my old age and bad eyes and tired mind ;oP) In my "youth" it would have only taken me an hour or two at most.
It was a good distraction from "other" things i was reading that were bogging me down and i needed a break from
xoDaleB.xo
I've read some of the stories here before but still and all a good light read about happenings in W W II
Could've read the whole thing in one go of several hours (maybe less than 6 if no interuptions...i know, i know, i'm slowing down in my old age and bad eyes and tired mind ;oP) In my "youth" it would have only taken me an hour or two at most.
It was a good distraction from "other" things i was reading that were bogging me down and i needed a break from
xoDaleB.xo
August 12, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Certainly not your feel good book of the summer but it did include some amazing stories. I think one of the big things to me was the fresh perspective that was put on the stories. Such as, the story of the Bismark. Frequently told from the English point of view. Not here. They start with the German side. I was a little disappointed about the lack of African adventures in the book but otherwise it had a good smattering of stories from throughout the war.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 48 reviews