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Silence over Dunkerque
John Tunis vividly imagines the drama of Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of Allied forces from Dunkerque Sergeant Edward Williams of the Second Battalion was among the first British troops to land in France, just across the English Channel from his family in Dover, after the declaration of war in September of 1939. Battles have been few and far between since then, in what the Germans have been calling der Sitzkrieg—the sitting war. In May 1940, under the leadership of their new prime minister, Winston Churchill, the British are hoping to stem the tide of Nazi invasion along their southern border. But now, flanked to the east and west by German troops and cut off from the Allies further south, Sergeant Williams and his battalion must retreat to Dunkerque in the north, and escape by sea is their only hope.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1962
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About the author
John R. Tunis
47 books10 followersJohn Roberts Tunis "the 'inventor' of the modern sports story",was an American writer and broadcaster. Known for his juvenile sports novels, Tunis also wrote short stories and non-fiction, including a weekly sports column for the New Yorker magazine. As a commentator Tunis was part of the first trans-Atlantic sports cast and the first broadcast of the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament to the United States.
After graduating from Harvard and serving in the Army during World War I, Tunis began his writing career freelancing for American sports magazines while playing tennis in the Rivera. For the next two decades he wrote short stories and articles about sports and education for magazines including Reader's Digest, The Saturday Evening Post and Esquire.
Tunis' work often protested the increasing professionalization of sports in America. He believed that amateur participation in sports taught values important for good citizenship like perseverance, fair play and equality, and that the emphasis on professional sports was turning America into a country of spectators. His sports books also tackled current social issues such as antisemitism and racial equality.
Though Tunis never considered himself a children's writer, all but one of his twenty-four books were published for juveniles; their success helped create the juvenile fiction book market in the 1940s. Books like Iron Duke (1938), All American (1942) and Keystone Kids (1943) were well received by readers and critics. Iron Duke received the New York Herald Tribune Spring Book Festival Award for best juvenile novel and was named a The Horn Book Magazine Best Book. The Child Study Association of America gave its Golden Scroll Award to Keystone Kids.
In his tribute to the writer, Bernard Hayes said "Tunis has probably made good readers of millions of young people." His success with the juvenile audience helped change the publishing industry. Along with writers like Howard Pease, his books demonstrated to publishers that there was money to be made in targeting books for teenagers. His influence went beyond simply creating a market for young adult books. "In his attempt to link sports with the communities in which they are played, he broached some highly significant issues in the literature written for and about America's youth", according to John S. Simmons in John R. Tunis and the Sports Novels for Adolescents: A Little Ahead of His Time. Tunis never considered himself a writer of boys' books, insisting his stories could be read and enjoyed by adults. He felt that the word "juvenile" was an "odious... product of a merchandising age". Despite his dislike of the term, Tunis' novels helped create and shape the juvenile fiction book market.
After graduating from Harvard and serving in the Army during World War I, Tunis began his writing career freelancing for American sports magazines while playing tennis in the Rivera. For the next two decades he wrote short stories and articles about sports and education for magazines including Reader's Digest, The Saturday Evening Post and Esquire.
Tunis' work often protested the increasing professionalization of sports in America. He believed that amateur participation in sports taught values important for good citizenship like perseverance, fair play and equality, and that the emphasis on professional sports was turning America into a country of spectators. His sports books also tackled current social issues such as antisemitism and racial equality.
Though Tunis never considered himself a children's writer, all but one of his twenty-four books were published for juveniles; their success helped create the juvenile fiction book market in the 1940s. Books like Iron Duke (1938), All American (1942) and Keystone Kids (1943) were well received by readers and critics. Iron Duke received the New York Herald Tribune Spring Book Festival Award for best juvenile novel and was named a The Horn Book Magazine Best Book. The Child Study Association of America gave its Golden Scroll Award to Keystone Kids.
In his tribute to the writer, Bernard Hayes said "Tunis has probably made good readers of millions of young people." His success with the juvenile audience helped change the publishing industry. Along with writers like Howard Pease, his books demonstrated to publishers that there was money to be made in targeting books for teenagers. His influence went beyond simply creating a market for young adult books. "In his attempt to link sports with the communities in which they are played, he broached some highly significant issues in the literature written for and about America's youth", according to John S. Simmons in John R. Tunis and the Sports Novels for Adolescents: A Little Ahead of His Time. Tunis never considered himself a writer of boys' books, insisting his stories could be read and enjoyed by adults. He felt that the word "juvenile" was an "odious... product of a merchandising age". Despite his dislike of the term, Tunis' novels helped create and shape the juvenile fiction book market.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 21, 2017
I was inspired to read this account after seeing Dunkirk in the theatre (twice). The book is a terrifying story of the Dunkirk evacuation and aftermath, from the personal perspective of one British soldier trying desperately to get back home. It provides an intimate, personal perspective on a huge event, one of hundreds of thousands of stories worth knowing, and remembering. A quick and simple read, which I warmly recommend.
August 27, 2017
Colbert recommended this book on his show. So I picked it up after watching the movie Dunkirk. I liked this book more than the movie. It was a quick and easy read. The main character was a dad with a dog and twin boys the same age as my boys. So I connected with it that way. But it was just a good story. Glad I read it. Good war book.
December 22, 2017
Fascinating fictional story of the evacuation of soldiers from the beaches of Dunkerque during the Second World War. The story focuses on Sergeant George Williams as he attempts to bring a small detail of men home, but encounters difficulties and adventures along the way. In addition, some chapters tell the story of his family back in Dover, especially the fifteen-year-old twins, Richard and Ronald, who are determined to help in the evacuation.
A very small quibble: At one point, Sergeant Williams is helped by a French teenager, because she is a Girl Scout. Only problem is, Girls Scouts are American; in England they have Girl Guides. However, this in no way detracts from the story, only shows that the American author should have done a little more research! Recommended.
A very small quibble: At one point, Sergeant Williams is helped by a French teenager, because she is a Girl Scout. Only problem is, Girls Scouts are American; in England they have Girl Guides. However, this in no way detracts from the story, only shows that the American author should have done a little more research! Recommended.
September 12, 2017
Though a short read, this had me captivated with all its twists and turns from page one to the end. The writing was easy to read with fully developed characters and a great storyline. I'm not one for war stories, but this one involved not just humans but a dog......who can turn down a story where there's a dog involved. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone who wants to lose themselves in a good book for a couple of 'me' hours....I certainly did.
January 8, 2018
Fascinating, inspiring and informative perspective of the true bravery and heroism of both the French and the English citizens in saving the stranded, starving, exhausted English infantry (BEF). Getting the soldiers off the beaches of France and back to England saved the military force of England, something hard for me to imagine until I read the book and saw both "Dunkirk" and the brilliant "The Darkest Hour."
April 30, 2025
Novel about Dunkerque/Dunkirk
The talented American author John Tunis wrote this relatively short yet moving account of a British sergeant trapped with his men at Dunkirk with a parallel account of his anxious family awaiting news of his fate. A good read with a relatively realistic portrayal of the range of human nature and behavior, from courage and competence to cowardice and foolishness. Suitable for teens as the subject matter is portrayed with realism and restraint.
The talented American author John Tunis wrote this relatively short yet moving account of a British sergeant trapped with his men at Dunkirk with a parallel account of his anxious family awaiting news of his fate. A good read with a relatively realistic portrayal of the range of human nature and behavior, from courage and competence to cowardice and foolishness. Suitable for teens as the subject matter is portrayed with realism and restraint.
April 10, 2018
After the Dunkirk movie came out I had to dig out my SBS copy of this from... let's say around 1968? 1970? This is one of the few books I kept from childhood, I was delighted to find that it mostly held up. I was very surprised at how little it pulled its punches considering it was sold to grade schoolers.
March 26, 2017
We are studying WWII & this was an excellent read with the kids!
July 31, 2017
I wish that I had read this book to our children years ago when we were studying WWII!
September 18, 2017
A bit disjointed, but a decent fictitious account of what it was like during the mass evacuation of troops from the French coast. Good for 4th/5th grade readers.
January 7, 2018
I first read this book when I was in 8th grade....it's a wonderful story
June 15, 2018
A lovely, well written little historical fiction for children or YA and a story to be enjoyed by all (particularly if dogs hold a special piece of your heart).
August 27, 2020
This book inspired me to write my own war novel at age 11. What can I say.
January 1, 2025
First rate story of a British Sergeant and his ordeal trying to get home through Dunkerque at the beginning of WWII. The heroics of a young french girl risking her life in helping him get back home is truly heartwarming. A quick read, but one you will remember. Recommended to all.
June 24, 2009
I really liked it. Historical fiction is the best way for me to learn stuff about history. It was a good story about WWII. A quick read, too.
April 27, 2011
One of my favorite books! Everyone should read it. Very good!!
April 1, 2017
Tunis is often considered the inventor of the modern sports story, most of which are juvenile fiction. The subject matter of this book is quite different, it is a short novel about Sergeant George Williams of the British Expeditionary Force in World War II. Stationed in France when the massive German invasion takes place, Williams fires a few shots, killing two German staff officers and capturing detailed German battle plans.
While that act may provide some assistance to the Allied Forces, the battle is of course a rout and the Allied forces rapidly retreat to the Atlantic coast, specifically the port of Dunkerque. Military discipline largely breaks down as the men are loaded on a massive flotilla of ships from Britain. Everything from yachts to fishing boats to ships of the Royal Navy crossed the channel and rescued over 300,000 men, leaving nearly all of their equipment behind.
Sergeant Williams and his buddy are on a British destroyer that is blown out of the water and they end up back in occupied France. The Germans have already established their policy of shooting any French citizens that harbor Allied military men, so it takes a brave person to hide and help them. Their benefactor is a French schoolgirl names Gisele, she hides them, feeds them, and arranges for their passage back to Britain where Sergeant Williams is reunited with his family and will soon be back in the war.
This adventure is based on actual events, although not necessarily precisely. Many members of the Allied military were hidden and protected by the French and many French died when the Germans learned of their aid. It is a story that is well told in the distinctive Tunis style. The most interesting aspect of the story is that the hero is the French girl that stands up to her abusive mother, the two men are depicted as soldiers loyal to the British Empire but are not depicted as staunch heroes.
While that act may provide some assistance to the Allied Forces, the battle is of course a rout and the Allied forces rapidly retreat to the Atlantic coast, specifically the port of Dunkerque. Military discipline largely breaks down as the men are loaded on a massive flotilla of ships from Britain. Everything from yachts to fishing boats to ships of the Royal Navy crossed the channel and rescued over 300,000 men, leaving nearly all of their equipment behind.
Sergeant Williams and his buddy are on a British destroyer that is blown out of the water and they end up back in occupied France. The Germans have already established their policy of shooting any French citizens that harbor Allied military men, so it takes a brave person to hide and help them. Their benefactor is a French schoolgirl names Gisele, she hides them, feeds them, and arranges for their passage back to Britain where Sergeant Williams is reunited with his family and will soon be back in the war.
This adventure is based on actual events, although not necessarily precisely. Many members of the Allied military were hidden and protected by the French and many French died when the Germans learned of their aid. It is a story that is well told in the distinctive Tunis style. The most interesting aspect of the story is that the hero is the French girl that stands up to her abusive mother, the two men are depicted as soldiers loyal to the British Empire but are not depicted as staunch heroes.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews