What do you think?
Rate this book
Partisans #1
Partisan
Yugoslavia, 1941.
Yugoslavia – hitherto neutral – finds itself at war with Germany as the pro-Nazi government is overthrown and replaced by a pro-Allied administration. The staff at the British Embassy make hasty plans to leave the country, but one of the military attachés, Captain Tony Davis, is separated from his comrades. Together with a motley crew of refugees, Davis escapes into the mountains of the west and begins a breathtaking series of adventures as he encounters the remnants of the Serbian army, the dreaded Ustase terrorists and, eventually, the Partisans, led by Josip Broz, alias Tito.
He rapidly becomes a legend, both for his fighting ability and his capacity for survival, but his personal life is bedevilled by the rivalry between two women: earthy Croat Elena and the delicate French journalist Sandrine.
Partisan is an exciting tale of adventure and romance, set against the backdrop of the Second World War.
Yugoslavia – hitherto neutral – finds itself at war with Germany as the pro-Nazi government is overthrown and replaced by a pro-Allied administration. The staff at the British Embassy make hasty plans to leave the country, but one of the military attachés, Captain Tony Davis, is separated from his comrades. Together with a motley crew of refugees, Davis escapes into the mountains of the west and begins a breathtaking series of adventures as he encounters the remnants of the Serbian army, the dreaded Ustase terrorists and, eventually, the Partisans, led by Josip Broz, alias Tito.
He rapidly becomes a legend, both for his fighting ability and his capacity for survival, but his personal life is bedevilled by the rivalry between two women: earthy Croat Elena and the delicate French journalist Sandrine.
Partisan is an exciting tale of adventure and romance, set against the backdrop of the Second World War.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2001
534 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Nicole
220 books58 followersChristopher Robin Nicole was born on 7 December 1930 in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana), where he was raised. He is the son of Jean Dorothy (Logan) and Jack Nicole, a police officer, both Scottish. He studied at Queen's College in Guyana and at Harrison College in Barbados. He was a fellow at the Canadian Bankers Association and a clerk for the Royal Bank of Canada in Georgetown and Nassau from 1947 to 1956. In 1957, he moved to Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom, where he currently lives, but he also has a domicile in Spain.
On 31 March 1951, he married his first wife, Jean Regina Amelia Barnett, with whom he had two sons, Bruce and Jack, and two daughters, Julie and Ursula, they divorced. On 8 May 1982 he married for the second time with fellow writer Diana Bachmann.
As a romantic and passionate of history, Nicole has been published since 1957, when he published a book about West Indian Cricket. He published his first novel in 1959 with his first stories set in his native Caribbean. Later he wrote many historical novels set mostly in tumultuous periods like World War I, World War II and the Cold War, and depict places in Europe, Asia and Africa. He also wrote classic romance novels. He specialized in Series and Sagas, and continues to write into the 21st century with no intention of retiring.
He signs his books as Christopher Nicole and uses several pseudonyms, some of them female. Pseudonyms used include: Peter Grange, Andrew York, Robin Cade, Mark Logan, Christina Nicholson, Alison York, Leslie Arlen, Robin Nicholson, C. R. Nicholson, Daniel Adams, Simon McKay, Caroline Gray and Alan Savage. He wrote disaster thrillers in collaboration with his wife, Diana Bachmann, under the penname Max Marlow. Under his different pseudonyms he has worked with many publishing houses: Jarrolds, Hutchinson, Simon & Schuster, Coward-McCann & Geoghegan, Jove, Michael Joseph, Mills & Boon, and Severn House.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christop... and
http://openlibrary.org/authors/OL1009...
On 31 March 1951, he married his first wife, Jean Regina Amelia Barnett, with whom he had two sons, Bruce and Jack, and two daughters, Julie and Ursula, they divorced. On 8 May 1982 he married for the second time with fellow writer Diana Bachmann.
As a romantic and passionate of history, Nicole has been published since 1957, when he published a book about West Indian Cricket. He published his first novel in 1959 with his first stories set in his native Caribbean. Later he wrote many historical novels set mostly in tumultuous periods like World War I, World War II and the Cold War, and depict places in Europe, Asia and Africa. He also wrote classic romance novels. He specialized in Series and Sagas, and continues to write into the 21st century with no intention of retiring.
He signs his books as Christopher Nicole and uses several pseudonyms, some of them female. Pseudonyms used include: Peter Grange, Andrew York, Robin Cade, Mark Logan, Christina Nicholson, Alison York, Leslie Arlen, Robin Nicholson, C. R. Nicholson, Daniel Adams, Simon McKay, Caroline Gray and Alan Savage. He wrote disaster thrillers in collaboration with his wife, Diana Bachmann, under the penname Max Marlow. Under his different pseudonyms he has worked with many publishing houses: Jarrolds, Hutchinson, Simon & Schuster, Coward-McCann & Geoghegan, Jove, Michael Joseph, Mills & Boon, and Severn House.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christop... and
http://openlibrary.org/authors/OL1009...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Currently reading
October 23, 2020Lume Books (Endeavour Press)
January 8, 2025
Read like a romance novel for the first 3/4 of the book.
Think he misses his calling. Will see what book two is like.
Think he misses his calling. Will see what book two is like.
November 11, 2020
My regrets to the author for only being able to read 38% of this book. I read it as far as I did searching for the meaning, plot, theme, anything to grab my interest. It did not happen, as the character relationships were of no interest, the theme/plot was not developing, it was just a boring long on the run story.
August 7, 2019
It is a good to see a World War 2 espionage /resistance novel set in occupied Yugoslavia ,and I can't think of another novel which features Marshall Tito. And dare I say it- the novel is not a complicated read, and a bit of a boy's adventure.
The lead character is very masculine, brave, in control, copes with a series of crises after getting caught behind the lines during the German invasion of Yugoslavia. He vanishes with two feisty young ladies, and sleeps with them both whilst on the run-and the sexual content gets repetitive. However , the female characters are tough and courageous.
In the tumult of the fighting, there are a couple of totally improbable coincidental between characters. The absolute political chaos and inter-ethnic feuding of Yugoslavia is depicted well though. But overall felt the book was written in a hurry and the plot tumbles along . Enjoyable but not a 'literary ' novel.
The lead character is very masculine, brave, in control, copes with a series of crises after getting caught behind the lines during the German invasion of Yugoslavia. He vanishes with two feisty young ladies, and sleeps with them both whilst on the run-and the sexual content gets repetitive. However , the female characters are tough and courageous.
In the tumult of the fighting, there are a couple of totally improbable coincidental between characters. The absolute political chaos and inter-ethnic feuding of Yugoslavia is depicted well though. But overall felt the book was written in a hurry and the plot tumbles along . Enjoyable but not a 'literary ' novel.
November 11, 2020
They Were Not Credited By History.
A very interesting account of the Slavic groups who eventually became Yugoslavia. Each nation weakened the whole by the ongoing internal differences. The Britain hero gave me a good laugh. An innocent in a dirty war with two lusty women tagging along. The Yugoslavs who fought the Nazis, were not given the credit for their resistance and a place in history as were other European countries. Perhaps because after the war, they were a Communist country and no Allied forces would admit to the assistance they were able to recieve when the war ended. This story becomes an introduction to how Yugoslavia came into existance.
A very interesting account of the Slavic groups who eventually became Yugoslavia. Each nation weakened the whole by the ongoing internal differences. The Britain hero gave me a good laugh. An innocent in a dirty war with two lusty women tagging along. The Yugoslavs who fought the Nazis, were not given the credit for their resistance and a place in history as were other European countries. Perhaps because after the war, they were a Communist country and no Allied forces would admit to the assistance they were able to recieve when the war ended. This story becomes an introduction to how Yugoslavia came into existance.
November 29, 2020
Captivating and intriguing with love, lust, courage and humor provided in perfect doses.
World War II is endlessly complex with so many tangled threads. The more I read about the period, the more moments and battles I realize, to my embarrassment, I knew little or nothing about. I only followed Tito at the end of his life, when I was in high school and college, so I had virtually no context. The platform of a novel allows us to see Tito and his political and military nemesis, Draža Mihailović's, in their youth when the future is undetermined and history is defined by what they do next.
The characters can be flawed and frustrating, but only for brief moments. They quickly take you on a journey to the early months of the war that feels so real you are tempted to get blackout curtains.
Some reviews of The Partisan by readers of other Christopher Nicole works (he has written over 200 novels and nonfiction books) might be correct that this is not his finest work. But as a first time reader to Mr. Nicole I found the introduction to his work impressive and a page turner. Highly recommended.
World War II is endlessly complex with so many tangled threads. The more I read about the period, the more moments and battles I realize, to my embarrassment, I knew little or nothing about. I only followed Tito at the end of his life, when I was in high school and college, so I had virtually no context. The platform of a novel allows us to see Tito and his political and military nemesis, Draža Mihailović's, in their youth when the future is undetermined and history is defined by what they do next.
The characters can be flawed and frustrating, but only for brief moments. They quickly take you on a journey to the early months of the war that feels so real you are tempted to get blackout curtains.
Some reviews of The Partisan by readers of other Christopher Nicole works (he has written over 200 novels and nonfiction books) might be correct that this is not his finest work. But as a first time reader to Mr. Nicole I found the introduction to his work impressive and a page turner. Highly recommended.
September 20, 2020
Not Nicole's best but still fairly interesting
I gave this three stars because as usual, it is written well in plain English and interesting characters. As usual, Nicole likes to give a snapshot of history through the lens of his characters and stories. There are many many problems with the story but I choose to not to take them too seriously. In fact it's best not to take this story too seriously and you'll find it rather enjoyable.
I gave this three stars because as usual, it is written well in plain English and interesting characters. As usual, Nicole likes to give a snapshot of history through the lens of his characters and stories. There are many many problems with the story but I choose to not to take them too seriously. In fact it's best not to take this story too seriously and you'll find it rather enjoyable.
December 2, 2020
Story that kept me interested.
The characters were well framed. The story line slow but interesting. Historical events anchored however I didn’t feel any emotional impact for the political drama taking place. It was a little like reading a newspaper article to place the location. The women were portrayed as shallow sexual objects. I am not interested in reading further in the series.
The characters were well framed. The story line slow but interesting. Historical events anchored however I didn’t feel any emotional impact for the political drama taking place. It was a little like reading a newspaper article to place the location. The women were portrayed as shallow sexual objects. I am not interested in reading further in the series.
February 7, 2021
I chose to pick up this book because it was about a time and place in history that I don't know a lot about. The story took place during World War II in the Balkans. Specifically, the story starts in Belgrade when a young English officer is not evacuated with the rest of the English Embassy. He is in love with a young Croat girl, and they hook up with a neutral French girl. The harrowing story covers the time when Germans invade Yugoslavia. Tito is one of the figures in the book, and he is cast in a relatively positive way which I thought was interesting. I grew up thinking that Tito was an evil dictator, but I found when visiting Croatia a few years ago that he is actually quite a hero to the Croats.
December 3, 2020
Enjoyable story
This is a very enjoyable story set , during World War Two, in a country I have not read much about. It has a great cast of characters, even though they all don't survive the story. It is well written and reads well as a standalone book, but I am looking forward to more from this author.
This is a very enjoyable story set , during World War Two, in a country I have not read much about. It has a great cast of characters, even though they all don't survive the story. It is well written and reads well as a standalone book, but I am looking forward to more from this author.
December 15, 2020
I like that it took place in Yugoslavia, not the usual setting for a WWII novel. I really did not like how the women were depicted: stereotype helpless, always needing the masculine hero to save the day. Overall the story was OK, characters not especially likeable or believable for me, basically ho-hum.
December 19, 2020
Fascinating look at the beginning of the Parisian movement
Excellent work by the author, a building block of a group willing to sacrifice anything to defeat an evil none could possibly imagine the scope of. Look I forward in seeing the growth of Captain Davis in the follow-up book.
Excellent work by the author, a building block of a group willing to sacrifice anything to defeat an evil none could possibly imagine the scope of. Look I forward in seeing the growth of Captain Davis in the follow-up book.
December 29, 2020
This must be one of the worst books I have ever read.
The plot is leaden and plods along at a cumbersome rate. The plot situations are preposterous and wholly implausible. There is no development of the main characters who are stereotypical and one-dimensional; the British officer , vastly superior to the locals; the two heroines seen purely as sex objects who, for some bizarre reason, seem to spend almost the entirety of the book totally naked!
There are very much better adventure yarns about the Yugoslav partisans.
The plot is leaden and plods along at a cumbersome rate. The plot situations are preposterous and wholly implausible. There is no development of the main characters who are stereotypical and one-dimensional; the British officer , vastly superior to the locals; the two heroines seen purely as sex objects who, for some bizarre reason, seem to spend almost the entirety of the book totally naked!
There are very much better adventure yarns about the Yugoslav partisans.
May 29, 2021
WWII from Eastern Europe
Much that I know about WWII has been gleaned from the American or British perspective. This book is set in Yugoslavia after the Nazis invaded without provocation. Civilians, communists, Croats, Serbs, and one lone British soldier populate the story. Maybe book 2 will be better written because it’s a perspective that needs to be understood.
Much that I know about WWII has been gleaned from the American or British perspective. This book is set in Yugoslavia after the Nazis invaded without provocation. Civilians, communists, Croats, Serbs, and one lone British soldier populate the story. Maybe book 2 will be better written because it’s a perspective that needs to be understood.
February 1, 2025
World War II Yugoslavia
Great story set in the 1940s of the beginning of the German occupation of Yugoslavia and one British officer that had been assigned to the Embassy that was involved in the partisans fight against the Germans. Very interesting, something we don’t usually read about when we read about World War II.
Great story set in the 1940s of the beginning of the German occupation of Yugoslavia and one British officer that had been assigned to the Embassy that was involved in the partisans fight against the Germans. Very interesting, something we don’t usually read about when we read about World War II.
November 9, 2020
An interesting story set in old Yugoslavia.
The story involved romantic relationships between pre war friends but also shows the various relationship prejudices of the various ethnic groups in the country.
The story involved romantic relationships between pre war friends but also shows the various relationship prejudices of the various ethnic groups in the country.
November 24, 2020
Mehhh...
Interesting time to write about, but the characters are pretty one dimensional. I generally find WWII books fascinating, which is the reason I kept going and actually finished the story, but it is not worth continuing the series.
Interesting time to write about, but the characters are pretty one dimensional. I generally find WWII books fascinating, which is the reason I kept going and actually finished the story, but it is not worth continuing the series.
December 9, 2020
Underground resistance
Character development is stereotypical and shallow. Women are sexualized roles. The British officer is equally shallow while he is cast as standing superior to the local fighters.This storyline is like the setup of the first chapter of an unfinished novel.
Character development is stereotypical and shallow. Women are sexualized roles. The British officer is equally shallow while he is cast as standing superior to the local fighters.This storyline is like the setup of the first chapter of an unfinished novel.
December 20, 2020
I know very little about WWII in Yugoslavia. I knew that partisans under Tito fought the Germans and some Croatians fought on the German side and that was about it. So this book, though a work of fiction, was illuminating. It is well written with interesting characters.
February 2, 2021
A different viewpoint on WWII
Interesting account of the Nazi invasion of Yugoslavia, highlighting the divisions in the country. Suspenseful, funny at times, a love story. Makes me want to learn more about the region.
Interesting account of the Nazi invasion of Yugoslavia, highlighting the divisions in the country. Suspenseful, funny at times, a love story. Makes me want to learn more about the region.
November 30, 2021
Shallow characters
The story is a good one, but it is hard to imagine characters with so little common sense, especially the women. Their inability to comprehend the situations they are in is unrealistic. The book is entertaining and the ending is unexpected.
The story is a good one, but it is hard to imagine characters with so little common sense, especially the women. Their inability to comprehend the situations they are in is unrealistic. The book is entertaining and the ending is unexpected.
July 2, 2019
Good book
This book and author are very good. It is a given that a lot of research went into this book. The characters are great! Looking forward to sequel!
This book and author are very good. It is a given that a lot of research went into this book. The characters are great! Looking forward to sequel!
November 11, 2019
Another 10 for Christopher Nicole
A very entertaining author. All of his novels and series are well researched and educational, a fun way to learn a little more history.
A very entertaining author. All of his novels and series are well researched and educational, a fun way to learn a little more history.
April 27, 2020
Caught in a war
Another great story by this author hence the 5 stars. An invasion whilst out in the town what happened you will have to read the book to find out now to book 2
Another great story by this author hence the 5 stars. An invasion whilst out in the town what happened you will have to read the book to find out now to book 2
October 29, 2020
A very good read
A fast moving story with a great ending. The description of the characters is unusualy good. Hard to put down.
A fast moving story with a great ending. The description of the characters is unusualy good. Hard to put down.
November 1, 2020
Quick and a page turner
A little history with believable characters. Couldn’t put it down. I would recommend, although the women characters were a bit stereotypical
A little history with believable characters. Couldn’t put it down. I would recommend, although the women characters were a bit stereotypical
November 2, 2020
This is a wonderful story. Well written. Had to get the second book.
November 3, 2020
WWII Yugoslavia
A British Embassy soldier is trapped in Yugoslavia at the fall of Belgrade, he and his friends join the partisans.
A British Embassy soldier is trapped in Yugoslavia at the fall of Belgrade, he and his friends join the partisans.
Read
November 4, 20205+stars
This was a very enjoyable read... One of the best war stories I have read. Read it and enjoy!!! I recommend this to anyone that can stomach a little brutality.
This was a very enjoyable read... One of the best war stories I have read. Read it and enjoy!!! I recommend this to anyone that can stomach a little brutality.
November 9, 2020
Tito
Interesting read, guess I never knew how much But I did in Yugoslavia to keep the lid on the different races and their hatred for each other. Still to this day.
I
Interesting read, guess I never knew how much But I did in Yugoslavia to keep the lid on the different races and their hatred for each other. Still to this day.
I
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews