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WW2: Spies, Snipers and Tales of the World at War

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"Awesome Stories from those that Served in World War 2.” ─ Reviewer

How soon we forget. Or perhaps, we were never told.

This book brings you firsthand accounts of combat and brotherhood, of captivity and redemption, and the aftermath of a war that left no community unscathed in the world. The stories have everything from spies and snipers to submarines and air raids. A great book for anyone who wants to learn what it was like during WW2.

If you like gripping, authentic accounts of life and combat during WW2, then you won't want to miss Spies, Snipers and Tales of the World at War.

97 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2020

24 people are currently reading
16 people want to read

About the author

Daniel Wrinn

88 books12 followers
I write books and narrate audiobooks about WWII Pacific Theater history.

My focus covers three areas: the island-hopping campaigns that defeated Japan, the cultural forces that made Japanese soldiers fight to the death, and the extraordinary stories of Pacific War survivors who defied the odds.

What matters are the real experiences—the Marines on the beaches, the sailors under kamikaze attack, the soldiers who refused to surrender, and the commanders making impossible decisions.

US Navy veteran. Military history author.

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5 stars
28 (41%)
4 stars
22 (32%)
3 stars
14 (20%)
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3 (4%)
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1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
84 reviews1 follower
December 10, 2022
This was a great quick read. It has a select few first-hand stories from WW2. You can know the overarching story, and understand how the war played out, but you might not think about all the individual pieces that made up that story. War is not just countries and armies fighting each other, but individuals. Individuals who all have unique and interesting perspectives to share. And it's a book like this that brings those personal stories to light which gives a fuller picture of the war.
Profile Image for Garth Mailman.
2,542 reviews11 followers
February 16, 2023
WW2 Spies, Snipers and Tales of the World at War

History is written by the winners but most of the first stories come from Germans. The identity of the storytellers is not withheld to protect the innocent. Hollywood had a go at the capture of the Enigma but we get a different spin on the tale here. Enemy at the Gates portrayed the sniper of Stalingrad but here it would seem we hear from the man himself.

The men supposedly narrating these tales all remain anonymous including the chapter that talks of Wallenberg the Swedish Diplomat whose exploits saved hundreds of Jewish lives. Since I’ve followed the facts known of his disappearance in the Soviet Gulag records of his demise either lost or withheld the statements made here are fiction; calling into question the authenticity of entire book. The Swedish Tax System didn’t declare Wallenberg dead in absentia until 2016.

Anyone who has been subjected to reportage knows the dubious accuracy of eye-witness accounts. Since few are actually named here they are spared the indignity of having their names spelled wrong. The book makes fun reading but as a historical record it leaves much in doubt.

The text could use editing.
Profile Image for Timothy Coplin.
384 reviews2 followers
June 23, 2021
Overlooking the need for a thorough edit, I rate this book five stars for magnificent story telling in first-person narrative. Each chapter contains one story through the eyes of that story's hero. Contained within are the stories of events which have inspired several modern Hollywood epics: U-571, Valkyrie, and a personal favorite - Enemy At The Gate come to mind.
Profile Image for Eric.
269 reviews2 followers
September 16, 2021
A bit of research can prevent errors: the commandos that destroyed the heavy water research in Norway were not British. They were, in fact, Norwegian. *sigh*
Profile Image for Huxley.
58 reviews1 follower
May 31, 2023
Very interesting and informative book.,I liked it.
2,000 reviews38 followers
November 8, 2022
An interesting collection of first hand accounts of the war from notables including an officer involved in the German Project Valkyrie and the failed assassination of Hitler, a Hiroshima bomb crewman, a diplomat who saved hundreds of Jews from Nazi concentration camps and many others.
Many of these aren't pleasant stories but they do help to give the reader (or listener - I selected an audio version) a more personal feel for what life was like for those who shaped the outcome of the war.
Definitely a worthwhile read for anyone with an interest in WWII history.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews

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