What do you think?
Rate this book
Unsung Heroes of World War II: Europe
World War II is one of the most harrowing and impactful events in human history. Our imaginations may be captured by the sweeping military battles, but the story of war is the story of humans, everyday people trying to do their bit in a world falling apart around them.
In France, for instance, you’ll find a young, unassuming mother who became the leader of the largest and most important Allied spy network in occupied France. In Poland, a brilliant, young mathematician successfully broke Germany’s Enigma code, laying the groundwork for the famed British codebreaking operation at Bletchley Park. In Belgium, a 23-year-old nurse from Brussels created an escape line that smuggled hundreds of shot-down British and American airmen out of enemy territory and back to freedom.
What did these three very different people have in common? They were all unsung heroes of war, men and women of courage and conscience who helped change the course of history but who, for various reasons, have slipped into history’s shadows. Unsung Heroes of World War Europe is your chance to meet these and other everyday heroes who have never been given the credit they deserved. Taught by historian Lynne Olson, author of seven acclaimed books about World War II, these 12 scintillating lectures offer a trove of stories across Europe and America that you likely have never heard before.
Delve into a world of citizens holding onto illicit radios so they can listen to broadcasts from the BBC, a beacon of liberty for those living in occupied territory. Mingle with spies listening to secrets, gathering intelligence, and taking risks to share information with the Allies. Meet the politicians behind the scenes who orchestrated great events. With a storyteller’s true gift for setting a scene and an eye for interesting details, Professor Olson takes you into the shadows of history to introduce you to some of the most courageous figures in the war - all of whom did their best to defeat tyranny and restore freedom in their own countries and the world at large.
Please note that this recording may include references to supplemental texts or print references that are not essential to the program and not supplied with your purchase.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
In France, for instance, you’ll find a young, unassuming mother who became the leader of the largest and most important Allied spy network in occupied France. In Poland, a brilliant, young mathematician successfully broke Germany’s Enigma code, laying the groundwork for the famed British codebreaking operation at Bletchley Park. In Belgium, a 23-year-old nurse from Brussels created an escape line that smuggled hundreds of shot-down British and American airmen out of enemy territory and back to freedom.
What did these three very different people have in common? They were all unsung heroes of war, men and women of courage and conscience who helped change the course of history but who, for various reasons, have slipped into history’s shadows. Unsung Heroes of World War Europe is your chance to meet these and other everyday heroes who have never been given the credit they deserved. Taught by historian Lynne Olson, author of seven acclaimed books about World War II, these 12 scintillating lectures offer a trove of stories across Europe and America that you likely have never heard before.
Delve into a world of citizens holding onto illicit radios so they can listen to broadcasts from the BBC, a beacon of liberty for those living in occupied territory. Mingle with spies listening to secrets, gathering intelligence, and taking risks to share information with the Allies. Meet the politicians behind the scenes who orchestrated great events. With a storyteller’s true gift for setting a scene and an eye for interesting details, Professor Olson takes you into the shadows of history to introduce you to some of the most courageous figures in the war - all of whom did their best to defeat tyranny and restore freedom in their own countries and the world at large.
Please note that this recording may include references to supplemental texts or print references that are not essential to the program and not supplied with your purchase.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Unknown Binding
1 person is currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Olson
15 books712 followers Lynne Olson is a New York Times bestselling author of ten books of history, most of which focus on World War II. Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has called her "our era's foremost chronicler of World War II politics and diplomacy."
Lynne’s latest book, The Sisterhood of Ravensbruck: How an Intrepid Band of Frenchwomen Resisted the Nazis In Hitler’s All-Female Concentration Camp, will be published by Random House on June 3,2025. Three of her previous books — Madame Fourcade's Secret War, Those Angry Days, and Citizens of London were New York Times bestsellers.
Born in Hawaii, Lynne graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arizona. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked as a journalist for ten years, first with the Associated Press as a national feature writer in New York, a foreign correspondent in AP's Moscow bureau, and a political reporter in Washington. She left the AP to join the Washington bureau of the Baltimore Sun, where she covered national politics and eventually the White House.
Lynne lives in Washington, DC with her husband, Stanley Cloud, with whom she co-authored two books. Visit Lynne Olson at http://lynneolson.com.
Lynne’s latest book, The Sisterhood of Ravensbruck: How an Intrepid Band of Frenchwomen Resisted the Nazis In Hitler’s All-Female Concentration Camp, will be published by Random House on June 3,2025. Three of her previous books — Madame Fourcade's Secret War, Those Angry Days, and Citizens of London were New York Times bestsellers.
Born in Hawaii, Lynne graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arizona. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked as a journalist for ten years, first with the Associated Press as a national feature writer in New York, a foreign correspondent in AP's Moscow bureau, and a political reporter in Washington. She left the AP to join the Washington bureau of the Baltimore Sun, where she covered national politics and eventually the White House.
Lynne lives in Washington, DC with her husband, Stanley Cloud, with whom she co-authored two books. Visit Lynne Olson at http://lynneolson.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 18, 2023
The lecturer could have been more engaging, but the material was quite interesting nonetheless.
June 9, 2023
I liked this audio course more than 3 stars but not quite 4 stars. Each lecture consists of a separate "Unsung Hero". The professor points out that there are endless stories about World War II and even though she has covered some of this material in other books, she thought that these people deserved a more detailed treatment.
There is some analysis of how these particular people contributed to the war effort. I found it especially helpful to know that the French resistance was composed of three sections. The most well known were the sections that sabotaged German efforts and got pilots out of France. However, their impact on the war was negligible compared to the intelligence section which almost no one talks about. Most of that information was classified and not a lot was written down on purpose. Fortunately one of the members of the French resistance intelligence section wrote an autobiography. She was a woman, which was rare, so the professor was glad to bring her to the forefront.
I learned other things, but it was not enough to earn 4 stars. Nevertheless, I might listen to this audio course again in conjunction with a fuller treatment of World War II.
There is some analysis of how these particular people contributed to the war effort. I found it especially helpful to know that the French resistance was composed of three sections. The most well known were the sections that sabotaged German efforts and got pilots out of France. However, their impact on the war was negligible compared to the intelligence section which almost no one talks about. Most of that information was classified and not a lot was written down on purpose. Fortunately one of the members of the French resistance intelligence section wrote an autobiography. She was a woman, which was rare, so the professor was glad to bring her to the forefront.
I learned other things, but it was not enough to earn 4 stars. Nevertheless, I might listen to this audio course again in conjunction with a fuller treatment of World War II.
November 22, 2022
A compilation of chapters about real life characters appearing in her other books, not a repetition but a reminder of the character, the setting and a few more details to add to one's appreciation of these civilians who played minor and major parts during World War II. Interesting, informative and easy to read (or listen) style of writing
April 22, 2023
4.5
I really enjoy Lynne Olson, and her writing style. This is one of the better Great Courses I’ve listened to. Definitely check out her Madam Fourcade’s book if you haven’t read it.
Quick, engaging, and informative.
I really enjoy Lynne Olson, and her writing style. This is one of the better Great Courses I’ve listened to. Definitely check out her Madam Fourcade’s book if you haven’t read it.
Quick, engaging, and informative.
July 13, 2021
I love learning about the people who made a difference in the war. These are the characters out of the spotlight that made a difference in their way, some large some small.
February 5, 2022
Exactly what it sounds like. ~collection of short stories
May 26, 2022
The title says all you need to know. The stories are a series of fairly well-done lectures. You'll be informed well, but not inspired.
January 3, 2023
Interesting hidden stories of the vast war, truth as usual is more nuanced than what the textbooks or general media depicted.
January 7, 2023
I’m a big fan of The Great Courses. This was a disappointment. I’m a WWII buff and thought that I could have come up with more interesting hero’s, and the professor spoke like a monotone robot.
April 17, 2023
Interesting information, but just didn't get into it.
February 23, 2024
3.5 stars! great courses books always feel like the best episode of a podcast that’s a little too long (positive)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews