Why We Fought:Inspiring Stories of Resisting Hitler and Defending Freedom By Jerry Borrowman-Book Review & Gift Idea

 

Product Details

• Title: Why We Fought: Inspiring Stories of Resisting Hitler and Defending Freedom B
• Author: Jerry Borrowman
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shadow Mountain (October 5, 2021)
• Genre: World War II/Military History
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1629729345

• ***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own***

Book Summary

The struggle to combat the Nazis during World War II encompassed front lines far beyond conventional battlefields. In a panoramic and compelling account, author Jerry Borrowman shares seven largely untold stories of people who undertook extraordinary efforts to defeat the Third Reich at enormous personal risk.

Some were soldiers like the Ghost Army, an eclectic group of former artists, actors, and engineers who engaged in top-secret tactical deceptions by staging ingenious decoy armies. Using inflatable tanks, radio transmissions, and sound effects, they were able to trick the Germans throughout the course of the war, often working close to the front lines of the fiercest fighting.

Some were ordinary citizens like William Sebold, a German immigrant and US citizen, who could have been a deadly foe, but instead chose the Allied cause. When he was coerced by the Gestapo into becoming a spy in America, he instead approached the FBI and offered to become a double agent. His efforts successfully helped bring down a dangerous German spy network that was dedicated to stealing industrial and wartime secrets and sabotaging America on home soil.

These dramatic and inspiring personal stories shed light on some of the darkest days of World War II and one of the most perilous times in human history. As the Nazis swept through Europe, citizens around the world faced an individual and national complex moral question: How do you respond to the tyranny and bloodthirsty madness of the Nazis? These are stories of ordinary men and women who would not surrender or compromise. They resisted and fought with total commitment for freedom and democracy despite the personal cost.

My Review

I've always been fascinated by stories from World War II. Why We Fought: Inspiring Stories of Resisting Hitler and Defending Freedom was amazing! This non-fiction book was so amazing because it not only told the stories of soldiers but also ordinary people who fought the Nazis. All seven short stories told of people defending freedom and democracy at the risk of their own lives. These short stories make for a quick read. The research is always phenomenal by Jerry Borrowman. I always enjoy reading his books and learn so much.

Some of my favorite stories were:

-Virginia Hall who was an undercover agent that the CIA honored her for her service. Some of her missions were fraught with danger and it's amazing she lived through them.

-Carl Lutz was a Swiss diplomat who saved 72,000 Jewish lives.

-William Sebold who was a double agent for the USA and Germany. His work was so stressful that his mind and body were forever changed, even though he had great success in his life.

Even the most well-read WWII historians will enjoy this book. These not well known stories are inspirational and could be used in college or high school history classes. I also know that Why We Fought would make a great Christmas gift idea for the History Buff in your life.

Meet Author Jerry Borrowman

Jerry Borrowman is an award-winning author of historical fiction and nonfiction. He has written about the World Wars, the Great Depression, and the Vietnam War. He is the recipient of the George Washington National Medal from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge. He and his wife, Marcella, raised four children and live in the Rocky Mountains. 

Learn more about Jerry and his books at his website HERE:

https://jerryborrowman.com/

Purchase Your Copy of 

Why We Fought

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