Jan Baalsrud "We Die Alone"

[dhermann1]

David Brooks dedicated his column in the NY Times today to a very complimentary tribute to the Norwegian people. He mentioned this book, which I read back in 7th grade. Very inspiring and amazing. Anyone else ever read it?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/opinion/02brooks.html?ref=opinion

 

[Smithy]

It's a great book and I'd second the recommendation to anyone who hasn't read it.

I'm probably biased as my wife is Norwegian and I have lived in Norway twice now but I am not at all surprised that as a people, Norwegians do well in exploits that require great mental and physical application, such as exploration, sports and war. I've never seen a more physically active people in my life and one not prone to hysteria when the going gets tough. The sheer nature of their climate and terrain, especially in the north has made them very hardy and self-reliant and I think it's not surprising at all that this small nation has produced men of the calibre of Jan Baalsrud.

 

[nobodyspecial]

I read Brooks' column today as well and have read the book several years ago. I need to make time to reread the book, an amazing tale.

 

[dhermann1]

It's over 50 years since I read it, but few books have made such an impression on my mind. The image that's always stayed in my mind most is of him in that hole in the ice for weeks on end, cutting his toes off to survive. Amazing.

 

[Feraud]

That was a good column. I intend to read the book. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[dr greg]

different title

Same story, picked it up for 50c last week, on my to read list...

 

[Spitfire]

It's a great book and I'd second the recommendation to anyone who hasn't read it.

I'm probably biased as my wife is Norwegian and I have lived in Norway twice now but I am not at all surprised that as a people, Norwegians do well in exploits that require great mental and physical application, such as exploration, sports and war. I've never seen a more physically active people in my life and one not prone to hysteria when the going gets tough. The sheer nature of their climate and terrain, especially in the north has made them very hardy and self-reliant and I think it's not surprising at all that this small nation has produced men of the calibre of Jan Baalsrud.

Very well said, Tim. :eusa_clap :eusa_clap Having Norwegian friends and teaching a couple of Norwegian students at the moment, I can only second your statement. They are "A breed apart"

 

[Lone_Ranger]

I read that a while back. Great story. Definitely on my recommended reading list.

 

[Smithy]

Very well said, Tim. :eusa_clap :eusa_clap Having Norwegian friends and teaching a couple of Norwegian students at the moment, I can only second your statement. They are "A breed apart"

You Danes aren't a bad lot either Søren

 

[dr greg]

While we're at it

Not read yet, but same vein, we can assume?

 

[Smithy]

That's a novel Dr Greg. Axel Kielland was a journo for one of the big Norwegian dailies (Dagbladet).

I've never read it, let us know if it's any good.

 

[dr greg]

dur

That'll teach me to read the back page more thoroughly......

 

[Story]

Rough translation found elsewhere -

three Pz IIIn tanks, that participated in Kursk, have been found in Norway. At least two of the three(?) have been dug-up.

They were sent back to Germany for repairs/refurbs after Kursk. As they were no longer front-line tanks they were then sent to Norway as part of a contingent of 61 Pz IIIs and 10 StuGs (?). After the war the Norwegians kept them in service, and later (1950s?) dug them in as airfield defense bunkers(?). They were subsequently abandoned, and further buried by the years.

Now they have been found (last year?) and dug-up.

http://www.kystfort.com/forum/topic2781.html