Close

Login

Lost Password     Register

Close

Register

Lost Password     Login

Close

Lost Password

Login     Register

Book Review

Publisher's Note:

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 w…

This review may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase using these links, then Compass Book Ratings may earn a small commission.

Why We Fought: Inspiring Stories of Resisting Hitler and Defending Freedom

by Jerry Borrowman

Reviewer: Rachel
Genre: Non-Fiction
Recommended Age: 21+

Overall Book Review:

Why We Fought details seven true stories that took place during World War II. Each account features fierce bravery, incredible feats, and huge sacrifices that saved lives and helped end the war. The majority of these episodes are not well-known and will fascinate readers. Several of the stories feature the heroic deeds of women and religious minorities — groups less likely to be recognized for their major contributions in the war. Best-selling author Jerry Borrowman conducted a vast amount of research to assemble the novel — his notes and a bibliography are included at the end of the book. Vivid details and facts dot each page, while the stories themselves move at a rapid pace. Why We Fought is written in a narrative style, making the information more engaging and easy-to-understand. This is a must-read for history buffs. Readers who enjoy inspirational stories will also love this non-fiction!

Review of Advance Reader’s Edition sent from the Publisher

Content Analysis

Profanity/Language: 1 derogatory word.

Violence/Gore: A few verbal threats and implied occurrences of violence; frequent secondhand reports of violence including destruction, murder, kidnapping, suicide, torture, shootings, battle and lynching; a few brief scenes of violence involving accidental shootings; a few brief scenes including destruction of property; a few non-detailed scenes of violent death when a man commits suicide, characters die from bombing and others are shot; a brief scene of blood and gore regarding a dead body; a few scenes of brief intense violence involving torture and killing; a extended scene of intense violence regarding what happens in a Nazi gas chamber.

Sex/Nudity: None

Mature Subject Matter

War, sabotage, resistance networks, amputation, prison camps, slave labor, bombings, betrayal, concentration camps, suicide, kidnapping, torture, double agents, manic depression & insane asylums, desertion, ‘susceptibility to the opposite sex”.

Alcohol/Drug Use

A few characters drink; a few characters smoke.

Overall Book Rating
Profanity/Language
Rating:
3
10
Violence/Gore
Rating:
6
10
Sex/Nudity
Rating:
3
10

Share This Post

About the Reviewer

Rachel
My mother was the one who sparked my love of books. Long before school instruction, she sat me down and taught me to read. My childhood was filled with trips to the library and bookmobile to find great books. My first loves were The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Pippi Longstocking series by Astrid Lingren. Now as a mom and speech pathologist, I am constantly looking for good, clean books to use at home and in therapy. I enjoy reading many different genres, but my favorites are usually historical fiction. I married my best friend, the “boy next door”, and we have a beautiful little girl who we often find sprawled out on the floor, flipping through picture books. Together our family likes to swim, run and play tennis. Besides reading, I also love to bake, garden and travel.

Share Compass Book Ratings