Ken Pottie, in this amazing book, chose to give readers an insight into one of the really less written about subterfuges,which allowed the allies to overcome the all powerful German war machine during the 2nd World War. In this book he opens up the silent war fought behind enemy lines in France. The book describes how “Communication” using wireless sets delivered to the French Resistance by some very intrepid young men – the Unsung Heroes of the war – who risked their lives in the process, caused so much confusion among the Germans that the Allies were able to later successfully land in Normandy and finally win the war.
Ken Pottie uses great artistry to run the story in two parallel paths – alternating between the young heroes in France in 1940-42 and the same heroes now much older in the years 1999-2000, and Ken Pottie introduces tense action in both threads chapter by chapter, making this book a riveting one session read because he maintains live wire tension throughout – I read it at one go and am the happier for it. The lessons that some stories or the consequences of our actions, continue to have unforeseen repercussions right up to our old age, is a fascinating undercurrent in this extraordinary book. Joe the young soldier in WWII meets his vicious nemesis in a vindictive murderess who is the daughter of one of the most vicious and murderous German Soldiers in WWII who had to be eliminated by Joe and other people from the French Resistance.
The story has a poignancy that seeps into the readers soul when it revolves to scenes of Jewish Parents being murdered by the SS- and a child saved by Joe and a brave french family who risked their lives to save her. Enough said – this is undoubtedly a 5 Star Book – and is already a Winner or the Prestigious 2013 Readers Favorite International Book Award Contest – so I not only recommend it for reading – but recommend that it be placed in the “Favorite Books Book shelf at home too”. Well done Ken! – Deepak Menon
