The 12th Man

"I remember reading We Die Alone in 1970 and I could never forget it. Then when we went to Norway to do a docudrama, people told us again and again that certain parts were pure fiction. Since I was a Norwegian that was not good enough; I had to find the truth. I sincerely believe we did".
In late March 1943, in the midst of WWII, four Norwegian saboteurs arrived in northern Norway on a fishing cutter and set anchor in Toftefjord to establish a base for their operations. However, they were betrayed, and a German boat attacked the cutter, creating a battlefield and spiraling Jan Baalsrud into the adventure of his life. The only survivor and wounded, Baalsrud begins a perilous journey to freedom, swimming icy fjords, climbing snow-covered peaks, enduring snowstorms, and getting caught in a monstrous avalanche. Suffering from snowblindness and frostbite, more than sixty people of the Troms District risk their lives to help Baalsrud to freedom. 

Meticulously researched for more than five years, Karlsen Scott and Haug bring forth the truth behind this captivating, edge-of-your-seat, real-life survival story.

“"This story is a natural treasure for Norway. It's a great survival story; it sheds light on all the people who helped Baalsrud. They were the people in the country, fishermen and grandmothers who proved to be heroes themselves."--Director Harald Zwart "This is a must-read book for anyone who enjoys reading true historical, well-researched stories of intrigue, suspense, and adventure."-- The Norwegian American "My colleagues and I have read [ The 12th Man ] with great interest...we have been impressed with the way [the authors] make this truly remarkable story come alive, focusing not only on Jan Baalsrud, but showing the quiet courage and determination of his many helpers."--Jan Gerhard Lassen, Norwegian Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs "A welcome and much appreciated contribution to the growing library of World War II memoirs and eye-witness accounts. [ The 12th Man ] is a compelling story of courage and triumph against incredible odds, and set against the backdrop of the war that was to forever change the world."-- The Midwest Book Review”

“This story is a natural treasure for Norway. It’s a great survival story; it sheds light on all the people who helped Baalsrud. They were the people in the country, fishermen and grandmothers who proved to be heroes themselves."—Director Harald Zwart

"This is a must-read book for anyone who enjoys reading true historical, well-researched stories of intrigue, suspense, and adventure."—The Norwegian American

"My colleagues and I have read [The 12th Man] with great interest...we have been impressed with the way [the authors] make this truly remarkable story come alive, focusing not only on Jan Baalsrud, but showing the quiet courage and determination of his many helpers."—Jan Gerhard Lassen, Norwegian Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs

"A welcome and much appreciated contribution to the growing library of World War II memoirs and eye-witness accounts. [The 12th Man] is a compelling story of courage and triumph against incredible odds, and set against the backdrop of the war that was to forever change the world."—The Midwest Book Review
“This story is a natural treasure for Norway. It’s a great survival story; it sheds light on all the people who helped Baalsrud. They were the people in the country, fishermen and grandmothers who proved to be heroes themselves."—Director Harald Zwart

"This is a must-read book for anyone who enjoys reading true historical, well-researched stories of intrigue, suspense, and adventure."—The Norwegian American

"My colleagues and I have read [The 12th Man] with great interest...we have been impressed with the way [the authors] make this truly remarkable story come alive, focusing not only on Jan Baalsrud, but showing the quiet courage and determination of his many helpers."—Jan Gerhard Lassen, Norwegian Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs

"A welcome and much appreciated contribution to the growing library of World War II memoirs and eye-witness accounts. [The 12th Man] is a compelling story of courage and triumph against incredible odds, and set against the backdrop of the war that was to forever change the world."—The Midwest Book Review

Astrid Karlsen Scott, a native of Norway, is internationally known for her books on Norwegian culture. Her award-winning video, Christmas in Norway, has been shown on television in the United States and in Europe. She is also president of Nordic Adventure, a company dedicated to the promotion of Norwegian culture.

Dr. Tore Haug is a second cousin of Jan Baalsrud. He is an MD, a specialized general practitioner with a private practice in Norway. He studied and received his medical degree from Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany.

Harald Zwart is a well-known Norwegian film director currently living in Los Angeles. His films include One Night at McCool's starring Michael Douglas and the remake of The Karate Kid starring Jackie Chan. He has been named one of Variety's 10 Directors to Watch.

"I remember reading We Die Alone in 1970 and I could never forget it. Then when we went to Norway to do a docudrama, people told us again and again that certain parts were pure fiction. Since I was a Norwegian that was not good enough; I had to find the truth. I sincerely believe we did," writes author Astrid Karlsen Scott. Defiant Courage is the true story of what Jan Baalsrud endured as he tried to escape from the Gestapo in Norway's Troms District. In late March 1943, in the midst of WWII, four Norwegian saboteurs arrived in northern Norway on a fishing cutter and set anchor in Toftefjord to establish a base for their operations. However, they were betrayed, and a German boat attacked the cutter, creating a battlefield and spiraling Jan Baalsrud into the adventure of his life. The only survivor and wounded, Baalsrud begins a perilous journey to freedom, swimming icy fjords, climbing snow-covered peaks, enduring snowstorms, and getting caught in a monstrous avalanche. Suffering from snowblindness and frostbite, more than sixty people of the Troms District risk their lives to help Baalsrud to freedom. Meticulously researched for more than five years, Karlsen Scott and Haug bring forth the truth behind this captivating, edge-of-your-seat, real-life survival story.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.