A Light in the Northern Sea, Tim Brady
A Light in the Northern Sea, Tim Brady
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A Light in the Northern Sea
Denmark's Incredible Rescue of Their Jewish Citizens During WWII

Author: Tim Brady

Narrator: David de Vries

Unabridged: 8 hr 22 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/29/2025


Synopsis

August 25, 1943. A lone bicyclist transports a cache of explosives, hidden in a beer crate, to a Copenhagen hall being readied to house German troops. In a violent blast, the would-be barracks is reduced to rubble. It's the boldest act yet of Holger Danske and the growing Danish resistance combating the oppressiveness of Hitler's Reich.

In 1940, on its way to conquering Western Europe, Germany coerced the Danish government into a "cooperative" agreement that lasted three long years until the increasing brazenness of the Resistance movement prompted a crackdown. Denmark's nearly 8000 Jews, who had so far been spared Hitler's wrath, now became the focus of his rage. A roundup was ordered to begin on October 1st, 1943, the first day of the Jewish New Year.

The only passage to safety was across the Oresund to Sweden. But no group existed to organize an escape. Until the last moment, Sweden didn’t agree to allow the refugees into the country; and the strait between the two nations was swarming with Gestapo. What happened next was a miracle. 95% of Denmark's Jews survived the Holocaust, the highest percentage in Europe. Here are the riveting true accounts of ordinary Danes who, using their modest resources, wiles, remarkable courage, and camaraderie, quietly orchestrated their escape.

About Tim Brady

Tim Brady is an award-winning history author whose critically acclaimed books include Twelve Desperate Miles, A Death in San Pietro, His Father's Son, and Three Ordinary Girls. In addition to contributing numerous articles, reviews, essays, and short stories for a wide range of magazines, newspapers, and journals, he has written and helped develop a number of television documentaries, including the Peabody Award-winning series Liberty! The American Revolution for PBS. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, and is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Literary on March 09, 2025

A thrilling little-known story of how Denmark saved its Jews during WWII. Will have you up all night, leaving you incredibly inspired and deeply moved. I will definitely buy a copy for myself and give as gifts to my history-loving friends!......more

Goodreads review by Jan on June 01, 2025

We still have relatives in Norway and even had one who was relegated to a Camp in Denmark during WW2 after a foiled resistance effort. Yes, this well written/researched nonfiction is centered on Denmark, but Scandinavians are closely related. When faced with overwhelming odds, the Danes did whatever......more

Goodreads review by The Page Ladies on July 05, 2025

A Light in the Northern Sea by Tim Brady tells the amazing true story of how the Danish people managed to save almost their entire Jewish population during World War II. When the Nazis planned to round up Danish Jews, ordinary citizens, resistance fighters, and even some unlikely heroes came togethe......more

Goodreads review by Christine on March 16, 2025

This non fiction book is extremely interesting! I have not read much about Denmark during WWII. This is a great shame. Indeed, I don't know many countries whose majority actively helped Jewish people flee and succeded in most part! Very impressive indeed. Definitely a great country known for its dem......more

Goodreads review by Cheryl on July 31, 2025

A detailed recounting of the heroic actions of the people of Denmark 🇩🇰 who banded together to save their Jewish citizens escape deportation and ultimately death at the hands of the Nazis during WW2. Once saved, the rebels continued to fight the Germans, along with the eventual aid of the Allies.......more