nonfiction, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, Europe, Spain, Hungary, 20th-century, bravery, false-information, fake-troops, double-agent, human-rights, diplomat*****

Virginia Hall is the first person detailed and a determined woman who worked tirelessly for the British and American intelligence communities and the French Resistance fighters.
William Sebold became a double agent and, while very successful, sacrificed his health and sanity in the cause of defeating Hitler.
Marlene Dietrich was a surprise to me. The extravagant actress did a lot more than entertain the troops and was honored by both the US and England after the war.
Carl Lutz was a swiss diplomat in Hungary who secreted Jews and others scheduled for extinction in Hungary regardless of orders from his own country.
Ghost Army and other fantasies were perpetrated but a man who appeared to be a double agent but was really blowing smoke at the German high command. This Spaniard's name was Juan Pujol.
The last chapter contains even more people and heroes. Some of the information is new to me, but not that of Virginia Hall. The writing style is engaging and kept me riveted all afternoon.
Never forget. Never again.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you

Why We Fought by Jerry Borrowman is an excellent nonfiction that is a collection of short stories, biographies, and true stories of real people that helped turn the tide and helped the Allies triumph WWII.

This is such a great collection of stories. Nothing is too long or too detailed, yet they are not too short or glossed over. The author has collected a nice array of true stories of real people that were true heroes in their own right that helped do their part in the war. We find that it doesn’t matter where they came from, who they were, or what their “humble” or not so humble beginnings might have been, each felt within themselves the greater good and the need to do something about it.

I loved the wonderful spectrum of individuals selected, some I had heard of, but most I had not. Appropriate not only for historians, but also the average enthusiast as well.

I especially enjoyed the chapter on Marlene Dietrich.

This book really left me grateful and inspired.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.