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The War by the Shore: A Thrilling Tale of Espionage and Danger in World War II

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The War by the Shore: The Incomparable Drama of the 1991 Ryder Cup

by Curt Sampson

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2526 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	289 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Alan Furst's The War by the Shore is a historical thriller set in 1943 during the Italian campaign of World War II. The novel follows the story of Carlo Aponte, an Italian naval officer who is tasked with the dangerous mission of smuggling a group of Allied agents behind enemy lines.

Aponte is a complex and conflicted character. He is a loyal Italian, but he is also disgusted by the Fascist regime that has led his country into war. He is a skilled naval officer, but he is also haunted by the memories of the horrors he has witnessed in battle. When he is given the mission of smuggling the Allied agents, he knows that it is a dangerous undertaking, but he also believes that it is the right thing to do.

The group of Allied agents that Aponte is tasked with smuggling is a diverse group of men and women from different countries and backgrounds. They include a British intelligence officer, an American OSS agent, a French Resistance fighter, and a Polish Jew who has escaped from a concentration camp. The agents are all united by their shared goal of fighting against the Nazis, but they also have their own personal motivations and fears.

The mission to smuggle the agents behind enemy lines is a dangerous and suspenseful undertaking. Aponte and his crew must navigate through treacherous waters, avoid enemy patrols, and outwit the Italian authorities. Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters, both friendly and hostile. They also face their own personal demons and must find a way to overcome them in order to complete their mission.

The War by the Shore is a thrilling and suspenseful tale of espionage and danger in World War II. It is a story about the courage and sacrifice of those who fought against the Nazis, and it is a reminder of the terrible cost of war.

Historical Context

The Italian campaign of World War II was a complex and bloody conflict that lasted from 1943 to 1945. The campaign began with the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943 and ended with the surrender of Italy in May 1945. The campaign was fought over a variety of terrain, from the mountains of Sicily to the beaches of Anzio.

The Italian campaign was a costly one for both sides. The Allies lost over 200,000 men killed, wounded, or missing in action. The Italians lost over 400,000 men killed, wounded, or missing in action. The campaign also resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians.

The Italian campaign was a significant turning point in World War II. The Allied victory in Italy helped to open the way for the liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation. The campaign also helped to weaken the German army and paved the way for the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944.

Characters

The War by the Shore features a cast of complex and well-developed characters. The main protagonist, Carlo Aponte, is a conflicted character who is torn between his loyalty to his country and his disgust for the Fascist regime. The Allied agents that Aponte is tasked with smuggling are a diverse group of men and women from different countries and backgrounds. Each agent has their own personal motivations and fears, and they must all learn to work together in order to complete their mission.

Here are some of the key characters in The War by the Shore:

Carlo Aponte: An Italian naval officer who is tasked with the dangerous mission of smuggling a group of Allied agents behind enemy lines.
Major John Harding: A British intelligence officer who is part of the group of Allied agents that Aponte is smuggling.
Lieutenant Sarah Cohen: An American OSS agent who is part of the group of Allied agents that Aponte is smuggling.
Pierre Dubois: A French Resistance fighter who is part of the group of Allied agents that Aponte is smuggling.
Dr. David Horowitz: A Polish Jew who has escaped from a concentration camp and is part of the group of Allied agents that Aponte is smuggling.
Contessa Isabella di Sangro: A wealthy Italian woman who helps Aponte and the Allied agents.
Colonel Mario Manfredi: An Italian army officer who is determined to stop Aponte and the Allied agents.

Themes

The War by the Shore explores a variety of themes, including the following:

The cost of war: The novel shows the terrible cost of war in terms of human life and suffering.
The courage and sacrifice of those who fought against the Nazis: The novel tells the story of the brave men and women who fought against the Nazis, often at great personal cost.
The importance of teamwork and cooperation: The novel shows how teamwork and cooperation are essential for success in wartime.
The power of hope: The novel shows how hope can sustain

The War by the Shore: The Incomparable Drama of the 1991 Ryder Cup

by Curt Sampson

4.5 out of 5