Sabotage: The Mission to Destroy Hitler's Atomic Bomb

by Neal Bascomb

Overview

“This richly detailed nonfiction account of Norwegians who spied for the British and organized resistance against the Nazis unfolds like a spy thriller” (Library Journal).

The invasion begins at night, with German cruisers slipping into the harbor, and soon the Nazis occupy all of Norway. They station soldiers throughout the country. They institute martial rule. And at Vemork, an industrial fortress high above a dizzying gorge, they gain access to an essential ingredient for the weapon that could end World War II: Hitler’s very own nuclear bomb. When the Allies discover the plans for the bomb, they agree Vemork must be destroyed. But after a British operation fails to stop the Nazis’ deadly designs, the task falls to a band of young Norwegian commandos. Armed with little more than skis, explosives, and great courage, they will survive months in the snowy wilderness, elude a huge manhunt, and execute two dangerous missions. The result? The greatest act of sabotage in all of World War II.

“A strong choice for students of history or science. This title is easy to recommend to those who enjoy nonfiction and to thriller fans interested in true tales of heroism.” —School Library Journal

“Riveting.” —Publishers Weekly

“A rich, well-paced narrative.” —Kirkus Reviews

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545735339
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	08/17/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	492,485
Lexile:	1070L (what's this?)
File size:	183 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

• Neal Bascomb is the author of The Nazi Hunters, winner of the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award, among numerous other awards. School Library Journal called his second young adult book, Sabotage, "excellent" in a starred review and The Grand Escape a "fantastic pick for avid history readers" also in a starred review. In addition, he is the author of six nonfiction books for adults on subjects ranging from a 1905 Russian submarine mutiny to a contemporary high school robotics team. The Perfect Mile, Winter Fortress, and Hunting Eichmann went on to be New York Times and international bestsellers. His book The Racers was named a BCCB Blue Ribbon Book and a starred review from School Library Journal called The Racers "Highly Recommended." Neal lives in Philadelphia with his family and rascal dog, Moses. Please visit his website at nealbascomb.com and follow him on Facebook @nealrbascomb.

Read an Excerpt

At 8 p.m., white camouflage suits covering their British Army uniforms, the nine men skied away from the Fjøsbudalen cabin in silence. They were armed with five Tommy guns as well as pistols, knives, and hand grenades. In their rucksacks, they carried the explosives for the attack and everything they needed for their retreat into the Vidda: sleeping bags, rations, maps, and other survival gear.Few of them believed that they would have the chance to escape, and there were poison pills hidden in their uniforms, to be taken in the event of their capture. They understood only too well what became of those who were brought into interrogation by the Gestapo.Claus Helberg led the way. Hidden by low cloud, the moon shone dimly, and he had to navigate mostly by memory and a natural feel for the terrain. He kept a steady pace, sweeping around boulders and twisting through the scattering of trees in a way only one born to these hills could. The others followed closely behind, the cut of their skis barely a whisper through the snow. Each man knew what to do once they arrived at the target. Their leader had made it clear that no matter what unfolded, no matter whether he or anyone else on the team was killed or wounded, those able were to "act on their own initiative to carry out the operation." Destroying the heavy-water plant was paramount.

Table of Contents

List of ParticipantsA Note on the Pronunciation of Norwegian VowelsPrologue1. Invasion2. The Uranium Club3. Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare4. The Size of a Pineapple5. Operation Grouse6. The Vidda7. Two Little Birds8. Gunnerside9. Survival10. The White Tempest11. The Plan12. Winter Fortress13. Escape14. 100 Percent Success15. The Chase16. Another Go17. Bigassbird II18. The Transport19. The Ticking Clock20. SabotageEpilogueAuthor's NoteBibliographyNotesPhoto CreditsHistorical Sources for the MapsIndex

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Sabotage:"This is an exciting and impeccably researched story of science, spies, and commando raids — page-turning nonfiction at its best." — Steve Sheinkin, Newbery Honor-winning author of Bomb: The Race to Build — and Steal — the World's Most Dangerous Weapon* "Bascomb is a master of taking complicated histories and turning them into exciting works of nonfiction... This excellent treatise on a little-known episode of World War II is a first choice." — School Library Journal, starred review"Bascomb's detailed narrative builds tension through each attempt, narrow escape, and comeback...vivid descriptions of the principal participants and their motivations, rigors of Norway's climate and terrain, and the risks calculated (and those unforeseen), producing a gripping account of individual and collective heroic effort." — Publishers Weekly"The book is enhanced by impressive supplemental material, including a helpful list of participants, photographs, maps, and an intriguing author's note. A rich, well-paced narrative." — Kirkus Reviews"Bascomb admirably balances dramatic tension and context throughout... Sabotage will find its place in a growing body of narrative nonfiction centering on military and political history." — Horn Book"Bascomb's clear-eyed account, helped along by photos, maps, and diagrams, of the thrilling mission and its many challenges... will handily engage teens." — BooklistPraise for The Nazi Hunters:Winner of the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction AwardWinner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award for Teen Readers"The Nazi Hunters is a fabulously exciting piece of history that teens should know about — and now they will! Bascomb's detailed scenes allow readers to live through this true tale of courage and daring as if they were there." — Deborah Heiligman, Printz Honor-winning author of Charles and Emma and Intentions"I found The Nazi Hunters riveting, from its suspenseful search for Eichmann to the capture of the war criminal responsible for orchestrating the murder of eleven million people, including six million Jews. Neal Bascomb's book is incredibly well-researched and paced like an espionage thriller. The hunters' commitment to bringing Eichmann to justice is sure to captivate readers." — Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Newbery Honor-winning author of Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow and The Boy Who Dared"From cafés in Buenos Aires to the halls of the fledgling Israeli government, from false identities to secret drops, this story has all the hallmarks of a spy novel. Bascomb has a knack for turning complex detail into a suspenseful, heart-pounding narrative." — School Library Journal"Photographs are included throughout the text, adding not just to the evidence of Eichmann's guilt but to the reader's sense of being along on the mission." — The Horn Book Magazine"Tension rises from the pages, thanks to Bascomb's command of pacing, judicious use of quoted material, inclusion of archival photographs and strong descriptions." — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher