Audiobook14 hours
Of Windmills and War
Written by Diane Moody
Narrated by Justine Eyre
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
()
About this audiobook
The rumblings of war in distant countries mattered little to Danny McClain. Growing up in Chicago, his world revolved around after-school jobs, a rescued beagle, his pen pal in Holland, and the Cubs' chance to go to the World Series. Then, in December of 1941, news of the attack on Pearl Harbor hit much too close to home. In a few years, Danny found himself in the co-pilot seat of a B-17, stationed with the 390th Bomb Group in Framlingham, England.
Anya Versteeg had been just a teenager when Hitler's troops invaded her homeland of Holland in May of 1940. Forced to grow up much too fast, the feisty preacher's daughter eagerly immersed herself in the Dutch Resistance. Certain that God had turned His back on Holland, she did whatever she had to do to save her country before it was too late.
By 1945, the people of Occupied Holland were starving. Thousands were dying every day. Then, just days before the war ended, help came to the Netherlands like manna from heaven.
Operation Chowhound held special meaning for Lieutenant Danny McClain. Somewhere below in the battered land of tulips and windmills was the girl who needed rescuing, and he would move heaven and earth to find her.
Anya Versteeg had been just a teenager when Hitler's troops invaded her homeland of Holland in May of 1940. Forced to grow up much too fast, the feisty preacher's daughter eagerly immersed herself in the Dutch Resistance. Certain that God had turned His back on Holland, she did whatever she had to do to save her country before it was too late.
By 1945, the people of Occupied Holland were starving. Thousands were dying every day. Then, just days before the war ended, help came to the Netherlands like manna from heaven.
Operation Chowhound held special meaning for Lieutenant Danny McClain. Somewhere below in the battered land of tulips and windmills was the girl who needed rescuing, and he would move heaven and earth to find her.
More audiobooks from Diane Moody
Memphis & Me: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related to Of Windmills and War
Titles in the series (3)
Of Windmills and War Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Beyond the Shadow of War Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5From the Ashes of War Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related audiobooks
Berlin Calling Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bookseller's Secret Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Long Way From Warsaw: A Novel of World War II Poland Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Truth in Our Lies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Soldier's Wife Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Child of the River Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Fortress Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5The Dutch Wife Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5We Shall Not Shatter: A WWII Story of Friendship, Family, and Hope Against All Odds Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMercy Road Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Brass Compass Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5When the War is Over Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Baker's Secret: Absolutely gripping and heartbreaking World War Two historical fiction Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In a Field of Blue: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sisters of the Resistance: A Novel of Catherine Dior's Paris Spy Network Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Where Butterflies Go Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Girl From the Train Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Seventh Moon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Note Through the Wire: The Incredible True Story of a Prisoner of War and a Resistance Heroine Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Irena's War Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Parisians Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chateau of Secrets Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Child for the Reich Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hearts of Resistance Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Daughters of the Resistance Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Voyage of the Heart Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5War Brides Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Resistance Girl Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5With Every Letter: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Historical Fiction For You
The Song of Achilles: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Murder on the Orient Express: A Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Neon Gods Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5And Then There Were None Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Clan of the Cave Bear Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Outlander Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tom Lake: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Reformatory: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5All Quiet on the Western Front Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Alice Network: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Tattooist of Auschwitz: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Death on the Nile: A Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Weyward: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dragon Teeth: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5News of the World: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The River We Remember: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Lost Apothecary: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Red Tent - 20th Anniversary Edition: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Witches of New York: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5West with Giraffes: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Lost Names Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5That Bonesetter Woman: the new feelgood novel from the author of The Smallest Man Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Rose Code: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beneath a Scarlet Sky: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Schindler's List Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Yellow Wife: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Rules of Magic: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Before I Met You Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Magic Lessons: The Prequel to Practical Magic Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for Of Windmills and War
Rating: 4.277777777777778 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
36 ratings5 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sweet and interesting story line with believable characters. The protagonist Danny is a delight. There is a tasteful emphasis on prayer. The author also subtly points out the effects of the hand of God. The romance is delightful and the characters are well drawn. The historical context is highly instructive, and something we should know more about.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great history of my ancestors, woven beautifully, This one makes me want to read another one by this author
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Nice story, nice voice. Some interesting reflections on WWII and the Dutch Underground.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I absolutely loved it. I am a history buff. I liked it done in historical fiction way very much. I loved the historical timeline, the facts of what went on during the war with the underground, the sacrifice of families in Holland and the Pols too. I enjoyed the transition from childhood to adult with the characters of Danny and Anya. Very well written.
Some books I listened to that were written by authors in the 21st century, seem to think that profanity is important in the story. It is not. This one may have have a tiny bit? However, I have returned others very quickly, because the writers need to use such vulgarity. It may be the way military spoke and continue to speak, but not necessary for a story that is good and it opens it to more readers. I applaud this writer for making it inclusive for all. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I thoroughly enjoyed this book and following the lives of Danny McClain and Anya Versteeg. For the first-half of the book, I found Anya's story far more compelling as she struggled to stay alive during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Despite tremendous risks and personal sacrifices, she joined the Dutch resistance movement helping Jewish children escape to freedom. When she was on a mission, I was on tenterhooks, hoping she wouldn't be caught by the German soldiers guarding the railway stations. From the start, I admired Anya's strength, determination and courage, even though she could be extremely stubborn at times, and my heart bled for the loses she suffered time and again.Danny's story wasn't as exciting but his family's dynamics was interesting, especially the changing relationship with his father. I enjoyed watching Danny work his way through school and college before enlisting into the airforce. Once he started training and then flying missions over Germany, the action really picked up.However, my favourite part of the book was when Danny's and Anya's stories finally converged after Danny's plane was shot down over the Netherlands close to the German border. Suddenly, both their lives were in mortal danger with the Nazis determined to destroy all members of the Dutch Resistance and capture the enemy pilot.Despite the atrocities and horrors of war, the last few chapters were uplifting. I loved learning about Operation Chowhound where, instead of dropping bombs and causing mass destruction, huge bundles of food were dropped at various locations around Holland to feed its starving population. The reactions from the American pilots and the Dutch citizens brought tears to my eyes.The fact that the author's father served as a co-pilot in World War II and took part in Operation Chowhound certainly gave "Of Windmills and War" greater depth and credibility, and it was a wonderful tribute to all the men and women who fought to protect the precious gift of freedom. A poignant read.