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Norway's War: A People’s Struggle Against Nazi Tyranny, 1940–45
In the early morning of 9 April 1940 a fleet of German ships entered the Oslofjord. The Norwegian artillery delayed the German advance long enough for King Haakon VII and his cabinet to escape to England, but there was no stopping the Nazi blitzkrieg. Norway stood on the cusp of a traumatic five-year occupation whose aftershocks would continue to trouble its national consciousness long after the defeated Germans departed in May 1945.
In a magnificent feat of storytelling, Robert Ferguson tells the extraordinary - and relatively little-known - story of the occupation and its judicial aftermath. He focuses in particular on the Germans' attempt to use a Norwegian Nazi administration under Vidkun Quisling to impose a National Socialist revolution on Norwegians, and on the many brave and ingenious ways in which the Norwegians resisted the attempt.
Ferguson describes the occupation in all its aspects - from Nazi terror to non-violent resistance, from censorship to sabotage - ending with a riveting and heart-rending account of the trial and ensuing execution of a member of the Norwegian resistance. Norway's War presents a series of heterogeneous but interlinked narratives which are richly involving in themselves but which always allow the wider politico-military story to keep moving forward. The key players in the occupation, whether occupiers, collaborators or resisters, both non-violent and otherwise, are memorably characterised. One of them, the remarkable double agent Gunnar Waaler, occupies an especially prominent place in the narrative.
Above all, Norway's War evokes the bravery of ordinary Norwegians in a manner that is deeply engaging, moving and fascinating.
In a magnificent feat of storytelling, Robert Ferguson tells the extraordinary - and relatively little-known - story of the occupation and its judicial aftermath. He focuses in particular on the Germans' attempt to use a Norwegian Nazi administration under Vidkun Quisling to impose a National Socialist revolution on Norwegians, and on the many brave and ingenious ways in which the Norwegians resisted the attempt.
Ferguson describes the occupation in all its aspects - from Nazi terror to non-violent resistance, from censorship to sabotage - ending with a riveting and heart-rending account of the trial and ensuing execution of a member of the Norwegian resistance. Norway's War presents a series of heterogeneous but interlinked narratives which are richly involving in themselves but which always allow the wider politico-military story to keep moving forward. The key players in the occupation, whether occupiers, collaborators or resisters, both non-violent and otherwise, are memorably characterised. One of them, the remarkable double agent Gunnar Waaler, occupies an especially prominent place in the narrative.
Above all, Norway's War evokes the bravery of ordinary Norwegians in a manner that is deeply engaging, moving and fascinating.
- GenresHistory
464 pages, Hardcover
First published March 27, 2025
6 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Robert Ferguson
26 books33 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 1, 2025
For some reason, Scandinavia during WW2 is not a widely researched topic but a sidenote on the margins. Researchers mainly mention Norway as the potential source of the materials for an atomic bomb. NORWAY'S WAR: A PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE AGAINST NAZI TYRANNY, 1940-45 fills the knowledge gap with a vivid, easily accessible account of the events.
Norway's Nazi occupation differs in many ways from the situation anywhere in Europe. Unlike in Denmark, King Haakon VII and the government fled the country, leaving it without a governing body. The belonging to the so-called Aryan race explains the relatively lenient attitude of Germans toward ordinary Norwegians: on May 12, 1940, Norwegian soldiers were disarmed - and went home. Rather than exterminate Norwegians, Nazis under the command of Reichkommissar Josef Terboven intended to Nazify the country by implementing national socialism in all spheres of life. To save the pretense of legitimacy, they operated through an unpopular local National Unity party.
Resistance against the Nazi policy took many forms. Milorg organization disrupted transportation, transmitted information to England, and transported refugees to neutral Sweden. The non-violent Conscience Struggle of 1942 involved ordinary priests, teachers, and parents who opposed the country's Nazification.
NORWAY'S WAR also describes the horrors of the Norwegian Holocaust, while providing a list of memoirs for interested historians. At first, Jews were required to have "J" stamped on their passport. Then the transportation to German concentration camps began. Out of thousands of men, women, and children, only twenty-nine returned home.
The book's blurb says, "The key players in the occupation, whether occupiers, collaborators or resisters, both non-violent and otherwise, are memorably characterised." It's true: the historical figures - Vidkun Quisling, Sverre Riisnæs, Gunnar Waaler, Ingrid Bjerkås, and many others - come to life within the book, acquiring depth and precision through personal details. As the story continues, the leaning toward historical fiction becomes more pronounced. It culminates in an epilogue dedicated to Karl Mathiesen's trial and execution, where the author ascribes thoughts and speculations to the characters. History and historical fiction, two respectable genres, are not the same, and, meshing them up, the author leaves the reader wondering about the extent of deliberate fictionalization.
NORWAY'S WAR's flawless writing style allows the general audience, totally unfamiliar with Norway's history, to get a comprehensive overview of the occupation. I recommend NORWAY'S WAR as the starting point for further deeper reading on the topic.
I obtained an advanced review copy through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Norway's Nazi occupation differs in many ways from the situation anywhere in Europe. Unlike in Denmark, King Haakon VII and the government fled the country, leaving it without a governing body. The belonging to the so-called Aryan race explains the relatively lenient attitude of Germans toward ordinary Norwegians: on May 12, 1940, Norwegian soldiers were disarmed - and went home. Rather than exterminate Norwegians, Nazis under the command of Reichkommissar Josef Terboven intended to Nazify the country by implementing national socialism in all spheres of life. To save the pretense of legitimacy, they operated through an unpopular local National Unity party.
Resistance against the Nazi policy took many forms. Milorg organization disrupted transportation, transmitted information to England, and transported refugees to neutral Sweden. The non-violent Conscience Struggle of 1942 involved ordinary priests, teachers, and parents who opposed the country's Nazification.
NORWAY'S WAR also describes the horrors of the Norwegian Holocaust, while providing a list of memoirs for interested historians. At first, Jews were required to have "J" stamped on their passport. Then the transportation to German concentration camps began. Out of thousands of men, women, and children, only twenty-nine returned home.
The book's blurb says, "The key players in the occupation, whether occupiers, collaborators or resisters, both non-violent and otherwise, are memorably characterised." It's true: the historical figures - Vidkun Quisling, Sverre Riisnæs, Gunnar Waaler, Ingrid Bjerkås, and many others - come to life within the book, acquiring depth and precision through personal details. As the story continues, the leaning toward historical fiction becomes more pronounced. It culminates in an epilogue dedicated to Karl Mathiesen's trial and execution, where the author ascribes thoughts and speculations to the characters. History and historical fiction, two respectable genres, are not the same, and, meshing them up, the author leaves the reader wondering about the extent of deliberate fictionalization.
NORWAY'S WAR's flawless writing style allows the general audience, totally unfamiliar with Norway's history, to get a comprehensive overview of the occupation. I recommend NORWAY'S WAR as the starting point for further deeper reading on the topic.
I obtained an advanced review copy through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 16, 2025
National Unity Versus National Socialism
I was initially excited to read Norway’s War, as it was an area of World War II that had been seldom covered. In some ways Norway’s experience in WWII is unique and different to other, especially similar countries such as Denmark. However, at the same time it is much of the same with the story we’ve heard time and again. The Gestapo, the SS, resistance, double agents and collaborators. As a result I felt rather underwhelmed by the read. If you’re a die hard WWII fan you’ll love it, if you’re interested in Norway it’s for you, but if you’re looking for something new you won’t find it here.
The author Robert Ferguson begins by exploring Norway’s strategic importance: its long coastline, vital shipping lanes, and abundant natural resources, before detailing the dramatic German invasion in April 1940. From the swift military occupation to the collaborationist Quisling regime and the subsequent resistance movement, the book provides a comprehensive overview of Norway’s role in the war.
Ferguson focuses on the moral and psychological dilemmas faced by Norwegians during the occupation. He does not shy away from portraying the ambiguities of collaboration, the painful choices made by civilians and soldiers alike, and the internal divisions that fractured Norwegian society. His treatment of the resistance is equally nuanced; he honors its heroism while acknowledging its limitations and internal tensions.
The narrative is filled with personal stories, diaries, letters, and interviews, which Ferguson weaves into the broader historical context. These individual perspectives do bring emotional depth to the sweeping events, and as a result make the story both accessible and affecting. Ferguson’s prose is elegant and clear, avoiding academic dryness while retaining historical rigor. His deep affection for Norway, where he has lived for many years, I’ll admit, adds a layer of empathy and insight that enriches the storytelling.
In the end Norway’s War is not a bad book. It does what it’s supposed to, it just wasn’t revolutionary or individualist. As I mentioned above it’s for readers deeply interested in WWII and Scandinavian history. It provided a moving picture of the human cost of conflict, and provides a window into this theatre of the conflict. Ferguson if anything has made this accessible to the English speaker and for that it was worth reading once.
I was initially excited to read Norway’s War, as it was an area of World War II that had been seldom covered. In some ways Norway’s experience in WWII is unique and different to other, especially similar countries such as Denmark. However, at the same time it is much of the same with the story we’ve heard time and again. The Gestapo, the SS, resistance, double agents and collaborators. As a result I felt rather underwhelmed by the read. If you’re a die hard WWII fan you’ll love it, if you’re interested in Norway it’s for you, but if you’re looking for something new you won’t find it here.
The author Robert Ferguson begins by exploring Norway’s strategic importance: its long coastline, vital shipping lanes, and abundant natural resources, before detailing the dramatic German invasion in April 1940. From the swift military occupation to the collaborationist Quisling regime and the subsequent resistance movement, the book provides a comprehensive overview of Norway’s role in the war.
Ferguson focuses on the moral and psychological dilemmas faced by Norwegians during the occupation. He does not shy away from portraying the ambiguities of collaboration, the painful choices made by civilians and soldiers alike, and the internal divisions that fractured Norwegian society. His treatment of the resistance is equally nuanced; he honors its heroism while acknowledging its limitations and internal tensions.
The narrative is filled with personal stories, diaries, letters, and interviews, which Ferguson weaves into the broader historical context. These individual perspectives do bring emotional depth to the sweeping events, and as a result make the story both accessible and affecting. Ferguson’s prose is elegant and clear, avoiding academic dryness while retaining historical rigor. His deep affection for Norway, where he has lived for many years, I’ll admit, adds a layer of empathy and insight that enriches the storytelling.
In the end Norway’s War is not a bad book. It does what it’s supposed to, it just wasn’t revolutionary or individualist. As I mentioned above it’s for readers deeply interested in WWII and Scandinavian history. It provided a moving picture of the human cost of conflict, and provides a window into this theatre of the conflict. Ferguson if anything has made this accessible to the English speaker and for that it was worth reading once.
May 27, 2025
Sadly I couldn't persevere with this book, again I don't feel particularly good about this (nor the review) but for me this is the book it states. Its not so much Norway's War as Oslo's War, the book is centred almost entirely on Norway's Capital City, save a chapter on the issues in the Far North.
This could be a decent book for those interested in Norway, WW2 and its History. But I find this badly written and edited. Long Paragraphs with even longer Chapters and even some typos in both English and Norwegian (Yes My Norwegian Partner noticed the later).
There is almost nothing in this about the West of Norway during this period, and yes things did happen here. The incident at Televag is described in a single sentence. Leif Larsen and the Shetland Bus is not mentioned at all (unless I've missed it) - and whilst I appreciate there is a lot to write (and potentially omit from a book like this) I find it completely skewed.
Also and the two things I can't get over is the constant switching of dates throughout the occupation and the reference to 'the next Five Years' - When the War started (In Norway) in 1940 no one knew how long it was to last and to view History, the Narrative and struggle in this way seems very poor.
I think what has knocked a star off this review is the high price (it will be returned to store for a refund) - it was always a risk but when you pay that sort of money you do expect something reasonable.
I feel bad for the Country I'm researching, the people mentioned in the book and even the Author but I feel the need to move on to something else.
This could be a decent book for those interested in Norway, WW2 and its History. But I find this badly written and edited. Long Paragraphs with even longer Chapters and even some typos in both English and Norwegian (Yes My Norwegian Partner noticed the later).
There is almost nothing in this about the West of Norway during this period, and yes things did happen here. The incident at Televag is described in a single sentence. Leif Larsen and the Shetland Bus is not mentioned at all (unless I've missed it) - and whilst I appreciate there is a lot to write (and potentially omit from a book like this) I find it completely skewed.
Also and the two things I can't get over is the constant switching of dates throughout the occupation and the reference to 'the next Five Years' - When the War started (In Norway) in 1940 no one knew how long it was to last and to view History, the Narrative and struggle in this way seems very poor.
I think what has knocked a star off this review is the high price (it will be returned to store for a refund) - it was always a risk but when you pay that sort of money you do expect something reasonable.
I feel bad for the Country I'm researching, the people mentioned in the book and even the Author but I feel the need to move on to something else.
March 17, 2025
Norway’s War is an exhaustively researched, very detailed but always readable account of the invasion in 1940 of Norway by Nazi Germany and the subsequent occupation of the country until 1945. It relates how the Nazis, aided enthusiastically by the minority Norwegian National Unity party, attempted to subjugate the Norwegian population and impose a National Socialist revolution on the country and how the majority of the Norwegian people resisted in a variety of peaceful and non-peaceful ways. The courage and ingenuity of the Norwegian people is rightly celebrated and the fanaticism, brutality and depravity of the Nazis and their National Unity collaborators is ruthlessly exposed. A minor quibble from this reader is that the epilogue which tells the story of the trial, sentencing and execution of a single resistance fighter is stylistically incongruous with the rest of the book and is overlong. Nevertheless, this is an important book about a period of fairly recent European history which should never be forgotten.
January 18, 2026
I wanted to find out more about Norway's war.I d heard about the raid on Narvik,the Altmark,the Heroes of Telemark and Quisling.So I hoped this booked help.
The first 160 pages were helpful.However it went downhill after that.
The book was decided into parts.Part 4 was about a policeman named Waller.This went on for 61 pages.Of little intetest..32 pages about a siege at Skallum..A66 page epilogue,which I was too bored to read.
So quite frankly a great disappointment.
The first 160 pages were helpful.However it went downhill after that.
The book was decided into parts.Part 4 was about a policeman named Waller.This went on for 61 pages.Of little intetest..32 pages about a siege at Skallum..A66 page epilogue,which I was too bored to read.
So quite frankly a great disappointment.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews