Last Hope Island

Britain, Occupied Europe, and the Brotherhood That Helped Turn the Tide of War

By: Lynne Olson

Narrated by: Arthur Morey, Kimberly Farr

Length: 18 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

A groundbreaking account of how Britain became the base of operations for the exiled leaders of Europe in their desperate struggle to reclaim their continent from Hitler, from the New York Times best-selling author of Citizens of London and Those Angry Days.

When the Nazi blitzkrieg rolled over continental Europe in the early days of World War II, the city of London became a refuge for the governments and armed forces of six occupied nations who escaped there to continue the fight. So, too, did General Charles de Gaulle, the self-appointed representative of free France.

As the only European democracy still holding out against Hitler, Britain became known to occupied countries as "Last Hope Island". Getting there, one young emigré declared, was "like getting to heaven".

In this epic, character-driven narrative, acclaimed historian Lynne Olson takes us back to those perilous days when the British and their European guests joined forces to combat the mightiest military force in history. Here we meet the courageous King Haakon of Norway, whose distinctive "H7" monogram became a symbol of his country's resistance to Nazi rule, and his fiery Dutch counterpart, Queen Wilhelmina, whose antifascist radio broadcasts rallied the spirits of her defeated people. Here, too, is the Earl of Suffolk, a swashbuckling British aristocrat whose rescue of two nuclear physicists from France helped make the Manhattan Project possible.

Last Hope Island also recounts some of the Europeans' heretofore unsung exploits that helped tilt the balance against the Axis: the crucial efforts of Polish pilots during the Battle of Britain; the vital role played by French and Polish code breakers in cracking the Germans' reputedly indecipherable Enigma code; and the flood of top-secret intelligence about German operations - gathered by spies throughout occupied Europe - that helped ensure the success of the 1944 Allied invasion.

A fascinating companion to Citizens of London, Olson's best-selling chronicle of the Anglo-American alliance, Last Hope Island recalls with vivid humanity that brief moment in time when the peoples of Europe stood together in their effort to roll back the tide of conquest and restore order to a broken continent.

©2017 Lynne Olson (P)2017 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Lynne Olson is a master storyteller, and she brings her great gifts to this riveting narrative of the resistance to Hitler's war machine. You will be thrilled and moved - and enraged, saddened, and shocked - by the courage and steadfastness, human waste and stupidity, carelessness and nobility, of an epic struggle. Last Hope Island is a smashing good tale." (Evan Thomas, New York Times best-selling author of Being Nixon)

"In a series of compelling books in recent years, Lynne Olson has established herself as an authoritative and entertaining chronicler of perhaps the largest single event in human history - the Second World War. Now comes Last Hope Island, a powerful and surprising account of how figures from Nazi-occupied Europe found Great Britain an essential shield and sword in the struggle against Hitler. This is a wonderful work of history, told in Olson's trademark style." (Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of American Lion)

"You wouldn't think that there would still be untold tales about World War II, but Lynne Olson, a master of that period of history, has found some. Not only does she narrate them with her usual verve, but her book reminds us how much we unthinkingly assume that it was the United States and Britain alone who defeated the Nazis in Western Europe. Last Hope Island is a valuable, and immensely readable, corrective." (Adam Hochschild, New York Times best-selling author of King Leopold's Ghost)

Provides a more complete understanding of WWII

Especially enlightening with regard to the contributions and tragedy of the Poles, but also those of the Dutch.

Always great books

Lynne Olson cannot write anything but a wonderful book! This is now my sixth book that I had the pleasure to read or hear. Somehow each one seems even better.

A worthy & unique view of WW2

The author doesn’t try to flatter the big 3 allied powers of WWII but instead presents the bare knuckled view of the governing, warring, and negotiating behind the scenes. There are stories and insights I’ve never heard but ones that need voice. Definitely a worthy listen.
The reader too often sound plodding and measured. After a while I adapted to it but I felt the material deserved a better presentation.

great for historical backstory

I really listened to it when travelling to see my mother in a nursing home. I think that the actual reading of it would have put me to sleep. very factual, but with great warmth in many of the stories concerningthe Dutch.

Very enlightening and timely.

I've read a number of accounts of WWII; but Last Hope Island ties them together, and, for me, connects them to the present.

The backstory to WWII

This book fills in the details of the war. It is the back story that doesn’t told. It refers to the mistakes and the blunders and hatred. Understanding how the agony and support during the war played out is a reflection of how some countries behave to each other today.

An excellent and well told history

This is the most complete history of WWII that I have read. A well told story of the place and players and their actions or in some cases, the lack there of.
Why have we humans not learned from these terrible lessons of man’s inhumanity to man? I found I could only read a few chapters at a time because of the depth of that inhumanity. Though there were moments of exceeding bravery and kindness.
This book will give you pause in your personal thoughts and evaluation of the main characters. We all need to thank Poland and her people for their bravery without which that horrible conflict would have continued much longer. GP

Comprehensive Detail of amazing WWII Resistance EU contributors.

Amazing detail of persons, nations and organizations I had not of heard before. Very comprehensive and yet the story did not become bogged down with facts, it was brought to life. I felt such sadness in realizing the depth if suffering, brutality and human resilience. If you really want to hear a well told reenactment of WWII, this book if for you.

The little guys bear the brunt

One of the most thought provoking books about the second world war that I have read. Explorers the different goals of major power war planners from those of the populace of occupied countries. Often the ineptness, lack of local knowledge, or downright cynicism of the major players made the conditions for citizens of small occupied countries even more perilous because of "friendly " bombing or encouraging reprisals because of "actions" gone awry.

The larger powers often overlooked and downplayed the technical achievements, crucial inside knowledge and leadership by small countries, after the war, and in many cases, those countries sovereignty was swept aside for the goals of the larger powers.

A discussion at yhe end of t he book, of the difficulty of people who did not experience brutal occupation, left judging those who did, leaves me pondering.

Not What I Expected--More What I Needed to Know

I have long been a WWII history buff, since the war formed the basis of my very earliest years growing up in the U.S. I have long read of the gallant wartime exploits of Britain's MI5, MI6, MI9, SOE, the American OSS, and the heroic Resistance of Occupied Europe. They are here, but sadly more can now be told of the vicious political backbiting that enabled all too much scum to rise to the top, wasted numberless gallant lives, and fostered the careers of the malicious and feckless. Do not read this if you wish your illusions to be preserved!

The story is well and interestingly, if somewhat haphazardly, related. A remarkable leitmotiv is how the various European governments in exile in London formed the basis of the post-war European unity movement, and how the enmity of De Gaulle worked against Britain's full integration into the European Union, even unto Brexit.

This is one of those special books that encourages me to make better sense of what I thought I knew of the period I have lived through