Whatever It Took

An American Paratrooper’s Extraordinary Memoir of Escape, Survival, and Heroism in the Last Days of World War II

De: Henry Langrehr, Jim DeFelice

Narrado por: Mike Ortego

Published to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, an unforgettable never-before-told first-person account of World War II: the true story of an American paratrooper who survived D-Day, was captured and imprisoned in a Nazi work camp, and made a daring escape to freedom.

Now at 95, one of the few living members of the Greatest Generation shares his experiences at last in one of the most remarkable World War II stories ever told. As the Allied Invasion of Normandy launched in the pre-dawn hours of June 6, 1944, Henry Langrehr, an American paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne, was among the thousands of Allies who parachuted into occupied France. Surviving heavy anti-aircraft fire, he crashed through the glass roof of a greenhouse in Sainte-Mère-Église. While many of the soldiers in his unit died, Henry and other surviving troops valiantly battled enemy tanks to a standstill. Then, on June 29, Henry was captured by the Nazis. The next phase of his incredible journey was beginning.

Kept for a week in the outer ring of a death camp, Henry witnessed the Nazis' unspeakable brutality - the so-called Final Solution, with people marched to their deaths, their bodies discarded like cords of wood. Transported to a work camp, he endured horrors of his own when he was forced to live in unbelievable squalor and labor in a coal mine with other POWs. Knowing they would be worked to death, he and a friend made a desperate escape. When a German soldier cornered them in a barn, the friend was fatally shot; Henry struggled with the soldier, killing him and taking his gun. Perilously traveling westward toward Allied controlled land on foot, Henry faced the great ethical and moral dilemmas of war firsthand, needing to do whatever it took to survive. Finally, after two weeks behind enemy lines, he found an American unit and was rescued.

Awaiting him at home was Arlene, who, like millions of other American women, went to work in factories and offices to build the armaments Henry and the Allies needed for victory. Whatever It Took is her story, too, bringing to life the hopes and fears of those on the homefront awaiting their loved ones to return.

A tale of heroism, hope, and survival featuring 30 photographs, Whatever It Took is a timely reminder of the human cost of freedom and a tribute to unbreakable human courage and spirit in the darkest of times.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Henry Langrehr and Jim DeFelice (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Powerful!

Such a well told account of an amazing life. I enjoyed Henry’s story so much. It fills me with pride to be an American and floods me with gratitude for the sacrifices of men like Henry. Thank you!

Love the way this war hero told his story.

Very real and well told and somewhat positive if there is such a thing as. These were great men . Wish things like what told here could be taught to all of our young men of today without fighting a war

The details were amazing

All of it was amazing the details made you feel like you were there. One of my favorite books.

fantastic

Really great book. I was completely engaged the entire time, really created a full picture of what it must have been like for Henry. Mike Ortego is the best narrator I've heard so far. highly recommend.

Great introduction read

it's a great introduction read if you are getting interested in learning more about WWII. The writing style provides fast facts and general information behind the way, plus quick first hand experience stories. But the author doesn't get very deep into the details and you don't connect to people or situations the way you do with other books by the 101st airborne or Pacific theater veterans.

A time of Heroes

Average men did great and terrible things because someone needed to do it. This man saw himself as not better than anyone else, or a harder worker, but just an American doing what was right in very difficult times. If America were called upon now, I wonder if deep down inside their snowflake hearts there resides any hint of the America that was. I really enjoyed the feeling of patriotic pride I felt about the way the Greatest Generation managed. I truly hope there is some bit of this hero’s genetics in today’s America. I believe I see it in our young soldiers, and it gives me hope that many would be capable if the world demanded it. A great book about a real American tale of heroism.

Fascinating Story from. WWII Paratrooper POW

I thoroughly enjoyed the speaker of this story! it brought the book to life for me in my head. what an extraordinary tail this soldier went through and made it back home alive in one piece! it was a really interesting perspective from what he experienced being trained, deployed, and captured as a POW. I highly recommend!

The guts of henry and desire to live and deal with misery where most could not

The way of reading was folky I assume intentionally but some time annoying but sometimes charming. I did smile a few times at the words used. I guess emulating one from the state of Iowa or Midwest

Inspirational book

It is very interesting book about what it took to survive. Henry Langerhr’s story is interesting. I enjoyed. He goes into detail about the time period, his life and his time in the war. I enjoyed a lot. I found inspiring because of what he went through during is child with his family, the war, as POW and after her returned from the war. What I know about the man his “Whatever it Took” attitude rubbed off on his family. It is a worth the purchase.

Outstanding!

This book is about raw courage and the will to live. I loved this true story and thank God for American's like Henry. We owe his generation so much. We are free because of their sacrifice. A great read for everyone.