While Still We Live

I like the story. Historical fact have obviously been researched. Gripping story line. Very well written. I have read everything written by Helen MacInnes and hated that I ran out of her writings.

Takes place in Poland during early days of Nazi occupation. Basically about a band of rebels defending their country from Nazi takeover. An american woman is innocently caught up in the ensuing events and falls in love with the rebel leader.

Poland, early in WWII as Nazi Germany has begun its invasion and occupation - the true horrors of lost hope and promises never kept in the Nazi agreements. British and American involvement and non-involvement. It also depicts amazingly true stories of wartime heroics during this evil time with a little romance thrown in to spice it up. I liked it, some parts I simply could not put down, but some other parts were left dangling. The reviews on this book were outstanding and it pains me to not agree wholeheartedly. I kept expecting the heroine to remain tough and strong throughout. Why is it that it starts right, she gets tougher and then all of a sudden she falls apart. Maybe it's the timing of the century - it was after all written in the early 1940's. My own mother would have been her age then and I know once she'd started and committed to being a spy, she wouldn't become so weak/mushy around the strong male lead. BUT, that's exactly what happened. I didn't hate this storyline at all, in fact, it's my usual forte - but it kind of fell apart for me about 3/4's the way through. Sad, because she was a very good writer. Spy thrillers are a lot more fast-paced nowadays, so it was nice just to curl up with a slower moving mystery. Worth reading!

One of Helen MacInnes' two departures from her suspense fiction genre, and one of my favorite books for over 45 years, WHILE STILL WE LIVE begins on the eve of the German invasion of Poland in 1939. We experience with them the earliest weeks of war as their lives are overtaken by battle and destruction. People rise to the challenges of survival and resistance. The book was written during the war and published at the end of WWII. I love this book, recommend it.

Helen MacInnes' other departure from her suspense filled stories is FRIENDS AND LOVERS. She looks into the hearts and lives of 2 young students in love, but separated geographically by their studies, and abandoned by their families' failure to recognize their commitment to a future together. It's another special treat for romance lovers in the queen's brief departure from her mastery of suspense.

I read this more than 30 years ago and now have a renewed interest in stories of WWII. This one holds up to modern standards. The story line is good, the descriptions of the German invasion of Poland and life during that time is vivid with a strong reflection of emotions during that time. I am certain that events written probably did happen in whole or in part many times during the war. It is well written with lots of imagery I could see and feel. I am now going back to all of her books to reread them.

I have read this book many times over a period of 40 years and it is still exciting and thought-provoking.

Fast-paced WW II novel about the 1939 fall of Poland to the German Blitzkrieg, and subsequent hardships endured by the Poles under the yoke of their Nazi conquerors. The paper book runs to nearly 450 pages, but mostly doesn't feel that long. There are some factors which required a willing suspension of disbelief, such as the amazing ability of the English heroine to speak almost fluent Polish after a few months' stay in the country, and the total absence of any reference to those citizens who welcomed the Nazis with open arms,; but if you can get past them, the story will carry you along. Even though neither the author nor (probably) most of her readers could have any first-hand knowledge of the effects of the invasion on the residents of Warsaw and the surrounding villages, because of the meticulous research Ms. MacInnes brings to all of her books, we feel that it is "right." Recommended.

[[ASIN:B00BE24UNG While Still We Live]] is a moving story set in Poland early in WWII as Nazi Germany is invading and the occupation is beginning. Ms. MacInnes has written a superb novel, putting the reader in the time and place among a set of dedicated and brave compatriots. The realistic story respectfully recognizes those in Poland who died, or suffered great losses and persevered under incredibly difficult conditions.

WWII must be remembered, and this book, though fictional, conveys effectively an important piece of the war. Four and a half stars. Highly recommended.

I just recently discovered Helen Maciness books. They are all good, but this one is outstanding. I am in the process of reading it for the second time. Although fiction, it gives a view of the sufferings of the Polish people during the Nazi invasion. The characters in the story portrayed the spirit and strength of those who survived. Definitely an outstanding book.

I first read this book as a young girl and it is still one of my favorites today, and one I read over and over. I was thrilled to see it for Kindle as my paperback book has nearly fallen apart. Helen MacInnes is also one of my favorite authors and all her books are fantastic! Suspense and a bit of history in them and well worth the read!

Helen MacInnes was a highly articulate and sensitive author , writing primarily about the decades through which she lived. Her writing reflects careful research and includes beautifully drawn characters, and a more romantic than gritty approach to dreadful international European situations and dangers. Her descriptive skills, keen observations of people, picture of a life style and culture totally destroy by the War, and implied currents of greater risks than those depicted make this a great read even today, decades after its original publication. Her skill, finesse, and depth of research are rare in contemporary novels.