I have never read a story of WWII in the Netherlands until now. It was heartbreaking. At one point, the horror for main character Anya is so detailed I had to stop reading. Fortunately the author turned back to the story of an American pilot who fell in love with Anya, now a damaged heroine, presumably the subject of the sequel. Reading about bombing Nazis is easier than Nazi atrocities. The pilot is based on the author’s father, who advised on the book. This was a good choice because the level of detail about the bombing runs, life on base, and the loss of fellow soldiers in battle gives authenticity to the story. ( )

I 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. ( )

Excellent WW2 story

Updated review coming tomorrow ( )