Soon to be a major television event from Pascal Pictures, starring Tom Holland.
Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, the USA Today and #1 Amazon Charts bestseller Beneath a Scarlet Sky is the triumphant, epic tale of one young man’s incredible courage and resilience during one of history’s darkest hours. Pino Lella wants nothing to do with the war or the Nazis. He’s a normal Italian … the Nazis. He’s a normal Italian teenager—obsessed with music, food, and girls—but his days of innocence are numbered. When his family home in Milan is destroyed by Allied bombs, Pino joins an underground railroad helping Jews escape over the Alps, and falls for Anna, a beautiful widow six years his senior.
In an attempt to protect him, Pino’s parents force him to enlist as a German soldier—a move they think will keep him out of combat. But after Pino is injured, he is recruited at the tender age of eighteen to become the personal driver for Adolf Hitler’s left hand in Italy, General Hans Leyers, one of the Third Reich’s most mysterious and powerful commanders.
Now, with the opportunity to spy for the Allies inside the German High Command, Pino endures the horrors of the war and the Nazi occupation by fighting in secret, his courage bolstered by his love for Anna and for the life he dreams they will one day share.
Fans of All the Light We Cannot See, The Nightingale, and Unbroken will enjoy this riveting saga of history, suspense, and love.
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A compelling story, made even more so because it is true. Pino Lella was an unwitting hero–from the time he was a teenager in Mussolini’s Italy, he was faced with physical and moral challenges that tested his every fiber and thrust him into demanding and dangerous roles. His many accomplishments in resisting Nazi initiatives were astounding. Through Pino, we learn about the strength of the human spirit and the difference that each one of us can make in the war between good and evil.
An unbelievable true story!
One of the best books I’ve ever read.
Loved it!
excellent!!
I was getting a little tired of World War II novels. This one was different in that it took place in Milan, not France. I listened to the audio version and there was not a slow moment to the book. Highly recommended.
One of the best books I’ve ever read! Amazing true characters who risk everything to fight the nazis in Italy!
Really loved this book that I have looked for his other books.
Novel, yes but somewhere in the middle of this book, I totally forgot that it was.
Historically based for sure and gave me a feel for being a young boy in war-torn Italy.
Never realized what some people had endured.
Based on a true story. WW II in Italy is rarely written about so this story as told to the author by Pino, the person who experienced it and never talked about it until late in life was a new perspective on this horrible war.
This true life story is amazing
Set in Italy during WW2 the main character at such a young age is a true hero.
Not only does he lead people to safety through dangerous terrain, he winds up in a position that challenges his beliefs, and puts him at odds with friends and family.
The heartbreak he endures would cripple any man or woman, yet he continues to help the war in the only way he can
It hard to imagine that this boy, this story is a true life tale.
Love this book of WWII. From the Milan, Italy point of view!
This is an incredible book about WWII in Italy. The story is deep and involved. It tells of so much that isn’t commonly known and of a Nazi officer we’ve never heard of, or few have. A wonderfully told tale of one young man’s journey taking people out of Italy through the Alps and then later driving while spying and driving for a Nazi leader. I highly recommend it!
Must read!!
A good read.
Good book, a lot of research for the foundation of the book. Good research for accuracy of the historical accuracy. Started out a bit slow for some, but do not give up. So good the last 2/3-1/2 of the book. An education on WWII.
I have read a lot true stories about WWII that were set in England, Germany and France. This is the first one set in Italy. It gave another perspective of the war and that time period.
One of the best books I have ever read especially when finding out Pino is a real person.. Last I checked he is still alive and in his 90’s.
This book was recommended to me by a good friend who said “ its one of the best books I’ve ever read”. I totally agree. From the first page to the last I didn’t want to put it down.