Hold Strong Audiobook By Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz, Chris Crabtree cover art

Hold Strong

A Novel

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Hold Strong

By: Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz, Chris Crabtree
Narrated by: Will Damron
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About this listen

From Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz, and Chris Crabtree comes an epic and inspiring novel—based on true events—about love, heroism, and resilience during the darkest chapters of World War II.

Sam Carlson is a projectionist in small-town Minnesota, where fantasies unspool in glorious black and white—for him and for his sweetheart, college-bound math whiz Sarah Haber. When the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, Sam is sent to the Philippines and captured as a POW. Brutalized but unbroken by the Bataan Death March and POW camps, Sam is one of eighteen hundred starved and weakened prisoners herded into the cargo hold of a barbaric hell ship called the Arisan Maru, his survival doubtful.

Determined to use her math skills on the home front, Sarah is recruited to Washington, DC, into the covert field of code breaking. When Sarah intercepts a message about a Japanese convoy, the US Navy’s mission is clear: sink the Arisan Maru and send it to the bottom of the South China Sea. Now, the lives of the two young lovers are about to inadvertently collide in one of the most shocking acts of World War II.

Anchored in an extraordinary true story and breathlessly re-created, Hold Strong is a one-of-a-kind novel that explores faith, courage, survival, and coming home against insurmountable odds.

©2025 La Mesa Fiction, LLC, Jeff A. Langholz, and Chris Adam Crabtree. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
Biographical Fiction World War II Prisoners of War

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Amazing historical journey!

I don’t usually enjoy historical stories like this one. Amazing!n both my husband and I immersed.

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Too Real

A very difficult listen due to the subject
None of us can begin to imagine what people in war go through. This book brought me as near as I want to be.

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Excellent historical novel

Although there are a lot of historical novels based on World War II, this is one of the few that focuses on the experiences of American prisoners of the Japanese. The characters in this book were captured in early 1942 and spent the next 2 1/2 years in captivity. I know a lot about this topic because of a family member that is similar experience. The book is well written, accurate, and should appeal to anyone who likes historical fiction.

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Heartbreaking

Dugoni does a good job telling the story of a fictional character that represents thousands of WWII POWs who were inhumanely held in Japanee hellships, and about a brilliant woman that represents the many who served as secret code breakers during the war. Heartbreaking to think so many suffered and died sometimes by our own troops for the greater good. I can't image being put in the position of knowing and making those calls. Authors notes at the end are a worthy read/listen.💔

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Thought provoking. Great audiobook

I liked the storyline even though sometimes the horror of what actually happened to the real POW’s is mind blowing. I definitely recommend this book.

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Moving and Compeeling Story

Excellent book and performance. Robert Dugoni knows how to tell a story and this one is excellent. Dugoni tells the compelling story of POWs in the Pacific, their horrific treatment, and the sacrifices they gave for our freedom. The story also tells of women who serve our country during WW II - a story rarely told but so important.
The audible performance is excellent.

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hard to hold is a hard story to hear but important to listen to.

a world war 2 love story that has twist and turns all throughout the book, you'll love the book

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Wonderfully written characters that make you feel every emotion possible.

This is probably one of the best books from Robert Dugoni. The historical accuracy, heartbreaking truths and hope all wrapped up in one. It’s eye opening to find that the book was based on actual events throughout our dark history, but the author gave the characters grace and the well deserved dignity. I wept for the characters and cheered along side the story. Absolutely brilliant!

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Great Story!

I’m glad to be reminded of the great men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.
Especially the ones we won’t ever know about. God bless America!

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Amazing!

This has become one of my favorite all time books. Beautiful job. I felt like I was watching a movie while listening to this book!

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