Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan

A friend of mine, knowing I love books with a historical setting, highly recommended Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan. Hands down, this is the best historical nonfiction book I have read in several years. Mr. Sullivan takes us through the incredible true story of Pino Lella, as a young man, living in Milan through the last two years of WWII.

At the age of seventeen, Pino Lella is sent by his parents to a Catholic camp for boys in the Italian Alps, near the Swiss border, in order to escape the allied bombing of Milan. Drawing upon his mountaineering skills, he assists the priest in guiding Jews across the Alps into Switzerland and to safety. Upon his eighteenth birthday he will be faced with the draft. Therefore, his parents recall him home to Milan and insist he enlist in the Germany Army. They feel this is the only way he will remain safe, since youths enlisting in the Italian Army are sent directly to the Russian front.

While on duty in Milan, Pino Lella sustains minor inquires during a bombing raid and is given a short leave to recover. During this time he has a chance encounter with General Hans Leyers, the most important German in Italy, and becomes his personal driver. Pino is not happy with this turn of events because he despises the Germans. Then his Uncle points out that he can now be a spy for the resistant since he will go with the General everywhere and see all that he sees. Despite his disgust with the Germans, and General Leyers in particular, he drives the General all over Italy observing and reporting back to his Uncle and the resistance.

Pino’s story is a fascinating one and the author has done a fantastic job of putting to words the deeds and actions of this young hero. I can’t begin to imagine the amount of time it took to research all of the people and events that appear in this book. I am just thankful that the author took the time to bring to light this incredible story of bravery. I also am appreciative of the author’s thoughtful handing of the characters in the story, since most are no longer living.

The book does not read like some non-fiction, that I find can be rather dry. There is plenty of drama in the story to keep you reading despite the length of the book. The prose was very polished and purposeful without being verbose. This is a book that I know, without a doubt, I will read again. In addition, I think Pino’s story would make a great movie.

I highly recommend this to those who love either Historical Fiction or Nonfiction. In addition, I believe this book will appeal to those who like spy stories or thrillers.