The Life Savers

World War I. Thousands of soldiers trapped behind enemy lines. The German Army executing anyone who helped them. But three fearless women — a nurse, a teacher, and a princess — ran a secret network to save them. An astonishing true story of heroism, betrayal, and daring by the New York Times bestselling author Candice Millard.

“It is the stern necessity of war that the punishment for hostile acts falls not only on the guilty but the innocent as well.” —German Field Marshal von der Goltz Pasha.

In the summer of 1914, Germany invaded neutral Belgium, which fell swiftly. As martial law descended upon the country, British nurse Edith Cavell, French school teacher Louise Thuliez, and Belgian princess Marie de Croy began hiding British, French, and Belgian soldiers stranded behind enemy lines. The penalty for harboring Allied soldiers was death.

Inspired by their bravery, others took up the cause and an extraordinary network began smuggling the soldiers over the border. They hid them in secret passageways in cities and royal castles, treated their wounds, gave them money, disguises, false papers, recruited guides to ferry them to safety.

The German response grew more ferocious as hundreds of Allied soldiers slipped past them. As the danger grew the women accelerated their efforts to save more lives — but there was a traitor lurking in the network.

The Life Savers is a heart-stopping narrative showcasing indomitable women who deserve to be celebrated as some of World War I’s great heroes.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs