In Poland, 19-year-old Irene Gut worked for a high ranking German officer in his villa. She was able to hide 12 Jews in the basement of the house, right under his nose. When he found out, he offered to keep quiet, but at a high price. Irene realized that the fate of 12 human beings rested on whether or not she would accept the offer.
Sophie Scholl, a college student in Munich, Germany wasn’t much older than Irene when she began her Resistance activities. Along with 10 others including her brother Hans, Sophie belonged to the White Rose (die Weiße Rose.) The group wrote and distributed six extensive anti-Nazi leaflets urging people to denounce Hitler’s government in word and deed. Anti-Nazi behavior was considered treason, punishable by death. Sophie and the other members of the White Rose knew the consequences of their actions, but continued their activities.
Other women in Women Heroes of World War II were surprises to me, for example, Josephine Baker and Marlene Dietrich. Josephine Baker, an African-American, had lived in Paris for many years after leaving the US in part because of the racism she encountered here. As an entertainer, Josephine had the perfect cover for a spying. Before France fell to the Nazis, Josephine did some espionage working for the Deuxième Bureau, a French intelligence agency. Her celebrity status allowed her to mingle at parties where she would listen in on conversations and acquire much need information
Marlene Dietrich, though German born, was an American citizen who worked against the Nazis and volunteered to entertain troops for the USO, often at great risk to herself. Sometimes, she was so close to the front lines, she could hear gunfire and bombs going off. When she started to use her signature song, Lilie Marlene, in English for the troops, the Nazis were livid, that had been their World War I song.
These are just a few examples of the lives of the extraordinary women who risked everything to help others in very dangerous situations that are included in this book. Though every story is different, the women were motivated by the same thing: when the time came, they did what they felt was right.
Women Heroes of World War II is a well written, well researched book. Ms. Atwood profiles the resistance activities of women from eight countries: Germany, Poland, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain and the United States. There is also a brief summary of the way in which each country entered World War II. This information really helps the reader appreciate the dangers and obstacles these woman faced. Each woman’s story is also supplemented with additional material, for example, passages from the leaflets written by Sophie Scholl and the White Rose, or the edict issued when Denmark was forced to surrender to the Germans. At the end of every woman’s story is a list of resources where the reader can go to find more information about her. The beauty of the organization of this book is that it can be read from cover to cover, as I did, or in parts. Each narrative stands on it own. This makes it ideal as a teaching tool and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Women Heroes of World War II is recommended for readers age 12 and up.
This book was purchased for my personal library.
Women Heroes of World War II
Kathryn J. Atwood
Chicago Review Press, 2011
266 pages
See Goodreads for an interesting story about how Kathryn Atwood touched history while writing Women Heroes of World War II.
A longer version of this review can be found at Kidlit Celebrates Women's History Month 2011
Non-Fiction Monday is hosted this week by Tales from the Rushmore Kid
What an informative post. I always always love visiting your site as it gives me such rich details about books that I have not read before. This appears a little bit like an academic-sorta-like-textbook-book, am I right? Or were the stories written in short vignettes that a young child could appreciate or take to?
ReplyDeleteMarlene Dietrich is a favorite. I believe i have a lot of her songs. Josephine Baker is a staple as well. And yes, Edith Piaf.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Another excellent review and another book I will be reading, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds brilliant. It will be a great addition to the Doucette Library's collection.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation.
Tammy
Apples with Many Seeds.
Thanks for all your comments about this really interesting book.
ReplyDeleteMyra, no, it is not an academic kind of book at all. That is one of the great things about it. And each story stands alone.
Barbara, I hope you enjoy it. I always look forward to your posts and on my next trip to England, I am going to have to come over to your shop with lots of money in my pockets. You always have such tempting books.
Tammy, I am glad this will work for the Doucette Library's collection.
This sounds like one I would really enjoy. Women's roles in World War II are really fascinating. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh, I must read. Must. Read. Thanks for letting me know.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joy and Joyce, it is always nice to hear from you. I liked this book so much, and even found a few surprises in it. I hope you enjoy it, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about your reviews/posts is that they are always so thorough. I haven't commented in a while -- mostly because of limited time, but I have still been following.
ReplyDeleteI just reviewed this one as well and really enjoyed it. I'll be checking out your blog on a regular basis so I can add to my reading list.
ReplyDelete