The winter of 1942–43 encompassed some of the darkest days of World War II, not least for the French Resistance. Moorehead (Gellhorn) uses as her lens the lesser-known January 1943 transport of 230 women of the Resistance to the Auschwitz death camp. She conducted interviews with several of the 49 surviving women or their families and incorporates information from their published and unpublished works about the experiences they endured during their incarceration. Taking us from the early days of the Resistance and these women's roles to the postwar period of disillusionment and unhappiness, Moorehead finds inspiration in the way they assisted and protected one another, sometimes ensuring another's survival to the detriment of themselves. VERDICT Readers will get a good overview of the historical context and the sacrifices made by women whose motivation was to provide a better world for their country. Although at times difficult to read (the descriptions of Auschwitz offer nothing new but reiterate the horror endured), this book rightfully gives these women—survivors and nonsurvivors alike—their place in our historical memory. For a memoir by a woman in the Resistance not transported with this group, see Agnes Humbert's Résistance. [See Prepub Alert, 5/16/11.]—Maria C. Bagshaw, West Dundee, IL
Students, teachers, housewives, an opera singer; these were the women who belonged to the French Resistance during World War II. In 1943, 230 of them were sent to Auschwitz, where only 49 survived. Moorehead, who's been nominated for some big awards, should effectively relate the story of all these women; she even spoke to four survivors. I hope this gets lots of attention; it's a topic heretofore ignored.
Add Comment :-
Comment Policy:
Comment should not be empty !!!