Resistance Women: A Novel

One of BookBub's best historical novels of the year and Oprah magazine's buzziest books of the month.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, an enthralling historical saga that recreates the danger, romance, and sacrifice of an era and brings to life one courageous, passionate American--Mildred Fish Harnack--and her circle of women friends who waged a clandestine battle against Hitler in Nazi Berlin.

After Wisconsin graduate student Mildred Fish marries brilliant German economist Arvid Harnack, she accompanies him to his German homeland, where a promising future awaits. In the thriving intellectual culture of 1930s Berlin, the newlyweds create a rich new life filled with love, friendships, and rewarding work--but the rise of a malevolent new political faction inexorably changes their fate.

As Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party wield violence and lies to seize power, Mildred, Arvid, and their friends resolve to resist. Mildred gathers intelligence for her American contacts, including Martha Dodd, the vivacious and very modern daughter of the US ambassador. Her German friends, aspiring author Greta Kuckoff and literature student Sara Weitz, risk their lives to collect information from journalists, military officers, and officials within the highest levels of the Nazi regime.

For years, Mildred's network stealthily fights to bring down the Third Reich from within. But when Nazi radio operatives detect an errant Russian signal, the Harnack resistance cell is exposed, with fatal consequences.

Inspired by actual events, Resistance Women is an enthralling, unforgettable story of ordinary people determined to resist the rise of evil, sacrificing their own lives and liberty to fight injustice and defend the oppressed.

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640 pages

Average rating: 7.75

36 RATINGS

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3 REVIEWS

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Community Reviews

margardenlady
Dec 27, 2023
8/10 stars
What a story! And 3 of the main characters are actual women. Their true story. Just amazing. This novel follows 4 women who met in pre WWII Germany, and who were involved in one another's lives and loves, as well as active in the resistance to Hitler. The description of Hitler and the Germans who avidly bought his lies, as well as the Germans who quietly ignored the horror bears shocking parallels to current politics in America... The story reads like a trainwreck, which is truly how WWII and the years leading up to it must have felt. Separate chapters allow each of the women's lives to be spotlighted and their part of the resistance described. It is an ominous reminder of the importance of critical thinking and ethics.
Anonymous
Jul 11, 2023
8/10 stars
EVERYONE should read this book!! I have always wondered how the rise of Hitler happened. How an entire country would allow this to occur… this is what this book is about all based on true events and almost every character is an actual person. If you’ve ever thought this could never happen today… read this and you’ll see just how possible it is.
Kbates92
Apr 04, 2022
8/10 stars
Such a long book! But a great read.

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