anniruth84's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing complement to follow or precede Resistance Women. Mildred Harnack is truly one of a kind.
sandrareadsnext's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
brockwoman's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
kellyroberson's review against another edition
5.0
An astonishingly good, heartbreaking book with such a standout narrative structure - I couldn’t put it down.
skylar2's review against another edition
5.0
Well-written, thoughtful, and horrifying
The topic Donner chose is one we're all familiar with in general, but I had never heard of these specific people before. She conveys both the enormity of their situation, but also how close it was to our own reality: any thought that what happened to Mildred and Arvid couldn't happen here disappeared while reading the book.
The format of the book did turn me off at first, with chapters organized into short vignettes, some only a sentence or two long. By the end of the book, though, I was glad for the chance to reflect and think about what I had just read.
The topic Donner chose is one we're all familiar with in general, but I had never heard of these specific people before. She conveys both the enormity of their situation, but also how close it was to our own reality: any thought that what happened to Mildred and Arvid couldn't happen here disappeared while reading the book.
The format of the book did turn me off at first, with chapters organized into short vignettes, some only a sentence or two long. By the end of the book, though, I was glad for the chance to reflect and think about what I had just read.
glennmiller5309's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautifully written, moving account of those who resisted Hitler and Nazism within Germany, focusing primarily upon the efforts of one couple in particular, Arvid and Mildred Harnack. Author Donner is related to the American-born Mildred and shares numerous family accounts and letters within the pages of this book. Beyond conducting meticulous research, Donner shapes the story in an incredibly moving fashion. The best non-fiction, of which this book qualifies, approaches the level of classical fiction for its emotive impact upon the reader.
nataliereadsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Wow, this is such an amazing and devastating read demonstrating the complexities and devastation of war and people impacted by war. I’m astounded by all that Arvin, Mildred, and those in the resistance did and continued to do as times gone insanely hard and scary.
Though the topic is challenging because of the difficult histories, the flow and style of Rebecca Donner’s writing made it easier to read. The way she depicted those in the book made me wanting to know more. It almost read as if it were fiction but as we all know, these events in history were all very much real and impacted so many families and lives.
Though the topic is challenging because of the difficult histories, the flow and style of Rebecca Donner’s writing made it easier to read. The way she depicted those in the book made me wanting to know more. It almost read as if it were fiction but as we all know, these events in history were all very much real and impacted so many families and lives.
angela_juniper's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0