Resistance Women

A Novel

By: Jennifer Chiaverini

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 20 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling 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 Weiss, 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.

This audiobook includes an episode of the Book Club Girl Podcast, featuring an interview with Jennifer Chiaverini about Resistance Women.

©2019 Jennifer Chiaverini (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

One of THE best historical fiction WW2 books!

No words. 95% of this book is true and Saskia Maarleveld, my absolute favorite narrator, does a beautiful job. This book is heart stopping, and brings you right to the horror of the Nazis and the love and selflessness of the resistance. Cannot go wrong with this book. So sad it’s over. I learned so much about this infamous resistance cell. Wow!

Excellently researched and written!!!

I am a very critical reviewer, especially of books in the World War II genre, because I have read so many. This was an incredible book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Although mostly true, it reads like the most compelling mystery novel. An amazing and uplifting story about the courage of remarkable and selfless women. I would unequivocally recommend this book!

Beautifully written and exceptionality motivating!

Not only did the author clearly tell of the insidious way "normal" life changed in Germany in the 1930ties, she made virtually all major characters experience their own disbelief in what they saw their government doing; each went through various levels of questioning before they committed to resisting.
Among the marks of a great author is their ability to cause readers to really feel what the characters feel. This was done in spades.
Definitely planning to listen again and again!!

What a Book!

The book, Resistance Women is one of the best books I've read in awhile. Although the story is sad, the book is a page turner and I find myself not wanting to quit reading. Five star in all cases.

Informative, but oddly empty

This is an important book. Well researched, articulate, overall worth the read. But, by the end, I realized that I had not developed an emotional connection to the characters. They seemed like sketches of people rather than fully-articulated three-dimensional humans. After reading several other historical fiction books about this same era (I'm looking at you Kate Quinn, Olivia Hawker, Kate Atkinson), this one was the least engaging.

Amazing story! So heartwrenching

The perspective of an American and her circle of Resistance Women during the rise of Hitler and the Nazi's. Jennifer once again gets you connected with the characters in such a way that you feel like part of the story. I cried, I gasped, I shook my head in disbelief as to how the evilness of the Nazi's stole so many brave women, men and children from us. Thank you for bringing this perspective to us!

A nice tribute to (relatively) unsung war heroes

A bit slow at first but leading to a very suspenseful denouement. I was glad to know about these non-fictional women and all they did to foil the Nazis.

Thought provoking

considering the current times and the push for socialism mentality in the US, this book gives the perspective of the ease of which a small group can take over a nation without much resistance when everyone turns a blind eye.

Historical Novel in the Finest Sense

One of the best true stories you are likely to ever read. Excellent work. Most excellent.

Informative but not so Riveting

I found my interest lagging because I wanted more depth in the characters. This was more like an overview of a particular (important) time in German history through the eyes of people who lived it. I learned a lot about what led up to the Nazi's gaining control. I just could not stay with it.

A great war novel

Admittedly it took me few chapters to familiarize the characters but as soon as I understood the storyline I was amazed at the historical detail and totally enjoyed every moment Stayed awake in final chapters. Narrator is becoming brilliant with different accents

I really wanted to enjoy this...

I couldn't finish this story, 2 hours in and I was fed up waiting for it to get interesting. Instead I was overwhelmed with the number of characters and seemingly pointless details. I really wanted to like this book but it's a no from me.