They were teachers, students, chemists, writers, and housewives; a singer at the Paris Opera, a midwife, a dental surgeon. They distributed anti-Nazi leaflets, printed subversive newspapers, hid resisters, secreted Jews to safety, transported weapons, and conveyed clandestine messages. The youngest was a schoolgirl of fifteen who scrawled “V” for victory on the walls of her lycée; the eldest, a … a farmer’s wife in her sixties who harbored escaped Allied airmen. Strangers to each other, hailing from villages and cities from across France, these brave women were united in hatred and defiance of their Nazi occupiers.
Eventually, the Gestapo hunted down 230 of these women and imprisoned them in a fort outside Paris. Separated from home and loved ones, these disparate individuals turned to one another, their common experience conquering divisions of age, education, profession, and class, as they found solace and strength in their deep affection and camaraderie.
In January 1943, they were sent to their final destination: Auschwitz. Only forty-nine would return to France.
A Train in Winter draws on interviews with these women and their families; German, French, and Polish archives; and documents held by World War II resistance organizations to uncover a dark chapter of history that offers an inspiring portrait of ordinary people, of bravery and survival — and of the remarkable, enduring power of female friendship.
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An incredible historical document, Caroline Moorehead tells the full story of the 230 women who were trained to Aushwitz because of their involvement with the French Resistance.
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I had read several books about the Nazi Occupation of France but not one specifically dealing with the women’s experience in the French Resistance and subsequent internment/enslavement and abuse in the camps. Glad that I read it. Needed to move on to something lighter after the gruesome atrocities chronicled here.
Loved this book
Great book about women in the Resistance who were sent to Hitler’s extermination or labor camps. A great read.
While this book is a bit confusing in the first half keeping the people straight, it sorts itself out in the second half. While so tragic it is interesting and authentic to be reading about real people and seeing their photos. It’s an amazing book which held several surprises.
I am so glad it was written and it also so very glad came into my …
I thought this book would tell more of a story about the women on the train. Didn’t enjoy it at all, and I paid top dollar for it.
So well writen. But so haunting. How could people be so cruel.
Inspirational WW II book describing the many French women who took up the cause, joined the Resistence and were inprisioned by the Nazis.
A true story of women, young and old, in the French Resistance and there treatment at the hands of the Nazis. How those who survived the camps managed to do so is a wonderful story of selflessness and cooperation, Worth reading.
Superior view of women French resistance fighters and the attocities they endured.An excellent read.
Contained facts about the internment camps and the long lasting effects of survivors that I had not read about previously.
Very sad expose of life under the reign of Adolf Hitner.
Loved this book!
Very boring the way it was written. Too many characters. Goes back and forth in time too much. Liked learning something of the resistance in France.
It was an eye-opening read. A horrible story that must be read through the ages so no one forgets.
A little on the heavy side.
Horendous tale of the holocaust.thank God that Hitler was defeated
HAUNTING STORY