Sisters in the Resistance: How Women Fought to Free France, 1940-1945

by Margaret Collins Weitz

Critical acclaim for Sisters in the Resistance

"Often moving . . . always fascinating . . . women in the FrenchResistance is a key subject. Margaret Weitz has gathered personaltestimonies . . . and set them in an intelligible context thathelps us understand how all French people--men andwomen--experienced the Nazi occupation." --Robert Paxton, MellonProfessor of Social Sciences, Columbia University, and author ofVichy France: Old Guard and New Order, 1940-1944.

"Compulsive reading . . . a valuable book which vividly portraysthe intricacies of resistance within France, written in an easy butserious style." --Times Literary Supplement (London).

"An absolutely stunning and compelling chronicle of dauntlesscourage and unflagging patriotism." --Booklist.

"[Margaret Collins Weitz's] well-researched, thoughtful study. . .has filled a gap in the history of World War II." --PublishersWeekly.

"Balancing absorbing narrative and astute analysis, MargaretCollins Weitz has integrated the unsung achievements of women intothe history of the French Resistance." --Carole Fink, Professor ofHistory, The Ohio State University, and author of Marc Bloch: ALife in History.

"Fifty years after the end of World War II, Sisters in theResistance renders homage to the courageous women of the FrenchResistance. It is high time for their contributions to be fullyacknowledged, and fortunate indeed that they have found such asympathetic, scholarly, and lucid chronicler in Margaret CollinsWeitz." --Marilyn Yalom, author of Blood Sisters: The FrenchRevolution in Women's Memory.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, France, World War II, War, Feminism, Memoir

392 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 1995

About the author

Margaret Collins Weitz was an American academic who was a professor emeritus at Suffolk University. Collins Weitz was the author of books and many articles on French culture, French women, and the role of women in the French Resistance.

Reviews

[Jemma Bartholomew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delving more into my niche interest of Women in WW2, I found this book in the 'borrow me for free' book section at my mums retirement community.

It was written in the mid 90's and relying on a lot of first hand testimony of the actual women involved, who were still alive at that point, and had been involved in the French resistance to varying extents. While it was fascinating to read about these women and what they did, and I definitely learned a lot, I found the book itself a little dry and academic, and also a little dated, in that in the last 30 years a lot more information has become declassified, and I have read other books written more recently that have been both more interesting and better written. But a great book for it's time and one of the first to explore the role of Women in France in WW2.

So, a book of interest to those interested in women in WW2, but not a book for the casual reader!

CNBC notes: largely not relevant. Some women had children already, and some had children they conceived during their time in the Resistance, which was discussed in a little more detail, largely in relation to how to register the birth of a child when either or both the parents are living under an assumed identity and/or had false papers.

[Jeslyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing (or editing) was two stars - distracting due to many acronyms that are repeatedly defined and translated from French throughout the book (defeating the purpose of an acronym), references to other books and movies, etc. References were parenthetical, footnoted, and numerical, when I think the readability would have been much smoother with numerical references that didn't disrupt the flow. I found the italics for emphasis throughout the book to be unnecessary, particularly in concert with italics for French words.

Nevertheless, the women's stories, however brief at times, were fascinating, compelling, and moving. I'm impressed once again with the efforts made by women (including teenagers) to fight back against invasion in ways they never dreamed of in their former social order. They rose to the challenge, and Weitz ably highlights their efforts.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initially, during the first 100 pages of this book, I was disappointed as it felt a compilation of facts and interview snippets without a true visible storyline by the author. But by the end, the simple feat of compiling these many extraordinary words from her sources into the distinctive chapters revealed an important achievement and valuable addition to the French resistance history, specifically the long ignored and undervalued female role.
I liked the cover, size, and feel of my paperback edition along with the many photos and bibliography which piqued my interest in further reading on this subject.

[Jeffrey Wang · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many incredible and unimaginable stories in this book. The beginning lays a strong foundation for all of the significant sacrifices women made to the resistance during World War 2 in France. Women had to play many unique roles and it was extremely interesting to explore all of the nuance. As one can expect, there are many horrifying tales as well. It’s humbling to read how heroic these women were in all aspects of resistance from support roles to being in the field. Definitely not a light read, but very much worth the time!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible book - this really captured the voices of the woman being written about and gave a strong sense of the feeling during the period. Drew focus on areas not always considered to be part of resistance work (such as social services) and demonstrated how absolutely vital they were.

[fbz · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a great book. it jumps around a lot in timelines and locations which makes it a little hard to follow. the book helped me put my ancestors’ involvement in the movement in perspective (they were really lucky to make it through relatively unscathed after quite a lot of covert involvement).

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring to learn about the contributions of everyday women during the Nazi occupation. Brilliant and moving.

[Janice Chapman Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of good stories.

[Carolyn Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtitled:  "How Women Fought to Free France, 1940-45."  Incredible documentation of women's contribution to the resistance movement. Lots of first hand accounts with Weitz's organized summaries.  

[Gary Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many a history about WWII but none have provided me a better understanding of the traitorous Vichy France and the consequent evolution of France's Resistance movement than this book. Moreover, it has reconfirmed my already realization that women have been monstrously treated by past historians simply by denying them their rightful place in WWII history. Especially for the significant part they played in making POSSIBLE the Allied victory over Hitler. Through the diaries and letters of actual "resistantes", each demonstrating one of the many various missions assigned to these heroines, you get a FULL picture of what Resistance was all about. Not just participating in combat and sabotage (a few women did that), but also providing the glue of the movement, through liaison, espionage, and logistics. Consider: These women were often at more risk than combatants! Caught, even by Vichy police, they would be beaten, tortured, and perhaps shipped to a final destination: Ravensbruck concentration camp in northern Germany. As a wartime veteran myself, I salute the author for writing this history. These facts should never be forgotten.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish it. I was hoping (by the subject matter and description) that this would be a book about the ways women were involved in France's battle for freedom. And it was. To an extent. But the overarching theme of women's lib and the fact that women are better than men, that they finally "gained much-needed independence" and so on just ruined it for me. I wouldn't recommend this book; if you're looking for a true story about women and their involvement during the war, try Paris-Underground by Etta Shiber instead.

[Jenny Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating. Each page brought to mind images of courage, passion for country and a way of life, or terror. One reads this book and thinks, "What would I do in the face of adversity such as this? Would I be as brave as these women? Would I stand up for what is right and true and just in the face of evil?"

[Rick Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

A revealing book. I value it for the immense and compelling detail in the stories of the women who fought in the Resistance. It recounts innumerable cases of selfless valor, especially in view of the discrimination against women that continued prevalent in France after the war ended.

[Katie Mcsweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book as it was fascinating. Lent it to my grandmother and she loved it to so its good for all generations (or else its just a hit in my family).

[Mills College Library]

940.5344 W436 1995