ATTENTION PROFESSORS: FOR COLLEGE COURSE AQUISITION – Academic and Student Reviews

CAPSULE REVIEWS OF “SOPHIE SCHOLL AND THE WHITE ROSE” BY ACADEMICS, AUTHORS, JOURNALISTS:

 “As a university professor, I found this book’s treatment of the White Rose incisive and moving, the kind of dramatic yet scrupulous historical account that not only appeals to all readers, but has the special power to reach young people in high schools and colleges who might otherwise be turned off by drier academic writing.  Bravo!” —PROFESSOR MARTHA FELDMAN, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

“A rare book—a must for anyone, especially young people, to read.”   –EVELYN RUBIN, AUTHOR, “GHETTO SHANGHAI.”

“Impressive, highly readable and beautifully researched account of two brave German youths and their comrades who rejected Hitler’s demonic vision and fought to open their countrymen’s eyes to the horrors that lay ahead—at the cost of their lives. This book drives home the high cost of courage in a world gone mad, and the brilliant light these brave young people shone into the dark night of Nazi Germany.” —SUSAN RUBINOWITZ, POLITICAL REPORTER, NEW YORK

 “The story of the White Rose resistance should be better known, not only because it shows what some people were capable of doing, but also because it brings up the issue of how so many people stood by while crimes against humanity were being committed in their name.  If these students and their teachers were aware of the criminality of the Nazi regime, there must have been millions of others who also saw the truth but were unwilling to take the risk to oppose the regime. 

“A dramatic story of courage during the darkest period of the 20th century, with new chapters unfolding.” —TOBY AXELROD, AUTHOR AND REPORTER, BERLIN AND NEW YORK

STUDENTS AT WHEELING JESUIT COLLEGE, WEST VIRGINIA,
PRAISE SOPHIE SCHOLL AND THE WHITE ROSE

“I am currently a freshman at Wheeling College.  During the past semester I took part in a history course taught by Dr. Walter Renn.  He required the class to read your recent book. I soon found myself enjoying the book so immensely that it no longer became a chore, but a privilege. You showed me that every man should stand up and fight for what he believes in.  Through the example of Willi Graf and the other resistance fighters, my faith in human kind has been renewed. I would like to thank you for helping me accomplish this feat.” —Matthew J. Mannion

“My name is Dyanna Crew.  Recently I read your book in my history class.  It was fantastic.  I have done a lot of reading but never have I read anything quite like your book.  Not only is it informative, it was chilling and provocative.  Once I started it I couldn’t put it down.  The one thing that stayed with me was the courage.  I wonder if I could be as brave as the young people in your book. Sophie and Hans were about my age and they were so strong and brave. I guess the things I learned from your book were strength, courage, faith and love.  I learned that love gave people the courage and strength to fight for something they believed in and faith in people to listen and make changes.” —Dyanna Crew

“I have just finished reading you book.  Your writing was so descriptive that I, being a blind student, could actually see the events that took place.” —Helen Frohnapfel

“Being a college student the same age as the majority of the members of the White rose, I found a new consciousness in my responsibilities as a member of society and an intellectual community.  Your book afforded me a new found sense of dignity in not prostituting my ideals out of fear of retribution.” —Robert J. Crake

“I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to write to you on behalf of your book.  I found it to be very captivating and informative.  It entranced one with the heartrending experiences the Jews, Elderly, and Handicapped and the White Rose resistance group underwent. The strength and perseverance the White Rose experienced makes one to resolve just how precious our freedom is.  There is a passage I found exceptionally inspiring [from the White Rose leaflets]: “the first law of decency is to preserve the liberty of others, the second is to demonstrate one’s own freedom.”  If we could instill this insight in our own lives, perhaps the atrocities of today would cease.” —Theresa Ice Whittington

“I thought that your book was great!  It kept my interest all through the book.  That is really something for me, because I don’t read that many books.It was real emotional throughout the entire book.  It makes me think how good I have it right now.  I could have been back there at that time and probably dead at age 19. I really learned from this book that if I want something bad enough I should strive to achieve it. I would really like to thank you for letting me get a chance to read this wonderful book.” —Ray MacAlister

“Recently I was assigned to read your latest book in my 20th Century European History class. The book was fantastic.  It’s not every day that you come across an assigned reading in a class that really appeals to the individual.  The book appealed to me because Hans and Sophie were about my age.  The way that Hans and Sophie approached their deaths was a huge show of courage and dedication…This book is one of those books that I will read over and over again.” —Kelly McCort

“I was very much intrigued by two things:  The first was the poem by Eugen Nerdinger.  This poem summed up the impression I have from your description of what people felt when they were ‘waiting at dawn for the knock at the door.’ Second, the notes written by Willi, Christel, and Sophie gave me great new insights into what it must have been like to live in and try and change the world at that time. The letters written by Willi and Christel to their parents when they were in jail and about to die touched me deeply.  Christel and Willi both wrote about Peace, Love, and Understanding.,  They were able to find light in the darkness of insanity.” —Michael Fletcher

“The book was assigned for my college history class so I have to admit that I don’t usually read books of this nature (actually, romance novels are more my type.)  Before reading your book, I had no idea of the actual mass destruction and murders carried out by Hitler and the Nazis.  I, like most people, know of the persecution of the Jews; however, I hadn’t realized that atrocities such as the Euthanasia program and ‘gas vans’ existed.  I had always thought that opposition to Hitler had always come solely from outside Germany.  It was also a frightening shock to discover that students very much like myself initiated the astounding acts of ‘treason’ that later cost them their lives.  The story of Hans and Sophie Scholl is one that almost all people can relate to.  They were underdogs that found a way to survive in a society that wanted to destroy their individual identities.  I cheered for them and sympathized with them.” —Bille Jo Lyke, Freshman
“P.S.  I received an ‘A’ on the test regarding your book!  J

“I had heard of resistance groups in Germany but never quite so detailed as your account of the White Rose.  I was also surprised about its leaders, students at a university, very similar to myself. Your book gave me the sense of courage and determination the Scholls and other members of the White Rose had.  I also liked your inside view and sense of understanding to their feelings and reasons to go against the tyrant Hitler. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down.” —Colleen M. Riley

“The book was one of the best books I have ever read, and with every word I read I just wanted to keep on reading and never stop.  The book became more and more interesting the more I read. ‘It gave me a very good all round view.  It gave the historic background of Hans and Sophie, their education and their reasons for the formation of the ’White Rose.’  It was very interesting to know how the people of the White Rose met their contacts and how they operated in getting their message out under a hostile atmosphere.  I had a better understanding about ‘Kristallnacht’ and the ways Hitler used to discard the Jews, the parent-child relation and family life when the Nazis had power, the relationship between the teacher and students of the Nazi youth movement.  I can go on about the book and at times I felt as if I was there.  The book was loved by many students in the classes; they were tested on the book and there was a lot of high marks.  I got 90.5 out of 100.  This book was the best book I ever read and I will keep it in my book collection.” —Sean Walter

 “I was fascinated about the story these people lived.  I was overwhelmed that they died for what they believed in even when the odds where stacked highly against them from the beginning of their resistance campaign! Also, I have learned much about myself from the young people in the ‘White Rose.’ Since I am a college student, the story of these young people involves what occurs in my daily life, except for, of course, Nazi Germany.  Their story has helped me change my ways for the better!  I’ve always been one who was lackadaisical about school and education.  I crammed for tests the night before and if I received a C-grade or better, I was satisfied.  Now in less than a semester, I have finally started preparing myself for class and tests and basically stopped taking a chance for education for granted.  My grades have improved and don’t feel so much pressure of trying to catch up.  The main thing I learned from Hans, Sophie, Alex and the rest of the ‘White Rose’ is that studying can be enjoyable!” —Eric N. Auberger

“Upon completion of your book, I was very moved to have experienced in my thoughts and imagination what was shared by the people in your book.  This was a very significant book into the insights of the resistance of the White Rose since most history books taught in today’s school don’t cover this part of German history.” —Edward M. Smorzynski, Junior

“I am writing of the fabulous job you did with your book on the White Rose.  You deserve high praise for the informative yet enjoyable manner in which the book was comprised. Mostly, the book left an impression of courage on my mind.  I learned much from your book, including the fact that there was internal resistance.  Before I read your book I did not know this. Also I learned why internal resistance was so scarce.  I guess it’s pretty easy for us, us, as Americans, to say, ‘hey, why didn’t the populace do something.’  After reading your book I realized why.  And why the White Rose did.” —Larry Thomas