The Sisterhood of Ravensbrück - by Lynne Olson (Hardcover)

About the Book

Decades after the end of World War II, the name Ravensbrèuck still evokes horror in the minds of those who know about this infamous all-women's concentration camp. Particularly shocking was the discovery that sometimes-lethal medical experiments were performed on some of the inmates. Ravensbrèuck was atypical in other ways as well, not just as the only all-female German concentration camp, but because 80% of them were political prisoners. Among them was a tight-knit group of women who had been active in the French Resistance. Already well-practiced in sabotaging the Nazi occupation of France, these women joined forces to defy their German captors and keep each other alive. Calling themselves the maquis (guerillas) of Ravensbrèuck, the sisterhood's members, amid unimaginable terror and brutality, subverted Germany's war effort by refusing to do the work they were assigned. Knowing that they risked death for any infraction did not stop them from defying their SS tormentors at every turn-even staging a satirical musical revue about the horrors of the camp. After the war, when many in France wanted nothing more than to focus on the future and forget about those who'd resisted the enemy, the women from Ravensbrèuck refused to allow their achievements, needs, and sacrifices to be erased. They banded together once more, first to support one another in healing their bodies and minds, and then to continue their crusade for freedom and justice-an effort that would have repercussions for their country and the world into the twenty-first century-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

The extraordinary true story of a small group of Frenchwomen, all Resistance members, who banded together in a notorious concentration camp to defy the Nazis--from the New York Times bestselling author of Madame Fourcade's Secret War

"At once heartbreaking and beautifully told, this is a masterwork of nonfiction, a must-read for anyone who wants more of the incredible true story behind Lilac Girls."--Martha Hall Kelly, author of Lilac Girls

Decades after the end of World War II, the name Ravensbrück still evokes horror for those with knowledge of this infamous all-women's concentration camp, better known since it became the setting of Martha Hall Kelly's bestselling novel, Lilac Girls. Particularly shocking were the medical experiments performed on some of the inmates. Ravensbrück was atypical in other ways as well, not just as the only all-female German concentration camp, but because 80 percent of its inmates were political prisoners, among them a tight-knit group of women who had been active in the French Resistance.

Already well-practiced in sabotaging the Nazis in occupied France, these women joined forces to defy their German captors and keep one another alive. The sisterhood's members, amid unimaginable terror and brutality, subverted Germany's war effort by refusing to do assigned work. They risked death for any infraction, but that did not stop them from defying their SS tormentors at every turn--even staging a satirical musical revue about the horrors of the camp.

After the war, when many in France wanted to focus only on the future, the women from Ravensbrück refused to allow their achievements, needs, and sacrifices to be erased. They banded together once more, first to support one another in healing their bodies and minds and then to continue their crusade for freedom and justice--an effort that would have repercussions for their country and the world into the twenty-first century.

Review Quotes

"Alternately chilling and inspiring, Sisterhood takes us into Nazi Germany's notorious concentration camp for women, Ravensbrück, as a band of captive French partisans struggles to survive and bolster one another against unimaginable cruelty. Olson demonstrates yet again that she is a master not only of deep and difficult research, but also of gripping nonfiction narrative."--Erik Larson, New York Times bestselling author of The Demon of Unrest and In the Garden of the Beasts

"The Sisterhood of Ravensbrück follows Caroline Ferriday's beloved French friends, from war-torn Paris to the notorious all-female concentration camp Ravensbrück and beyond. At once heartbreaking and beautifully told, it's a masterwork of nonfiction, a must-read for anyone who wants more of the incredible true story behind Lilac Girls."--Martha Hall Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls

"Once again, Lynne Olson has retrieved for us a remarkable group of women largely obscured by history. Olsen's portrait of four Frenchwomen of breathtaking courage and resourcefulness comes at a time when we most need such inspiration. This book will lift your spirits and restore your faith in the power of human agency."--Kati Marton, New York Times bestselling author of Enemies of the People

"Filled with the detailed, comprehensive research Olson is celebrated for, her latest delves into the ingeniousness and fury that drove a band of French female political prisoners to not only survive their time in Ravensbrück, but, once freed, force the rest of the world to take a hard look at the horrors perpetrated by the Germans at a time when so many preferred to 'move on.' A stunning achievement."--Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen

"Thanks to Olson's luminously detailed account--and haunting illustrations secretly made by one inmate--their contribution will never be forgotten again. Against the worst that humans can do, they brought their best. Read this book, and you will find strength and solace and inspiration."--Liza Mundy, author of Code Girls

"Lynne Olson reveals this astonishing group of Frenchwomen who found themselves together in Ravensbrück and in that horrible place formed life-lasting, profound friendships. Through the horrors of the only concentration camp for women, together they survived with solidarity and courage. Their quiet heroics are finally getting their due thanks to Olson. We need more books like this one."--Gwen Strauss, author of The Nine: The True Story of a Band of Women Who Survived the Worst of Nazi Germany

"Olson combines meticulous research and accessible storytelling with a deep understanding of hope and the urgent need to tell the world. The result is an intricately woven tale of many lives, and a superb account of the French experience in the women's concentration camp at Ravensbrück. Riveting, shocking, and beautiful."--Elizabeth Wein, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Verity

About the Author

Lynne Olson is the New York Times bestselling author of Empress of the Nile, Madame Fourcade's Secret War, Last Hope Island, Those Angry Days, and Citizens of London. She has been a consulting historian for the National WWII Museum in New Orleans and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.