The White Rose Resists

‘How can we expect righteousness to prevail if there is hardly anyone willing to sacrifice themselves for a righteous cause?’

I am always drawn to books that will teach me more about history. This narrative fills all the criteria - a true account of real people during a time that both fascinates and horrifies. This is the story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and their friends, who stepped out of that comfortable university life to make a difference. ‘Somebody, after all, had to make a start’ —Sophie Scholl

An account that will long stay in your mind, this will certainly start a conversation in your mind as to what price you would be willing to pay for freedom. For these young people, they were not willing to remain silent but rather to be different, knowing that they were not going to be only hearers but also doers! Between the danger and treachery of that time, there is love, hope and extraordinary bravery.

‘Truth is worth everything!’

This digital copy was received through Krefeld Publications and NetGalley. The quotes come directly from the book. My impressions and comments were in no way solicited.

“In the end, it comes down to the worth you ascribe to freedom. What price you’re willing to pay.”

It is a rarity when a World War II historical fiction novel comes along that takes my breath away with the depth and breadth of it. THE WHITE ROSE RESISTS is such a novel. It was inspired by the true story of a group of German young people who made a conscious choice to take a stand against evil during WWII. At many different times, it made me stop and evaluate my life and my commitment to God.

Normally, a novel this size only takes me a day or two to read depending on what is going on in my life. I took my time with this so it was more like three or four days of reading because I was so emotionally involved with the characters. Barratt’s writing style is so fluid that it makes me feel as if I was one of the young adults caught up in the Resistance, too! Her main characters have become MY FRIENDS, and I wish I had known about them sooner!

She made me FEEL their struggles of righteous indignation and wonder what I would have done had I been in their situation. Would I have been one of the ones that “abandoned it all for the sake of the call?” Early in the book she mentioned the Confessing Church pastors were sent to Dachau. I have personally been there, seen the documentaries, viewed all the displays, walked the grounds, and visited the barracks. I stood in the gas chamber and had the door closed and locked behind me. It is a feeling I will never forget. My experiences made reading this novel so much more real and important to me.

We must NEVER forget the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives in the battle for our freedom!

Here is another favorite quote that helped the students then and can certainly help us all now: “This morning, before I left, my mutter told me God goes with us everywhere. And that even if we aren’t where we want to be, He can use us for good. I thought it might comfort you to know that as you return to Berlin.”

This novel has been added to my Top 20 Most Influential Books List. I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by Kregel Publications & NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.