On an icy morning in Paris in January 1943, 230 French women resisters were rounded up from the Gestapo detention camps and sent on a train to Auschwitz--the only train, in the four years of German occupation, to take women of the Resistance to a death camp. The youngest was a schoolgirl of 15, the eldest a farmer's wife of 68; among them were teachers, biochemists, salesgirls, secretaries, housewives and university lecturers. Six of the women were still alive in 2010 and able to tell their stories of the great affection and camaraderie that took hold among the group. They became friends, and it was precisely this friendship that kept so many of them alive.
Drawing on interviews with survivors and their families, on German, French and Polish archives, and on documents held by WW2 resistance organisations, A Train in Winter covers a harrowing part of history that is, ultimately, a portrait of ordinary people, of bravery and endurance, and of the particular qualities of female friendship.
A Train in Winter
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Review
"A harrowing but also uplifting shared story of friendship, courage and endurance." The Independent
"By turns heartbreaking and inspiring." The New York Times Book Review
"Compassionate, meticulous and compulsively enthralling.... Essential reading." Daily Mail
"A tale of how female friendship 'can make the difference between living and dying.'" The Sunday Times
"A pitch-perfect study of human depravity, and of the heroism it can inspire." The Economist
"By turns heartbreaking and inspiring." The New York Times Book Review
"Compassionate, meticulous and compulsively enthralling.... Essential reading." Daily Mail
"A tale of how female friendship 'can make the difference between living and dying.'" The Sunday Times
"A pitch-perfect study of human depravity, and of the heroism it can inspire." The Economist
From the Back Cover
They were teachers, students, chemists, writers, and housewives; a singer at the Paris Opera, a midwife, a dental surgeon. They distributed anti-Nazi leaflets, secreted Jews to safety, transported weapons, and conveyed clandestine messages. The youngest was a schoolgirl of fifteen; the eldest, a farmer’s wife in her sixties.
Eventually, the Gestapo hunted down 230 women active in the French Resistance 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, 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 and deep archival research 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.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Brenmarr
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Excellent book, begining with a small portrayal of the people invovled, going on and into their brave story. Would recommend to anyone with interest in morew personal situations of the Second World War...and how strong woman can be in extreme situations
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Helen
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book of non-fiction presents a new look at the Holocaust (not another Holocaust book, you migh sigh), in that it details the story of women prisoners who had been members of the French Resistance. I had not understood much about victims of the camp who were not part of the Final Solution, but who were in fact prisoners of war. The book enabled me to see how group solidarity builds resilence in individuials. While this group of women had a high death rate, more of them survived in absolute numbers than might have been expected to, probably because while working for the Resistance, and later while in jail in France, they had bonded with each other, despite differences of age and social class. The book is important also for giving such a thorough account of the French Resistance (or lack of resistance) and the role of women in it. It gives one pause to think how people in Canada today might respond to an invasion.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A tribute to such courageous women and the horror they endured. Passed the book on to a French speaking female friend.
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WOW
I loved this book. It wasnt what I expected. Its basically a history lesson but with people you care about. Read more
Published 2 months ago by pebbles
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A Train in Winter
A very enteresting book, and gives another 'angle' of the hardships during WWII of women. How they survived and what they had to face after the War. Read more
Published 6 months ago by mayflower
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brenmarr: Try Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faulks
Sorry for putting this in a review but I didn't know how else to message you. Try Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faulks. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Hannah Mom
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