Those were the last words spoken by American-born Mildred Harnack as she was led to the guillotine for her part in an anti-Nazi resistance movement that is at the heart of this detailed and poignant narrative. Thanks in part to Tom Cruise, the story of the generals' plot to assassinate Hitler in 1944 has become much better known of late; the efforts of Munich students Hans and Sophie Scholl and their "White Rose" circle to arouse popular outrage against the Nazi regime were equally ill-fated and now also becoming better known. But where is Hollywood when it's needed -- to tell the story of the fascinating group of Berliners, from railroad workers to aristocratic movie stars and air force officers, who were just as valiant and just as doomed?
Anne Nelson brings the group -- one of the largest anti-Nazi movements -- vividly back to life in this compelling and accessible popular history of what became known as the 'Red Orchestra' movement. In my readings about the period, I'd seen it referred to as a Communist-organized espionage network; this book is the first I have found that helped me understand the real nature of the group (which included an American woman, a Berlin dentist and his Jewish fiancee and members of the Nazi Party). It is one of the best books that I've read explaining how some of these Berliners awoke only slowly to the menace of Nazism, while others were alert to it from the beginning and acted with an almost reckless determination to resist from the first. Only a handful were Communists, although by 1939, it had become clear to them that the British and the Americans were unwilling to encourage any anti-Hitler resistance.
And why did these ordinary individuals, drawn from every walk of life, risk their lives when it would have been simple for them to subside into passivity like so many of their peers? Especially when it became clear that a lack of organization and support would make it difficult to achieve complete overthrow of the regime? Nelson addresses the latter issues clearly; her obvious admiration for those she is writing about doesn't blind them to their faults, such as their lack of focus or clear agenda. Her final chapters, addressing the aftermath of the war, don't work as well, because they feel like an extended anti-climax. Still, they reminded me sharply of how both victors and losers in any conflict attempt to rewrite history to suit their own needs and wishes.
This is a chronicle of courage, the more moving a narrative because of its ultimate futility, but a reminder also that it is possible to act in a moral fashion even when the odds appear impossibly stacked against you. I finished reading this in awe -- unlike the von Stauffenbergs and their ilk, who had gone along with Hitler as long as they felt he could be controlled or served their interests, the 'Red Orchestra' was made up of those who had no viable way of enforcing their opposition (they couldn't launch a coup), but who acted out or sheer moral outrage. I finished this complex and well-written book with gratitude that Nelson had decided to re-tell their collective story.
Highly recommended. Anyone who finds this intriguing might also want to take a look at the excellent documentary about the Protestant pastor who was indirectly connected to the the vast and sprawling 'Red Orchestra', Dietrich Bonhoeffer --
Bonhoeffer
. I'd also give that a five-star rating.
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Top reviews from other countries
Mike Baker
Inspiring story of German resistance to Nazism, which should be better-known
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 18, 2018colin
Wonderfully crafted, the opening chapters introduce the players as ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 13, 2018
Avid Reader
Brilliant historical work.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 20, 2016Kindle Customer
Fascinating Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 29, 2017
