Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed Red Orchestra: The Story of the Berlin Underground and the Circle of Friends Who Resisted Hitler on + 2706 more book reviews
An outstanding book detailing the activities of numerous Germans, from all walks of life, who resisted the Nazis from the 30s into the midst of World War II. Unfortunately, it has an unhappy ending, as most were eventually rounded up by the Gestapo and, after being tortured, were killed.
One aspect of the book which I really appreciated was the coverage of the intelligence provided by this group to the Allies, including the Soviets. If they had been believed and properly supported by the Allies, instead of ignored, the war would have been shorter and many lives saved.
After the war, their resistance was under appreciated, except when distorted during the Cold War to create myths about who they were and what they fought for. Only recently, especially with this book, has their true story been revealed.
One aspect of the book which I really appreciated was the coverage of the intelligence provided by this group to the Allies, including the Soviets. If they had been believed and properly supported by the Allies, instead of ignored, the war would have been shorter and many lives saved.
After the war, their resistance was under appreciated, except when distorted during the Cold War to create myths about who they were and what they fought for. Only recently, especially with this book, has their true story been revealed.