Women Heroes of World War II: 32 Stories of Espionage, Sabotage, Resistance, and Rescue (24)

by Kathryn J. Atwood, Muriel P. Engelman (Foreword)

Noor Inayat Khan was the first female radio operator sent into occupied France and transferred crucial messages to the Resistance. Johtje Vos, a Dutch housewife, hid Jews in her home and repeatedly outsmarted the Gestapo. Law student Hannie Schaft became involved in the most dangerous resistance work—sabotage, weapons transference, and assassinations. Soviet pilot Anna Yegorova flew missions against the Germans on the Eastern Front in an all-male regiment, eventually becoming a squadron leader. In these pages, young readers will meet these and many other similarly courageous women and girls who risked their lives to help defeat the Nazis.

Thirty-two engaging and suspense-filled stories unfold from across Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, the United States and, in this expanded edition, the Soviet Union, providing an inspiring reminder of women and girls' refusal to sit on the sidelines around the world and throughout history. 

An overview of World War II and summaries of each country’s entrance and involvement in the war provide a framework for better understanding each woman’s unique circumstances, and resources for further learning follow each profile. Women Heroes of World War II is an invaluable addition to any student's or history buff's bookshelf. 

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, War, Biography, Womens, Feminism

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Kathryn has written multiple young adult collective biographies on women and war for the Chicago Review Press. Her first book, Women Heroes of World War II, gets all the attention, but Booklist gave Kathryn's book on the Pacific Theater of WWII a starred review and likened each chapter to "a cliff-hanger screenplay." And Courageous Women of the Vietnam War was honored with one of those awards that to unfocused eyes sort of resembles the Newbery Medal.

The Belgian Girls, which Kirkus claims is "intriguing, disturbing, and historically compelling," was born of Kathryn's admiration for the European resisters of both world wars, especially Gabrielle Petit, a young Belgian woman who worked for British Intelligence during World War I.

Kathryn has been seen on Chicago's WGN TV, "America: Fact vs. Fiction," and the Acorn TV series, "Deception: WWII"; heard on the BBC World Service's "History Hour" program and BBC America; published in The Historian and War, Literature & the Arts; and featured as a guest speaker at dozens of historical societies and libraries, including the Harold Washington Library in Chicago, the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park, and the Atlanta History Center.

Follow her on Instagram at KathrynJAtwood.

Reviews

[Cynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last year I had read another book by Kathryn J. Atwood: Women Heroes of World War I: 16 Remarkable Resisters, Soldiers, Spies, and Medics. A variety of women workers were described in the WWI. By WWII, many more women were participating in the war, some working in espionage, sabotage,resistance, and rescue. A few of the names I recognized, but not most. By reading this book, I gained an overview of women participating in the war.

[Jeanne Modisett · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love history, you will love this book! Stories of fascinating, brave women heroes from many countries.Unbelievable that any of them survived, some did not. Highly recommend.

[Lucy Meeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great collection of stories! I loved learning about the women who contributed so much to WWII. These gutsy, smart and courageous woman broke ground for the women who work in intelligence today. Totally recommend this book. I won a copy of this book in a goodreads giveaway and I will be adding this book to my bookshelf with all of my favorites.

[Ashley Hare 🐇 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book filled with real heros. Written in small, easy to digest chapters that give details of incredible human spirit.

Would be appropriate for history lessons in high school.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

“All evil needs to triumph is for good men [and women] to sit and do nothing."- Sir Edmund Burke.
Just in time for the 100th anniversary of passing of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote, Kathryn J. Atwood’s book, “Women Heroes of WWII” has been rereleased. Five years ago, after entering into a contest to win the book, the author herself contacted me and offered me a free copy of her book, in exchange for a review. With every book release she’s had, I’ve been offered a complementary copy and each time I’ve written a review. So, I was pleased to be contacted again to review “Women Heroes of WWII”’s rerelease. It was fun becoming reacquainted with these amazing women. Written for a young adult audience, a reader of any age will be swept away as they learn about the ladies who followed their consciences and fought against evil.

Many of my favorite personal heroines were included: Sophie Scholl, Stefania Podgorska, Irena Sendler, Corrie ten Boom. I have studied their lives and hope through Kathryn’s book, others may come to know about them too. Some of the other, lesser known ladies such as Noor Inayat Khan, Johtje Vos, and Hannie Schaft are introduced, and you wonder how we are not more familiar with them. I was reminded that Josephine Baker the famous performer was a spy, and that Martha Gellhorn was considered one of the greatest war correspondents of the 20th century is now often relegated to Hemingway’s third wife. And in this new edition, we have the Soviet Union to learn about and new women heroes to meet.

[Kathleen Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging

Wonderful historical information illustrating the courage, determination and dedication of women faced with the terror of warfare. These are not unusual qualities in women. We have been protecting our loved ones forever; however, these are women who reached beyond themselves to fight with and for strangers, at tremendous personal sacrifice.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of stories about brave women. As an adult reader, I assumed I would know most of these tales (as the book is geared toward a YA audience), but the author managed to find some lesser-known women and make them come alive. I definitely learned a lot!

I appreciated that this book is real and accurate, but appropriate for a younger audience.

[Luna Cauvanaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH AN INCREDIBLE READ! Often times, the women behind intelligence, and life changing projects are overlooked, so I was so happy to finally read a book about the women heroes of the war. This book was on my list for a long time, and I am so happy my brother got me a copy. Definitely read!

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well researched book about women who helped win the war. A nice read with enough information to keep it from being too easy. I wasn't crazy about the Soviet heroes knowing that they were not exactly fighting for the same cause that the Allies were, even if they were tentatively and temporarily on the same side. I learned a lot from this book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume is another in the Women of Action series. There are 32 stories of World War II involving women heroes in sabotage, resistance, rescue & espionage. The book, also, includes a lot of the history of the war. A glossary, notes & bibliography are included.

[Vin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories do emphasise how brave these women were and I doubt their recognition is anywhere near enough.
A worthwhile read in knowing of the individuals. I do feel the book is written for a young adult audience.

[Hope Vollm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really interesting lives here that I had never heard of.

[Tonya Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book - all of these stories are amazing recollections and reminders of the women that put themselves out there during one of the world's hardest times.

[Nancy]

Good follow up to Book 1 of this series.

[Lucille (Ceil) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Local maps of each country would have helped see where the resistance was taken place. Otherwise, a good read about courageous women fighters.