Title: The White Rose
Author: Burton Flanagan
Publisher: Authors Press
ISBN: 978-1643148465
Pages: 70
Genre: History
Reviewed by: Lily Amanda
Hollywood Book Reviews
The White Rose by author Burton Flanagan is a compelling narrative which captures the valiant efforts of a non-violent, resistance group that began a secret campaign against Nazi tyranny and extreme totalitarianism in Germany.
At a time of terror and repression throughout Germany under the iron hand of Adolf Hitler, the then Reich Chancellor of Germany, the Gestapo, an intelligence agency of Nazi Germany was established, that relied heavily on informants applying force and torture whenever necessary to crush any anti-Hitler activities. Despite their effectiveness within German borders, attempts were made by various clandestine and secret groups to sabotage the activities of the ruthless Nazi regime. One such group was the White Rose, founded in 1942 by Hans Scholl, a medical student at the University of Munich.
Together with three of his friends, Schmorell, Probst, and Graf, whom he had met on the Eastern battlefront and witnessed the atrocities committed by the Nazis, Hans formed the White Rose, convinced that they had to act. Hans’ sister, Sophie, later joined the organization. The group led by the five, published and distributed anti-Nazi pamphlets around Munich and the university until they were apprehended. The White Rose is the story of these unsung heroes, who gallantly met their fate and whose story of courage and determination is often overlooked by historians, yet very key in shaping politics today.
Much of the discussion surrounding German politics during World War II focuses on Hitler’s regime marked by fear, murder, anti-Semitism and suppression of civil rights. Little emphasis is given to those fearless Germans who actively or passively opposed this dictatorship despite knowing the repercussions of doing so. Burton has explored this and written indeed beautiful work here. The book begins by giving the history of Germany including the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which held Germany responsible for starting WWI and that Hitler used to his advantage and rise to power. As the book unfurls, the author gives us a kaleidoscopic view of the gallant efforts of the White Rose movement going further to offer a comprehensive examination of the six pamphlets that the group published before the arrest of two of its key founders.
This stunning text can be consumed in one setting and is a testament that drawing too general a conclusion about people is a misconception. It speaks of one striking theme: The moral duty to act had shone brightly on them in an otherwise abysmal darkness, and they responded to it. The fact that the German people failed to respond to them did not diminish the moral clarity of their actions. As a fan of historical non-fiction myself, I was intrigued by what humans are capable of doing even when challenges are great and danger lurks at every corner.
The White Rose by Burton Flanagan is a tribute to greatness to a group of people who acted as a counter-voice and a ray of light, and fought for freedom even when it meant facing death during those bleak days. The White Rose serves as a reminder of the courage it takes to stand up against tyranny and the impact that even small acts of resistance can have. Well-written and illuminating, it is a ruminative primer for history enthusiasts. The is a valuable read for anyone interested in historical fiction and stories of moral bravery.