Women of Valor

A beautifully told tale of the amazing lives of heroic women who stood up to evil, knowing that there was no other choice – It’s what heroes do. If only all of humanity had the courage to live their lives as these women did. Joanne Gilbert is adept at weaving the inspiration of her own grandmother into the fabric of these remarkable women’s stories, showing how the following generations are touched by their resoluteness, and would not have been so blessed were it not for women such as these.

Though I was aware that anti-Semitism has a long and broad history, this book gives specifics and then goes on to personalize the history of the holocaust in one country. Gilbert’s research led her to realize common misconceptions and clarifies what really happened. It’s a book for all ages and I can only wish that it would appear on reading lists in middle and high schools everywhere that English is read.

It is with PLEASURE that I let you know that I have just finished reading Women of Valor. I found the History and Overview beyond helpful in my gaining further understanding of events of the time, and how they fit together. It set the perfect tone for me to meet and fall in love with Manya, Faye, Lola and Miriam. To my surprise, I found that I know a relative of one of these amazing women, which brought it all the more to life for me. You’ve given us an enormous gift….of allowing us to peer into the lives, hearts, and struggles of these… Read More “Wonderfully done!”

A terrific book about extraordinary characters. Highly recommended.

Excellent

Very well written! The actual stories of the four women were spell-binding! Also, the forward and post information was interesting and contained many facts not previously known to me. A must read for those interested in a human being’s endurance and God’s love for his people.

Fascinating!

Gilbert’s ability to bring out the details of the remembrances of these four women shows a talent and empathy that makes for a first-class, unique piece of historical record.”

When we think of partisans and resisters to the Nazis, most of us don’t usually think about women. After all, it was a hard, dangerous business to fight such a cruel regime . . . but many women were willing to risk everything, including their lives, to fight for what they believed to be right. Joanne D. Gilbert has written a book that tells us about even more brave women and since March is Women’s History Month and this year’s theme is Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives, it seems a perfect time to showcase Women of Valor. Between 2012 and 2014, Gilbert interviewed… Read More “Brave Women”

As a historian, Gilbert is well-versed with the Holocaust, much more than knowledgeable, and her opening chapters that set the scene in Poland are very well done, detailed and informative. One can argue that this book could be used in a course on women’s studies, for it has much to say about gender and gender roles. Ms. Gilbert has three overarching themes, which I will sum up as that Gentiles and Jews did help one another and that this was not uncommon; that shared miseries crossed religious boundaries; that Jews abetted in their own destruction is a lie. Gilbert writes to take testimony from… Read More “Much more than knowledgeable”

Joanne D. Gilbert’s Women of Valor: Polish Resisters to the Third Reich . . . is a gripping and inspiring compilation of first-person accounts from four remarkable young women who, equipped with their intelligence and skills, as well as a significant amount of good luck, successfully defied the Nazi-Germans—and survived. Despite the heavy subject-matter, I was mesmerized, unable to put the book down until I had finished the Epilogue. While each account is both compelling and horrifying, they are not depressing, because they show that the women survived and went on to live normal lives. The honesty, candor, and voice of each woman is… Read More “Gripping and inspiring”

This book packs volumes into its 180 pages, not only about four remarkable women but also about Jewish resistance to the Nazis and of Gentile support of many Jews during the second world war – something which is not always cast in a full and accurate light. Thousands of Polish Jews fought the Nazis with all their might, and thousands of Polish Gentiles risked their lives to give them sanctuary. Such Jews were the three young women and the pistol-packing little girl whose personal stories are told in these pages almost as if in their personal diaries. Unlike so much of what has been… Read More “A Gift in the Telling!”

These are stories that must be told and I am glad the Joanne Gilbert wrote this book. These women are remarkable, their stories have to be told and I’m glad that they finally were and that they could be an inspiration to others. In Chapter 5 “Lola Lieber” the way Joanne told her story was incredible. Lola Lieber was my Aunt. She is no longer with us, but her telling her story, brought my Aunt back to me, hearing her talk about her experience in World War II, it was as if she was here with me again. This book tells the stories of… Read More “Excellent Stories of Four Remarkable Women”

I was born two years prior to America entering the hostilities of WWII and saw my father and uncles sent away to a world event that I could not understand. I just understood over those years that it was a dangerous conflict and there were cruel people trying to take over the world. All but one of my family returned safely. The one that did not was a US Navy pilot. So, my curiosity concerning that period has always been with me. I have learned much from both historical fiction as well as memoirs and biographies. It was reasonable then, when attending a book… Read More “A memorable and poignant read of Valor and survival”

This book is a must for young female and male readers who want to understand what truly happened to families in Poland! We as women must stand together and tell our stories as strong women in the here and now. Thank you, Joanne, for your research and travels as you continue to share your talents.