Resistance

The Underground War Against Hitler, 1939-1945

By: Halik Kochanski

Narrated by: Jennifer M. Dixon

A monumental history that finally integrates the many resistance movements against Nazi hegemony across Europe into a single, sweeping narrative.

It's almost shocking to think that now, more than seventy years after the Nazi surrender in 1945, there is not a single volume that has attempted to unify the resistance movements that convulsed Europe during the brutal years of occupation. In her extraordinary work, Resistance, Halik Kochanski does just that, creating a prodigiously researched account that becomes the first to bring these disparate histories into a single narrative.

Taking us from France in the west to parts of the Soviet Union in the east, Resistance reveals why and how small bands of individuals undertook actions that could lead not merely to their own deaths, but to the destruction of their entire communities. As Kochanski demonstrates, most who joined up were ordinary people who would not have been expected—even by themselves—to become heroes. Simultaneously panoramic and heartbreakingly intimate, Resistance is an incomparable history necessary for any home library.

©2022 Halik Kochanski (P)2022 Tantor

A Key WW II Narrative

A detailed description of how partisans carried out resistance against German occupation during the war. Stories are there with overwhelming lists of names. A smoother narration would have facilitated listening. The author is commended for writing this exposition of good with often evil outcomes to the participants. Sadness is a major component of this book as the success of the allies is recounted. Memorials to the partisans are everywhere in Europe; we must not forget them.

Important book

Narration only just listenable. Very interesting but narration makes it a slog. But hat off to her for her pronunciation of some difficult names!

Brilliant and complete work!

What an amazing and complete work of WW II resistance movements throughout Europe. A must read for any student of that massive conflict. Highly recommended.

Outstanding and astounding scholarship

The descriptions of the actions of brave people who resisted Nazis to fight for what was right, not for glory, makes me wonder: Would I have had the courage, then, or now? The book is long but worthwhile. Take your time and immerse yourself in the wonder of unknown heroes.

Humanity under pressure

Encyclopedic recount of resistance of citizens to German occupation. The good, bad and tragic accounts of human activity is sobering and important.

Amazing Comprehensive History

This book is really incredibly comprehensive. It is long and not an easy read. One needs to be a serious history nerd to get through this but, for those who are it is quite rewarding.

A Must for Any WWII Library

A Must for Any WWII Library. Exactly as promised in the introduction: a region by region history of every Allied resistance movement that sprang up against Nazi tyranny. 10/10. Narration is perfect. After listening to the audiobook I went out and tracked down the hardcopy and that is even better. Get this for the WWII nerd on your gift list.

Uneven in quality of depiction of various areas

It is clear that the author is primarily an expert on French/Low Countries and (to some degree) Polish resistance movement and that he almost outsources the rest of the coverage to sources that are not always fully vetted and/or balanced. In particular, it is almost laughable in its biased view of the Serbian Chetnik (clearly collaborationist) movement and it's attempt to rehabilitate it. Also, his point of view is annoyingly based on how the resistance movements succeeded (or failed to do so) the major allied operations rather than the actual resistance and defiance of the Nazi and collaborationist regimes throughout Europe. One gets the impression that the author thinks of the occupied Europe and it's inhabitants primarily as pawns to be moved on the chest biard by three major Allied powers rather than the people's with their own sufferings and strivings.
Still the storytelling is compelling, entertaining and it makes for a good yarn.