Heroines of Vichy France: Rescuing French Jews during the Holocaust

(Hardback)

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This book tells the largely unknown story behind the rescue activities of several remarkable young Jewish women in Vichy France during World War II and their role in the resistance against Nazi and Vichy France deportation policies. Few studies of Vichy France and the Holocaust have looked at the rescue of Jews by those prepared to risk everything to escort them to safety in the border regions, and even fewer have considered Jewish rescue of Jews, specifically of Jewish children by women. This work will be arguably the first book in which the experiences and efforts of a number of female rescuersall of whom knew or knew of each otherhave been brought together in a single volume, with the object of honoring their memory and showing how the value of human life was sustained through the Holocaust. Focusing on a number of young Jewish women who defied the Nazis, this narrative highlights their courage and sacrifice in their efforts to rescue Jews in France during World War II. Additionally, it shows how these French women responded to Nazi and Vichy France policies of deportation through resistance activities. This is a story that will captivate anyone with an interest in the innate goodness of human beings that can shine even when confronted with the darkest expressions of depravity that occurred during the Holocaust.

Author Bio

Paul R. Bartrop, PhD, is an award-winning scholar of the Holocaust and genocide. He is professor of history and director of the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. Samantha J. Lakin, MA, has done extensive research in a number of areas relating to the Holocaust and genocide and has degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and Brandeis University.