March is Women’s History Month, and we are surrounded by histories of outstanding women. In recent years declassified records, newly discovered documents, and a resurging interest in family histories have contributed to many new books which showcase remarkable stories of women's roles during World War II. Below I have listed some recent titles, along with a brief description of each. If WWII history is one of your interests, you’ll find something here to intrigue you - or one of these fascinating heroines will pique your interest. Read on:
In 1944, Rose Valland infiltrates Nazi leadership in Paris to save the world’s most treasured art masterpieces:
The daring and bravery of Hannah Senesh, who was captured after parachuting behind enemy lines:
French Resistance fighters who banded together in the all-female concentration camp:
American women who traveled to England to ferry fighter planes and bombers for the British Royal Air Force:
Born in Portland, Hazel Ying Lee was the first Chinese American woman to fly for the U.S. military. Susan Ankeny is a local author:
Biography of Anna Marie Rosenberg, the Hungarian Jewish immigrant who became FDR's closest advisor:
Tells the story of Mary Sears, whose groundbreaking oceanographic research led the U.S. to victory in the Pacific theater:
Three women who risked their lives to deliver critical evidence of Axis war crimes to Allied forces:
Follows the true story of the author's great aunt, who led nine female resistance fighters as they escaped a forced labor camp and fled back to Paris:
Extraordinary life of the author’s great-great-aunt Mildred Harnack, American leader of one of the largest underground resistance groups in Germany:
All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days
Astonishing story of three fearless female teenage resisters whose youth and innocence belied their extraordinary daring in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands:
Page-turning narrative by retired U.S. Army Major General Mari K. Eder describes the roles played by 15 unknown women heroes:
The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line
Story of sisters Janny and Lien Brilleslijper who joined the Dutch Resistance, were captured, and survived the Holocaust:
Story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), which gave women aviators a chance to serve their country:
-Blog post by Senior Collection Development Librarian Beth Wood. This article was originally published as part of her weekly column, Check It Out, in The Columbian.
New at the Library
This is just a small sampling of the many new titles added each week to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District collection. Visit the district’s 15 locations, our website at www.fvrl.org, or call (360) 906-5000 to reserve titles or find additional listings.
FICTION
“Wicked Onyx” by Debbie Cassidy
“Blood Relay” by Devon. A. Mihesuah
“How Simi Got Her Groom Back” by Sonali Dev
NONFICTION
“Art Therapy for Every Day” by Nadia Paredes
“Peace Be with You!” by Pope Leo XIV
“Good Daughtering: The Work You’ve Always Done, the Credit You’ve Never Gotten, and How to Finally Feel Like Enough” by Allison M. Alford
CHILDREN
“Rumpelstiltskin” by Mac Barnett
“Why? Animals: Brilliant Answers to Baffling Questions” by Derek Harvey
“Goodbye, French Fry” by Rin-rin Yu
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