Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Batalion brings to life the harrowing experiences of these women as they navigate the horrors of the ghettos, the brutality of the concentration camps, and the dangers of underground resistance networks. She explores the various forms of resistance employed by these women, from acts of sabotage and espionage to smuggling weapons and providing aid to fellow prisoners. In addition to its exploration of individual stories, the book also provides a broader historical context for the Jewish resistance movement and the Holocaust. Batalion examines the political, social, and cultural factors that shaped the experiences of these women, as well as the lasting impact of their actions on future generations. Batalion's compelling narrative, combined with her meticulous research and deep empathy for her subjects, makes this book essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the human capacity for resilience, resistance, and hope in the face of unspeakable horrors.

Excellent historical nonfiction about a story less told - the women who supported efforts from their homes and not I. The typical “victory garden and weapons manufacturing” story. Really well researched.

This book will leave you emotionally exhausted and even, perhaps, a bit physically ill; but the stories it contains need to be told, and the telling is long overdue. The recountings of young women resisting Hitler's atrocities from within the ghettos of Poland were detailed, harrowing, and haunting. It may take me some time to recover from this book, but it was well worth the pain.

The Light of Days By Judy Batalion
Rating 4.5/5 Stars
Published by William Morrow
Published On 6th April 2021

Thanks To Netgalley, William Morrow, and of course, Judy Batalion, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This is a story you will NOT EVER FORGET. I cannot even begin to express how much I enjoyed this book and how important it is to read this. As a scholar, we are often reading stories that are not discussed in the normal historical education field. This is one of those stories which needs to be fit into the school curriculum.

The Holocaust is becoming more and more removed from our minds. As the generations begin to pass, newer generations fail to understand how imperative it is to know the events of the past. In The Light of Days we learn the stories of women who resisted Hitler - women who carried documents, arms, and money into and out of the ghettos. We learn how they got their strength and determination and their resilience, something we should all strive to learn from.

With all the historical fiction being written these days about resilient women - its important to read about the actual women who influenced those stories.

Judy Batalion, in "The Light of Days," pays tribute to "Jewish women of Poland who resisted the Nazi regime." Most of their names have been forgotten. Their views and activities may not have jibed with the political outlook of those who wrote the history books; because the combatants were young women, they may have been considered less significant than their male counterparts; and these women did not seek aggrandizement. Instead, they let their actions speak for themselves. When the Nazis took over Poland, Renia and Sarah Kukielka, Zivia Lubetkin, Fruma and Hantze Plotnicka, and Chasia Bielicka, among others, joined various resistance organizations, served as couriers, engaged in sabotage, assumed leadership roles, and assisted starving fellow Jews.

The author came upon this subject by happenstance. In 2007, Batalion lived in London and was conscious of being treated differently because she is Jewish. She came across "Freuen in di Ghettos," "Women in the Ghettos," a 186-page anthology published in New York in 1946. It tells the true story of "dozens of 'ghetto girls' who paid off Gestapo guards, hid revolvers in loaves of bread, and help build systems of underground bunkers." In addition, "they carried out espionage missions for Moscow, distributed fake IDs and underground flyers, and were bearers of the truth about what was happening to the Jews."

This is a long-overdue, thoroughly researched (using many primary sources), and fascinating account of a little know aspect of Jewish resistance during the Second World War. Some of these women could have left Europe to live in Israel. However, they chose to remain in Poland and take part in a courageous stand against the Germans. The story of those who sacrificed so much should be more widely known, and Batalion deserves credit for shedding light on the actions of these heroic individuals.

Judy Batalion brings detailed research to her compelling story about the “ghetto girls” who are mostly forgotten eastern European women who were part of the resistance to the Nazis. These women were so successful that one was even hired as a secretary to the Gestapo. They were adept at disguises and traveled from Polish towns and ghettos acting as news broadcasters to the citizens. Instead of spreading hopelessness, the spread hope and determination. Not only were they smuggling information the smuggled in food and medical supplies. It took a lot of research reading memoirs and diaries including some hidden beneath floorboards and written on toilet paper.

I so tried to get into this story but it just didn't hold my attention. I'm sure it's a wonderful novel but just not for me.. Too dry for me to get interested in.the characters

This book is a superb addition to Holocaust history. The Holocaust was the darkest of times and this book proves that light could permeate the horror. From its beginning, Batalion lets us know why there has been so little about Nazi resistance female fighters during World War II.
It's obvious the author did such tremendous research so the lives of these courageous women could be recognized. The individual stories of the women are so well described. Their lives are proof of the heroism and the strength of the human spirit.

I am always on the search for Holocaust-related books for our High School library since we offer a very popular course on the History of the Holocaust. I especially love when these feature strong women standing up to oppression. This book hits both criteria.
It was wonderful, albeit a little dense and scholarly for many of our high school population. I think we will still be adding this to the mix, but I'll be mindful of who I'm recommending it to based on their general reading endurance.

A powerful story of the Jewish women who were part of the Polish resistance during the Second World War. Batalion's exhaustive research will ensure these women are not forgotten. Their legacy is unmistakeable, and well-deserved.

Weaving together extensive research with engaging storytelling, “The Light of Days,” illuminates the underrepresented history of female Jewish resistance during World War II. Too often popular narratives around Holocaust histories and World War II minimize the experience of Jewish women to a state of defenseless victimhood, which Batalion rectifies by emphasizing the heroism and sheer nerve of female resistance fighters working in active rebellion against the Nazi Regime.

By taking the time to zoom in on individual stories, this book makes a difficult history feel more familiar and relatable, which further amplifies the extraordinary efforts of female resisters. Every sacrifice is deliberately presented with equal significance between female resisters, and more importantly still, of equal significance to the actions of their male resistance counterparts. The result is a thorough exploration of resilience during and after World War II which also seeks to understand the legacy of this relatively unknown narrative.

The amount of information presented can be overwhelming and it is difficult to keep track of all the details, so this book will appeal towards a more academic audience. Based on that, I would be cautious of recommending this for a book club pick, or would only recommended it to a very specific group who is interested in a deep dive into history topics and isn’t afraid of a dense read. With the right group and facilitator, I think this book could spark some excellent discussions about unknown histories and our understanding of the past.

Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of this Ebook.

As Judy Batalion points out in her introduction and author’s notes, there are many reasons that the Jewish women who helped lead the resistance within the Polish ghettos are not well known. With The Light of Days, Batalion works to bring some of those courageous women back into the limelight. Extensive research and a strong narrative bring Renia Kukielka and her comrades vividly to life. Renia used her Aryan looks, bravery, and intelligence to work as a courier for the resistance based in the ghettos, though the Hebrew word kashariyot, translated by Batalion as “connector” is a much more accurate name for the work. Renia smuggled papers, money, arms, information, supplies, and people between ghettos, the Aryan side of towns and cities, and across Poland. This book is inspiring, heartbreaking, and powerful, and details a part of history that we must not forget. Strongly recommended for readers of history and historical fiction alike. If you only choose one book about World War II and the Holocaust this year, I strongly suggest this be on your short list for consideration.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Batalion does a spectacular job of telling the stories of these courageous resistance fighters. Jewish women have been underrepresented in history, it is about time someone shares their tales. Full review to come in Booklist.

I found this book fascinating. I have never heard about the Jewish women who resisted during the Holocaust. In the many books I have read about WWII this was new and interesting information. I am so surprised it hasn't been written about more. I would definitely recommend this book to readers interested in WWII history. The information is well researched and well written.

Judy Batalion did a lot of research and wrote a beautiful book about amazing heroic women who fought against the Nazi regime in spite of the odds stacked against them. These are the stories I love to hear about and read about. They are the brilliant people who got the world through WWII and helped save many people from the destruction that the Nazis were causing. This is a powerful book of women who need to be celebrated for years to come.

The true story of Jewish women resistance fighters is something that we should already have known more about, and I was impressed with the research the author was able to assemble. It was thrilling to follow the stories of these women, and to follow their later years in the epilogue.

The Light of Days
The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's Ghettos
by Judy Batalion
HarperCollins Publishers
William Morrow
Biographies & Memoirs | History
Pub Date 23 Jun 2020 | Archive Date 23 Jun 2020

I loved this book! Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers I was given an ARC of this book for my honest review.
I love reading biographies and memoirs! I read this one in short doses so I could truly absorb the heroism of these women.
Grab this book and read it!!

A powerful, interesting, and beautifully written book about the many heroic women who secretly fought against the nazi regime in spite of the odds and fear of capture. These are the stories and the women who need to be celebrated even all these years later. I read this book in small doses so I could savor and better understand what these women went through and what they accomplished. I’m grateful to author Judy Batalion for bringing these women and their courageous stories to light. I highly recommend.