Freiheit!

When a group of students began to resist the Nazi party, they were doing their best to draw awareness to the injustices that were taking place.
In secret, they began to compile and distribute information through leaflets to other students, with the aim of expanding out to other freedom and resistance fighters.
Unfortunately, they were discovered and executed for their "crimes" against the government. By swearing the oath to Hitler (which was required) and then working in secret, they were committing treason against the government.

Their work was not in vain, and eventually, their leaflets were distributed throughout German towns.

This book is great for younger readers! An easy way to share and disseminate history to younger students.

Thank you to Ploughing Publishing and @netgalley for the ARC of Freiheit! by Andrea Grosso Ciponte. This is a great choice if you are looking to add a quick read for #nonfictionnovember This graphic novel is the dramatic true story of a group of students who resisted the Nazis and formed a group/newsletter knows as The White Rose. This graphic novel shows not only their story but also provides copies of the actual newsletters that they printed and distributed. This book was very well done and I learned a lot from reading it!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is an amazing historical graphic novel which tells one of the most interesting but less well known stories from the second world war. It recounts the journey the White Rose Movement went on to oppose the Nazi propaganda they came across. The illustrations are wonderful and the colour scheme fits the mood of the novel perfectly. Would 100% recommend this!

This book is a beautifully drawn narrative that does not crowd the reader with words, but rather allows the graphic art to speak for itself in many panels. The story is simple yet poignant, and though we do not get much chance to get to know the characters very well, their goal becomes apparent as they work as undercover advocates during the Nazi regime in Germany. Perfect for anyone studying the era, or anyone who enjoys reading about the WW2 era, this graphic novel was gripping till the end.

Freiheit!: The White Rose Graphic Novel discusses a well-known subject and one that many young adults find fascinating when it comes to WWII, a hot topic for readable nonfiction and historical fiction. The artwork is beautiful; the palette is muted with matte colors heavily overlayed with with a khaki green that is eerily reminiscent of army uniforms and war. Clean, sharp lines and easily read text makes this an accessible text, reflecting the starkness of an era and country that is feeling the necessary bite of poverty and the great war machine that was Germany.

Several White Rose texts opt to focus on Sophie Scholl more than the other members of the group. Perhaps this is because she is the youngest or the only woman, but this graphic novel is refreshing in that it takes a broad overview on the entire cast. It is more plot-driven, revealing little about Alexander Schmorell or Willi Graf in comparison to other members, but readers will feel inspired by the overall tableaux and stirring words from the original leaflets included in the appendix. Highly recommended.

It's 1942 when German students (and a professor) in Munich, who have been harbouring severe doubts (to say the least) about the ruling Nazi Party for a long time, decide to secretly write, publish and distribute anti-Nazi pamphlets under the group name of The White Rose.

Probably most famous of the six are brother and sister Hans and Sophie Scholl, who also set up the group. Sadly, after publishing several leaflets, part of the group was caught, including the Scholls, and after a show trial they were executed by guillotine.

The graphic novel basically retells this story, with a greater eye for detail. It's an important story which reminds us how Nazi Germany was basically a authoritarian police state, with plenty of its citizens not all supporting the Nazis but living in fear. It makes the actions of The White Rose so much braver.

The art is striking, nearing photo-realism, but with an added painterly feel. I'm not entirely sure if I like the art, but that maybe because of the muted colours used.

The book also includes every White Rose pamphlet, translated into English, which is a very interesting addition.

3.5 stars

"Freiheit!: The White Rose Graphic Novel" is a fine graphic novel about a small group of anti-nazis during the 1940s. Highly recommended.

Historical Graphic Novels have become a guilty pleasure. It is such an interesting way to consume history and pieces like this are so poignant in doing so the art allows for such a more intriguing story to be told.

This is a story I hadn't heard of before and found myself intrigued by, and I found myself immersed whole heartedly in this story of resistance and perseverance.

The last page left goosebumps on my arms.

Such a powerful graphic novel from Ploughshares, and important book to put into the hands of readers. The story is stirring and the art adds to the intensity of the book.

This is a beautifully drawn and colored graphic novel. It was an emotional trip. I felt pride and sadness. I am so glad to see this story get told.

Freheit!: The White Rose Graphic Novel by Andrea Grosso Ciponte
Thanks to Plough Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this graphic novel.
Based on the actual White Rose group that spread leaflets against Nazi rule and actions during World War II. Several members were arrested and quite a few of them were executed by use of a guillotine. I didn’t realize that anyone in that era was executed by any means other than shooting. A highly impactful graphic novel that sums up the growth and activities of The White Rose and also includes the real writings on the original leaflets. Amazing strength, integrity and bravery sums up The White Rose members! A must for history buffs, 5 stars!
* I received an advance reader copy of this book for volunteer review consideration and all opinions and thoughts are my own.

I wasn’t sold on this one for about the first third. I found the text too heavy and the artistry too muted for a graphic novel. However, I should have had more faith in the author because I was drawn in covertly, without even knowing it myself. Suddenly, I was gripped by the intensity of the situations and the incredible strength of this group of young people. The ending was certainly not unexpected, but it still struck me violently. As it should have.

Thank you to Andrea Grosso Ciponte, Plough Publishing, and NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

In 1943 Sophie Scholl, Hans Scholl, Christoph Probst, Willi Graff, and Alexander Schmorell, a group of college students in Germany. started a resistance movement against the Nazis. Calling themselves The White Rose they distributed pamphlets calling for Germans to rise up against the Nazis and take back their country. Their cry of “Freedom!” was distributed in pamphlets sent all over Germany. This graphic novel tells their story in a way that is both accessible and inspiring. Andrea Grosso Ciponte’s spare illustrations and concise text moves the story along in a way that gives a sense of the urgency these young people felt. Freihiet is a book that everyone who loves freedom and their country needs to read. It is a reminder that everyone has a voice and must use it. The book includes reprints of the pamphlets. They are just as timely today as they were almost 80 years ago. This book has literally changed my life. The story of these brave young adults and the words they gave the people will stick in my head and in my heart forever. Read this book. Have your children read this book and remember that freedom is something worth fighting for.

I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.

Ciponte cleverly weaves quotes from the White Rose pamphlets and from Nazi propaganda of the period throughout the book, capturing the conflict between words and the power of words which is central to the story. In doing so, he gives readers a story that captures how hypnotic evil words can be, and how important good words are to break their power. A terrific piece of historical fiction.

Wow the illustrations are so beautifully portrayed.Superb historical novel with great plot.The pictures beautifully portray the story.Perfect for quick relaxing read

Freiheit! details the early beginnings of the White Rose and their work to disrupt the nazi regime's atrocities as much as they can by spreading information. The graphic novel follows the founding members on their journeys attempting to help people by spreading the word of anti-nazi beliefs in Germany through leaflets.

The story was very interesting and moving. Reading about a youthful group attempting to stand up for their beliefs under the tyranny of Hitler's regime was important, and there are many groups operating during this period to get to know.

As someone who was not familiar with the White Rose, I found the story a bit fragmented at times as it did not have strong connections between certain events at times. That being said, it was still a strong story to read through.

I really enjoyed it as an introduction to the people and their stories, and I'll definitely be researching myself to learn more about what the group accomplished to give myself a greater understanding of the overall story.

I greatly admire the Scholl siblings and their friends, and was intrigued to see that there is an upcoming graphic novel about them. I enjoyed reading it, and appreciated the accurate likenesses and atmospheric, grainy art style. However, the story jumps around in a way that may confuse someone who is new to this story, and because the author leaves out several significant details and key points of context, readers who are already knowledgeable about and invested in the White Rose Movement's history may find aspects of this book disappointing.

I hope that this book will make people more aware of these historical events and inspire them to read some of the sources from that time. This book includes the text of the White Rose leaflets in both German and English at the end, but for greater context, I would encourage people to check out "At the Heart of the White Rose: Letters and Diaries of Hans and Sophie Scholl" and secondary source titles.

"Isn't it true that every honest German is ashamed of his government these days? Who among us has any conception of the dimensions of shame that will befall us and our children when one day the veil has fallen from our eyes and the most horrible of crimes—crimes that infinitely outdistance every human measure—reach the light of day?"

In their first leaflet, the White Rose set out to try to awaken their fellow Germans from the actions of the Nazi party in the summer of 1942, a period following the first Soviet counter-gains in the Eastern Front. The Western Front seemed locked and unbeknownst to them the Wannsee Conference had been conducted earlier that winter. And yet the moral imperative still stood.

By the following February, the assault on Stalingrad had collapsed and Jews by the thousands were being murdered daily. The leaders themselves would be dead by March. And yet they continued to write leaflets and graffiti walls. This graphic novel tells their story and reminds readers the importance of civil disobedience in the face of a tyrannical government. And having narrowly dodged an increasingly authoritarian government last month, it serves as a reminder. As the final pages show, though they were killed, their work lived on through the actions of the RAF.

This short graphic novel introduces readers to The White Rose, a group of university students who formed an underground resistance movement in Nazi Germany, producing six leaflets before the last of them was executed. The book is not intended to be an indepth history of the group, but gives enough information to whet your curiosity, and is certainly thought-provoking. I hope the graphic medium will entice younger generations to read the book and heed its warning not to give away your right to think and speak for yourself.

It's always easier to go along with the crowd than it is to go against the current. This book serves as a reminder of the dangers that lurk in "herd" mentality where no one is held accountable. Each of us is responsible for what is happening in the world, and each of us must be aware of the repercussions of our choices and decisions., our actions or non-actions. We, and future generations, will have to live with the consequences.

My thanks to NetGalley and Plough Publishing who each provided me with a copy of the book set to be published on 2/16/21. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

At first, Freiheit! seemed like it would be one of those reads that leaves you mildly uneasy due to the heavy topics it presents. I was pleasantly surprised, though, by how enjoyable it was to read. The dialogue feels natural and the characters are firm and realistic.

And how could I continue without mentioning the art? I am a fan of the art style and the colour pallette really ties into the story. I wouldn't normally pick up a book with historical aspects to it, but I am glad I did.

I fully recommend reading Freiheit!

Sophie discovers that her brother, Hans is printing leaflets for an anti-Nazi group. They call themselves the White Rose Society. Sophie joins the group. She helps distribute the leaflets. The leaflets are asking German students to fight Nascism. They also wrote graffiti which was promptly promptly erased. One day, Sophie and Hans are caught distributing the leaflets. They are brought before a judge. In court Sophie is calm and not afraid to die for her beliefs. Will Hans and Sophie be executed or live?

This is an interesting graphic novel that has been translated from the German language. It is a reminder of a part of history that has been overlooked. While resistance groups were known, I didn’t know about this youth resistance group. It represents knowing right from wrong. There is in the back of the book, the six leaflets that they produced before the Society stopped. This is the proof of their work. The panels play with dark and light representing thir joy versus the darkness of the Nazi’s power. It is a heartfelt novel of a particular time in the history of World War 2. I liked it due discovering something I didn’t know about the German youth during World War 2. It’s a must read.

This is a profound and enlightening graphic novel that is about a group university students that used pamphlets to tell people what the Nazis were really doing and to wake people up and hopefully resist against the regime. They knew they were at risk doing this but they did not care and ultimately died for their beliefs. However, their work was carried on by many throughout the war.

This is such a wonderful book and it keeps this group and their vision alive still today. They taught us not to follow our government blindly that they to can cause hurt that is not necessary to anyone involved, but they might also do things to keep us safe even though many people might hate the intrusion. The point is do the work and know what is being done on your behalf.

This will appear on my blog on the 16th of February

This is a beautiful, and meaningful, graphic novel about the youth that tried to fight Hitler. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous and not too fancy. It is very well done.

Incredibly powerful graphic novel that tells the story of a group of young Germans in world war two who attempted to use propaganda to resist the nazi regime and lost their lives doing what they thought was right. The art was nearly photorealistic but also atmospheric, and while it was nothing like Gibbon's classic Sandman covers it put me in mind of them, that sense of hyperreal unreality. Maybe that's what living, and trying to resist, a repressive dictatorship feels like. It was also interesting to see the full text of the pamphlets. There were honestly fairly pretentious and academic, but also powerful in their emotional call to resist the nazi regime. In the times we are in, with international resurgences of populist far right movements, with proud boys and militias, stories like this are important because they make you really think about what you would do and what you can do to resist.

NOTE: I received a free preliminary, and likely unedited copy of this book from Netgalley for the purposes of providing an honest, unbiased review of the material. Thank you to all involved.

There’s a tendency, in World War II scholarship, to almost entirely concentrate on Hitler and the battles of the war, keeping some of the more human aspects of the war in the background. Even the Holocaust is usually spoken about in vague terms if its not explicit something like a diary or journal of one the victims. Something I knew almost nothing about, prior to this book, were internal German resistance groups. I knew they absolutely had to be a thing, but seeing as they did not overthrow Hitler on their own, it’s usually relegated to a footnote in many books. The White Rose was one such group, and this graphic novel tells their tragic story.

With an entire nation blindly following an evil leader, where did a handful of students find the courage to resist? The university students who formed the White Rose, an undercover resistance movement in Nazi Germany, knew that doing so could cost them their lives. But some things are worth dying for. The White Rose printed and distributed leaflets to expose Nazi atrocities and wake up their fellow citizens. The Gestapo caught and executed them. Sophie Scholl was twenty-one; her brother Hans, twenty-four; Christoph Probst, twenty-three; Alexander Schmorell and Willi Graf, twenty-five. But the White Rose was not silenced. Their heroism continues to inspire new generations of resisters. Now, for the first time, this story that has been celebrated in print and film can be experienced as a graphic novel. Italian artist Andrea Grosso Ciponte’s haunting imagery will resonate with today’s students and activists. The challenges they face may vary, but the need for young people to stand up against evil, whatever the cost, will remain. -- Description

The story in Freiheit! is told largely from the point of view of Sophie Scholl, who has become disillusioned with the government of Germany due to their strong-arm policies and mistreatment of Jews. Prior to the events of the book, her brothers were arrested by the Gestapo, setting in motion their membership into an underground resistance movement of intellectuals that produced subversive pamphlets calling the Nazi leadership into question. One nice touch, is that translations of these documents are included in the book.

The art style and overall composition by Andrea Grosso Ciponte was very moving and vibrant despite the book’s muted color palette. Each panel, even the most subdued, is treated like a scene in a film – interesting transitions, camera angles, and blocking are all well-done. It gives this book a VERY cinematic feel.

I enjoyed this a lot, and plan to look at some other books by the same publisher pretty soon. The book has served it’s purpose of making me interested in The White Rose, and I may also look into a book about the Scholl siblings at some point. Having historical documents in the back of the book was a great touch, and immediately elevates this to the status of being a teaching tool. I once took a class in college about The Holocaust, and I honestly really wish this was out at that time. This would have been a great story to share with my class. Solid book, definitely recommended.

World War II is one of my favorite periods in history. This was a time when various groups of people stood up for what they believed and were even willing to die for it. Freiheit! tells the story of one such group of young people. It was such an inspirational story. As I read, it was as if I was receiving lessons for this present time. We are living in a time when we will be challenged about our beliefs and we don’t know how taking a stand will be received. May the courage displayed by this group of young people serve as inspiration to all who read their story.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher and Net Galley but the thoughts expressed are my own.

Words cannot really express how important this true story is both to our history and our current situation. I highly recommend this to high school students and adults. A bit of research into the White Rose Society for background will help before reading this graphic novel. The actual writings of the Society at the end are a nice and vital touch. Highly recommended.

I am seeing the rise of the graphic novel and I love it. The format is expanding and I am seeing more and more nonfiction graphic novels added to shelves and it makes me happy. As a student, I would 100% be more invested in history and nonfiction if it came in bite-sized, highly visual formats like these graphic novels have been. Also, story has always been key for my memory. If history is connected to an engaging story, I am 100% bought into it. This was the case with this graphic novel.
Freiheit! tells the story of a group of college students who saw wrong in Nazi controlled Germany. They formed their own form of rebellion with an underground printing press and rebellious leaflets and pamphlets that they published and distributed throughout the university. Their dedication to point out the wrong in society and their effort to inspire others to rebel with them was emotionally heart wrenching. I cheered for them the entire time knowing that their fate was not a happy one. They were beheaded for what they believed in. They gave their lives to try to fix the wrong they saw in the world. This graphic novel gave voice to their story.
What I loved: the story, the character, the actual published material by the White Rose at the end of the novel
What I didn't love: the graphic novel felt grainy and there were a few jumps in the narrative that were hard to follow/jarring.
Overall, highly recommended. I didn't know about the White Rose before this graphic novel.

Freiheit is the German word for liberty and is an apt title for this graphic biography of The White Rose. Ciponte depiction of the non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany led by a group of students from the University of Munich is chilling. The decision to struggle against all odds against the tyrannical fascist regime is driven by intellectual disgust of Hitler's Germany and some its members' faith demonstrates a level of bravery that is inspiring.

Ciponte's art is just lush. Stylistically it is impressionistic; panels look like stills from a rotoscoped film, which lends a sense of motion and realism to the pages. There is genuine flair in the way some of the pages are composed. The combination of quotes from the leaflets that The White Rose produced with the grainy Pointillism inspired colouring produced some deeply affecting images. Ciponte somehow imbues the characters with a sense of youthfulness.

The dialogue here deserves special mention. It is sharp, clever, and perfectly pitched. Despite their shared aims, each of the characters are driven by slightly different motivations. They have different hopes and fears, which really comes across in the dialogue. I would be interested in finding out how much of it came from diaries or was imagined by Ciponte.

Freiheit! is a compelling biography of the rebels that came together at the University of Munich to resist in whatever way they could, one that immerses the reader in the tragic journey both they and Germany went through. It is both inspiring and shame-inducing. It begs the question of the reader: These young people did what they could, what are you doing to better the world? A though-provoking and prescient novel especially given protests around the world. Brilliant stuff.

This was a wonderfully illustrated story of those young men and woman who fought against Hitler by using words. Their leaflets spoke the truth about the Nazi regime and the need to rise up and fight against it. Each knew that their life would be forfeit if they were caught.
The book contains the text of the five leaflets. I do believe that their words could be used to us today, here in the U.S. and in places around the world. I pray some may remember history because it is to our peril not to.

Thank you Netgalley and Plough Publishing for an early read of this book.

During World War 2 bravely a group of University students banded together forming the white Rose. They created leaflets to encourage the citizens of Germany to open their eyes on the lies they are believing and what occurred to the Jews. Even though the group knew they faced death if caught by the Gestapo they were courageous to do so. Indeed their actions are indeed brave and courageous and it is sad that they were executed but it was what they expected and they silently had happily met their executioner. The book is ideal for those who like to read bibliographies and memoirs and historical texts. I give the book four stars as I enjoyed reading the book and the comics give the reader the backdrop of where they were and what they might have looked like.
Review run date 08 Apr 2021 for Netgalley. On 07 April 2021 my review will be posted on my Wordpress blog and Facebook blog, Amazon.com.au, goodreads, kobo, googlebooks and iBooks. My WordPress blog is http://bluefalkon95adorationofallgenres.wordpress.com My Facebook reader blog page link, is https://www.facebook.com/BlueFalkon95-Readers-blog-104660277776984
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Plough Publishing House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Freiheit #NetGalley

Not everyone in Nazi Germany was happy with what was going on. A group of students came together under the pseudonym, The White Rose. They secretly printed pamphlets denouncing Hitler and distributed them throughout Germany until they were eventually caught. I liked the photorealistic art with the airbrushed style coloring.

A brilliant but scary work that demands an audience. I don't think the subject is entirely unknown but this shows a resistance to the fascists that is hard to ignore. You learn new information and are taken aback by the breathtaking narrative that gives you a sense of being there. I recommend "Freiheit!" to anyone interested in the period or the eternal struggle from freedom against oppression.

This was a beautifully illustrated, concise history of the White Rose student group that (subtly) fought against the Nazi party during WWII in Germany. I didn't know anything about this group before I read this book, and am now interested in learning more about them and what they accomplished as a small group of students to disrupt the fascist regime running their country.

The ending was unfortunately not a happy one for our protagonists, but I liked that the author included the lasting effects of the White Rose's work later on in the war as well as English translations of their leaflets.

This is an amazing historical graphic novel which tells one of the most interesting but less well known stories from the second world war. It recounts the journey the White Rose Movement went on to oppose the Nazi propaganda they came across. The illustrations are wonderful and the colour scheme fits the mood of the novel perfectly. Would 100% recommend this

This is a great introduction to a resistance group that existed in Nazi Germany, and while it doesn't go very in-depth, we get a nice overview of the members and their activities. The illustrations are well done and enhance the story being told. Ciponte clearly did some research in order to write this, and did a good job balancing entertaining and informative. While I would like to learn more, I know it can be hard to pack a lot of facts into a graphic novel, and I'll be doing some research on my own now.

This story was well-told and engaging throughout. I think it will definitely find its right audience and continue to inspire.

Immersing myself in the haunting pages of Andrea Grosso Ciponte's "Freiheit! - The White Rose Graphic Novel" was a visceral experience, a journey into the harrowing reality of a group of students who dared to defy the Nazis. This graphic adaptation of true events is a chilling and poignant tribute to the indomitable spirit of the White Rose, a clandestine resistance movement that faced the brutal consequences of standing against tyranny.

The plot navigates the treacherous terrain of Nazi Germany, where blind obedience to an evil leader gripped the nation. In the shadows, a courageous few emerged as the White Rose, university students who risked everything to expose Nazi atrocities. The characters, notably Sophie Scholl, Hans Scholl, Christoph Probst, Alexander Schmorell, and Willi Graf, are etched with depth and humanity. Their unwavering commitment to resistance, even in the face of imminent danger, serves as a testament to the power of moral conviction.

The illustrations by Andrea Grosso Ciponte are hauntingly beautiful, capturing the stark reality of the era with a poignant grace. The visual narrative enhances the emotional depth of the story, evoking a sense of urgency and despair that mirrors the historical context. The graphic novel format proves to be a compelling medium, offering a unique lens through which to experience the resilience and sacrifice of the White Rose.

The events unfold with a gripping momentum, each panel resonating with the weight of the characters' choices. The narrative successfully portrays the escalating tension and the palpable danger that looms over the White Rose. The pacing is dynamic, drawing readers into a tale of resistance that is both heart-wrenching and inspirational.

While the graphic novel excels in capturing the emotional essence of the White Rose's story, there were moments where the complexity of historical details felt slightly condensed. Some readers may find themselves yearning for a more exhaustive exploration of the broader historical context and individual characters. However, this serves as a minor quibble in light of the graphic novel's overall impact.

This is an evocative and riveting exploration of a dark chapter in history. Andrea Grosso Ciponte's artistic prowess and storytelling finesse bring to life the courage and sacrifice of the White Rose, offering a poignant reminder of the enduring need to stand against evil.
This graphic novel is a compelling addition to the literature commemorating those who chose resistance over compliance. 🕊️📚🎭