Based on the True Story about Sophie Scholl and Fritz Hartnagel
Trapped in Hitler's Army, Officer Fritz Hartnagel (1917-2001) wrote to Sophie Scholl (1921-1943) about SS atrocities. With this first-hand information, Scholl, her brother, Hans, and their friends formed the White Rose student opposition in Munich.
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With You There Is Light contains letters from Fritz Hartnagel to Sophie Scholl
Translated For The First Time
What Reviewers Are Saying
"The story of a young couple in love during wartime also unfolds gracefully: “[Sophie] wanted to take every detail of those hours and put them away in a box which she could always open. A place where the memories of the trees and flowers, the gardener, the birds, wouldn’t fade.
A poignant story full of historical insight.”
"The White Rose Foundation is grateful that With You There Is Light will help keep the memory of resistance alive. Ms. Lehmann has dedicated much time and effort to making her book factual and its narrative fascinating for all readers."
"Alexandra has substantial knowledge of the facts about Munich's student resistance group. More impactful, however, is how her powerful narrative brings the facts to life. The story of how Sophie Scholl learned first hand about Nazi atrocities on both fronts from Officer Hartnagel provides not just a vital historical account, but an essential understanding of the German experience during World War II."
"I spent last weekend reading With You There Is Light from cover to cover and was deeply moved by the lives of Sophie Scholl and Fritz Hartnagel and the spiritual journey they shared as they both struggled to be faithful. Alexandra Lehmann has shared an important and complex story with masterful writing that puts flesh and blood on the German Resistance. She has succeeded in making these important historical figures live for us."
About the Author
Alexandra Lehmann
Due to a deep familiarity with German culture (my parents survived the war in the Eastern territories) and native language fluency, I was able to ask difficult questions during my research in the language in which this history happened. “Did the German people know?” or “How much was the German Army involved in the Holocaust?” were intensely personal questions. Both my grandfathers served in this army.
I base my answers evident in this story on my family of origin’s individual history and the long, difficult hours spent speaking with family, German university professors, and archivists, as well as interviews with several eyewitnesses, including Elisabeth Scholl and Thomas Hartnagel.
I am honored to have written Fritz and Sophie’s story and appreciate your interest in it.