All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Q: What is *All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days* about?

*All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days* chronicles the life of Mildred Harnack, an American woman who led a clandestine anti-Nazi resistance network in Berlin. Rebecca Donner’s biography details Harnack’s covert operations, including distributing anti-Hitler leaflets, espionage, and using shortwave radios to broadcast Allied news, culminating in her 1943 execution on Hitler’s orders. The book blends historical analysis with personal letters and diaries.

All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days

Rebecca Donner

4.32 (5227 Reviews)

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The untold story of Mildred Harnack - American resistance fighter against Hitler, executed by Nazi guillotine. This "real-life thriller with a cruel ending" won three major literary awards, revealing how democracies fall and why The New York Times calls it "extraordinarily intimate."

What is All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days about?

All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days chronicles the life of Mildred Harnack, an American woman who led a clandestine anti-Nazi resistance network in Berlin. Rebecca Donner’s biography details Harnack’s covert operations, including distributing anti-Hitler leaflets, espionage, and using shortwave radios to broadcast Allied news, culminating in her 1943 execution on Hitler’s orders. The book blends historical analysis with personal letters and diaries.

Who should read All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days?

This book is ideal for WWII history enthusiasts, readers interested in unsung female heroes, and those exploring resistance movements. Its narrative depth appeals to fans of biographical histories like The Zookeeper’s Wife or The Nightingale, offering fresh insights into civilian defiance under fascism.

Is All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days worth reading?

Yes. The book won the National Book Critics Circle Award, PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award, and The Chautauqua Prize. Critics praise its meticulous research and gripping storytelling, with The New York Times calling it a “stunning literary achievement”.

How does the book portray Mildred Harnack’s resistance efforts?

Donner highlights Harnack’s recruitment of dissidents, covert intelligence-sharing with Allies, and subversion of Nazi propaganda through underground radio broadcasts. Her dual identity—posing as a Nazi-aligned teacher while organizing resistance—showcases her strategic brilliance.

What role did propaganda play in Nazi Germany according to the book?

The book examines Joseph Goebbels’ manipulation of media, including state-mandated “People’s Radios” to control information. Harnack countered this by using a Blaupunkt shortwave radio to access banned foreign broadcasts, distributing truthful news to undermine Nazi narratives.

Who was Arvid Harnack and how is he depicted?

Arvid Harnack, Mildred’s husband, was an economist and key figure in the anti-Nazi resistance. The book positions him as a background collaborator, focusing instead on Mildred’s leadership and her network’s gender-diverse composition.

What awards has All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days won?

The book received the 2022 National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography, PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award, and The Chautauqua Prize. It was also shortlisted for the LA Times Book Prize and Governor General’s Literary Award.

How does Rebecca Donner’s writing style enhance the narrative?

Donner intertwines historical context with intimate details from Harnack’s letters, creating a novelistic pace. Her use of primary sources, including Gestapo interrogation records, adds visceral urgency to the story.

What criticisms exist about All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days?

Some reviewers note the dense web of historical figures might challenge casual readers. However, most praise Donner’s ability to balance scholarly rigor with accessible storytelling, calling it “innovative” and “definitive”.

Why is Mildred Harnack’s story significant today?

Harnack’s courage in resisting authoritarianism resonates in modern contexts, offering lessons on civic resistance and media literacy. Her execution—and posthumous vindication—underscore the enduring fight for truth against repression.

Does the book include primary sources or archival material?

Yes. Donner draws from Harnack’s diaries, declassified FBI files, letters, and Gestapo interrogation transcripts. These materials reveal her inner conflicts and the risks she took to document Nazi crimes.

Where did Rebecca Donner conduct research for the book?

Donner accessed archives in Germany, the U.S., and Russia, alongside family documents. Her 10-year research process included translating rare German sources and interviewing descendants of resistance members.

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The Woman Who Defied Hitler's Reich

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In February 1943, an American woman faced the guillotine in Berlin's Plotzensee Prison. Her name was Mildred Harnack, and her execution came by direct order from Adolf Hitler himself. Born in Wisconsin, educated at the University of Wisconsin, Mildred had chosen to stay in Germany as darkness descended, building a resistance network at the heart of the Third Reich. Her story - deliberately suppressed by both American and Soviet intelligence after the war - reveals extraordinary courage that transcended national boundaries and ideological divisions. While millions accommodated themselves to Nazi rule, this unassuming literature professor chose a different path, one that would ultimately cost her life but preserve her integrity in history's darkest hour.

From Milwaukee to Berlin: An Unlikely Revolutionary

Literature and Action: The Weapons of Resistance

The Red Orchestra: Espionage Against Hitler

Unlikely Heroes: The Boy Courier and Daily Resistance

Betrayal and Capture: The End of Resistance

Final Dignity and Enduring Legacy

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@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

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@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

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@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

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Key takeaways

The Woman Who Defied Hitler's Reich

From Milwaukee to Berlin: An Unlikely Revolutionary

Literature and Action: The Weapons of Resistance

The Red Orchestra: Espionage Against Hitler

Unlikely Heroes: The Boy Courier and Daily Resistance

Betrayal and Capture: The End of Resistance

Final Dignity and Enduring Legacy

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days Summary in 9 Minutes

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Key takeaways

The Woman Who Defied Hitler's Reich

From Milwaukee to Berlin: An Unlikely Revolutionary

Literature and Action: The Weapons of Resistance

The Red Orchestra: Espionage Against Hitler

Unlikely Heroes: The Boy Courier and Daily Resistance

Betrayal and Capture: The End of Resistance

Final Dignity and Enduring Legacy

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