Sophie Scholl : the real story of the woman who defied Hitler

On 22 February 1943, Sophie Scholl, a 21-year-old student at Munich University, was executed by the Nazi regime, along with two fellow students from the White Rose resistance movement.

They had fought against Hitler's tyranny, not with bullets and bombs, but with words, printed in leaflets, that proclaimed a passionate desire to live in a free and democratic society.

Her brave and principled stand made her a legend in Germany, and she was voted 'Woman of the Century' by a popular women's magazine in 1999.

Frank McDonough has used a variety of original documents from German archives, including letters and diaries, Gestapo interrogation files, court documents and exclusive interviews, most notably with Sophie's sister, to produce this shocking but ultimately inspirational biography of a German heroine who defied Hitler and was executed for her beliefs.

It is a story that will stand for all time. It is one of "The London Evening Standard's" Best Books of the Year, 2009. 'Undoubtedly the standard work on its subject' - Richard J.

Evans. 'Remarkable historical detective work - a superb, well-researched and well-written biography' - Andrew Roberts.'Offers insight of real depth into what motivated a shy and polite middle-class girl to resist the Third Reich' - "Catholic Herald".