The Bravest Voices: A Memoir of Two Sisters' Heroism During the Nazi Era

This timeless memoir documents two sisters bravery leading up to WWIIa singular historical account that shines a light on one of humanitys darkest hours. Ida and Louise Cook are two ordinary Englishwomen, seemingly destined never to stray from their quiet London suburb and comfortable jobsIda as a budding romance novelist and Louise as a civil service typist. But in 1923, a chance hearing of an aria from Madame Butterfly sparked a passion for opera in the sisters that led to the formation of friendships with some of Europes leading singers and their network, many of them Jewish. As the Nazis rose to power, Ida and Louise began working with the opera worlds insiders to save members of the community from persecution and death. Through ingenuity, thrift and bottomless goodwill, the sisters eluded the suspicion of the Nazis and helped secure safe passage for dozens of refugees. No one would have predicted such daring lives for Ida and Louise Cookbut that underestimation is exactly how they were able to save lives. First published in 1950, Idas memoir of the adventures she and Louise shared remains as fresh, vital and entertaining as the woman who wrote it, and is a moving testament to the extraordinary acts of courage by two everyday heroes.