1. Think about what you have learned about World War II in the past, especially in regard to the role of Italy and Germany in the war. Did this book reinforce your understanding of the war or upend it? Why?
  2. In the preface, the author says that history takes place in shades of gray, even in periods like 1939–1945, which tempt us to think in terms of good and evil. Do you believe this view comes through in the text? If so, how?
  3. Sisters in Resistance calls attention to historical figures like Galeazzo Ciano, who committed atrocities through both personal action and his participation in larger systems of oppression. How did knowing this impact your reading experience? Did you ever find yourself sympathizing with Ciano?
  4. Do you think trying to change a system from the inside is more or less effective than outright rebellion? How did reading about Edda, Hilde, and Frances influence your views on this?
  5. In the first chapter, the author calls attention to this quote from Dante Alighieri, which Ciano transcribed in his diaries: “The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.” Knowing what you do about the devastating physical and psychological effects of WWII, what do you believe was the greater evil: participating in he conflict, or remaining neutral? Why?
  6. Have you ever kept a diary? If so, did you intend for the entries to be read by others or be kept completely private? How do you think this distinction influenced what you communicated and how you communicated? How is this idea manifested in relation to Ciano’s diaries?
  7. The author emphasizes that Hilde developed real romantic feelings for Ciano and wasn’t just romancing him because of her job. How do you think the story might have changed if Hilde didn’t have genuine feelings for him? Why do you think the author felt it was important for readers to understand Hilde’s emotional state?
  8. Deciding whom to trust, when, and with how much information is integral to the success of each woman’s mission in Sisters in Resistance. Can you think of a time when you had to decide whether to trust someone with sensitive information? How did you make that choice? Was your reasoning similar to the justifications used by the women in the book? Why or why not?
  9. Thinking especially about the news articles published in Italy and the United States during the war on the suppression of the diaries, what does Sisters in Resistance teach us about the power of a news story—and of the written word in general?
  10. What was the role of wealth in this story? To what extent were the characters’ actions dictated by their socioeconomic statuses?
  11. After the war, Edda believed herself to be innocent because, as a woman, she had not been an active combatant. Do you think women are morally culpable for wars they didn’t physically fight in (and were, at the time, excluded from institutionally)? Why or why not?
  12. Romantic relationships and close friendships were integral to the political successes outlined in Sisters in Resistance. Did this surprise you? Can you think of comparable situations in our modern political landscape?