A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Chosen as a BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR by NPR , the New York Public Library, Amazon, the Seattle Times , the Washington Independent Review of Books , PopSugar , the Minneapolis Star Tribune , BookBrowse, the Spectator , and the Times of London Winner of the Plutarch Award for Best Biography "E xcellent...This book is as riveting as any thriller, and as hard to put down ." -- The New York Times Book Review "A compelling biography of a masterful spy, and a reminder of what can be done ...
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A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Chosen as a BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR by NPR , the New York Public Library, Amazon, the Seattle Times , the Washington Independent Review of Books , PopSugar , the Minneapolis Star Tribune , BookBrowse, the Spectator , and the Times of London Winner of the Plutarch Award for Best Biography "E xcellent...This book is as riveting as any thriller, and as hard to put down ." -- The New York Times Book Review "A compelling biography of a masterful spy, and a reminder of what can be done with a few brave people -- and a little resistance." - NPR "A meticiulous history that reads like a thriller." - Ben Macintyre A never-before-told story of Virginia Hall, the American spy who changed the course of World War II, from the author of Clementine. In 1942, the Gestapo sent out an urgent transmission: "She is the most dangerous of all Allied spies. We must find and destroy her." The target in their sights was Virginia Hall, a Baltimore socialite who talked her way into Special Operations Executive, the spy organization dubbed Winston Churchill's "Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare." She became the first Allied woman deployed behind enemy lines and--despite her prosthetic leg--helped to light the flame of the French Resistance, revolutionizing secret warfare as we know it. Virginia established vast spy networks throughout France, called weapons and explosives down from the skies, and became a linchpin for the Resistance. Even as her face covered wanted posters and a bounty was placed on her head, Virginia refused order after order to evacuate. She finally escaped through a death-defying hike over the Pyrenees into Spain, her cover blown. But she plunged back in, adamant that she had more lives to save, and led a victorious guerilla campaign, liberating swathes of France from the Nazis after D-Day. Based on new and extensive research, Sonia Purnell has for the first time uncovered the full secret life of Virginia Hall--an astounding and inspiring story of heroism, spycraft, resistance, and personal triumph over shocking adversity. A Woman of No Importance is the breathtaking story of how one woman's fierce persistence helped win the war.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in fine dust jacket. almost like new. pages unmarked but owner's name on inside front cover. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 368 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Condition Good: Book is used and in good condition with some wear from use. This may include stickers on cover, wear to dustcover/missing dustcover, inside cover, spine, slight curled corners, stains, and wear to the fore edge. All orders ship via UPS Mail Innovations. Shipping can take up to 14 business days from first scan to be delivered.
A fascinating account of a strong woman who worked for the British in supporting the French resistance during WWII despite an injury to one foot.
karen w
Jun 19, 2020
Really gripping book - couldn't put it down
This book lived up to the New York Times review on the cover. It was written so as to read more like a novel and definitely not like a dry history. Even so, it is the true story of a remarkable woman and those around her who worked to free France during World War II.
It also is the story of how she was held back by men who were intimidated by her abilities and couldn't admit a woman could be more capable at a task than a man.
It is definitely a good read and will make you think!
