A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of Virginia Hall, WWII's Most Dangerous Spy
Mar 2019 · Hachette UK
4.6star
7 reviewsreport
Ebook
416
Pages
family_home
Eligible
info
reportRatings and reviews aren’t verified Learn More
About this ebook
'A METICULOUS HISTORY THAT READS LIKE A THRILLER' BEN MACINTYRE, TEN BEST BOOKS TO READ ABOUT WORLD WAR II
An astounding story of heroism, spycraft, resistance and personal triumph over shocking adversity.
'A rousing tale of derring-do' THE TIMES * 'Riveting' MICK HERRON * 'Superb' IRISH TIMES
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
In September 1941, a young American woman strides up the steps of a hotel in Lyon, Vichy France. Her papers say she is a journalist. Her wooden leg is disguised by a determined gait and a distracting beauty. She is there to spark the resistance.
By 1942 Virginia Hall was the Gestapo's most urgent target, having infiltrated Vichy command, trained civilians in guerrilla warfare and sprung soldiers from Nazi prison camps. The first woman to go undercover for British SOE, her intelligence changed the course of the war - but her fight was still not over.
This is a spy history like no other, telling the story of the hunting accident that disabled her, the discrimination she fought and the secret life that helped her triumph over shocking adversity.
'A cracking story about an extraordinarily brave woman' TELEGRAPH
'Gripping ... superb ... a rounded portrait of a complicated, resourceful, determined and above all brave woman' IRISH TIMES
WINNER of the PLUTARCH AWARD FOR BEST BIOGRAPHY
An astounding story of heroism, spycraft, resistance and personal triumph over shocking adversity.
'A rousing tale of derring-do' THE TIMES * 'Riveting' MICK HERRON * 'Superb' IRISH TIMES
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
In September 1941, a young American woman strides up the steps of a hotel in Lyon, Vichy France. Her papers say she is a journalist. Her wooden leg is disguised by a determined gait and a distracting beauty. She is there to spark the resistance.
By 1942 Virginia Hall was the Gestapo's most urgent target, having infiltrated Vichy command, trained civilians in guerrilla warfare and sprung soldiers from Nazi prison camps. The first woman to go undercover for British SOE, her intelligence changed the course of the war - but her fight was still not over.
This is a spy history like no other, telling the story of the hunting accident that disabled her, the discrimination she fought and the secret life that helped her triumph over shocking adversity.
'A cracking story about an extraordinarily brave woman' TELEGRAPH
'Gripping ... superb ... a rounded portrait of a complicated, resourceful, determined and above all brave woman' IRISH TIMES
WINNER of the PLUTARCH AWARD FOR BEST BIOGRAPHY
Ratings and reviews
4.6
7 reviews
Vanessa Adams
- Flag inappropriate
November 3, 2024
A woman whose courage, intelligence, determination and devotion to duty lead her to achieve astounding feats. Her story reads like an action thriller and could easily become a major hit movie. This is a fascinating insight into the secret battles of WWII in France and around Europe. The author Sonia Purcell brings her meticulous research to life with great empathy, sometimes bringing the reader to cheers and tears.
About the author
Sonia Purnell is an author, journalist and broadcaster. Her first book, Just Boris, was longlisted for the Orwell Prize; her second, First Lady, was shortlisted for the Plutarch Prize. Sonia writes for several newspapers and is a regular broadcaster in Britain and abroad. She lives in London.
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
