The gripping true story of the woman who became the Gestapo’s most wanted spy In the early 1930s, Nancy Wake was a young woman enjoying a bohemian life in Paris. By the end of the Second World War, she was the Gestapo’s most wanted person. As a naïve, young journalist, Nancy Wake witnessed a horrific scene of Nazi violence in a Viennese street. From that moment, she declared that she would do … she declared that she would do everything in her power to rid Europe of the Nazis. What began as a courier job here and there became a highly successful escape network for Allied soldiers, perfectly camouflaged by Nancy’s high-society life in Marseille.
Her network was soon so successful – and so notorious – that she was forced to flee France to escape the Gestapo, who had dubbed her “the white mouse” for her knack of slipping through its traps. But Nancy was a passionate enemy of the Nazis and refused to stay away. Supplying weapons and training members of a powerful underground fighting force, organising Allied parachute drops, cycling four hundred kilometres across a mountain range to find a new transmitting radio – nothing seemed too difficult in her fight against the Nazis. Peter FitzSimons reveals Nancy Wake’s compelling story, a tale of an ordinary woman doing extraordinary things.
For fans of A Woman of No Importance and Code Name: Lise comes the true story behind the historical fiction novels Code Name Helène and Liberation.
more
Loved all the action packed energy that was nancy. About tragic times and people who stepped up to do tough jobs. WW11 stories I have not heard before. A really good read.
Amazing story about a courageous woman who followed her passion and heart to change the world as part of Resistance to free France from the Nazis.
Nancy Wake was a very overt and courageous woman. This book gave me a new insight into how the maquis operated in France during the German occupation. Really enjoyed it.
Nancy Wake is a role model for today’s women. This well written, easily read book details the unusual ands interesting details of a highly decorated WWII French Resistance LEADER. Originally from New Zealand/Australia, Ms. Wake escaped a confining life at home for a life of adventure. Eventually falling in love with a Frenchman, she went on to help establish an early route for downed allied airmen from Vichy France. After having to escape herself, she found her way to to work for Great Britain’s Special Operations Executive. Dropped into France with a radio operator, she went on to become the highest decorated woman of the war, leading a successful Maquis group in strategic successes against the Germans in France.
I highly recommend this book for its’ insights into the operation of the resistance and the incredible personal story of this woman who I believe is a role model for todays woman who aspire to be more.