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.
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Truth be told, I had this book in my library for quite a while before I had the chance to read the soon to be released historical fiction, Code Name Hélène. It was a Book Bub deal, which I just can’t say no to! So many books, so little time!
After reading this biography, I wavered with feeling the need to revise my review of Code Name Hélène. In the end, I have decided to let it stand on its own merits, as historical fiction.
I will say that if you get a chance to read either, read this one, or at least read it first. FitzSimons extensively interviewed Nancy, and his book is based on her version of events, in her own words. She was such an amazing woman, it’s hard to comprehend the need to fictionalize parts of her life. When I read Code Name Hélène, I thought the fictional parts would be limited to things such as conversations or feelings in order to tell the story in a more emotive manner. However, Code Name Hélène adds fictional characters that change the story completely, as well as fictionalizing situations so they no longer resemble actual events. In the end, I feel Nancy Wake was larger than life to begin with and didn’t need to be sensationalized. What an incredibly amazing woman!
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Story of a brilliant woman who was a major player for the Allies in WWII. She was Australian, and worked with the French Resistance, making huge contributions to winning the war aguthe Germans.
What an inspiring woman Nancy Wake was. There were a number of laugh-out-loud incidents; however, it was also absolutely unnerving at times. Any WWII buffs should read it.
Extraordinary woman. Well written.
This woman was a heroic character in WWII and no one has heard of her. I enjoy non fiction heros and heroines when the story is well told.
A fascinating story. Not particularly well written but worth reading.
The individuals who worked “underground” against the Nazis during WWII were so innovative, clever, daring and brave.. Nancy Wake was at the top of the list. We’ll never see the likes of her generation again. Kudos!
An interesting piece of history. Great read
An excellent read of a true story.
I would have enjoyed this book more except for too many explicit unnecessary to the story lines! Nancy Wake was a great woman working in the resistance movement in WW2. Great story, just too raunchy for me to recommend.
What a brave person who put her life at risk working with the resistance movement in France during WWII. Smart and daring.
This is the true story of a member of the French Resistance during WWII. Nancy came to spy work in a non-traditional way, and ended up reinventing herself several times over her lifetime. The author had a chance to meet her toward the end of her life, and so could add some personal observations as well. She was truly one of a kind.
Couldn’t put it down.
Absolutely absorbing! Characters are are so real that you feel you are right there with them.
What a wonderful story. She was so brave and daring.
This is a riveting account of the life of a fascinating woman. Nancy chose to take charge of her life well very young. Her Devil May care attitude contributed to the substantial role she played in the French resistance. I had never heard of her before Picking up this book. How many other unsung heroes are hiding out there waiting for me to discover?
Interesting history. Shines a light on The bravery of the French Resistance in World War II.
This story of a true-life hero in the form of a woman is so inspiring! She was so courageous and faced danger with a steel spine. Everyone should read her incredible story!
I loved it. What an interesting woman and what a life she lived. Just seems so incredibly scaring to be a spy. Think I would be caught in a second.
Written like a novel, this biography is written on the heels of others telling the story of decorated WWII Australian resistance fighter for the French and British. Born poor, married wealthy, Nancy Wake’s story reads like James Bond from the French Riviera to the dangerous French trenches she leads and excels in disrupting NAZI plans. I had never heard of her and now, I won’t forget her.