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whatvictoriaread's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
klg30's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book but it dragged on and on in so many parts. I kept having to put it down and give it a rest. It was great reading about Christine and her career, and definitely felt her anger at a lot of men trying to decide for her what she would do. The author would go on random tangents for paragraphs about another person that did not really add to Christine’s story at all. There were entire pages of WWII history and battles that yes described the war that she fought but again wasn’t adding to her story (or could have been greatly condensed.)
theatomicblonde22's review against another edition
5.0
I've had this book on my Amazon wish list for 3 years, and I finally decided to download the audiobook after listening to a podcast about the amazing life and tragic death of Krystyn Skarbeck. It amazes me that there hasn't been a film made about her life (at least in the last decade that I know of) - sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction. If someone pitched a WWII spy thriller with a main heroine who's life resembled Krystyn's even the most seasoned Hollywood producer would say it's unbelievable.
sara_collier's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the story but ultimately would probably have prefered to watch a 60-90 minute documentary rather than go into every tiny detail in the book.
daisyq's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating look at a dramatic life; Christine Granville is such an interesting person. Well-written, this book covers her life in real depth. It also provides interesting history of Poland's part in WWII and the post-war mistreatment of both the country and its people who fought.
irishannie's review against another edition
3.0
This book was hard to read because of the many characters going in and out. I really am ignorant about World War II. I knew that Hitler invaded Poland. I didn't know that Roosevelt and Churchill agreed to Russian's annexation of Poland even before the war was over. No one helped the Polish Resistance fighters because Stalin wanted the Germans to kill them. After Stalin got Poland, he did try to eliminate the rest of the Resistance . . . another instance of man's inhumanity.
martha_schwalbe's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed Christine Granville's story, as well as getting a different perspective on World War II that I learned in school. I'm not sure I'll be able to sit with students now and keep my mouth shut when they're reading about the war.
My one disappointment was not knowing more about what Christine actually did. Perhaps this information is classified somewhere.
I would recommend this book to people who like to read about history.
My one disappointment was not knowing more about what Christine actually did. Perhaps this information is classified somewhere.
I would recommend this book to people who like to read about history.
bookmarkedbyfi's review against another edition
4.0
I read biographies even less than I read nonfiction, but this book was incredible. Though slow at parts, it painted a beautiful and almost unbelievable portrait of Christine’s life. I recommend it to anyone interested in women during WWII
eileen9311's review against another edition
3.0
This was an extremely thorough account of the life of Christine Granville, a Polish Jew who became the first woman to work for the British SOE during World War II. Outfitted in the old wooden skies of yore, she skied over treacherous mountain terrain into occupied Poland, and was parachuted behind enemy lines in France. Amazing courage, indomitable physical endurance, and extremely quick wits all contributed to Christine’s brilliant wartime record. Intrepid determination combined with prevailing optimism, enabling her to power through seemingly hopeless situations. Christine was both beautiful and alluring, and had no intention of allowing her war time exploits to interfere with a colorful and varied love life. As well, she used her charms to great advantage where the enemy was concerned, distracting, flirting shamelessly, and blindsiding the unsuspecting. I must confess I found the foreign names confusing and difficult to keep straight, early on, and I did a bit of skimming. Hers is a story that had to be told and it is told well here. I feel compelled to try and appreciate immensity of the risks and sacrifices of such valiant forbearers. Along the same vein, Nancy Wake, by Peter Fitzsimons, is a riveting account of a similarly brave and beautiful Resistance fighter.