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shannonoliviaax's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
rosemwood's review
3.0
This was told in 3rd person and it felt like I was reading a text book. It was broken down into 12 chapters that focused on each phase of her life and career. I wish this was written in a different style because I find Virginia Hall to be a very interesting person and this book some how made her sound uninteresting.
jennette_danyelle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
plumjam's review
3.0
This book should be interesting, and in some ways, it is. It's about one of the historical figures lost with time despite their significance, after all. But man...this was a drag to get through. I read up to the halfway point before giving up (that and my library loan expired- I felt no desire to extend it). I can't figure out why I was so bored listening to the audiobook. There's a lot of interesting details here. I've seen other reviews blaming the delivery for this problem and I think I agree. The writing falls flat. It's a shame.
ars410's review against another edition
fast-paced
5.0
Fascinating and compelling, an incredible portrait of an almost unknown force in WWII. You can tell the author is fascinated herself, writing in such a way that sometimes it felt like I was reading a spy novel instead of non-fiction. At times devastating and others frustrating (who wouldn't be frustrated by the men in charge ignoring a woman more experienced than them?), but always interesting. I'm glad I finally picked this one up.
yrc's review
4.0
4.5 stars rating
This book was absolutely fantastic, especially the audio version I listened to. I heard about it somewhere online for the first time, and it deserved so much more love than it gets!
Think in the vein of Unbroken, but a 30 year old gutsy American woman named Virginia Hall, who also happened to be missing her left leg and pulled off some of the most dangerous missions in occupied France during WW2 plus scaling unfathomable Icy mountains in the dead of winter.
Instead of just marrying and settling down to start a family as was expected of her, and despite so many obstacles in her way both bureaucratic and misogynestic, Virginia started out as an assistant and became gradually the organizer, instructor and leader of French resistance in its early stages without any background to give her (as there was barely any experience to offer).
Later in the game, and despite being known both in real name and apperence to many Axis agents, she even came back and helped more, though after the war was again put aside over most men in the CIA and their overlarge egos.
What truly amazed me besides her unbelievable bravery was her refusal to receive official recognition, and how well she treated other people no matter the circumstances and risks. It seems that to Virginia, as long as you were accepting of her instruction, willing to make an effort and fight for France, she'd help you.
While she did go mostly unrecognized after the war, Purnell's recount has gained her more support and recognition, which is in my mind obviously very deserving. The only quibble I had was when the author said Virginia thought something without it being recorded in some way, but not all information is available.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves underdog stories and historical account that read or sounds as epic thrillers despite being nonfiction!
decided to go into the field and became the most daring allied spy in the country. The numerous risks she took, people she helped and others that ecided to go on the most contagious espionage ploys in Pete's Frnacg
This book was absolutely fantastic, especially the audio version I listened to. I heard about it somewhere online for the first time, and it deserved so much more love than it gets!
Think in the vein of Unbroken, but a 30 year old gutsy American woman named Virginia Hall, who also happened to be missing her left leg and pulled off some of the most dangerous missions in occupied France during WW2 plus scaling unfathomable Icy mountains in the dead of winter.
Instead of just marrying and settling down to start a family as was expected of her, and despite so many obstacles in her way both bureaucratic and misogynestic, Virginia started out as an assistant and became gradually the organizer, instructor and leader of French resistance in its early stages without any background to give her (as there was barely any experience to offer).
Later in the game, and despite being known both in real name and apperence to many Axis agents, she even came back and helped more, though after the war was again put aside over most men in the CIA and their overlarge egos.
What truly amazed me besides her unbelievable bravery was her refusal to receive official recognition, and how well she treated other people no matter the circumstances and risks. It seems that to Virginia, as long as you were accepting of her instruction, willing to make an effort and fight for France, she'd help you.
While she did go mostly unrecognized after the war, Purnell's recount has gained her more support and recognition, which is in my mind obviously very deserving. The only quibble I had was when the author said Virginia thought something without it being recorded in some way, but not all information is available.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves underdog stories and historical account that read or sounds as epic thrillers despite being nonfiction!
decided to go into the field and became the most daring allied spy in the country. The numerous risks she took, people she helped and others that ecided to go on the most contagious espionage ploys in Pete's Frnacg