A Dangerous Woman is an indepth look at Florence Gould's life. It was a very interesting read. She was an active participant in the political and social circles of France and Germany. She interacted with the movers and shakers of the era. It was interesting to read the value of her estate. The Gould Foundation refused to give the author access to their archives, but she managed to produce a good biography based on the sources she utilized.

Florence Gould was a wealthy socialite, running in circles with Hollywood stars, politicians and famous writers. She was also a Nazi collaborator. This was an interesting , well -written story of an amoral woman and her life.

The title says it all: American beauty, noted philanthropist, Nazi collaborator. This is a compelling, well written tale of a vain, money-grasping woman, who constantly re-invented herself to suit the moment. Author Susan Ronald does well with the material at hand to unpick the intricately woven pieces of Florence's life as there is still much documentation that is kept under lock and key, and thus inaccessible to the author.

Susan Ronald describes this elusive woman as one who "craved significance", had an insatiable "lust for phenomenal wealth", and a seemingly bottomless desire "be be loved". Ronald says that these three elements were "the driving forces behind who she was and what she did".

Indeed, much of Florence's earlier life was devoted to being the centre of attention, and acquiring wealth, through means honourable and not so honourable. It was finally with her marriage to millionaire Frank Gould that the couple were able to build their "entertainment empire" on the French Riviera and in Monaco, and give to Florence what she craved most - wealth. And it was through a steady stream on influential lovers during the German occupation of France that Florence was able to maintain her position; she carried on as if the 'war and occupation were inconveniences to be overcome". Her unparalleled freedom to move throughout France during the occupation that was to later give rise to rumour, scandal, and charges of collaboration and treason. Much post-WWII scandal had no affect on her later philanthropic activities as a major donor to the Metropolitan Museum.

As one reviewer noted, maybe money can buy happiness.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with this book for a fair review.

This story just was not for me. I could not get interested in this woman or her life in either San Francisco or Europe. I tried but could not finish.

Quick read for me couldn't put it down. Many names that I knew and some that I didn't. Can't wait for this book to come out so I can share it with me book club.