Nancy Wake

I wrote about this book on my book Instagram, otherwise known as bookstagram (follow me here) and I am so happy to share the story of Nancy Wake with you. Here’s how I found out about Nancy: I listened to a My Favorite Murder podcast where they talked about brave women during World War II and it was a really great introduction to some fearless women. The next day, I looked for another podcast to listen to and stumbled upon Criminal Broads where the episode (episode #30) about five Nazi killing women and one of them was Nancy Wake. Fast forward to the next day when I discovered this book is about to be published!

What timing! I knew I had to get my hands on it so I could learn more.

Here’s what you need to know:

‘Of all the variously talented women SOE sent to France, Nancy Wake was perhaps the most formidable’ —Sebastian Faulks

“This is the incredible true story of the greatest spy you’ve never heard of—as told to the author by the woman herself.

At the outbreak of World War Two, Nancy Wake’s glamorous life in the South of France seemed far removed from the fighting. But when her husband was called up for military service, Nancy felt she had just as much of a duty to fight for freedom. By 1943, her fearless undercover work even in the face of personal tragedy had earned her a place on the Gestapo’s ‘most wanted’ list.

Mixing armed combat with a taste for high living, Nancy frustrated the Nazis at every turn—whether she was smuggling food and messages as part of the underground Resistance or being parachuted into the heart of the war to lead a 7,000-strong band of Resistance fighters.

The extraordinary courage of this unequalled woman changed the course of the war, and Russell Braddon’s vividly realized biography brings her incredible story to life.”

The synopsis doesn’t go into much detail but from what I have read, Nancy was actually feared by the Germans and on their Most Wanted list. If you love history, badass women, World War II, then you must get this book!

Read it for FREE with Kindle Unlimited, go here to pre-order, comes out on Nov. 1

What a fantastic lady Nancy Wake is with a remarkable life. I enjoy reading about WW2. She was an incredibile brave woman who took enormous risks to help free France from Nazi

Well worth a read

A story originally brought to publication in 1956 is in this edition, re-introduced to a new generation in what is a detailed and painstakingly researched book.
Nancy Wake’s early life and war exploits are too important to leave out of print. I am grateful for this opportunity to read of her incredible life and have a book of first hand accounts of the war in France from occupation to liberation. (1939-1945).
I have read fictional accounts of female agents and London’s efforts to make the French Resistance a fighting band, focused and D-Day ready. This book rings with the hollow truth of real events in the struggle to keep escape lines open and then equip and train the marauding Maquis.
The book does not delight in the struggle and killing that war brought; it does not dwell on the heroics or pass over the brutality of the conflict. It is about people; it is about a nation never cowered by occupation or fear of reprisals. Ordinary folk who did what they could to face a ruthless foe and young guns who fought in ways that always maintained that struggle.
Nancy Wake initially did what she could as a French Housewife. Later, having escaped to Spain, trained in the U.K. is sent as an agent to lead and galvanise the disparate groups and bands of Maquis in Central France.
I simply found her story compelling reading. I am amazed by her understated courage and determination to do whatever she could to help and support others. Her drive and loyalty won her the respect of those who fought alongside her. Her principals and fearless actions ensured all loved her and why the Germans wanted her killed.
The lasting impression however is that a woman can achieve great things; as demonstrated here in time of war. When initially they were recruited into reserve positions and designated say as nurses - FANYs.
But Nancy’s war shows a more active role, leading men and slugging it out in desperate situations. Her femininity was always in her mind but never placed before others needs and rights. She sometimes adapted and it is never more demonstrated as in her SOE training. Her logic thankfully won out in the field later where male bravado would have cost lives.
Her straight-talking and experiences gained during the initial occupation gave her skills others could never acquire. She put all those learned attributes and gleaned knowledge into all her spy craft.
Her greatest observations were of the French people themselves during these war years. She had a respect for their courage and defiance. This book is as much a tribute to their courage and struggle as it is to the remarkable achievements of this woman Nancy Wake.

Nancy Wake
By Russell Branddon

This was an interesting book about an even more interesting woman. I don’t think Nancy’s life was given justice in the writing style chosen by the author to share it. Nancy Wake was a remarkable woman who chose to face her fears head-on. Rather than making do with what she had, she shared not only her wealth but herself in her war efforts. This book, however, was written “matter of fact” leaving it challenging to feel the trepidation or danger in Nancy’s experiences. She was surely brave but there was little emotion in this retelling. No matter her life was fascinating and interesting to read about.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

I LOVED, LOVED this book. What a great story about a courageous, wonderful, fearless woman during World War II. The writing was simple, easy to understand and a joy to read. This book should be required reading right next to the Diary of Anne Frank.
I am happy and wiser person for reading this magnificent work!

Nancy Wake's story is one of the most incredible of WW2. Born in New Zealand in 1912 and brought up in Australia, she ran away from home at the age of 16 to work as a nurse. Still in her teens she left to travel to New York and then on to London where she trained as a journalist. Working in Paris she met and married the wealthy French Industrialist Henri Fiocca in 1937 and settled into life in Marseilles as a wealthy socialite, improving her French and picking up the local dialect in the markets, including some extremely coarse language. Her journey from there to become one of the most successful members of the French Resistance is the subject of this biography written by Russell Bradden's after he recorded hundreds of hours of interviews with her and the people she worked with in Britain and France.

First published in 1958, this new release has been editorially revised but is still fresh and written with an enthusiasm and delight in telling Nancy's story. After the early days of the German occupation of France when Nancy earned the nickname 'White Mouse' due to fearless carrying of messages by train all over the south the France, it follows her escape through Spain to London and her enrolment and training with the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and then her deployment to France to liase with Britain over parachute drops of personnel and arms in readiness for D-Day.

The book is not dense with military details of the war or occupation but instead focuses mainly on the Auvergne Maquis and its 7,500 members who relied on Nancy for arms and finance as well as for her organizational skills in helping to make them into a well coordinated and resourced force. She faced many dangers bravely and fiercely and her antics became legendary amongst the Maquis. After a narrow escape from the Germans, where her radio operator had to hide his radio and destroy his codes, she famously cycled 500 km in 72h over rough terrain to find another radio operator who could contact London to ask for a replacement radio and codes to be sent. It's a remarkable account of a woman who gave so much to help her beloved France, and lost so much including all her wealth and her husband Henri who was tortured by the Gestapo for refusing to reveal where she was. If this was fiction you would never believe that one woman could have so much courage and accomplish so much. Highly recommended if you want to learn more about this incredible woman and the vital role the Maquis played in resisting the German occupation of France.

I received this book from NetGalley for review purposes and all comments and opinions are my own.
Nancy Wake, an Australian beauty, is caught up in a war she didn't ask for, nor wanted. Her wealth, style and attractiveness allows her to foray into the depths of the French spy game. With training, she becomes a legend in her own time. This tale of daring and resistance is a testimony to the underground at the time period. With extraordinary aplomb, resources and gumption, Nancy Wake earned a reputation for her boots on the ground self-assured manner of service. This book is a good addition to the spy-game nonfiction genre and well worth the read. It has humor and amazing attention to details of the war that keep the book moving and not wallowing in loss upon loss as war time books tend to do. I highly recommend this book to lovers of the genre. Well written and researched, adventurous and poignant, humorous and filled with daring adventure; add this to your to-be-read list for next year.

Nancy Wake was an amazing woman, one whose courage and tenacity is legendary. I have previously read The Autobiography Of The Woman The Gestapo Called The White Mouse, of which I have an autographed copy; Nancy Wake by Russell Braddon is much the same with perhaps more clinical details, as Russell’s book was originally published in 1985, and told to him by Nancy herself.

Nancy’s early years – born in New Zealand, brought up in Australia – culminated in her meeting her to be husband, Henri Fiocca, in Paris. Loving her adopted country, Nancy and Henri lived happily, spending Henri’s wealth with reckless abandon, until the event of the second World War when Henri was called up for military service. So began Nancy’s life as the most wanted woman on the German’s lists. Trained in London, her fearless undercover work was soon well known. Nancy led over seven thousand Resistance fighters – the Maquis – as they stalled the Germans, frustrating them wherever Nancy and her fighters went…

Nancy Wake by Aussie author Russell Braddon is a well written biography of one of the most talented and formidable women who worked silently and unassumingly during the war. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Nancy Wake by Russell Braddon is an excellent biography of a strong, intelligent, fearless woman that helped the Resistance in France during WWII. Nancy had everything to lose, had already lost so much personally, and yet her will for right and just was something that we should all remember as this courage, selflessness l, and strength knows no limit to time and place.

I already knew a great deal about Nancy, but this book helped create a better image of her life overall to what facts I had already researched from past nonfiction pieces. It was excellent to read about such an amazing woman.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

This was a very enjoyable book about a very courageous woman during WW11. I had never heard of Nancy Wake before and became so interested in her life, that i read more about her on the internet. So pleased to have had the opportunity to read this book.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, which i have voluntarily given.

Really good read. I had never heard of Nancy Wake. Her strength and bravery was amazing and definitely worth reading about.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Nancy Wake is a biography of one of WWII's greatest womem spies. This is her story of how she outsmarted the z
Nazi's and helped win the war, on her own terms. Brave and daring Nancy Wake was a true heroine. I loved this book and enjoyed reading about the courage of this brave woman.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

WoW What a Woman!

I first read about Nancy Wake in 1985, when my grandad found a very old version Nancy Wake by Russell Braddon in his cupboard in his home and I enjoyed reading this book back then and having a long conversation about her and the Second World war, So when I saw this book about Nancy Wake by Russell Braddon I just had to read this remarkable true Story of an incredible woman again.
Shame my grandad is not here now, so we can have an another conversation about her like we did back in 1985. Nancy was born in New Zealand in 1912, but raised in Australia. Nancy ran away from hime at the young age of sixteen to become a nurse. She then she left to travel to New York and then on to London where she trained as a journalist. Then traveled to Paris where she met and married her husband a wealthy French Industrialist Henri Fiocca November 30th 1939. They moved to the South of France.
The outbreak of the World War Two Nancy and Henri were enjoying the glamorous life together. Her beloved Husband was called up for military service and Nancy felt she had just a duty to help out in the war as her Husband and fight for everyones freedom. Nancy was fearless and in 1943 was doing under cover work and she earned her place on the Gestapo's most wanted list!!!
Nancy carried on mixing with the high live and living and this frustrated the Nazis at every turn. She smuggled food and secret messages to the underground Resistance etc. She was a wanted Woman by many.

This is an extraordinary courage of a fearless incredible woman who changed the course of the war. Russell Braddon’s vividly realised biography brings her incredible story to life.

Just a brilliant book and I highly recommend this book, for people who love reading about history, culture, and courage of strong woman who were involved in the Second World War

5 star read and I so enjoyed re reading this ago after all these years of learning about her from my Beloved Grandad,

Big Thank You to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

I very much enjoy books set in this time period. I had never heard of Nancy Wake so I was quite interested to hear her story. Well written and enjoyable.

I had heard about Nancy Wake from earlier reading a book about her so I wanted to know more. I can honestly say that she was an extremely brave lady fighting the Gestapo in The Second World War. This book told me more and I do recommend that you read this book if you are interested in the war

At times it’s a bit listy but to read a non-fic about Nancy Wake and to hear about her amazing achievements, many of it in her own words is probably the only true way to gain an understanding of the stoicism and heroic nature of such a formidable woman.
I’m excited to see what the forthcoming film does in relation to this, which is what feels like a realistic and true account. I love that this is an old book reissued written by someone who interviewed her and not a modern retelling.

An incredible book that oftentimes read like fiction! Nancy Wake was an inspiring woman and I loved learning more about her. I didn't know much other than her name going in and enjoyed learning about her. Definitely recommend!

This book was an amazing testament to an amazing lady Nancy Fiocca. Everyone should read this book and thank her for her bravery, sacrifice and fearlessness in France during WW2. I have heard of Violette Szabo who was a very brave woman, but I believe Nancy's story eclipses all other SOE womens's experiences. She should be feted more than she is, as she was quite simply incredible and we all owe her a huge debt of thanks. It was additionally a very interesting and well written biography.

Nancy Wake: World War Two's Most Rebellious Spy
by
Russell Braddon

4 Stars

Nancy Wake is a biography/war memoir that reads like a thriller. Highly recommended!

I already know Nancy Wake - as a New Zealander (like me), a war heroine and from the Biography written by Peter Fitzsimmons. So I was unsure what this "new" book written by Russell Braddon would bring me. Actually it turns out Russell's book was written long before Peter's. First published in 1958 by Pan, it has been re-released on an electronic platform, many years after Russell had died.
Also note there are several other books written about Nancy, who was known as "The White Mouse". Her fearless undercover work, even in the face of personal tragedy, earned her a place on the Gestapo’s ‘most wanted’ list.
Nancy spent time with the author Russell Braddon, retelling her war time resistance stories, often in her unassuming and to the point way. The result being a fast paced tale of Nancy's war time years, rather than an in-depth biography of her entire life. The lively narrative of her exploits keeps you coming back for more.
At the outbreak of World War Two, Nancy Wake’s glamorous life in the South of France seemed far removed from the fighting. But when her rich husband Henri Fiocca was called up for military service, Nancy felt she had just as much of a duty to fight for freedom. Henri fully supported her and paid large amounts of his personal wealth to support the network she became part of.
Nancy frustrated the Nazis at every turn smuggling food and messages along the south of France network. Eventually she realised it was time for her to leave Henri and France, as she was being watched and at great risk. After six escape attempts, Nancy reached Britain—where she promptly became one of the 39 women to join the British Special Operations Executive. Parachuted back into France, she became the leader of a 7,000-strong branch of the Maquis who are part of the underground Resistance.
Nancy Wake was a larger than life woman of immense resilience and fortitude. I wish I had known her! She is is quoted as saying about her story:
"Don't you dare," she commanded me [the author], "write me one of those miserable war books full of horror. My war was filled with laughter and people I loved."
Thanks to Little A and NetGalley for the chance to read this advanced copy

With the activities of the wartime SOE coming increasingly under the spotlight these days... to put it bluntly, "female spies are hip again!".... the tale of Nancy Wake is one that is guaranteed to thrill and intrigue. As with so many of her fellows, her story is one of undiluted heroism - even when she isn't in action, the knowledge that she soon will be keeps the reader hovering somewhere between anticipation and dread, while the story itself would make a magnificent movie. Or, better still, a sixties-style comic book. And the writers would not need to make up a single detail.

Nancy Wake was a fascinating woman. She was living in France when the Germans invaded and quickly got involved in the resistance movement. Ostensibly a respectable woman, married to a wealthy French business man, she used this as a cover to travel around France delivering messages, sheltering escaped prisoners and refugees and forming escape routes for them. The Gestapo called her 'The White Mouse' due to her elusiveness.

Her story is very engaging, however the writing is not. It's told in a very clunky style and as a result, I never felt emotionally attached to the story, which is a shame. It is easy to read despite this, and I did enjoy learning about her life.

i thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Nancy Wake, it was interesting to learn about a person that I never heard of before.

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to review this book. I admit in my joy at joining NetGalley I may have been overzealous in my requesting numbers. As this book has already been published, I am choosing to work on the current upcoming publish date books in my que. As I complete those I will work on my backlogged request and will provide a review at that time. I again send my sincere thanks and apologies.

Nancy Wake moved to Sydney as a young child from New Zealand, she was a brilliant student at school and hated having to help at home. Once she was an adult, Nancy decided to go on a world tour and she worked as a freelance journalist.

France 1930’s, she met steel industrialist Henri Fiocca, and despite the threat of another war, the couple marry on the 30th of November 1939. Henri wanted Nancy to be a lady of leisure, they owned a beautiful house in Marseilles, Nancy wanted to learn to drive and a skill she used during the war.

Nancy worked as an ambulance driver, she took special train journeys from Marseilles to Cannes and back again. This was the start of Nancy living a double life, when Henri was called up to fight and she wanted to do more. Nancy made her way to England, here she was trained and became a Special Operations Executive. Nancy was dropped in to France, she used the name Madame Andree Joubert and her code name was Helene. Nancy soon gained a reputation for being fearless, she remained cool under pressure, was a natural leader, she liked to have fun, had a wicked sense of humor and she was only twenty seven.

Despite the bounty on her head, Nancy managed to invade being captured, and towards the end of the war, she and over seven thousand resistance fighters made life extremely difficult for the Germans. In the Auvergne area of France, they planned their successful raids, blew up railway lines and buildings, attacked convoys, and their job was to keep the Germans busy and as the allies slowly advanced towards Paris.

Nancy Wake’s biography by Russell Braddon was originally written in 1956, with her permission and input. Nancy was an extremely brave, courageous and selfless woman and she received many accolades and medals after the war. Looking back at what she'd achieved, Nancy was proud of feeding hundreds of hungry people during the war, the lifelong friends that she made with her fellow resistance fighters, the lady they called Gert and she did what she felt she had to do!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK in exchange for an honest review, the most inspiring and interesting biography I have the pleasure of reading and five stars from me.

While I was looking forward to reading this book and learning about Nancy Wake, I felt like the writing was stilted. It did not flow and did not keep my attention. That made me sad because Nancy Wake was an amazing woman. Her role, along with that of many other women in the SOE, was inspiring. Her life was filled with risks and her willingness to be such an integral part of the resistance against Hitler’s role in so many atrocities was nothing short of admirable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little A for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Russell Braddon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Braddon is the author of nearly 30 books and novels. _Nancy Wake: World War Two’s Most Rebellious Spy _was first published in 1956, then republished in 2019.

I categorize this book/novel as G. This is the interesting story of Nancy Grace Augusta Wake. She was born in New Zealand, then grew up in Australia. In 1939 as the threat of war was gathering in Europe, she was 27 and living in Marseille, France. She had just married the French industrialist Henri Fiocca who was 14 years her senior.

After France fell to the Germans, Wake became involved with the resistance. She helped downed Allied pilots escape the Germans and return to the UK through Spain. Wake developed a reputation with the German Gestapo and was known by them as the White Mouse. When the Germans began closing in on her, she escaped through Spain to the UK. Her husband was not so lucky. He was arrested by the Gestapo and executed.

After she had arrived in the UK, she was recruited by the SOE in 1943 and became a FANY. In early 1944 she parachuted into France as part of an SOE Team. The team worked with the Maquis in preparation for the D-Day landings in Normandy. Following the end of the war in Europe, Wake was awarded several medals in recognition of her war efforts.

I enjoyed the 8+ hours I spent reading this 281-page WWII history. This is mostly a biography of Nancy (Wake) Fiocca. As the title implies, she was a woman who did not always take to authority. She was also often audacious in her life, especially in her dealings with the German occupiers. I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).