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A Woman of No Importance

The Untold Story of Virginia Hall, WWII's Most Dangerous Spy - 'Reads like a thriller' (Ben Macintyre)

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A Woman of No Importance

By: Sonia Purnell
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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About this listen

 'A METICULOUS HISTORY THAT READS LIKE A THRILLER' BEN MACINTYRE, TEN BEST BOOKS TO READ ABOUT WORLD WAR II

An astounding story of heroism, spycraft, resistance and personal triumph over shocking adversity.

'A rousing tale of derring-do' THE TIMES * 'Riveting' MICK HERRON * 'Superb' IRISH TIMES

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

In September 1941, a young American woman strides up the steps of a hotel in Lyon, Vichy France. Her papers say she is a journalist. Her wooden leg is disguised by a determined gait and a distracting beauty. She is there to spark the resistance.

By 1942 Virginia Hall was the Gestapo's most urgent target, having infiltrated Vichy command, trained civilians in guerrilla warfare and sprung soldiers from Nazi prison camps. The first woman to go undercover for British SOE, her intelligence changed the course of the war - but her fight was still not over.

This is a spy history like no other, telling the story of the hunting accident that disabled her, the discrimination she fought and the secret life that helped her triumph over shocking adversity.

'A cracking story about an extraordinarily brave woman' TELEGRAPH

'Gripping ... superb ... a rounded portrait of a complicated, resourceful, determined and above all brave woman' IRISH TIMES

WINNER of the PLUTARCH AWARD FOR BEST BIOGRAPHY

***Sonia Purnell's new book KINGMAKER: PAMELA CHURCHILL HARRIMAN'S ASTONISHING LIFE OF SEDUCTION, INTRIGUE AND POWER is out now***©2019 Sonia Purnell Espionage Historical Military True Crime Women Women's Voices War

Critic Reviews

Purnell's account of Hall's hectic, amphetamine-fuelled exploits never falters. It recalls Caroline Moorehead's wonderful book, Village of Secrets, but has an added touch of Ben Macintyre's brio ... A rousing tale of derring-do' (Richard Davenport-Hines)
Soon to be a film starring Daisy Ridley, Purnell's life of the SOE agent Virginia Hall is a cracking story about an extraordinarily brave woman
As gripping as any thriller ... a superb biography ... Purnell nimbly takes the reader through Hall's complicated manoeuvres all over central France and beyond. And in doing so, she paints a rounded portrait of a complicated, resourceful, determined and above all brave woman
Brimming with moving tales of courage in the face of tyranny, this is a worthy tribute to an incredible figure (Deirdre O'Brien)
A cracking story of an extraordinarily brave woman . . . extraordinarily well-researched . . . thrilling (Anne de Courcy)
Excellent . . . Purnell's meticulous research into Hall's life and work has taken her not only through British SOE papers and resistance files in France, but also through nine levels of security at the CIA in Langley
Purnell mixes telling detail with narrative verve to convey both the excitements of Hall's precarious existence and the force of her indomitable spirit
Riveting ... one of the most breath-taking stories yet told of female courage behind enemy lines ... An intimate and moving portrayal
A gripping, relevant and timely read about a remarkable woman from a talented writer
Purnell's extensive research brings the facts of Virginia's life into brilliant focus (Jane Shilling)
With her thriller-writer's style and copious new research, Purnell has written a fitting and moving tribute to an amazing woman
It is easy to see why Hollywood is showing interest in Purnell's account of Hall, an authentic heroine who was also American, disabled and a woman. "Marie" thoroughly deserved her laurels (Max Hastings)
The extraordinary facts of [Hall's] life are brought onto the page here with a well-judged balance of empathy and fine detail. This book is as riveting as any thriller, and as hard to put down (Mick Herron)
Gripping . . . With this book, the true extent of Hall's heroic contribution to the war effort is known at last (Jane Warren)
Impressively researched and compellingly written, this brilliant biography puts Virginia Hall - and her prosthetic leg Cuthbert - back where they belong: right in the heart of resistance history
The remarkable life of the American Second World War spy Virginia Hall is due to get the Hollywood treatment - the Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley is slated to play her on screen. In Hall's biography by Sonia Purnell all the details of her incredible adventures are gathered together for a breath-taking read
All stars
Most relevant
Loved everything about this book. What an extraordinary woman Virginia Hall was: a groundbreaker, a true North Star of righteousness for democracy and freedom. Her story is more important now than ever, given the systemic chiselling away of democracies in the west, worst of all, from within. This American woman would be aghast as the state of her nation today, in 2025. The narration and narrator were also superb. Can’t recommend this book, or praise the author, enough.

A Woman Of Substance, Courage and Charm

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Couldn't stop listening once I'd started. Truly fascinating.
It's seriously hard to believe it really happened. Bravery, loyalty and ingenuity beyond anything you can imagine.

Incredible, hard to believe. an absolute must-read

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A fantastic book about a truly amazing woman who figured heroically as a resistance fighter in France during World War 2. Superbly written and the beautifully read by Juliet Stevenson. I loved it

Outstanding

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Such an amazing woman! A great true story and fab narration…
Well worth a listen

Excellent!

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was always trying to make time to listen to it. A woman with such determination to help the Resistance in France throughout the war.
Joy

A wonderful story of an amazing woman

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