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A Life In Secrets
Vera Atkins and the Lost Agents of SOE
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Check link for latest rating. ( 2,082 ratings, 274 reviews)
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Format: Paperback / softback
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A Life In Secrets
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See moreThe definitive account of an absorbing double mystery: the fates of the missing female SOE agents and the truth about the woman who searched for them
* Review coverage in the national press * Ongoing author activity to include appearances at literary festivals
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Description
During World War Two, the Special Operations Executive's French Section sent more than 400 agents into Occupied France—at least 100 never returned and were reported 'Missing Believed Dead' after the war. Twelve of these were women who died in German concentration camps—some were tortured, some were shot, and some died in the gas chambers.
Vera Atkins had helped prepare these women for their missions, and when the war was over, she went to Germany to find out what happened to them and the other agents lost behind enemy lines. But while the woman who carried out this extraordinary mission appeared quintessentially English, she was nothing of the sort.
Vera Atkins, who never married, covered her life in mystery so that even her closest family knew almost nothing of her past. In A Life In Secrets, Sarah Helm has stripped away Vera's many veils and—with unprecedented access to official and private papers, and the cooperation of Vera's relatives—vividly reconstructed an extraordinary life.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Sarah Helm's work on Vera Atkins has been praised for its meticulous research and gripping narrative, likened to a compelling detective story. Reviewers highlight the surprisingly complex portrayal of Atkins, combining thorough investigation with engaging storytelling that rivals thriller fiction. Helm's biography not only unveils the hidden past of a significant yet enigmatic intelligence officer, but also brings to light the broader historical context, making it a recommended read for those interested in uncovering the intricacies of wartime espionage.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780349119366
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 01 June 2006
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Abacus
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 31.0mm
Width: 126.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 350g
Pages: 496
About the Author
Sarah Helm was a reporter on the SUNDAY TIMES and Diplomatic Editor for the INDEPENDENT before becoming Jerusalem and then Brussels correspondent for the same paper. Now a freelance writer, Sarah was invited to undertake this project by the family of Vera Atkins.
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