Nancy Wake

By: Peter FitzSimons

Narrated by: Stephanie Daniel

In the early 1930s, Nancy Wake was a young woman enjoying a bohemian life in Paris. By the end of the Second World War, she was the Gestapo's most wanted person. As a naive, young journalist, Nancy Wake witnessed a horrific scene of Nazi violence in a Viennese street. From that moment, she declared that she would do everything in her power to rid Europe of the Nazis. What began as a courier job here and there became a highly successful escape network for Allied soldiers, perfectly camouflaged by Nancy's high-society life in Marseille. Her network was soon so successful - and so notorious - that she was forced to flee France to escape the Gestapo, who had dubbed her 'the white mouse' for her knack of slipping through its traps. But Nancy was a passionate enemy of the Nazis and refused to stay away. Supplying weapons and training members of a powerful underground fighting force, organising Allied parachute drops, cycling four hundred kilometres across a mountain range to find a new transmitting radio - nothing seemed too difficult in her fight against the Nazis. Peter FitzSimons reveals Nancy Wake's compelling story, a tale of an ordinary woman doing extraordinary things.©2001 Peter FitzSimons and Nancy Wake. Peter Fitzsimons asserts his moral right to be identified as the author of this Work. First published by HarperCollinsPublishers Australia Pty Limited in. This audio version produced by arrangement with HarperCollinsPublishers Australia Pty Limited. (P)2010 Bolinda Publishing

Nancy Wake

Such an amazing woman for her time. Her sheer bravery and spirit of mateship and battling for the underdog is so typical of many of Australia's great characters but what made this all the more remarkable is that she was a young, energetic woman who made a stand and fought for what she believed in at huge personal cost. That her story is so largely unknown to mainstream Australia is a shame and deserves to be told. The author wrote with such feminine insight that it was a joy to listen to and he really captured the essence of the gutsy woman that was Nancy Wake. Her end in London was so sad with little recognition from Australia for her truly remarkable war contributions. I hope her recent death reinvigorates interest in her story. She is a national treasure that we should have great pride in.

Perfectly read. Entertaining

This is a fantastic story that kept me enthralled for the duration. Loved it. Read beautifully, good voice. Definitely recommend.

Found this book after reading Trapeze

What made the experience of listening to Nancy Wake the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed listening to Trapeze, but it was fictional. I wanted to find a real story about a real British SOE in France. Nancy Wake came up in Google. A great find. Like Trapeze, the main figure did not display Judeo-Christian moral principles as it pertains to her love life/relationships. Yet her moral principles in all other respects were very tenaciously high. Her conviction in freedom and justice for all was her drive. She says she did not believe in God because her over zealous mother who suffered from depression and always had her nose in the Bible continued to tell Nancy she was going to go to Hell for not being more obedient etc.It was the best book I have read in a while.

Extremely interesting and enlightening story about the French Resistance and a woman who was fearless.

I enjoyed the fast paced story and hearing about her ability to get ahead in the world usually dominated by men. She likely saved many lives both directly and indirectly by helping the war to end more quickly. The narrator was enjoyable to listen to and author did a good job on the story.

A great story of courage, inspiring for any age!

Where does Nancy Wake rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

My husband and I brought this book along on our 1000 mile trip with my 87 year old parents. We couldn't wait to get on the road after our rest stops to find out what happens to Nancy. The story was truly inspirational, the reader was easy to understand and her accents and characters were spot on. There aren't many books that I can listen to that interest my husband (a history buff) and my parents (the WWII generation). This was great. This book is in my top 10 list.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Nancy Wake?

The solo bike ride through Nazi-held country was a physical and mental ordeal. I can't think of many people who could have accomplished this.

What about Stephanie Daniel’s performance did you like?

Her voice is clear and her style fit the atmosphere of the book, from funny moments to the ordeals of warfare - equally wonderful.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Nancy Wake's life was amazing full of life and death and every emotion in between.

Any additional comments?

Don't miss this amazing story. I did some research while we were listening to this book which added to our admiration of this woman and all those who struggled against the Nazis.