Nancy Wake

By: Peter FitzSimons

Narrated by: Stephanie Daniel

Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2002 Peter Fitzsimons (P)2010 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Leran something new every day

Nancy Wake was an eye opener to the sacrifices being made during WWII. I new little of the French Resistance until I read this book.

Very moving

A very powerful story of the courage and bravery of a very determined woman during a time that many wish that we could remove from our history entirely.

A Brave Woman

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, This is the history and one brave womens fight for our country.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nancy

Which character – as performed by Stephanie Daniel – was your favorite?

Nancy

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

Nothing but extreme pride in what this woman did for our country

Any additional comments?

There was so much that we didn't know about how horrific that war was and the brutality of the German Soldiers. It make's me wonder if History will repeat it's self. It sure looks like it.

A true hero

Amazing story. Great narration. Peter Fitzsimons has done a fantastic job of writing a biography of a truly heroic woman. Couldn't stop listening.

Truth is more powerrful, in this case, than fictio

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I used my credit based on the multiple positive reviews. What I discovered was a true story of a truly amazing woman, flawed like the rest of us, but also with amazing courage, integrity, and resolve to do what was right, in unimaginable circumstances. I am so glad I purchased this book, or I never would have known of this amazing story. In our current society, where people tend to worship celebrities, it is so sad that people do not read about true heroism and those people, like Nancy Wake. It is these people, that we should all be aware of, and look up to, as our role models. The story of an amazing woman who saved many during World War II through her work in the French Resistance.

What other book might you compare Nancy Wake to and why?

Unbroken, because Nancy never quit, just like Mr Zamperini.

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't think I would describe it as having scenes, as it was more of a biography.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Many of them,

Unknown hero

This story of Nancy Wake made me wonder why I knew nothing about her. It made me wish my children and grandchildren had been taught about her. I wondered why she wasn't a hero to women everywhere. She was a woman who witnessed atrocities in another part of the world and devoted her life to fighting that evil, often on her own. It has been a few years since I listened to this but I think of Nancy often and am in awe of her bravery.

EXCITING, INSPIRING STORY WELL WRITTEN, WELL READ

I simply can't figure why other reviewers didn't give this book five stars -- times three! It is well written, tells a wonderful story about a most interesting woman, and the narrator is top drawer! I had heard of Nancy Wake but had not had a chance to learn more about her. For sure she was not just another pretty face. We know from the book that -- beauty aside -- she was extremely bright, she could hold liquor better than most men, and she had tremendous physical vitality. Many of us are pretty or want to leave home. Many of us are disciplined, neat, methodical. There was a lot more to Nancy, however. She was brilliant with languages. I studied Spanish but certainly had no smart comments when while standing in the Madrid Metro during the mini-skirt era I endured a young Spaniard putting his cold hands up my legs! Nancy would have come up with some pithy saying. She could tell a Frenchman in his own language "how the cow ate the cabbage"!

I really felt for Nancy when she made her terrible bicycle trip. So tired she could not pedal another turn. And yet she did. Somehow. I also admired her devotion to "her" men. I have some basis for comparison. As a junior officer, I used to give 19-year-old troops their security briefing like a big sister telling them where not to go in town, not to brag, not to blab, etc. etc. I was privy to the incident reports, some of which were sickening and gruesome. They had tested high and were being trained for special jobs. I reminded them of this, that each was valuable! But Nancy took this so far, and not as a big sister or mom, but as their leader! In a time decades before women's lib, she did her job without any sexy business. According to the book, she adored some of the men in particular, but drew a clear line through the murk. I came along three decades after Nancy and found it difficult to do a job without worrying whether I was thought pretty! Amazing lady!

The male author supplies delicious details, and the female narrator enjoys relating them. I want to say, too, that the narrator's French and German sound virtually native to me. I have lived in Germany and studied both languages through my school years. It is painful to hear an otherwise quite good narrator struggle with a foreign language. Certainly not here.

It's a beautiful book, a great listen. I only wish we could be shown the pictures of Nancy with her husbands and comrads. Pictures would complete the story. I have friends who are hard of hearing and don't own a kindle. The print book is nearly impossible to acquire. How about it, Amazon?????

Who The "BLEEP" is Nancy Wake??

Like (I assume) many of you reading this review, I had never heard of Nancy Wake before coming across this book. What a find! Her story was fascinating.

If you enjoy stories set in WW2 like I do, you'll enjoy this captivating biography of "The White Mouse" as she was referred to by the Gestapo.

She served as a British agent during the later part of World War Two and became a leading figure in the Maquis groups of the French Resistance. Up until this point, I thought the Maquis was a rebel group of space fighters (Chakotay, Seska and B'Elanna) battling against the Cardassians! HA! How stupid do I feel now?

Many people feel that the author's writing style was too humorous and therefore inappropriate but I disagree. I think the slightly dry, sarcastic tone fits the character perfectly! No nonsense, straight forward, not afraid to call a spade a spade. I enjoyed the writing style very much.

Can't believe I didn't know her name.

This is one of those cases where you read about someone who really impacted history and you're astounded that you've never heard of them before. What a pity that is. Nancy Wake's life during WWII needs to be a movie.

I loved this book. No, the writing isn't fabulous. Nor is the narration. But the heroine is so wonderful it outshines everything. She's just a marvelous character - perhaps born too early for a world that wasn't quite ready for her.

It struck me just how bad we are at integrating veterans back into society once they've made their contribution. Many have lead exciting lives doing impossible things in the face of great danger and yet we expect them to be able to come back into a humdrum world and be fine. Her explanation of life after the war illustrates it perfectly. And her story proves that one woman can make a huge difference.

Wonderful read!

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

My favourite audiobook of all time! What a character she was!

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

Her escape from Nazi - occupied France into Spain, this woman wasn`t taking any nonsense from anyone!

Have you listened to any of Stephanie Daniel’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Unfortunately I haven`t listened to any of Stephanie Daniel`s performances before, but will look out for in the future.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Nancy`s treatment after the war, after all the challenges she faced and overcame during it, how could she manage after? Life would seem dull to anyone.