Agent Josephine

American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy

De: Damien Lewis

Narrado por: Damien Lewis

A Vanity Fair and The New Yorker Best Book of the Year

The thrilling account of how Josephine Baker, the world’s richest and most glamorous entertainer, became an Allied spy in Occupied France

“Four hundred pages of bravery and heroism that read like a spy novel you can’t put down.” —Vanity Fair

In Agent Josephine, bestselling author Damien Lewis uncovers the extraordinary story of Josephine Baker's transformation from Paris performer to dauntless spy. Throughout World War II, using her stardom as a cloak for her secret work, Baker undertook daring clandestine missions to fight the Nazis, stamping an indelible mark on history.

Drawing on a plethora of new material and rigorous research, including previously undisclosed letters and journals, Lewis upends the conventional story of the renowned performer, revealing why she fully deserves her unique place in the French Panthéon.

Agent Josephine

Agent Josephine by Damien Lewis is a captivating tribute to an extraordinary woman whose bravery and intelligence shaped history. The book not only delivers suspense and thrilling espionage but also highlights Josephine’s incredible accomplishments, from her daring missions to her impact on wartime efforts. Reading her story is both inspiring and humbling, offering a deep appreciation for her courage, resilience, and legacy.

Inspiring

Eye opening account of clandestine activities during WW2 in North Africa, Portugal, Spain, and Britain. Interesting linkage to Ian Fleming’s and his James Bond book series.

Writers Shouldn't Narrate Their Own Books

It is an interesting story, but it seems that the bulk of Baker's "spywork" was that she was simply used by other, more involved, operatives. While her position as a figurehead of the Resistance is noteworthy, there is little evidence of her work in the book other than delivering documents hidden on her person.

The author/narrator's many long pauses before reading French words, abbreviations, and at many other times was frustrating, as well as his mispronunciation of St. Louis, Abwehr, and other words. A professional narrator would've made it much more enjoyable.

Fascinating story about a fascinating, adventurous woman

Fascinating story about a fascinating, adventurous woman. Hopefully more people learn her story. She was an amazing woman ahead of her time.

Too many side stories, awful narration

Josephine Baker was a remarkable woman on so many levels. However, the author diluted her story by including every unrelated story about every person who came even tangentially into contact with Ms Baker in the lead-up to, and during, WWII. As a consequence, the work seemed disjointed due to so many detours away from Josephine herself.
The narration was very hard to listen to due to the author's habit of pausing frequently in the middle of sentences (possibly denoting quotations?).
I would only recommend this book to a serious scholar of WWII, and would not recommend the audiobook at all.

Wish it had more stories

I think Josephine is an amazing person and deserves recognition, I just wish this had more stories, and could have been better if it just focused on Josephine. I guess I was expecting a biography on her, rather than the story of all the other agents and world war II France spy history. Like other reviews, I think the title is misleading.

Amazing woman!

After visiting her Chateau I was inspired to learn about her. What a life force! She loved all living things and fought for them!

Hero

she lived a life that showed her beliefs unquestionably. Josephine was willing to give all for the people and countries she loved. It took a minute to train my ear to the English pronunciations, but that was the only problem I had!

Such a fascinating book!

The author does a tremendous job of portraying the character and nature of the real life heroine. As I think he says, if this were a novel many of the details would add up to be a little much but as a true story it is intensely interesting and Josephine Baker is about as inspiring as humans get.
My only negative note on the author’s narration is that I don’t like the voices he does for characters; however I am particularly sensitive to ANY narrator doing voices and I bet loads of listeners have no problem with any of it. Overall I’m still very glad the author read his own work.
I cannot recommend this book (and audible audiobook) highly enough. I’m a relative newcomer to WW2 history and the backdrop of the French perspective in itself made this a very memorable listen. I will definitely revisit it.

Historic account but not very exciting

This book talks of an incredible women and men in espionage in WW2 but it lacks excitement like other Damian Lewis books. It’s sounded like a general account but not a book