A Woman of No Importance

The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II

By: Sonia Purnell

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

OVER A MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE • A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Chosen as a BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR by NPR, the New York Public Library, Amazon, the Seattle Times, the Washington Independent Review of Books, PopSugar, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, BookBrowse, the Spectator, and the Times of London

Winner of the Plutarch Award for Best Biography

“Excellent…This book is as riveting as any thriller, and as hard to put down.” -- The New York Times Book Review

"A compelling biography of a masterful spy, and a reminder of what can be done with a few brave people -- and a little resistance." - NPR

"A meticiulous history that reads like a thriller." - Ben Macintyre

A never-before-told story of Virginia Hall, the American spy who changed the course of World War II, from the author of Clementine.

In 1942, the Gestapo sent out an urgent transmission: "She is the most dangerous of all Allied spies. We must find and destroy her."

The target in their sights was Virginia Hall, a Baltimore socialite who talked her way into Special Operations Executive, the spy organization dubbed Winston Churchill's "Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare." She became the first Allied woman deployed behind enemy lines and--despite her prosthetic leg--helped to light the flame of the French Resistance, revolutionizing secret warfare as we know it.

Virginia established vast spy networks throughout France, called weapons and explosives down from the skies, and became a linchpin for the Resistance. Even as her face covered wanted posters and a bounty was placed on her head, Virginia refused order after order to evacuate. She finally escaped through a death-defying hike over the Pyrenees into Spain, her cover blown. But she plunged back in, adamant that she had more lives to save, and led a victorious guerilla campaign, liberating swathes of France from the Nazis after D-Day.

Based on new and extensive research, Sonia Purnell has for the first time uncovered the full secret life of Virginia Hall--an astounding and inspiring story of heroism, spycraft, resistance, and personal triumph over shocking adversity. A Woman of No Importance is the breathtaking story of how one woman's fierce persistence helped win the war.

pure woman power and strength

there's nothing like a great book that tells a wonderful story about a heroic woman. I wish there was more information on her because this was well done.

Better Read

I enjoyed the book a lot. I listen while walk. It was very hard to keep track of the many French names and characters. A written glossary on names and synopses of roles would have helped greatly. I wonder if the audio company has ever considered such an offering as a complement to such works?

a fantastic listening.

the story and the narration we're great. a bit of History that maybe unknown to most, of tough women that changed the tide of the war.

USC's greatest Woman Spy

This book is a must read if you are a student of history and especially spycraft. This book reads like a fiction thriller about but it's all true! My plan is to listen to it every year. God bless Virginia Hall!

So many untold stories of WWII

Enjoyed this read very much. Was blown away with the courage and fortitude as well as the vulnerably of the lead characters. I enjoyed the read and the pace. Well done.