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

A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

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

Shortlisted for 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.

©2019 Sonia Purnell (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"[An] excellent biography...if Virginia Hall herself remains something of an enigma - a testament, perhaps, to the skills that allowed her to live in the shadows for so long - the extraordinary facts of her life are brought onto the page here with a well-judged balance of empathy and fine detail. This book is as riveting as any thriller, and as hard to put down." (The New York Times Book Review)

“Purnell’s writing is as precise and engaging as her research, and this book restores overdue attention to one of the world’s great war heroes. It’s a joy to read, and it will swell readers' hearts with pride.” (Booklist)

"A gripping take…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.org)

Read the actual book instead

Great story of an amazing woman. But I did not enjoy the narrator at all.

Astounding

This bio reads like a thriller but also offers insights into the origins of intelligence agencies in the US and abroad. The character of Virginia Hall leaps off the page- just like the original woman. This book dovetails and deepens the truth surrounding other popular resistance stories such as Lost Girls of Paris and Code Name Lise. A breathtaking story.

When! Is the movie coming out?!

Juliet Stevenson is stellar, as usual.
This story is almost unbelievable. In fact, if it were fiction you would swear it contained exaggerations but as we know, it is often the case that truth is more remarkable than fiction.

I am so happy I bought this listen. Wonderful that the story of this brave person is being told finally.
I am not surprised that a woman could pull this off just glad that the story is finally being told.
I would feel the same if the deeds had been accomplished by men but most often the stories of men have been told.

A Very Important Woman

Virginia Hill was an amazing woman. The author did a huge amount of research to uncover all the information reported about Hill's exploits while helping the French resistance during WWII, and her other daring feats during and after that war.

Extremely interesting

In many cases it demonstrates how arrogant people are and they fail because of it, also demonstrates how one can overcome and do great things despite the interference of others. It also explains misogyny of the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and today. It also explains the Bay of Pigs and other CIA failure

Entertaining, Enlightening and thrilling

This was one of those books that I had trouble breaking away from when my regular life was calling. The historical aspects are extremely enlightening and the fact that I had never heard of Virginia Hall before I started listening is shocking. There really are no negative issues that I can think of and the narrator is outstanding. I am so glad I selected it.

A Woman of No Importance

Very intersting story about an American Spy during WWII who got little to no recognition, especially from DeGalle. Very interesting.

Brilliantly researched

Overall a thoroughly enjoyable yet somewhat unbelievable story of a women who should be memorized in history. Beautifully written and narrated.

Fascinating book

What a remarkable story about a woman whose contribution to the allied victory in world war II has never been told.
I am so grateful that this book has been written and this remarkable women's contribution is not lost to the world.

Most inspiring books for a female to read

Will bring tears to your eyes, but happy tears. She deserves so much more credit and should be apart of history is school.