Nancy Wake: The Inspiring Story
FitzSimons, PeterIn the early 1930s, New Zealand-born Nancy Wake was enjoying a Bohemian life in Paris. By the end of WWII, she was the Gestapo's most wanted person. As a young journalist, Wake witnessed a horrific scene of Nazi violence in a Viennese street. From then on, she declared she would do everything in her power to rid Europe of the Nazis. What began as a courier job, turned into a highly successful escape network for Allied soldiers. Wake's network was soon doing so notoriously well that she was forced to flee France to escape the Gestapo who had dubbed her "the white mouse" for her uncanny knack of slipping through its traps. NZ Interest. [Larger font]
Comments from Groups
All of us enjoyed this book from "couldn't put it down" to "riveting". Nancy's obsession with ridding Europe from the Nazis drove her to behaviour and action that none of us could comprehend. Henri excepted, she had no significant relationship ties having divorced herself from her family in Australia. We wondered if this freed her somewhat to be able to completely give herself to "the adventure". Peter Fitzimons described her as an "ordinary woman doing extraordinary things" but really she was an extraordinary young woman to be so driven and so apparently fearless. Palmerston North 006 The group found the book enjoyable and particularly liked the style of writing. Nancy Wake's feats were almost unbelievable but then in war time heroes and heroines found strengths to cope with demands made upon them. It was notable that with Nancy's difficult childhood and the strained relationship with her mother that she developed into such a gutsy woman. An inspiration! Christchurch 317 Everyone enjoyed Nancy Wake, amazing story of an amazing woman. Wanaka 009
Pages
310
310
Year
2001
2001
Reviews
15-01-2024
Wonderfully and powerfully written. What an amazing story of a truly heroic woman.
12-09-2023
Although overall we were impressed with what Nancy accomplished during the war, we did not really warm to her as a person. For many of us it was the first time they read in detail about WWII and the resistance. Most of us did not particularly like the writing style and found it annoying and distracting at times.
27-02-2023
Everyone read the book and were impressed by Nancy's heroism. Wished there had been more detail of her post war life. Several members did not like Nancy as a person, and we discussed personality traits. Writing style detracted from overall enjoyment.
20-09-2022
Group really enjoyed this book.They thought it was a great read and very well-written. We had quite a long discussion about War and people's great courage.
03-08-2022
We loved Peter FitzSimons' engrossing account of the life of the very brave Nancy Wake ( one of our own, by birth)!
20-07-2022
A thoroughly enjoyable story. It made for great reading, a real adventure. We felt the war was where her true strengths shone through, but in other areas of life, not so much. Everyone learned a lot about the war and the era. Highly recommend.
02-05-2022
Nancy Wake was an amazing woman - brave, fearless and strong - traits that made her capable of what she did during WW2. We enjoyed her story, but most didn't like the person she was.
15-10-2021
All members thought this was a gripping tale. Especially as it was a true account of a local war-time heroine.
12-06-2021
Great book and we all enjoyed reading this. Would love to have heard more about what she did.
26-02-2021
Our group thoroughly enjoyed reading about this amazing woman's eventful life. Well-written with enough humour or light-heartedness to carry the traumatic wartime situations Nancy involved herself in. The fact that she was able to talk about the war, as so many of our parents who were involved did not talk and the younger generation really do not know what really went on. Impressed with the absolute trust and respect she had from her male colleagues. Nancy was the ultimate survivor, even from an early age as she dealt with her own unfortunate childhood.
05-07-2019
This is the first book we have read that we agreed on wholeheartedly - an excellent and inspiring story. Nancy was obviously one extraordinary woman and we are pleased she lived at the time she did! But, not only did the narrative tell her story, it also enlightened us on a side of WW2 which is not publicised as frequently as are the accounts of "Dunkirk" and "D-Day", for example. The style of writing was good and most "couldn't put it down" however, a couple of our group found the chapters too long and a little wordy at times.
14-11-2018
Very interesting to read of this not-well known Antipodean. Many of us thought if she were male, she'd be much better known and decorated. There wasn't much on the post war life of Nancy - big holes as to how she managed to settle into peacetime life after a life on the edge. Some of us felt the book was pretty patchy in content and writing quality.
14-11-2018
We all enjoyed this book and the character of Nancy. She was a ballsy character and influenced by the horrors inflicted on innocent people. She kept seeing the big picture. Excellent writer, and we found the book very readable.
14-11-2018
This was a book that prompted a wide discussion, not for the author, but for Nancy, the subject of the biography. Our more serious readers found Peter FitzSimon's writing style simple, and noted the lack of narrative. Others found the style journalistic and informative - with the insights into her early childhood in New Zealand and her relationship with her mother. When it comes to recommending this book it was a mixed bag. It will appeal to some and not to others.
14-11-2018
Universally enjoyed for a) the character and bravery of Nancy, b) the author's wide understanding of the background and history of the war and c) the outstanding prose and slightly whimsical humour.
09-11-2018
All our group enjoyed this book. Easy to read and very well-written. What an amazing woman and so brave.
09-11-2018
100% positive about this book. Easy to read and a "page turner".
09-11-2018
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this one. Made us think about what we may (or may not) be capable of in such circumstances!!
28-03-2018
Impressive book which documents Nancy's achievements mainly during WW2. Reads like it is all made up and over the top but it is all true! If you like biographies you will really enjoy this book.