A Life in Secrets cover art

A Life in Secrets

Vera Atkins and the Missing Agents of WWII

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A Life in Secrets

By: Sarah Helm
Narrated by: Nicola Barber
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About this listen

From an award-winning journalist comes this real-life cloak-and-dagger tale of Vera Atkins, one of Britain’s premiere secret agents during World War II.

As the head of the French Section of the British Special Operations Executive, Vera Atkins recruited, trained, and mentored special operatives whose job was to organize and arm the resistance in Nazi-occupied France. After the war, Atkins courageously committed herself to a dangerous search for 12 of her most cherished women spies who had gone missing in action. Drawing on previously unavailable sources, Sarah Helm chronicles Atkins’s extraordinary life and her singular journey through the chaos of post-war Europe.

Brimming with intrigue, heroics, honor, and the horrors of war, A Life in Secrets is the story of a grand, elusive woman and a tour de force of investigative journalism.

©2008 Sarah Helm (P)2018 Random House Audio Freedom & Security Historical Military Military & War Politics & Activism Politics & Government Presidents & Heads of State Women World War II Espionage War France

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Critic reviews

“Brilliant...One can only admire the way that Helm put together all the pieces of the puzzle.” (The Washington Post)

“Fascinating...Compelling...Gripping...A stupendous job of reporting.” (The New York Times)

“Helm's account is a chilling reminder of the ghastliness of WWII.” (Entertainment Weekly)
All stars
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An interesting listen but not necessarily a bed time listen. Descriptions are graphic in places.

Really interesting

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loved the detail provided by the research of this remarkable story. How much owe the brave people that risked their lives during WWII.

Brilliant.

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I found this utterly captivating start to finish. Regardless of the real truth the SOE was remarkable and those that gave their lives were really heroic. The true story of Vera Atkins was even more mysterious than some of the SOE agents. She was remarkable and no one wholly a saint.

Gripping and deeply poignant

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This is a meticulously researched book . The author uses this biography of a key figure to delve into and document complex interactions between agencies and enemies during and after WW2. Her research leads the author to interview and meet numerous people -often descendants - from both sides . Through records , from a diverse range of worldwide sources , a compelling picture is painted of the central figure Vera Atkins, the SOE staff , the secret agents , the role of German officials and officers , resistance members , the horror of imprisonments suffered , the strangeness of the war crimes trials, and the many unanswered questions . This book spells out clearly the repeated and serious errors of judgement made by Maurice Buckminister which led to the death of many agents and resistors in France . The post war period is very well described. This is a serious book well worth reading (or listening to ) for anyone interested in WW2 in Europe . It presents a more realistic view of the role of SOE operations than that portrayed in more popular books and films . Congratulations to Sarah Helm .

Fascinating history of SOE operations WWII

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This is a book that deserves readers, in this case, listeners. Hats off to author Sarah Helm for incredible detective work involved in ferreting out the convoluted and secret history behind Vera Atkins, who virtually ran the SOE. It is unbelievably candid, Vera was a woman with many faces, but, like her or not, one has to admire the steely resolve with which she followed every lead in Europe after the war to discover the fate of SOE agents who had never returned.

Gripping, exceptional.

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A great book which has the listener amazed at the bravery of many people during the Second World War. I have gone on to read other books similar to this. This book is and incredible story of bravery and sacrifice, and one woman's plight to look after her girls even in death. It shows how lucky we are that people such as these put their lives on the line during this time of world unrest. My Nan was alive a living in London when this was taking place, it makes me feel like I have a direct connection to these events. this is a must read for anyone interested in WW2 history, and I challenge you not to be moved by this story of real events. Thanks you Sarah Helm for a fascinating listen. And thanks to Nicola Barber for making it an engaging listen that you can't pause.

Historic Importance

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This is a Harrowing book but should be essential reading for all.

Beautifully written and read.

a book everybody should read

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This was an exceptionally long story, but incredibly well researched. The revelations about incompetences of F section in SOE were sobering in particular the role of Buckmaster. But the diligence of Vera in the post war years seem to give some compensation for that. For those affected, living on after WW2, must have been really hard, if not impossible.

Shocking revelations

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Splendid information. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. No stone left unturned. Very sad also.

Excellent

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Well narrated, informative, and interesting. Well spoken, with an easy listening voice.
Lots of information and content. Makes you wonder how these people endured such hardship.
We should all be grateful.

Excellent . A lesson to us all . True bravery.

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