The Fatal Lover: Mata Hari and the Myth of Women in Espionage

by Julie Wheelwright

More than 70 years after her death, Mata Hari is still a household name throughout the Western world. This is a biography of the Dutch hat-maker's daughter who was executed for espionage after a secret trial during the darkest days of World War I. It examines the myths and fantasies that have grown up around the woman portrayed on screen by such talents as Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo; and it asks questions about the reality of women's role in the exclusive and hidden world of espionage and the way in which the life of Margaretha Zelle McLeod has been mythologized into that of "Mata Hari" - Malay for "rising sun". The book offers the general reader an introduction to the world of espionage, together with insights into the nature of treachery, patriotic hysteria and the perpetuation of the idea of the seductive and dangerous temptress. The author also wrote "Amazons and Military Maidens".

Genres: Nonfiction, History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published June 25, 1992

Reviews

[Grytsje · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as research for an exhibition about Mata Hari. As the book was written in 1992, some of its information is no longer valid, some of the allegations are now demonstrably untrue (shown by i.e. new sources from the archives of Vincennes). Also, I really miss the sources and footnotes: where are the letters she quotes from, what proof is there for her movements: which allegations are based on solid evidence and what might be a wishful thinker's house of cards? I suspect she sometimes leans on notorious storytellers as Sam Waagenaar as her (very questionable) source - but how do I know for sure? She even seems to quote from the book of Adam Zelle (!). But that aside, Wheelwright demonstrates her point: as a free and international woman, Margaretha was probably guilty even before she was charged.

[Mindbait]

This has been really interesting. I went into the book thinking (as I'm sure many do) that Mata Hari was this famous spy who ingeniously seduced men, winkled secrets out of them and single-handedly undermined the war effort etc.

It turns out though she wasn't really much of a spy at all. She was an exotic dancer with an ebbing career who clutched at the spy idea, but was essentially stiched up by the French espionage department.

Illuminating, if a little sad.

[Grada (BoekenTrol) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het was een interessant boekje om te lezen. Wie heeft er nu niet van Mata Hari gehoord? Maar om nu te zeggen dat ik gefascineerd ben? Nee, niet door dit boek in ieder geval.
Het is goed gedocumenteerd, geen 'geklets', maar misschien heeft dat, om in biertermen te spreken, de fascinatie wel doodgeslagen.

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/8...

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

There must be a better book to read if you are intrigued by the stereotype of the female seductress spy.