Women Wartime Spies

by Ann Krame

From Mata Hari through to Noor Inyat Khan, women spies have rarely received the recognition they deserve. They have often been trivialized and, in cinema and popular fiction, stereotyped as vamps or dupes. The reality is very different. As spies, women have played a critical role during wartime, receiving and passing on vital information, frequently at considerable risk. Often able to blend into their background more easily than their male counterparts, women have worked as couriers, transmitters and with resistance fighters, their achievements often unknown. Many have died. Ann Kramer describes the role of women spies during wartime, with particular reference to the two world wars. She looks at why some women chose to become spies, their motives and backgrounds. She looks at the experience of women spies during wartime, what training they received, and what skills they needed. She examines the reality of life for a woman spy, operating behind enemy lines, and explores and explodes the myths about women spies that continue until the present day. The focus is mainly on Britain but will also take an international view as appropriate.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Espionage, Biography, Womens, War

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

This book was very insightful, but overall, dry. I highly appreciated the fact that Kramer dispelled the myths and stories about women spies only being spies because they love a man, or they're trying to seduce them. In reality, a lot of women didn't even know that they were spies, because the whole organization was so secretive. Of course, you did have women who knew very well that they were spying, and could literally die because of it, but there were others who thought that they were only doing secretary work.

However, I thought that this book would be different. It reads more as an academic essay than a real "book". While it was interesting, I didn't feel like I got to "know" any of the women. I was also hoping that this book would discuss ways in which they spied, like hiding notes and eavesdropping and that sort of thing, but it was mostly just testimonies from the women spies, that went along the lines of, "oh, we all knew it was bad, that you could be killed, but you did it anyway."

To sum up, I gave this 3.5 stars because it did have a lot of information. It just wasn't the information that I was truly looking for.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having visited Dachau in 2007, Natzweiler-Struthof and Auschwitz in 2017, I came away emotional and changed by what I saw and learned. I also left with a desire to learn more about the women spies who were killed at these camps. This book is the one in which I leaned the most. I couldn’t put it down. Some people say nonfiction can be a bit dry and full of dates and locations. I rarely feel that way about a book and definitely not this one. If you are Interested in WWII and the courageous women who served their county yet rarely spoke of it, read this book. It was packed with valuable information and led me to other books and movies on the topic. Let each of their names be remembered for the courage and sacrifice of their lives given for freedom.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Source: Self-purchase

Summary:
The first two chapters of the book is a short historical record of women who were spies previous to World War II, this includes World War I, and the American Civil War; in addition, there is a brief story of a woman spy during the mid 1600s-Aphra Behn.
Women Wartime Spies, seeks to give "recognition" to all women who were involved in the allied war effort during World War II.
Ann Kramer explains, there are "two stereo-types of spies" those women who are labeled as a Mata-Hari sex kitten, or a "virtuous" self-sacrificing woman.
For many of the women who served in the S.O.E. (Special Operations Executive) during World War II, they continued to remain silent throughout their life about their work as a spy. Their families were not aware of their history.
Women Wartime Spies, is not a lengthy expose, but it is a fascinating study of women who were willing to sacrifice their life for the sake of freedom and peace.
My Thoughts:
Books on World War II, including Holocaust memoirs, are at the top of my reading list. I'm always on the look-out for books on this subject.
Two big reasons why I'm drawn to these books:
1. My dad was in World War II and fought on Omaha Beach, D-Day, 6th of June, 1944.
2. I love stories of courageous people who against the odds defy evil.

There are several reasons why I gave this book 5 stars.
1. Women Wartime Spies, showed me the historical progression of women spying; and how society has either distorted their image, or ignored them.
2. A short history of MI5, MI6, and MI9.
3. Women who worked in the "backroom". These were the women who intercepted mail, translated, and broke the codes.
4. The role of Bletchley Park.
5. After the war was over, Vera Atkins, who had been the F Section Squadron Officer, worked tirelessly to find out what happened to the missing S.O.E. agents. This part of the book was not new to me as I'd read about her work in Flames in the Field.

[Debbie Robson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have long been drawn to Special Operations Executive (think Charlotte Grey) and Bletchley Park (think Kate Winslet in Enigma)and I recently decided that I would definitely start reading about both. This book is the perfect introduction.
There is a good overview of women spies and a very informative section on the La Dame Blanche a group I had never read about before. The second half is taken up with the SOE from its earliest beginnings which I found fascinating including the recruitment process and to sections on some of the most famous women spies. I had already read about Violet Szabo and Noor Inayat but didn’t know about Vera Atkins and her work. I will definitely read up about her and as a result of reading this book also want to read The Women Who Lived for Danger: The Women Agents of the SOE in the Second World War by Marcus Binney.
There is a bibliography and an extensive list of the 39 female spies that parachuted into France. 13 did not return. 1 in 3 were executed which are terrible odds. My only criticism is that there is quite a bit of repetition of facts and perhaps simplification. I also have no idea how the author kept to such a low word count. I know I couldn’t have on such a powerful but sad subject.

[Sandra | Leituras descomplicadas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mata Hari é o primeiro nome que surge na nossa cabeça quando nos falam em espias. Mas será que ela foi a única? E será que todas as espias da história usaram a sua beleza, sensualidade e armas femininas para alcançarem o que pretendiam?

O livro "Mulheres espias em tempo de guerra" vem desmistificar esta imagem pré-concebida quanto à espionagem no feminino. Este livro dá-nos a conhecer os principais nomes deste mundo que, durante as duas Grandes Guerras, trabalharam do lado dos Aliados recolhendo informação e levando a guerra a um caminho diferente.

Ann Kramer conta-nos a história de várias mulheres que, não podendo alistar-se nas forças armadas pela realidade do seu tempo, decidiram que tinham de dar o seu contributo para a defesa das suas pátrias.

Se gostam do mundo da espionagem e de compreender um pouco melhor os meandros das duas Grandes Guerras, este é um livro que tem de fazer parte da vossa biblioteca!

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it was fascinating to learn new things about the women spies during WWI and WWII, this book was also rather dry and left me questioning whether an editor ever looked over it all given the number of grammatical errors that I tried in vain to ignore, and that really sort of ruined the reading experience for me. I was also hoping that the book might cover more than just primarily the women spies associated with British run organizations such as the SOE and that it might include a little more insight into modern women spies as well, which it failed to deliver on on both fronts and to some extent I felt like it sort of turned less into an informative book and more in a "look what Britain can do, look how good we are at this all on our own" fest. Overall it was okay, but many aspects of it could have been better.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fascinating topic but poorly written. I was hoping for so much better, so I kept reading, but it never got better. There's only so many times you can read the same phrase and re-read the same quotes before it loses any impact. Great premise, but man, was this book disappointing.

[Heather N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Details the lives and experiences of women secret agents during both World Wars. Ms. Kramer is obviously very passionate about her subject and thoroughly researched this book. It is very factual and non-sensationalized, so it reads a bit like a history textbook at times. But despite being somewhat dry, the information was always fascinating, occasionally even gripping.

There is a mild yet noticeable feminist flavor to the writing, so if that will bother you, deal with it. The author has set out to "set the record straight" regarding these brave women spies who have either been unfairly ignored and glossed over by today's history curriculums, or completely stereotyped and sensationalized in popular media. She has written a well-informed chronicle lauding their courage and sacrifice. Well worth the read!

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story of each woman from WWI and WWII. Their courage and patriotism are inspiring. The book wasn't well written in spots, but the subject matter made up for any technical writing problems. I recommend this book for men and women. A reminder that selfless acts of courage, street smarts and patriotism are not defined by gender, but by individual choice.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting. I was expecting short stories from women about their spy experiences but that's not what I got. There were snippets of women and their stories but this is mostly a reference book. It'd be perfect if I had to write a paper or something but to read, unless you're super into WW2 and spies, it's boring.

[Brigit · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were points in the book where it was repetitive and I felt like I was reading a school paper someone wrote against a deadline about the topic. I love the subject matter but it was poorly written mostly

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting and compelling book- and probably an important book, especially in the age of Maria Butina- the femme fatale/operative of the NRA-Russia scandal. Ann Kramer starts with famous characters from WWI- Mata Hari and Edith Clavell- but then expands her subject to address the female agents of the British Imperial war efforts SOE (Special Operations Executive) - many of whom dropped into Europe to "Set It Ablaze"- serving local resistance groups. Soon enough the reader is made aware of names like Denise Bloch and Noor Inayat Khan- many of whom served ably until captured by the dreaded Gestapo. The stories are well told and the scene setting of all the echelons of women working at Bletchley on breaking codes - and the numerous women serving SOE in clerk roles- who were as important as the frontline agents is really interesting.

But the real heroine of the Book in its last third, becomes Vera Atkins, an administrator and trainer of agents- who tracked down the fate of any captured agents. Her faultless detective work and directed rage over the agents' harsh treatment, led to many convictions of Nazi and Gestapo figures after the war. She gave evidence at Nuremburg and other tribunals- making sure that she avenged her lost "students" in the modern way- not with a bullet to the temple- but with a copiously documented trial that placed blame where it belonged. It's gripping stuff- and you enjoy her "Avenging Angel" convictions as if they are new. It took me awhile to warm to this book- but the last section is a little cathartic.

This book is filled with adult themes and frank torture descriptions, so it is perhaps best for reader over 12 years old- but having said that I feel it might be a great book for a young girl with National Security aspirations. For the Gamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast, this is a mixed bag. Resistance/Spy games are relatively few- but this will give the player female characters with which to tempt new gamers(women?- would be great for gaming). The Modeller can get some great diorama ideas with female figures- a new challenge. But it is the Military Enthusiast who wins out the most as this book fills in a little bit of a historical void in telling us about women who gave the sort of total effort in wartime we usually associate only with men. I felt a real debt of honour to these ladies- and I think future readers will too. A strong recommendation, especially for female history buffs.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book finished this year!
"Both images reveal much about how women were perceived at the time and provide clues to the enduring myths and stereotypes about women spies that continue to this day"(p. 25)
Haha. This book took me a few days under a year to read. Why you might ask? Heavy Heavy book. These women weren't just sparkly movie spies they were risking their lives in Nazi occupied countries. That and I accidentally left it at work at the thrift store and it was put on the shelf to sell!!! Outraged. I got it back before it sold but I was very careful about taking it out of the house.
I have a whole list of other books to read about many of these women. This is a good dip in the shallow end of the pool about this historical time period. A friend gave it to me as a birthday present and she was spot on that it was me.
"There may be various reasons: women's achievements are often ignored, forgotten or subsumed under those of men while the nature of the work itself it a hidden one. Either way the female spies who spring to most people's minds are more likely to be women who have been immortalized through popular fiction and even legend"(p.1-2).
"But in reality women wartime spies have rarely been sexual vamps or passive dupes"(p.3)
"Unwary British travelers in Germany also found themselves being detained as suspected spies, something of course that the British press reported with horror and outrage: it was perfectly acceptable to round up foreigners in England but quite unacceptable for British travelers to be inconvenienced"(p21).
"The FANY-its members never seem to have objected to the acronym-was a civilian voluntary organization..."(p. 83).
"However in his view, 'women were much better than men for the work. Women...have a far greater capacity for cool and lonely courage"(p. 89).

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

When most people hear the phrase “woman wartime spies” their first thought is often that of the sexy seductress enticing men to go stupid and give up some of their side’s military secrets. This is reinforced by the fact that when many people think of female spies their mind goes to the only female spy they have heard of, Mata Hari. The reality is quite different, history has distorted the role of Mata Hari, as is made clear here her role in espionage has been vastly overstated.
Another fact that is key to the stories here is that some of the women that operated in occupied Europe against the Germans in World War II were parachuted in. Others managed to travel by land and cross the existing borders separating the unoccupied and occupied land. All were volunteers and new the risks. Many of them paid with their lives, although they provided valuable information to the Allied planners as they developed their elaborate battle plans.
What makes this book so interesting is that there is little to none of the sexy seductress form of spying that is the staple of books and movies. These women engaged in collecting information, acted as couriers of that information and operated radios in sending and receiving critical data regarding war operations.
Operating in occupied France was very dangerous, for the Germans had many French collaborators, so it was always a risk to do anything that could be perceived as anti-German. Some of the women were captured and tortured in an attempt to make them betray their comrades. Few did and many were killed.
This is a great book as it demonstrates how some women willingly engaged in espionage where the risk of exposure was imprisonment or death. From it the reader learns about a different category of courage and determination.

[DavidA · Rating 5 out of 5]

One year ago I read D-Day Girls: The Spies Who Armed the Resistance, Sabotaged the Nazis and Helped Win World War II. Written by Sara Rose, it was a great tribute to the women who were part of the resistance in France. A few days ago I checked out Agent Sonya by Ben Macintyre from our town library. When I picked up this book, our library director had included in the bag another book she thought I might enjoy – Women Wartime Spies. This short book about the Special Operations Executive (SOE) is thoroughly researched and well-written. The passion, bravery and commitment of these women spies certainly comes through in Ann Kramer’s brief, but powerful book. As an aside, a documentary about the Special Operations Executive titled Churchill’s Secret Agents is playing on Netflix. I highly recommend this book and the Churchill program. Now I need to thank our librarian for recommending Women Wartime Spies.

[Rrshively · Rating 3 out of 5]

This scholarly book by an English author taught me about many women spies about whom I knew nothing. The wars involved are WWI and WWII. I had never heard of Edith Cavell, an English heroine of WWI who was shot by the Germans for her spying activities which actually led to renewed efforts by the British to win the war. I also learned of La Dame Blanche, a WWI spy network in France that included women. When it came to WWII, there were many women spies sent by England's SOE who did many important and courageous things behind enemy lines. Some of the information about how they died is very difficult to take. In many ways this book deserves four stars and contains important information that we should all know and appreciate, but it was a little scholarly and dry. I can definitely say that I am glad I know more about this subject.

[Linda Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Doesn’t read like a novel, rather like a very good article. An excellent overview of the role of women spies in the two World Wars, emphasis on WW2. Works to debunks the popular image of the vamp spy of fiction detailing for instance, why Mata Hari wasn’t likely to be a real spy, while underlining women’s courage, ability and patriotism. Several names are mentioned with a brief bio; each story however is well followed. Several references to other genuine spy stories either in print or on film and a good bibliography gave me one of which I will read next: I was a Spy. In all, great read of a story seldom told.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book on women's contributions to war efforts, in this case spying. It gives a brief history of women spy's up to WW1. It's main focus onward is toward English side of things. Ms Kramer has found some very good information on the women who went out to help their country. Half the book is on the women who went into France during WW2. She gives very gripping accounts of the actions they did and what happened to those caught by the Nazis, who killed quite a number of them.
Though the writing can be dry and repetitive, making it hard to keep stories straight. It's a keeper, going on my WW2 section.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her writing style was a bit clunky at times and I had hoped there would be a bit more of a thesis statement or narrative thread throughout the book than there was, but overall, I enjoyed and very much appreciated this book. I appreciated the fact that female heroes received some well overdue accolades, that she critically examined myths about some of the more famous figures described (e.g., Mata Hari), and the amount of research it must have taken to educate us about these secretive individuals.

[Corrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. I really enjoyed reading the different stories of women spies. I also really enjoyed the fact that the book starts off with WWI and continues through WWII. The book is devided into the different aspects of being a spy and sprinkles in different stories of the different women spies. There are so many women that I now want to look up their books and read more about them. Such brave and clever women that fought for what was right and in many many cases gave up their lives for it.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I had heard a little about Bletchley Park, the Special Operations Executive (SOE), the WAAF (Women’s Airforce Auxiliary Force), even La Dame Blanche from WWI but I really didn’t know just how much women were involved directly with intelligence gathering etc. until this book. Just a fascinating, informative and concise overview of these remarkable ladies. I find I want to read even more about them!

[Priscilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple historical read. This is seriously for just history buffs who want a nice lunch time read from day to day. Pick up. Pit down. Forget about it for a while. Pick up again. Read some more. Finish without noticing. Will you remember all the names? Perhaps. I enjoyed this book because it was so easy to go back and forth with it. A great palate cleanse between the more intensive fictional books I'll read. (Always place one non-fiction around you while reading fiction.)

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The courageous spies Ann Kramer highlighted in this book found me longing for more material. I didn’t get to know the spies at all, and it was quite different than what I thought. The author did a great job as a cheerleader for female liberation in burning the myth female spies success were solely obtained by offering sex. I found it redundant and wish I could have learned more of their actual espionage walks through such dangerous grounds.

[McKenzy Roeske · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a lifesaver when procrastination got the best of me and I waited until the night before to write a 8-10 paper on female British spies during World War 2. For such a short book, it was full of information and history on a list of female spies. Obviously this shouldn't be the only book that you should use as a reference for this topic, but for what it is, it is a great option!

[Megan R · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book was incredibly dry and hard to follow. To be fair, it’s hard to know much about WWI female spies given the time in history (& if they were good at their jobs). I dove into the second portion of the book much more.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I thought it would be. I was more interested in the individual stories of these women, but this book is more about women spies in general, only highlighting some of those who contributed to the war effort.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

An invite into SOE operatives.

It was very sad to read of so many who lost their lives in WW2. Very dangerous work was involved but they knew that and took the risk. I only knew of Odette Sansom and Violette Szabo after seeing the films.

[joy sutherland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a well documented book that made enough personal references to allow the reader to really understand and appreciate female spies

[Beth S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and awe-inspiring.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great nonfiction look into the role of women within the espionage movements of the World Wars.