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  • A Life in Secrets

  • Vera Atkins and the Missing Agents of WWII
  • By: Sarah Helm
  • Narrated by: Nicola Barber
  • Length: 19 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (81 ratings)
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A Life in Secrets

By: Sarah Helm
Narrated by: Nicola Barber
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Summary

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

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)

What listeners say about A Life in Secrets

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating history of SOE operations WWII

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 .

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Really interesting

An interesting listen but not necessarily a bed time listen. Descriptions are graphic in places.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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a book everybody should read

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

Beautifully written and read.

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2 people found this helpful

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Historic Importance

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.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Incredibly informative

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. Vera Atkins was a very interesting character and this book delves into this in a respectful but non-biased way. Anybody with an interested in the SOE or womens roles during WW2 would take alot from this book.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant.

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

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

Excellent account of the men and women of the Special Operations Executive. Comprehensive and detailed and does justice in honouring the bravery of those who worked behind enemy lines. The narrator is perfect. Clear, straight forward and sensitive where necessary. She certainly did the book justice on all levels.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent . A lesson to us all . True bravery.

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.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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important work on SOE and F section in WWII

Good story. Slightly irritating that narrator spoke numbers in an American manner. It seemed more emphasis was placed on certain agents such as "Norah" yet others were only mentioned briefly.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Details and evidence

The narrator made it extremely interesting I especially enjoyed the different accents that she spoke

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