Tag: espionage
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The Sisterhood by Liza Mundy
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Sisterhood: This has nothing to do with traveling pants. Quick synopsis: A look at the women of the CIA from inception to now. Fact for Non-History People: In the CIA in the 90s, women filled 40% of positions but only 10% of the highest-level jobs. Fact for History Nerds: The…
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White Knights in the Black Orchestra by Tom Dunkel
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for White Knights in the Black Orchestra: Yeah, the title is already awesome. I got nothing. Quick synopsis: The story of various Germans who tried to destroy the Nazis from within in World War II. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Henry Ford was a huge anti-Semite. Hitler was a huge admirer…
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The Martyr and the Traitor by Virginia Anderson
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Martyr and the Traitor: The ending will leave you hanging. I am so sorry. I’ll do better. Quick synopsis: The stories of Nathan Hale (you know him, probably) and Moses Dunbar (you do not) who were both tried and executed for treason. It just turns out one was executed by…
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Agent Josephine by Damien Lewis
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Agent Josephine: Celebrities can work for the greater good! Quick synopsis: The untold story of how entertainer Josephine Baker was also a French spy in World War II. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: A list of animals Josephine took with her nearly everywhere: a Great Dane, monkey, golden lion tamarin,…
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Liar Temptress Soldier Spy by Karen Abbott
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Liar Temptress Soldier Spy: Don’t judge a book by their cover. Or forget to suspect a woman as a spy. Quick synopsis: The story of four women during the Civil War and how they gave to their respective causes. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: As many as 400 women served…
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Three Ordinary Girls by Tim Brady
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Three Ordinary Girls: Who says women can’t work together? Quick synopsis: The story of three Dutch badasses, Hannie Schaft, Freddie Oversteegen, and Truus Oversteegen. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: “I shoot better.” Read the book. You’ll get there. Fun Fact for History Nerds: The three women’s legacies were very…. complicated…
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Scholars of Mayhem by Daniel Guiet/Timothy Smith
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Scholars of Mayhem: PhD in killing Nazis. Quick synopsis: The story of Jean Claude Guiet and his team of saboteurs in World War II France. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Once France was liberated, you could tell which women collaborated with the Germans by their telltale shaved head which was…
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Operation Thunderbolt by Saul David
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Operation Thunderbolt: Idi Amin was a real whackjob. Quick synopsis: The story of Operation Thunderbolt, an Israeli action to save hostages on a hijacked plane. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The flight crew was given the option to be released with non-Jewish passengers but refused. Fun Fact for History Nerds:…
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The Good Assassin by Stephan Talty
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Good Assassin: Of course he’s a good assassin. He’s killing Nazis. Quick synopsis: The story of the hunt and killing of Herbert Cukurs, the Butcher of Latvia. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Ilha da Queimada Grande, an island off the coast of Brazil, has one snake for every 6…