The Last Secret Agent
The Extraordinary Story of a WW2 Spy in Her Own Words
by Pippa Latour
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Pub Date 7 Nov 2024 | Archive Date 28 Nov 2024
Octopus Publishing | Monoray
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Description
THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
'Extraordinary... enthralling. We may think we have read all we need to about the Second World War's secret war, but despite an army of histories and fine biographies, Latour's account is the only first-person memoir we have by a female agent within it. It's also almost certainly the last. A darkly moving, marvellously detailed book.' -Telegraph, 5 STARS
'Vivid, honest, inspiring and sometimes shocking, Pippa Latour's memoir shows how right the SOE were to assess her as having '"tons of guts"' -CLARE MULLEY, author of Agent Zo
'A rare glimpse into the life of the last surviving SOE agent to have seen action behind enemy lines in France. Pippa's story is one of immense courage and personal sacrifice... a truly gripping and remarkable wartime service.' -HELEN FRY, author of Women in Intelligence
'Vivid and vibrant. Pippa's words echo with resonance across the pages, punctuated with historical context and fact.' -KATE VIGURS, author of Mission France
'Compulsively readable... A brilliant book.' -Mail on Sunday
***
'You know you can change your mind, don't you? Even now. Even when you are halfway across the English Channel. Any time before you jump.'
'Yes, I know,' I quickly reassured her, 'and I won't.'
In June 1940, a covert new force - the Special Operations Executive (SOE) - was set up to wage a secret war. Its agents were tasked with sabotage and subversion behind enemy lines, and over the course of the next five years, 470 special agents would be sent into France. Only 26 female SOE agents would return. None before have told their story in their own words.
This is the astounding true story of Phyllis "Pippa" Latour, the last surviving SOE agent. Born in 1921, Pippa's was an unusual childhood, followed by an even more extraordinary early adult life as she was parachuted into France aged 23. Incredibly brave, she travelled around the rural French countryside, concealing her codes in a hair tie and her Morse key underneath her bicycle seat, and sending crucial information back to Britain in the lead-up to D-Day. More than once she came frighteningly close to being discovered.
For decades, Pippa told no one - not even her family - of her incredible feats. Now for the first time, her story can be told in full.
***
Perfect for fans of A Woman of No Importance and Women in Intelligence
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781800962774 |
| PRICE | £22.00 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 288 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 696501
Absolutely amazing! I’m not normally a biography lover, but as I’ve always been fascinated by spies I thought I’d give it a go, and I’m so happy I did. This biography is told in such a way that you feel as though you’re right there in the middle of the action. This book is in parts heartbreaking, exciting, and heartwarming. There are several things that we all knew happened during the war but don’t really think about, but really sink home when you read about it in a first person account. I would definitely recommend to everyone to read as it really gives more of an appreciation for what everyone went through back then, not just those in service, but even your normal joe bloggs who was still at home
Anita W, Reviewer
This is a truly astonishing account. It will move and amaze in equal measure and it feels like a privilege to have gained even limited insight into the reality of war. We hear so much about the role of men in wars but relate little about the women involved. Pippa Latour was exceptional in every way. In her early upbringing overseas, she suffered a number of personal tragedies. Clearly gifted with a talent for language, it’s difficult to remember she was so young. She was still within her Kate teenage years when she became involved with SOE and her account is truly remarkable.
Few of us have much idea about the role of the SOE. Secretive and subversive, their actions were dangerous and life threatening daily. Thanks to their bravery and subterfuge, numerous plans by the Germans were thwarted or delayed. Pippa Latour recounts events in a very understated way. I was moved to tears a couple of times and this is an important historical document as well as one of the best autobiographies I’ve ever read. I’ve been privileged to both read and listen to the audio version, very ably narrated by Jilly Bond. Her enthusiasm in narration matches many of the events and I listened to it in a couple of sittings.
Stephen D, Reviewer
The amazing story of a very brave young lady, one of the women operating in France for the SOE in WWII. An inspirational story and one we should all be grateful for.
My thanks to Octopus Publishing and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Rachel A, Reviewer
Wow! What an incredible woman Pippa LaTour was.
From an unusual childhood in Africa to the dangerous world of WW2 in France Pippa shows such courage and resilience as well as compassion and loyalty.
Jude Dobson has done an impressive job of writing this memoir. I cannot rate this book highly enough.
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