Critic Reviews
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Based on 5 reviews on
"As exciting as any spy novel" (Daily News, New York), The Princess Spy follows the hidden history of an ordinary American girl who became one of the OSS's most daring World War II spies before marrying into European nobility. Perfect for fans of A Woman of No Importance and Code Girls.
When Aline Griffith was born in a quiet suburban New York hamlet, no one had any idea that she would go on to live "a life of glamour and danger that Ingrid Bergman only played at in Notorious" (Time). As the United States enters the Second World War, the young college graduate is desperate to aid in the war effort, but no one is interested in a bright-eyed young woman whose only career experience is modeling clothes.
Aline's life changes when, at a dinner party, she meets a man named Frank Ryan and reveals how desperately she wants to do her part for her country. Within a few weeks, he helps her join the Office of Strategic Services--forerunner of the CIA. With a code name and expert training under her belt, she is sent to Spain to be a coder, but is soon given the additional assignment of infiltrating the upper echelons of society, mingling with high-ranking officials, diplomats, and titled Europeans. Against this glamorous backdrop of galas and dinner parties, she recruits sub-agents and engages in deep-cover espionage.
Even after marrying the Count of Romanones, one of the wealthiest men in Spain, Aline secretly continues her covert activities, being given special assignments when abroad that would benefit from her impeccable pedigree and social connections.
"[A] meticulously researched, beautifully crafted work of nonfiction that reads like a James Bond thriller" (Bookreporter), The Princess Spy brings to vivid life the dazzling adventures of a spirited American woman who risked everything to serve her country.
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Great read alert: #ThePrincessSpy by @LarryLoftis, the @BNBuzz monthly Nonfiction pick! They say: "Another captivating spy story that will have readers racing to read... Readers won’t get enough of this vivid recounting of her dazzling adventures." https://t.co/VnFuqCQC0G
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Great read alert: #ThePrincessSpy by @LarryLoftis, the @BNBuzz monthly Nonfiction pick! They say: "Another captivating spy story that will have readers racing to read... Readers won’t get enough of this vivid recounting of her dazzling adventures." https://t.co/bShqdFSOfz
New York Times bestselling author of THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES, THE PARIS DAUGHTER and more, published in 30+ languages. Wine lover, FRIENDS & FICTION cohost, mom.
I missed mentioning the launch of THE PRINCESS SPY by @LarryLoftis yesterday... but check it out... This is a great nonfiction book that reads like a WW2 novel... Good stuff! https://t.co/2ShezsCr0H
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