This is the riveting story of Noor Inayat Khan, the descendant of an Indian Prince Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, who became a British secret agent for SOE during World War II. Born into an illustrious Indian family in 1914 and brought up in the non-violent Sufi religion, Noor seemed an unlikely secret agent. Yet she became the first female radio operator to be landed in enemy-occupied France, and refused to abandon her post in Paris in 1943, continuing her work under extremely dangerous circumstances. Shrabani Basu tells the moving story of Noor's life from her birth in Moscow - where her father was a Sufi preacher - to her capture by the Germans. Noor was one of only three women SOE awarded the George Cross and, under torture, revealed nothing but her name - but not her real name, nor her code name, just the name she used to register at SOE: Nora Baker. Kept in solitary confinement, chained between hand and feet and unable to walk upright, Noor existed on bowls of soup made from potato peelings. Ten months after she was captured, she was taken to Dachau and, on 13 September 1944, she was shot. Her last word was 'Liberte'.
Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Trade In this Item for up to £0.25
Trade in Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £0.25, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Learn more
|
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
"Her thrilling but sad story is told in this book." - Paul Callan, Daily Express" --The Daily Express
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Shrabani Basu lives in London where she is a correspondent for the Ananda Bazaar Patrika Group. She writes for the Telegraph, Sunday magazine and other publications in the group. She is the author of Curry (Sutton 2003).
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I spotted this book early on when released. I read it with great excitement, it was thoroughly researched detailing Noor's life and her talents for Morse and wireless operating and codes are expertly examined. Her character was considered unusual, even unsuitable for an agent - dreamy, spiritual, careless with security, conspiciously beautiful and unable to lie with ease. But her essential qualities were needed - expert radio communications and perfect French, due to her unbringing in France. Her tragic death is also detailed and again the story has had many differing versions in previous publications on Noor's life and SOE in general. I was lucky enough to meet the author where I chatted to her and urged her to sign her books. Signed copies are available at Hatchards books shop, Piccadilly should any fans wish to buy some, one or two might be left. I could also recommend Vera Atkins, A Life in Secrets which also covers Noor and other women agents as well.
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Knowing little about Noor Inayat Khan except the legends, this was an incredibly moving biography of the princess who fought for Britain. I found her story to be extraordinary because she was so different from the hardened war operatives - a gentle musician with Sufi inclinations. It must have been so difficult for her in the field, and she must have been so frightened, but she put up such a brave show when she died - her last words of liberté showed they could not break her spirit. The book does a fine job in dispelling the myths and a compulsive page turner.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Knowing little about Noor Inayat Khan except the legends, this was an incredibly moving biography of the princess who fought for Britain. I found her story to be extraordinary because she was so different from the hardened war operatives - a gentle musician with Sufi inclinations. It must have been so difficult for her in the field, and she must have been so frightened, but she put up such a brave show when she died - her last words of liberté showed they could not break her spirit. The book does a fine job in dispelling the myths and a compulsive page turner.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 13 reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved this book!
Well written. Its a shame its taken so long for Noor Inayat Khan to be recognised for her brave part in WW2!
Published 19 days ago by Che
5.0 out of 5 stars
Omg
What a incredible story, this woman was amazing showing such strength, cannot even start to imagine what she went through, it is because of people like her ,we are who we are... Read more
Published 19 days ago by ETXS-10
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good story, disappointing writing
I have enjoyed the story but not the writing style. Still it was a worthwhile read. She was a memorable person.
Published 1 month ago by Patricia Kennedy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting if a little slow to get going
I enjoyed reading this book and the author has performed thorough research in order to write it. Interesting and thought provoking - how would I have responded under the same... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Nicola
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read - inspirational character
Though the the story begins with its conclusion it seems to keep you grip throughout.
Tense moments, emotional and a understanding of a character a person who gave so much... Read more
Tense moments, emotional and a understanding of a character a person who gave so much... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. S. R. Uddin
5.0 out of 5 stars
NOOR INAYAT KHAN L.P. L.P.
A book to read. Intense and inspirational also sad. NOOR INAYAT KHAN was a exceptional woman. Who gave her young life for the freedom of others. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Linda Howarth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating
I first heard about Noor Inayat Khan when her statue was unveiled recently & when I saw this book on offer I happily grabbed it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lucy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rivetting
An amazing story of courage and determination in the face of horrific and terrible force. I could not put the book down until I had finished it. Uplifting!
Published 3 months ago by C. J. Reynolds
5.0 out of 5 stars
Personal heroine
For everyone who is interested in the personal stories of people who lived, fought and died during WW II. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Silver
5.0 out of 5 stars
GOOD
A FASCINATING READ, I WAS GLAD I ORDERED THIS BOOK ALTHOUGH THE STORY WAS VERY SAD. SOME OF THE FAMILY HISTORY WAS A BIT HARD TO FOLLOW. IT MAKES YOU APPRECIATE THE GOOD IN PEOPLE
Published 3 months ago by Jean Taylor
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Biography > Historical > Countries & Regions > Europe
- Books > Biography > Political
- Books > Biography > War & Espionage > World War II
- Books > History > Europe
- Books > History > World History > World War II 1939-1945 > Battles & Campaigns
- Books > History > World History > World War II 1939-1945 > Biographies & Memoirs
- Books > History > World History > World War II 1939-1945 > Origins
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
