- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: The History Press Ltd (16 Feb 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0750939656
- ISBN-13: 978-0750939652
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 381,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
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 alternate
Hardcover
edition.
Product Description
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'.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 27 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.
9 of 9 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.
7 of 7 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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A gripping read
What an amazingly brave woman, and this is such a sad story. Very well researched and really makes the heroic events of SOE come alive.
Published 9 months ago by Sally
An Enigma Wrapped In A Legend
I found this book to be an eminently readable version of the life of perhpas the most appealing of the doomed SOE "secret agents" of the Second World War. Read more
Published on 17 May 2010 by Ian Millard
Not to be missed
An excellent and compelling history of one of the bravest people to fight against the Nazis. Written with sensitivity and packed full of interesting facts, this is an absolute... Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2009 by 1965fan
More to her
Noor Inayat Khan was one of a surprising number of agents who knowingly sacrificed their lives in the Second World War for freedom. Read more
Published on 14 Sep 2009 by Hugh van der Mandele
A haunting tragedy
I grew up reading the Sufi books of Hazrat Inayat Khan from childhood, and these profoundly moving insights into life have guided so much of my ideals since. Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2009 by Spilsbury
Dreadful
I bought this on the strength of other reviews but also had an interest in both the period and unusual Noor story. Read more
Published on 14 Sep 2007 by R. Syed
Superbly researched
This is a beautifully written book that is the perfect blend of thorough research and interesting biography. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2007 by reader
Not to be missed...
A truly fascinating insight into the life of a forgotten heroine. It was a gripping read; Basu has clearly done a lot of research, taking the reader on a journey from her... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2006 by "theresa_canning"
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