A Cool and Lonely Courage

The Untold Story of Sister Spies in Occupied France

By: Susan Ottaway

Narrated by: Catherine Harvey

The incredible true story of British special agents Eileen and Jacqueline Nearne, sisters who risked everything to fight for freedom during the Second World War.

When elderly recluse Eileen Nearne died, few suspected that the quiet little old lady was a decorated WWII war hero. Volunteering to serve for British intelligence at age 21, Eileen was posted to Nazi-occupied France to send encoded messages of crucial importance for the Allies, until her capture by the Gestapo.

Eileen was not the only agent in her family; her sister Jacqueline was a courier for the French resistance. While Jacqueline narrowly avoided arrest, Eileen was tortured by the Nazis, then sent to the infamous Ravensbrvºck women's concentration camp. Astonishingly, this resourceful young woman eventually escaped her captors and found her way to the advancing American army.

In this amazing true story of triumph and tragedy, Susan Ottaway unveils the secret lives of two sisters who sacrificed themselves to defend their country.

Wonderful Story

I have read many books about women in the French resistance and books about WWII. This is one of the best told stories of two very brave young sisters. The performance is very well done. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in WWII. I will be buying hard copies of the book as Christmas gifts.