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Paris Undercover: A Wartime Story of Courage, Friendship, and Betrayal Audiobook
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Two women in Nazi-occupied Paris created a daring escape line that rescued dozens of Allied servicemen. With one still in a German prison camp, the other wrote a book about it—a memoir built on fabrications. Now the bestselling author of Eighty Days shares their incredible, never-before-told full story.
“Goodman’s gripping account chronicles the events—both courageous and horrifying—and illustrates how loyalty and betrayal can coincide in wartime and its aftermath.”—The Washington Post
“A heart-pounding tale that is impossible to put down.”—Lynne Olson, author of Madame Fourcade's Secret War
LONGLISTED FOR THE AMERICAN LIBRARY IN PARIS BOOK AWARD • A WASHINGTON POST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
Etta Shiber and Kate Bonnefous are the unlikeliest of heroines: two seemingly ordinary women, an American widow and an English divorcée, living quietly together in Paris. Yet during the Nazi occupation, these two friends find themselves unexpectedly plunged into the whirlwind of history. With the help of a French country priest and others, they set out to rescue British and French soldiers trapped behind enemy lines—some of whom they daringly smuggle through Nazi checkpoints hidden inside the trunk of their car.
Ultimately the Gestapo captures them both. After eighteen months in prison, Etta is returned to the United States in a prisoner exchange. Back home, hoping to bring attention to her friend Kitty’s bravery, she publishes a memoir about their work. Paris-Underground becomes a publishing sensation and Etta a celebrity. Meanwhile Kate spends the rest of the war in a Nazi prison, entirely unaware of the book that has been written about her—and the deeds that have been claimed in her name.
In researching this story, Matthew Goodman uncovered military records and personal testimonies that reveal, for the first time, the shocking truth behind Etta’s memoir and the unexpected, far-reaching consequences of its publication. More than just a story of two women’s remarkable courage, Paris Undercover is a vivid, gripping account of deceit, betrayal, and personal redemption.
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"Of the countless books written about the French Resistance, Paris Undercover stands out as a true original: a riveting, masterfully researched exposé of the explosive reality behind the story of two women imprisoned by the Nazis for helping Allied soldiers escape from behind enemy lines. When one of the women is released early and publishes a falsehood-filled memoir, this portrait of courage and friendship morphs into a heart-pounding tale of betrayal that is impossible to put down."
— Lynne Olson, author of Madame Fourcade’s Secret War and Empress of the Nile
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Of the countless books written about the French Resistance, Paris Undercover stands out as a true original: a riveting, masterfully researched exposé of the explosive reality behind the story of two women imprisoned by the Nazis for helping Allied soldiers escape from behind enemy lines. When one of the women is released early and publishes a falsehood-filled memoir, this portrait of courage and friendship morphs into a heart-pounding tale of betrayal that is impossible to put down.
— Lynne Olson, author of Citizens of London and Madame Fourcade’s Secret War -
This is an amazing story. It’s so surprising and poignant to discover how these two middle-aged women, acting on their own, risked their lives to save Allied soldiers trapped in Occupied France. And the consequences of their heroism turn out to be even more extraordinary: dear friends enmeshed in a story of desperate survival—and betrayal.
— Sarah Rose, author of The D-Day Girls -
Just when it seems there is nothing more to learn about World War II, here comes this vivid story of an intrepid woman and her escape line, made more fascinating and poignant by its tangled afterlife.
— Caroline Moorehead, author of A Train in Winter and Village of Secrets -
A smart, vividly realized account of a daring wartime escapade that turns out to be far more complex and problematic than it first appears. Paris Undercover is a gripping and provocative feat of historical investigation—full of surprises to the very end.
— Gary Krist, author of Empire of Sin and The White Cascade -
A genuine surprise: not a typical World War II history but a thoughtful examination of the sometimes-blurred lines between fact and fiction, and the dangers of telling other people’s stories. Occupied Paris, escaped British soldiers in need of safe passage home, two elderly heroines, and those who want to profit from their story—all makes for a riveting read.
— Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of Mistress of the Ritz and The Aviator’s Wife -
This is an amazing story. It’s so surprising and poignant to discover how these two middle-aged women, acting on their own, risked their lives to save Allied soldiers trapped in occupied France. And the consequences of their heroism turn out to be even more extraordinary: dear friends enmeshed in a story of desperate survival—and betrayal.
— Sarah Rose, author of D-Day Girls -
Just when it seems there is nothing more to learn about World War II, here comes this vivid story of an intrepid woman and her escape line, made more fascinating and poignant by its tangled afterlife.
— Caroline Moorehead, author of Village of Secrets and Mussolini’s Daughter -
A smart, vividly realized account of a daring wartime escapade that turns out to be far more complex and problematic than it first appears, Paris Undercover is a gripping and provocative feat of historical investigation—full of surprises to the very end.
— Gary Krist, author of Empire of Sin and The Mirage Factory -
A genuine surprise: not a typical World War II history but a thoughtful examination of the sometimes-blurred lines between fact and fiction, and the dangers of telling other people’s stories . . . Occupied Paris, escaped British soldiers in need of safe passage home, two elderly heroines, and others who want to profit from their story—all makes for a riveting read.
— Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of Mistress of the Ritz and California Golden -
With elegant language and his trademark meticulous research, Matthew Goodman peels back the layers of mythmaking to reveal a riveting true story that reads like a movie script and showcases the power of humans to persist in the face of overwhelming odds.
— Elizabeth Letts, author of The Perfect Horse -
A smart, vividly realized account of a daring wartime escapade that turns out to be far more complex and problematic than it first appears, Paris Undercover is a gripping and provocative feat of historical investigation—full of surprises to the very end.
— Gary Krist, author of Empire of Sin and The Mirage Factory -
A remarkable tale of a pair of unlikely middle-aged resisters . . . This is a fascinating book enlivened by exquisite detail and a deep sense of the humanity of its principal characters.
— Tim Brady, author of Three Ordinary Girls -
Goodman’s gripping account chronicles the events—both courageous and horrifying—and illustrates how loyalty and betrayal can coincide in wartime and its aftermath.
— The Washington Post, “10 Noteworthy Book for February” -
Two women who took on the Nazis . . . Genuine heroism and well told, with no Hollywood ending.
— Kirkus Reviews -
Of the countless books written about the French Resistance, Paris Undercover stands out as a true original: a riveting, masterfully researched exposé of the explosive reality behind the story of two women imprisoned by the Nazis . . . a heart-pounding tale of betrayal that is impossible to put down.
— Lynne Olson, author of Madame Fourcade’s Secret War and Empress of the Nile -
A smart, vividly realized account of a daring wartime escapade that turns out to be far more complex and problematic than it first appears, Paris Undercover is a gripping and provocative feat of historical investigation—full of surprises to the very end.
— Gary Krist, author of Empire of Sin and The Mirage Factory -
A genuine surprise: not a typical World War II history but a thoughtful examination of the sometimes-blurred lines between fact and fiction, and the dangers of telling other people’s stories.
— Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of Mistress of the Ritz and California Golden -
Just when it seems there is nothing more to learn about World War II, here comes this vivid story of an intrepid woman and her escape line, made more fascinating and poignant by its tangled afterlife.
— Caroline Moorehead, author of Village of Secrets and Mussolini’s Daughter -
A remarkable tale of a pair of unlikely middle-aged resisters . . . This is a fascinating book enlivened by exquisite detail and a deep sense of the humanity of its principal characters.
— Tim Brady, author of Three Ordinary Girls -
This is an amazing story. It’s so surprising and poignant to discover how these two middle-aged women, acting on their own, risked their lives to save Allied soldiers trapped in occupied France. And the consequences of their heroism turn out to be even more extraordinary: dear friends enmeshed in a story of desperate survival—and betrayal.
— Sarah Rose, author of D-Day Girls
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About Matthew Goodman
Matthew Goodman received an MFA from Vermont College. His nonfiction writing has appeared in The Forward, American Scholar, Harvard Review, Brill’s Content, and Utne Reader. His short stories have appeared in such literary journals as the Georgia Review, New England Review, and Witness. He has been a fellow at both the MacDowall and Yaddo writer’s colonies. He is a lifetime New Yorker and lives in New York City with his wife and children.
About Kristi Burns
Kristi Burns’ behind-the-scenes work in television and media production has lead to a fifteen-year career behind the microphone voicing thousands of projects—from e-learning courses to broadcast television.