Worth Reading: The Wolves at the Door (Content Challenge #9)

Virginia Hall: America's Greatest Female Spy (Content Challenge #9)

A quote from the Times Record News summarizes this book well: "The Wolves at the Door is for anyone who has ever been told, 'No. You can't.'" 

A headline version of the book might read: "Baltimore socialite and amputee becomes America's greatest female spy."
​
​Both summaries are accurate but understated.

​Today's Content Marketing Challenge highlights the bravery and determination of Virginia Hall--America's greatest female spy--and the biography that shares her story--The Wolves at the Door.

The Storyline

A Safehouse

​Virginia Hall was an American who grew up in Baltimore. After traveling through Europe with her family as a child, Virginia left home in 1931 to live in France and pursue her dream of serving the United States as a Foreign Service Officer. Denied the opportunity to serve because of her gender and her handicap, Virginia moved to Britain to work for British Special Operations Executive (SOE). There she learned the trade of espionage and sabotage. 

Throughout World War II, Virginia worked tirelessly to defeat Naziism. Operating inside occupied France–with the help of the French Underground–Virginia helped POWs and downed airmen escape to England, secured safe houses for agents, sabotaged transportation and communication hubs, operated a suitcase radio, and narrowly escaped capture numerous times.  

Kudos go to the author, Judith L. Pearson. She handles suspenseful, dark, and dangerous content without sugar-coating it or magnifying it beyond reason. The account churns with turbulence but doesn't completely drown the reader.

---

The Takeaways

Virginia Hall's life inspires us because she was a real heroine who:

• Accomplished what no one thought she could.
• Overcame a physical handicap that would have sidelined most of us.
• Refused to give up, even when the situation seemed hopeless and those she trusted betrayed her.
• Loved freedom enough to risk her life fighting an oppressive regime.
• Cared enough for others–many of whom were strangers–to risk her life for them.
• Shunned recognition and glory in order to continue her work.

Today's CTA

Virginia's Suitcase Radio

 You Accept the CHallenge, Too!
Recommend a book you've read recently.

1. What's the basic storyline or content area?
2. What's your field? Freelancing? Education? Business? Something else?
3. What makes your choice worth reading?

---