Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Agent Zo
Agent Zo: The Untold Story of a Fearless World War II Resistance Fighter | Clare Mulley
11 posts | 3 read | 1 reading | 9 to read
The incredible and inspiring story of Elzbieta Zawacka, the World War II female resistance fighter known as Agent Zo. During World War II, Elzbieta Zawackathe WW2 female resistance fighter known as Agent Zowas the only woman to reach London as an emissary of the Polish Home Army command. In Britain, she became the only woman to join the Polish elite Special Forces, known as the "Silent Unseen. She was secretly trained in the British countryside, and then she was the only female member of these forces to be parachuted back behind enemy lines to Nazi-occupied Poland. There, while being hunted by the Gestapo (who arrested her entire family), she took a leading role in the Warsaw Uprising and the liberation of Poland. After the war, she was discharged as one of the most highly decorated women in Polish history. Yet the Soviet-backed post-war Communist regime not only imprisoned (and tortured) her, but also ensured that her remarkable story remained hidden for over forty years. Now, through new archival research and exclusive interviews with people who knew and fought alongside Agent Zo, Clare Mulley brings this forgotten heroine back to brilliant lifewhile transforming how we value the history of women resistance fighters during World War II.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
jenniferw88
post image

#wpnf25

Well, I've read 3 of them! Agree with 2 (Agent Zo & What the Wild Sea Can Be), not so sure about Raising Hare.

I'm glad The Eagle and the Hart didn't make it, but disappointed Sister in Law isn't there.

Will be getting Story of a Heart out of the library!

quote
charl08

As far as possible, the women saved each other.

(Magdeburg camp, 1944)

quote
charl08
post image

"an insane feminist and pioneer of the "liberation" movement and equality of women', the report continued. 'A hysterical woman'.*" '

Got to love the lack of self-censorship in pre-Freedom of Information civil servants' memos.

quote
charl08
post image

Zo usually returned from Germany [to Poland] within a few days, bringing back her observations on changing travel regulations, rationing and morale... After one Berlin air raid, Zo was asked to walk around the city and later discreetly mark up a map to help assess the accuracy of the campaign.

'The English know almost everything about the results of their attacks on Germany', Joseph Goebbels... sullenly complained to his diary."

43 likes1 stack add
quote
charl08
post image

During the Great War the Dutch dancer Margaretha Zelle, better known as Mata Hari, had lodged the idea of femme fatale spies in some romantic minds Although women serving in the resistance deployed whatever skills and resources they had, their distinguishing superpower was not, in fact, irresistible sexual allure, but simply their ability to be consistently overlooked and underestimated.

39 likes1 comment
review
Hooked_on_books
post image
Pickpick

This was one of the books from the #WPNF25 list I was most excited for and it did not disappoint. It‘s a banger of a book, detailing the life of Polish resistance fighter Elzbieta Zawacka in WWII and beyond. She was a remarkable woman. If you love historical fiction but are wary of NF, give this one a try.

squirrelbrain Great review! This is one I still need to get to…. 3w
charl08 Reading this really slowly (the hardback is not designed for handbags!) 2w
50 likes4 stack adds2 comments
blurb
jenniferw88
post image

February reads

Bookbuyingaddict What a great 👍 list they‘re all on my TBR and library 📚 reserved which was your favourite 🤩 😊 4w
jenniferw88 @Bookbuyingaddict Agent Zo, closely followed by Sister in Law 4w
47 likes2 comments
blurb
jenniferw88
post image

Best book of February. I've already recommended it to one of my FB groups, and I'm giving a copy to my Dad (which I'll keep if he doesn't want it). #readingbracket2025 @Catsandbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m going to borrow your bracket if that‘s ok! 💛 4w
jenniferw88 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks of course! A blank one can probably be found on @Catsandbooks' page though! 4w
Catsandbooks Excellent!! 🎉 ❤️ 4w
Catsandbooks @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks yes there's a blank one on my page. Everyone is welcome to use it! 4w
42 likes4 comments
blurb
jenniferw88
post image

#preorders #bookmail

Waterstones had 25% off preorders this weekend, so all of these will be coming in the next few months.

Tagged book is a present for my Dad, but if he doesn't want it, I'll be keeping it, as I'd like a physical copy. I wanted a physical copy of Sister in Law.

PuddleJumper Ooo did they now? Just in time for birthday season 😅 I'll have to see if it's still active 1mo
51 likes1 comment
review
jenniferw88
post image
Pickpick
kspenmoll Want to read this! 1mo
rockpools I just started this one yesterday. It‘s VERY readable! 1mo
56 likes2 stack adds2 comments
quote
jenniferw88
post image