Scan barcode
100pagesaday's review against another edition
3.0
From a young age, Josephine Baker knew that the world owed her more than what she was given. Born into poverty and racial segregation in Missouri, 1906, Josephine finds joy in singing, dancing and making people laugh. However, Josephine longs for freedom and equal rights. When a opportunity arises to dance in France, Josephine grabs it. Arriving in France, Josephine basks in the freedom to do as she pleases, go where she pleases and love who she pleases. Josephine embraces France, learns the language and rises as a star and cultural icon. When Hitler's influence threatens to destroy all that Josephine loves, she knows she must act and becomes a member of the Red Cross. Then, she is recruited as an honorable correspondent by the French Intelligence Service by Jacques Abtey, fulfilling her need to help her adopted country in a way only Josephine Baker can.
I have been a long time admirer of Josephine Baker and have read several other books about her life and impact during the war. Josephine: Singer, Dancer, Soldier Spy focuses mainly on her time serving as an honorable correspondent with Jacques Abtey. Throughout the story, the theme of freedom and equal rights shines through. The writing takes several large time hops before settling in World War II. It does take a while to get to know Josephine's character. Once Josephine arrives in France and begins her life as a spy, the story smooths out and I was pulled into the intrigue and suspense of her missions and I could feel the influence that Josephine held over people. I was amazed at Josephine's bravery, fortitude and ability to fight for what she believed in.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
I have been a long time admirer of Josephine Baker and have read several other books about her life and impact during the war. Josephine: Singer, Dancer, Soldier Spy focuses mainly on her time serving as an honorable correspondent with Jacques Abtey. Throughout the story, the theme of freedom and equal rights shines through. The writing takes several large time hops before settling in World War II. It does take a while to get to know Josephine's character. Once Josephine arrives in France and begins her life as a spy, the story smooths out and I was pulled into the intrigue and suspense of her missions and I could feel the influence that Josephine held over people. I was amazed at Josephine's bravery, fortitude and ability to fight for what she believed in.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
chelz286's review against another edition
3.0
Josephine Baker, nee McDonald was born into a large family in the early 1900's. She was born into a United States that was still heavy with racism and nearing a War. Being the first born, she was soon put to work to help support her family, Josephine knew she did not want this type of lifestyle and was born for greater things. She often dreams of theater, song and dance.
Josephine was also often treated differently, she was not as dark colored as her siblings and there had been times when she was treated with a little higher of a standard than what she should have been. Back then no one ever said anything, and her mother always quickly shut her up when she inquired about her being different.
Josephine loses a good job as a domestic to a family that has treated her well and her mother has about had it with her, and soon she is married off to a man, meanwhile she is hardly on the brink of womanhood. Through this marriage she soon starts with a family band and begins the start of her career.
As a young marriage often does, it fell apart and not too long after she marries a Baker, and from here on her fame grows. She decides to take up an opportunity that sounds too good to be true and heads to France. France feels like home, she is not segregated, looked down on, called names, made to feel worthless. Here she really feels and understands what true freedom is, no matter the color of your skin.
Josephine becomes a huge household name, and people flock to see her preform. But her biggest performances will be yet to come and not any performance Josephine could have ever imagined. It is suggested to her that she become a spy and gain intelligent information, if anyone can do it, it can be her. She has charm, and charisma that every man wants a piece of.
Josephine becomes entangled into a tumultuous affair, and learns just how quickly she loves the feel of being a spy. Being able to gain information that will help save people makes her feel more useful than when she preforms. Not too long ago she was one of those who was ostracized, and because of that she is the perfect person to complete these missions.
She learned to use her control over men to help benefit those who were being persecuted for their religious belief during WWII. Knowing how that felt to be singled out, she did everything in her power to complete every mission mentioned to her, yet was still in the spotlight and no one had a clue as to her secret work. What an amazing woman!
Thank you to Eilidh McGinness and HFVBT for the opportunity to read and review Josephine! I loved learning about another heroin who helped win the war, meanwhile being front and center and no one knew- very interesting read!
Josephine was also often treated differently, she was not as dark colored as her siblings and there had been times when she was treated with a little higher of a standard than what she should have been. Back then no one ever said anything, and her mother always quickly shut her up when she inquired about her being different.
Josephine loses a good job as a domestic to a family that has treated her well and her mother has about had it with her, and soon she is married off to a man, meanwhile she is hardly on the brink of womanhood. Through this marriage she soon starts with a family band and begins the start of her career.
As a young marriage often does, it fell apart and not too long after she marries a Baker, and from here on her fame grows. She decides to take up an opportunity that sounds too good to be true and heads to France. France feels like home, she is not segregated, looked down on, called names, made to feel worthless. Here she really feels and understands what true freedom is, no matter the color of your skin.
Josephine becomes a huge household name, and people flock to see her preform. But her biggest performances will be yet to come and not any performance Josephine could have ever imagined. It is suggested to her that she become a spy and gain intelligent information, if anyone can do it, it can be her. She has charm, and charisma that every man wants a piece of.
Josephine becomes entangled into a tumultuous affair, and learns just how quickly she loves the feel of being a spy. Being able to gain information that will help save people makes her feel more useful than when she preforms. Not too long ago she was one of those who was ostracized, and because of that she is the perfect person to complete these missions.
She learned to use her control over men to help benefit those who were being persecuted for their religious belief during WWII. Knowing how that felt to be singled out, she did everything in her power to complete every mission mentioned to her, yet was still in the spotlight and no one had a clue as to her secret work. What an amazing woman!
Thank you to Eilidh McGinness and HFVBT for the opportunity to read and review Josephine! I loved learning about another heroin who helped win the war, meanwhile being front and center and no one knew- very interesting read!
read_nap_repeat's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. I had heard of Josephine Baker but never knew about the amazing things she did to help France during WW2. I especially liked the appendix with the time line of her life. I found it quite fascinating. I was a little thrown off by the short chapters. I was reading on my ebook so I don't know for sure but it seemed like some chapters were only one page. I found that took me out of the story a little bit but chapter length is an entirely personal preference. I don't fault the book for that :) overall a really great addition to the historical fiction genre.
More...