A review by chelz286
Josephine: Singer dancer soldier spy by Eilidh McGinness

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!