Virginia Hall: America’s Most Successful Female WWII Spy

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  • Опубліковано 10 чер 2024
  • Virginia Hall was a trailblazing spy. She didn’t let a hunting accident which robbed her of a leg slow her down. A Baltimorean with an interest in foreign languages and the gumption to overcome obstacles both physical and cultural, Hall operated courageously behind enemy lines in occupied France during World War II.
    She coordinated French Resistance efforts and put her life on the line first as an agent for the English Special Operations Executive and then with the US Office of Strategic Services.
    Award-winning author Sonia Purnell’s new book A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II takes a fresh look at Hall’s espionage activities and how they changed the course of the conflict. And who better to interview Purnell about Virginia Hall than another trailblazing spy: Jonna Mendez, former CIA chief of disguise and co-author of Moscow Rules.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 67

  • @jcortese3300
    @jcortese3300 4 роки тому +93

    Why has no one optioned this book for an effing movie?! Why do we see dozens of made-up fictional spy movies with male leads and yet no one has touched this staggering real-life story?

    • @Noirzucar
      @Noirzucar 4 роки тому +6

      You speak truth to word.

    • @jbllc6873
      @jbllc6873 4 роки тому +26

      The British actress who plays Rey in the Star Wars films is supposed to portray Virginia Hall in a film based on this book

    • @jcortese3300
      @jcortese3300 4 роки тому +8

      @@jbllc6873 Awesome, thanks! That will be wonderful!

    • @DeletedAccountxxx
      @DeletedAccountxxx 4 роки тому +6

      J Cortese Hollywood blockbuster director of the moment JJ Abrams bought the film rights and is making it into a film, with Hall being played my Star Wars heroine Daisy Ridley. Let’s hope they do the story justice. can Ridley pull it off? I had imagined Euphoria’s Barbie Ferreira as a more suitable choice.

    • @patdicarlo1
      @patdicarlo1 3 роки тому +7

      Im reading this one now. Also, another wonderful female spy book by Lynn Olsen, called Madame Fourcade's secret war. Also true!

  • @beverleyjohnson7434
    @beverleyjohnson7434 3 роки тому +13

    The book was so well written and it made me wish I could have know her.
    It reminded me to continue thanking any man or woman in uniform for serving our country.

  • @susansykes6855
    @susansykes6855 2 роки тому +8

    There is a film called Call to Spy, it shows the incredible heroism of Virginia. The Gestapo posted wanted photos of her and named her the limping lady

  • @ernarc23
    @ernarc23 2 роки тому +5

    What a phenomenal life and contribution to history Virginia made. Thank you so much for sharing this presentation! 💕

  • @liash1015
    @liash1015 3 роки тому +14

    Once we can travel again, I'm signing up for the Virgina Hall tour of France!

  • @MaryJohanna
    @MaryJohanna 4 роки тому +26

    Just finished reading the book, what a badass woman that we just don't know enough about.

  • @michaelburrell6574
    @michaelburrell6574 3 роки тому +4

    This story of such a remarkable woman, SHOULD be made in to a Movie or into a television series......truth is just more amazing than fiction......

  • @deniseIEW
    @deniseIEW 3 роки тому +7

    Both of these women were delightful to listen to. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Virginia Hall's story.

  • @justrelaxing1501
    @justrelaxing1501 Рік тому +1

    I’m finishing up Sonia Pernell’s book about Virginia with just a few pages left and I can say for certain that Virginia was a Women of Great Importance. She didn’t quit, she put up with too much sexism from her superiors, colleagues, and subordinates. All of them underestimated the huge roll she played in the liberation of France. Even the French government failed to realize how hard she fought to free France from Nazi rule.

  • @stellayates4227
    @stellayates4227 3 роки тому +4

    A brilliant story which is so inspiring! Thank you for uploading.

  • @radiok2ua
    @radiok2ua 3 роки тому +2

    Absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much for telling this story! Can't wait to read the book!

  • @LeeAnnahsCreations
    @LeeAnnahsCreations 2 роки тому +1

    Seriously need a full length movie about this!!!

  • @brendafitch9589
    @brendafitch9589 3 роки тому +2

    Such a wonderful informative presentation and interview! Bravo ! 👍👍👍👏👏👏👏

  • @workingguy6666
    @workingguy6666 4 роки тому +5

    Enjoyed the coverage of Virginia. Knew about her already, but this was a nice addendum.

  • @redbird726
    @redbird726 3 роки тому +1

    Fantastic story, fantastic presentation!!

  • @footiefan51
    @footiefan51 11 місяців тому

    From the start, each page of this book was gripping. What an incredible life. I didn't want to finish the book. I hope the movie does the book justice.

  • @jorymil
    @jorymil 7 місяців тому

    Anyone who buys her own gondola to get around Venice is someone worth knowing about.

  • @icarustheother8591
    @icarustheother8591 2 роки тому

    I love what you said we have a microphone over there. There's more than one. Obviously because there's one sitting right in front of you. Thank you Mendez both of you alive or dead. You guys are awesome. Such inspiration. You can't be beat. I've been trying LOL it's not working out.. one of these days maybe we'll meet I hope doing it you guys are outstanding. Thank you so much.

  • @milandaertl9864
    @milandaertl9864 Рік тому

    Virginia Hall we will never forget you. Hero Hero Hero

  • @sprayarm
    @sprayarm Рік тому

    Incredible story! Getting this book for Mom for Christmas.

  • @Viv8ldi
    @Viv8ldi 4 місяці тому

    Thanx this is so good

  • @Standinthegap4ever
    @Standinthegap4ever 6 місяців тому +1

    The cia should have made Hall a trainer or “professor”. If she’d been given more credit & tasks the cia would probably be a whole different agency today.

  • @monelleny
    @monelleny 3 роки тому +1

    Not to take anything away from this remarkable woman, I would love to know the source of information for Purnell's assertion that there was no Resistance in France until Hall showed up.

  • @Hebdomad7
    @Hebdomad7 6 місяців тому

    1:07:15
    The Audacity of that child to ask a journalist who specializes in stories of espionage to reveal her sources! This one is going to go far...

  • @DogKata
    @DogKata 3 роки тому +3

    Why are they pretending that there are no other books about Virginia Hall? I bought Judith Pearson's book, Wolves at the Door, 2008, about Virginia, at the Spy Museum and there are other books as well.

    • @himartem
      @himartem 3 роки тому +1

      I Just finished watching "To Call to Spy". Movie about Virginia Hall when she was spying against Nazis for the British during WW2 working in occupied France.

  • @debbiehill4248
    @debbiehill4248 Рік тому

    Nancy Wake (the white mouse) an Australian SOE agent , another brilliant story. I would love to have been by Virginia's side. What an adventure.

  • @workman3951
    @workman3951 4 роки тому +15

    So... when will Steven Spielberg be making Virginia Hall: A Woman of No Importance - The Movie?

    • @jessicaagriani
      @jessicaagriani 3 роки тому +2

      I think it’s in development. Back in 2017 it says Paramount acquired it and it has Daisy Ridley in it. No writers nor director yet unfortunately. I would like Spielberg/Bigelow to direct if possible. That would be cool

  • @stanthology
    @stanthology 3 роки тому

    Always engage your safety.

  • @thenorthernspinozist397
    @thenorthernspinozist397 2 роки тому +1

    She was better than the best Navy Seal.

  • @susansykes6855
    @susansykes6855 2 роки тому

    When Ms Hall went to France before 1941, as an American, she was a neutral until Pearl Harbour but gathered ntelligence reports then went into SOE

  • @BoodlooderJeet
    @BoodlooderJeet Рік тому

    HEY! you cut the intro song short....

  • @allangibson2408
    @allangibson2408 3 роки тому +1

    Not exactly a one off. Nancy Wake was active during the same period in France - initially freelance running an escape network but from 1943 with SOE. SOE did give their female operatives military ranks with Nancy becoming a captain.

    • @susansykes6855
      @susansykes6855 2 роки тому +1

      Nancy Wake, Noor Inyat Khan, Nearne sisters Violette Szabo, Odette Sansom, Denise Bloch and many other incredibly, brave agents

  • @icarustheother8591
    @icarustheother8591 2 роки тому

    I'm going to have her to reference the spies that were living together where Mrs Mendez said all I can see is like cigarette butted beer cans laying around.. those boys got it done though. What a fantasy to be able to walk through the Halls of such intellect! It's only because I'm KAREN I mean caring! Dang it I don't know where Karen came from

  • @losangeles1973
    @losangeles1973 3 роки тому

    What was the name of the double agent priest that collaborated with the Nazis?

  • @lornakim5706
    @lornakim5706 2 роки тому +1

    All of my Comments via UA-cam Farther Mark Goring 26+ July and into August 2021; &, Kentucky Legend Whiskey-glazed Ham Recipe on additional Videos

  • @georgesam363
    @georgesam363 4 місяці тому

    But the Germans didn't invade THROUGH the Maginot Line; they went AROUND it.

  • @stevensibbet5869
    @stevensibbet5869 Рік тому

    People with good genes should BREEED! Pass on their good genes, they are so rare.

  • @amy-luna
    @amy-luna Рік тому +1

    Observation: Perhaps we should stop calling females who reject sex stereotype socialization "tomBOYs." It just reinforces those same sex stereotypes.

  • @victoriapendleton4099
    @victoriapendleton4099 3 роки тому

    Really bad hair day!

  • @ttrainor70
    @ttrainor70 3 роки тому

    She appears a highly intelligent and attractive woman. Why would you say she has no importance? Are you a misogynist?

    • @patriciax3677
      @patriciax3677 3 роки тому +3

      I think the title was tongue in cheek because of the fact that so many with power to recognize her talent and give her support did not do that ...and it was clearly sexism that was the barricade w/ attitudes from those w/ power that she was "not important" enough to be given the chance to prove her mettle She did it anyway but of course, all the prejuce just made her job harder. Imagine what she could have achieved if she'd had the kind of support men w/ her guts and ambition had?

  • @kat3400
    @kat3400 2 роки тому

    .

  • @craigcrawford6749
    @craigcrawford6749 4 роки тому +7

    Note to all on public speaking - you can use another adjective other than "amazing" 15 times in your intro. If you have to emphasize "amazing" 40 times when talking about women, it makes it seems like maybe they ain't really "amazing" at all. Nice clothing choice tho - 70's tube top under a lumberjack shirt and some floppy cleavage showing.

    • @Elwood2911
      @Elwood2911 3 роки тому +4

      Craig Crawford: I thought I was the only one totally fed up with the overuse, ... and inappropriate usage of "amazing" . This exemplifies a LAZY mind ... with a limited vocabulary ... attempting to impress. I ain't impressed! In fact, I CLICK OFF anyone the second time they use "amazing". I take the same action whenever I hear (usually females) make a statement with a ? inflection in their voice. Is ENGLISH not a taught subject anymore?