JOSEPHINE

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.

biography, France, historical-fiction, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, dance, spies

Josephine's beginnings are brought out in disgusting clarity portraying the horrors that irrationally frightened men do to others and make it exceptionally clear that it was not just fame and fortune that pushed her to leave the US, but a desire for freedom that she could not find in the country of her birth. Of course, her need to dance and aspects of her career are clearly presented, but not as the only important part of her legacy. Time is spent on how well she was treated in her adopted country and how that impacted her need to work to protect France from the evils of Nazism in any way possible and at any personal cost, including capture, torture, and death as a spy. As this is fictionalized biographical history, there is significant time spent on her private life and is appropriate to the story. I knew that she had been decorated as a war hero by France and that she had been a spy for the Resistance, but this book made it more real. Not a book to be missed!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!

I thought this book was a wonderful story. Fiction based on fact it tells of the bravery of Josephine Baker who was a member of the French resistance during World War 2. Josephine was born into a racially segregated America.- St Louis. The story tells of her life from living in abject poverty to becoming a successful dancer and performer which took her to New York and then onto Paris. Josephine loved the hedonistic lifestyle of Paris but with Hitler's rise to power she wants to defend the Liberty, Equality and Fraternity that she holds dear in France.. Her homeland represented fear, humiliation and misery. She joins the French Intelligence service. This takes her from France to North Africa. During her travels she forms long lasting friendships and finds love.but all of these are challenged at various times.

Josephine Baker was decorated with Legion d'Honneur and the croix de Guerre and the French Government provided a 21 gun salute at her funeral. So much respect was felt for her.

'Josephine's story has woven fact with fiction which I feel has brought it to life The characters are very strong and it is clear that she was a brilliant women. Such bravery and grit to defend what she believed in. Having been exposed to humiliation growning up as a black, poor child in a whilte America France gave her the opportunity to blossom and she wanted to repay the country that she loved.

Not really knowing much about Josephine Baker, this was an eye-opening look at a brave, courageous woman. From racially-segregated America, Josephine travelled to Paris as an entertainer, wildly popular and beloved. As the Nazis closed in on France, Josephine became both soldier and spy for the life she believed in. Recommended and an excellent read.

I had always heard tales of the great Josephine Baker. This is a close up look at her and her legacy written to draw you in as though you were there. I really enjoyed this story.

I didn't know too much about Josephine Baker before reading this book, but this fictional account of her life made me research her online and she lived quite a fascinating life. This book focuses on her work with the French Intelligence Service during the War. The author did a great job of describing the time period and the story moved along at a quick pace.

Such a fascinating life, made even more fascinating by this well-written and intriguing novel. Recommended.

This was a really engaging tale spun from the real facts of Josephine Baker's wartime service to the Allies. This historical fiction novel gives a sense of the kind of pain and pressure that Josephine endured from her earliest days, over which she found a way to triumph--on her terms. A born entertainer, she refused to be held back by the forces of segregation, injustice, and poverty as she pursued her destiny of being a dancer, even though she had to go to Paris to do it. When war came, she was in a unique position to be a military operative.

This book adds a new perspective to the vast collection of WWII literature, memoirs, and historical fiction. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the chance to read a digital ARC for the purpose of an unbiased review.

Really fascinating. I've always loved Josephine Baker, and this was an interesting way to pay homage to her legend.

I knew very little about Josephine Baker before starting this novel, and the book arose my interest in finding more about her.
She grew up in a racially segregated America and was forced to start working as early as 12 yo (and got married at 13), but dreamed of dancing and singing and become more than what she saw around. So at 19, already a divorcee, she sailed to Paris, which became her new home and France her adopted country. Here, she became an exotic celebrity by dancing and singing almost naked on famous stages, her fame extending soon all over Europe.
During the WWII, she helped the French Resistance through any means at her disposal, endangering herself. She also provided entertainment for the troups, refusing though to perform for segregated audiences. After the war, she was awarded the Croix de guerre and was a civil rights activist.

I think Josephine Baker's life was fascinating, how she escaped segregation and poverty and got so famous and did so much good!
What stopped me enjoying this book more was the capricious and very childish tone attributed to Josephine - I don't know if that was how she really was or how the author perceived her, but nevertheless, I will recommend this book as a means to get to know a little of her life and deeds, 'cos it's worth it, in my oppinion.

i really enjoyed reading this book, I liked the fictional novel based on fact. I enjoyed getting to know this version of Josephine.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. I have read many books on Josephine Baker and I am still surprised by the things she endured. This was a great book.

Really excellent read - I have a personal interest in Josephine Baker because I live near Chateau Milandes. Josephine is a faithful and bold fictional-led representation of a significant part of her life. Kudos to the author.