Her Secret Service cover art

Her Secret Service

The Forgotten Women of British Intelligence

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Her Secret Service

By: Claire Hubbard-Hall
Narrated by: Jilly Bond
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About this listen

 'Beautiful written and elegiac . . . a masterpiece' Damien Lewis, author of multiple Sunday Times Bestsellers
'Riveting, original and scrupulously researched' Richard J Aldrich, author of GCHQ
'Phenomenal . . . genuinely pioneering, undoubtedly necessary and a great read' Rory Cormac, author of How to Stage a Coup

Since the inception of the Secret Service Bureau back in 1909, women have worked at the very heart of British secret intelligence - yet their contributions have been all but written out of history. Now, drawing on private and previously-classified documents, leading historian Claire Hubbard-Hall brings their gripping true stories to life.

From encoding orders and decrypting enemy messages to penning propaganda and infiltrating organisations, the women of British intelligence played a pivotal role in both the First and Second World Wars. Prepare to meet the true custodians of Britain's military secrets, from Kathleen Pettigrew, personal assistant to the Chief of MI6 Stewart Menzies, who late in life declared 'I was Miss Moneypenny, but with more power', to Jane Archer, the very first female MI5 officer who raised suspicions about the Soviet spy Kim Philby long before he was officially unmasked and Winifred Spink, the first female officer ever sent to Russia in 1916. In Her Secret Service, Hubbard-Hall rescues these silenced voices and those of many other fascinating women from obscurity to provide a definitive account of women's contributions to the history of the intelligence services.©2024 Claire Hubbard-Hall Europe Great Britain Military Women Espionage Russia Soviet Union War Imperialism

Critic reviews

Riveting, original and scrupulously researched, this remarkable work rescues the lost voices of Britain's intelligence services
Full of anecdote and insight, Claire Hubbard-Hall has crafted a fascinating history of the pivotal role played by women in the British intelligence services. A hugely enjoyable read
A phenomenal achievement . . . one of those rare books that is genuinely pioneering, undoubtedly necessary, and a great read. There is something new on every page
Beautifully written and elegiac . . . a masterpiece that showcases the incredible contribution made by Britain's female intelligence operatives at home and abroad. For those who went deep into harm's way, they had little more than their charm, intelligence, wit and beauty as a foil to the enemy's most cunning and vicious predations. An entrancing book showcasing women's long forgotten voices in espionage histories
Compelling and impeccably researched . . . Forget James Bond; these are the real heroines of British espionage
Pays tribute to the legions of women who devoted their lives to the British secret service but whose efforts went largely unacknowledged
Groundbreaking
Passionately and expertly uncovers remarkable stories of women as strategists, operational leaders and pioneers who contributed significantly to the outcomes of both world wars and to the development of intelligence during the interwar period
All stars
Most relevant
Why the need for the "deeper" voice when a man is speaking? Just sounded silly. Made the intonation very odd. Men when narrating tend not to go higher when reading womens elements of books so why the odd dropped voice which was horrible. Just read dont overact !!!!! Spoils the book. I have no problem with it being narrated by anyone but i am sure it doesn't need the "chummy" knowingness that comes through.

Weird narration

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Well researched and detailed book (but so much detail may be easier to read than listen to). However, narration is like a cosy crime novel or Miss Marple, knitting in hand, which is completely inappropriate given the professional and dangerous work recounted in the book. Recommend reading it instead.

Great book, awful narration

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This book is a fantastic listen and a real insight into the role of women in the secret service. Their role and the sacrifices they made for their country.

Fantastic listen !!

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I couldn't get past chapter 4.
The narration sounds like Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple but with really annoying intonation. I'm sure it's a good book to read but not to listen to.

Awful narration

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