Josephine Baker's Secret War - The African American Star Who Fought for France and Freedom

The full story of Josephine Baker's wartime and intelligence work in France and North AfricaBefore the Second World War, Josephine Baker (1906-1975) was one of the most famous performers in the world. She made her name dancing on the Parisian stage, but when war broke out she decided not to return to America. Instead, Baker turned spy for the French Secret Services.In this engaging, deeply researched study, Hanna Diamond tells the full story of Baker's actions for the French and Allied powers in World War Two. Drawing on previously unseen material, Diamond reveals the vital role Baker played throughout the war, from counterintelligence work for the Allied landings in North Africa to serving in the French Air Force in 1944-45. A woman of colour operating in a white male environment, Baker exploited her celebrity to enable her war work across France, Spain, Portugal, North Africa, and the Middle East.This groundbreaking account is the first to reveal the full significance of Baker's wartime contribution.

Product details

• Authors: Diamond, Hanna Diamond, Diamond Hanna
• Publisher: Yale University Press Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 29.04.2025
• EAN: 9780300279986
• ISBN: 978-0-300-27998-6
• No. of pages: 352
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > 20th century (up to 1945); Non-fiction book; France, European History, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Entertainment & Performing Arts, HISTORY / Europe / France, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, Biography: arts & entertainment, Second World War, c 1938 to c 1946 (World War Two period), c 1939 to c 1945 (including WW2), Biography: arts and entertainment, HISTORY / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General