Her Finest Hour: The Heroic Life of Diana Rowden, Wartime Secret Agent - Gabrielle McDonald-Rothwell

This review submitted to Soldier magazine.

Title: Her Finest Hour: The Heroic Life of Diana Rowden, Wartime Secret Agent

Author:   Gabrielle McDonald-Rothwell

ISBN: 978-1445661643

Publisher: Amberley

Year: 2017

Hardcover

Pages: 336

This book is a fascinating account of a courageous heroine who, with courage, cunning and tenacity, chose to serve her country behind enemy lines in occupied France as an SOE agent. Betrayed and imprisoned in a concentration camp, she paid the ultimate price for her dedication to duty. The author has crafted an excellent history of the woman, her motivations and her achievements; without embellishment or undo fanfare. It also sheds light on the methods used for interrogation and their effect upon the strength of the psyche. A true hero, this work does her credit and sheds light upon the critical operational role that women played in the Second World War. 

The Prisoner in his Palace - Will Bardenwerper

This review submitted to Soldier magazine.

Title: The Prisoner in his Palace

Author:   

ISBN: 978-1-50111-783-1

Publisher: Scribner

Year: 2017

Hardcover

Pages: 201

This book focuses on the experiences of the US Marines who were responsible for guarding Saddam Hussein during the final 6 months of his life and the struggle that they had with the deep contrast between the Saddam they knew and the public perception of the world at large. The author paints a vivid and compelling picture of a kind and thoughtful prisoner that the guards saw and the ruthless killer that was his public face and legacy. Well written and researched, this book speaks volumes about the challenge of trying to paint an individual in terms of absolutes when we are, in fact, varying shades of grey.