A New York Times bestselling author of nine books of history, Lynne Olson has been called (by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright) “our era’s foremost chronicler of World War II politics and diplomacy.”
In her book on Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, the Frenchwoman and mother of two who became leader of a vast Resistance intelligence organization in France, Olson explores one of the most crucial and effective spy networks during World War II.
No other French spy network lasted as long or supplied as much crucial intelligence, including providing American and British military commanders with a 55-foot-long map of the beaches and roads on which the Allies would land on D-Day, showing every German gun emplacement, fortification, and beach obstacle along the Normandy coast. The Gestapo pursued Fourcade and Alliance relentlessly, capturing, torturing, and executing hundreds of Fourcade’s three thousand agents. Although Fourcade moved her headquarters every few weeks, constantly changing her hair color, clothing, and identity, she was captured twice by the Nazis. Both times she escaped, once by slipping naked through the bars of her jail cell — and continued to hold her network together even as it repeatedly threatened to crumble around her.
- Read our In Depth blog post about this event.
In connection with this event, Festival Boca, together with Boca Public Library, is inaugurating a new Boca Reads book event in connection with this event. Read more here.
Artists & Authors
Venue
With nearly 100 restaurants and eateries featuring cuisine and gourmet treats from around the world, Downtown Boca is a foodie’s dream come true. Make your plans or reservations now for a before-performance dinner date, drinks before the show, or a late-night supper or dessert. And parking in the Mizner Park parking garages is free!