First published in 1971 by Leo Cooper, this is a most welcome
new edition of an extraordinary story. It tells the wartime
story of a racing training who volunteered to fight in WWII.
A thrilling tale that has all the suspense and excitement of
a novel. Very Highly Recommended.
NAME: Accidental Agent, Behind Enemy Lines With The French Resistance FILE: R2394 AUTHOR: John Goldsmith PUBLISHER: Pen & Sword BINDING: hard back PAGES: 192 PRICE: £19.99 GENRE: Non Fiction SUBJECT: WWII, World War Two, Second World War, SOE, French Resistance, spies, saboteurs, liaison, intelligence gathering, training, supplies ISBN: 978-1-47388-781-7 IMAGE: B2394.jpg BUYNOW: http://tinyurl.com/gsqqbuz LINKS: Current Discount Offers http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/sale DESCRIPTION: First published in 1971 by Leo Cooper, this is a most welcome new edition of an extraordinary story. It tells the wartime story of a racing training who volunteered to fight in WWII. A thrilling tale that has all the suspense and excitement of a novel. Very Highly Recommended. There is an affectionate introduction by the author's family which nicely sets the scene for what is the tale of a very modest man. The publisher is establishing a reputation for producing posthumous editions of stories that should never die out. This is another well-produced book that includes a strong photo-plate section in support of an enthralling text. There was a time when memoirs and history books aimed for stolid colourless accounts of what were important and exciting lives and events. Fortunately that era has faded and this book holds the reader's attention to the last page. Major Goldsmith volunteered to fight but his age, he was over 30, initially was a barrier. However, he persevered and secured a tank driving instructor position in the ranks. In 1942, in accidental circumstances, he was recruited into SOE's F Section and sent to France. If this was a fictional tale, it could be described as a 'ripping yarn'. As a true story, it contains those darker elements of comrades lost and oppression by the Germans, but it is every bit as thrilling. The author was awarded a number of high decorations for service above and beyond the call of duty. He participated in a full range of activities against the Germans and played an important role in the development of the Maquis which were developed to the point where they could fight pitched battles with German troops and win. During his service, Goldsmith was captured by the Gestapo and then escaped. It is an action story of the first rank. After the end of hostilities, he returned to his favoured sport as a racing trainer. Tragically, he was to die in 1972 from Leukaemia.