43 pages 1 hour read

Sonia Purnell

A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of Virginia Hall, WWII’s Most Dangerous Spy

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2019

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Index of Terms

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

The CIA is the American Central Intelligence Agency. President Truman founded the CIA during the earliest stages of what would become the Cold War. The Office of Strategic Services, in which Virginia also served, was a predecessor of the CIA.

Cuthbert

Cuthbert is the name Virginia gave to her prosthetic leg. In the book, the leg symbolizes Virginia’s resilience, self-reliance, and sense of humor, which often manifested as an utter lack of self-pity.

The Distinguished Service Cross

The Distinguished Service Cross is “America’s second-highest military honor” (269). Virginia was the only female civilian in World War II to receive the DSC. She kept the ceremony secret, allowing only her mother to attend.