Leaders & Notable People
![Larry Loftis - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_larry_loftis.jpg)
The Princess Spy: The True Story of World War II Spy Aline Griffith, Countess of Romanones
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER
"As exciting as any spy novel" (Daily News, New York), The Princess Spy follows the hidden history of an ordinary American girl who became one of the OSS's most daring World War II spies before marrying into European nobility. Perfect for fans of A Woman of No Importance and Code Girls.
When Aline Griffith was born in a quiet suburban New York hamlet, no one had any idea that she would go on to live "a life of glamour and danger that Ingrid Bergman only played at in Notorious" (Time). As the United States enters the Second World War, the young college graduate is desperate to aid in the war effort, but no one is interested in a bright-eyed young woman whose only career experience is modeling clothes.
Aline's life changes when, at a dinner party, she meets a man named Frank Ryan and reveals how desperately she wants to do her part for her country. Within a few weeks, he helps her join the Office of Strategic Services-forerunner of the CIA. With a code name and expert training under her belt, she is sent to Spain to be a coder, but is soon given the additional assignment of infiltrating the upper echelons of society, mingling with high-ranking officials, diplomats, and titled Europeans. Against this glamorous backdrop of galas and dinner parties, she recruits sub-agents and engages in deep-cover espionage.
Even after marrying the Count of Romanones, one of the wealthiest men in Spain, Aline secretly continues her covert activities, being given special assignments when abroad that would benefit from her impeccable pedigree and social connections.
"[A] meticulously researched, beautifully crafted work of nonfiction that reads like a James Bond thriller" (Bookreporter), The Princess Spy brings to vivid life the dazzling adventures of a spirited American woman who risked everything to serve her country.
"As exciting as any spy novel" (Daily News, New York), The Princess Spy follows the hidden history of an ordinary American girl who became one of the OSS's most daring World War II spies before marrying into European nobility. Perfect for fans of A Woman of No Importance and Code Girls.
When Aline Griffith was born in a quiet suburban New York hamlet, no one had any idea that she would go on to live "a life of glamour and danger that Ingrid Bergman only played at in Notorious" (Time). As the United States enters the Second World War, the young college graduate is desperate to aid in the war effort, but no one is interested in a bright-eyed young woman whose only career experience is modeling clothes.
Aline's life changes when, at a dinner party, she meets a man named Frank Ryan and reveals how desperately she wants to do her part for her country. Within a few weeks, he helps her join the Office of Strategic Services-forerunner of the CIA. With a code name and expert training under her belt, she is sent to Spain to be a coder, but is soon given the additional assignment of infiltrating the upper echelons of society, mingling with high-ranking officials, diplomats, and titled Europeans. Against this glamorous backdrop of galas and dinner parties, she recruits sub-agents and engages in deep-cover espionage.
Even after marrying the Count of Romanones, one of the wealthiest men in Spain, Aline secretly continues her covert activities, being given special assignments when abroad that would benefit from her impeccable pedigree and social connections.
"[A] meticulously researched, beautifully crafted work of nonfiction that reads like a James Bond thriller" (Bookreporter), The Princess Spy brings to vivid life the dazzling adventures of a spirited American woman who risked everything to serve her country.
Editorial Reviews
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER
Florida Book Awards bronze medal
Featured on Today
What to Read in 2021 by The Washington Post
A Wall Street Journal monthly pick
"[A] real life espionage thriller…Fast-paced, edgy and highly engaging." -The Wall Street Journal
"The Princess Spy is one of the most glamorous and thrilling espionage tales ever told." -Vannessa Cronin, Amazon Book Review
"Loftis, a historian who's written two previous nonfiction spy thrillers, delivers a rich, deeply researched account of Griffith's espionage escapades." -Washington Post
"Filled with glamour, glitz, and mysterious characters...Sumptuous...A lively history of a spirited woman." -Kirkus Reviews
"An entertaining biography [with a] fast-moving narrative...Espionage buffs will be enthralled." -Publishers Weekly
"A richly-detailed narrative full of twists and turns." -Library Journal
"Spellbinding…With splashes of glamour set against dire stakes and covert operations, The Princess Spy is a cross between Code Girls and The Only Woman in the Room ." -BookBub
Florida Book Awards bronze medal
Featured on Today
What to Read in 2021 by The Washington Post
A Wall Street Journal monthly pick
"[A] real life espionage thriller…Fast-paced, edgy and highly engaging." -The Wall Street Journal
"The Princess Spy is one of the most glamorous and thrilling espionage tales ever told." -Vannessa Cronin, Amazon Book Review
"Loftis, a historian who's written two previous nonfiction spy thrillers, delivers a rich, deeply researched account of Griffith's espionage escapades." -Washington Post
"Filled with glamour, glitz, and mysterious characters...Sumptuous...A lively history of a spirited woman." -Kirkus Reviews
"An entertaining biography [with a] fast-moving narrative...Espionage buffs will be enthralled." -Publishers Weekly
"A richly-detailed narrative full of twists and turns." -Library Journal
"Spellbinding…With splashes of glamour set against dire stakes and covert operations, The Princess Spy is a cross between Code Girls and The Only Woman in the Room ." -BookBub
Readers Top Reviews
Prime QueenKarmaJ
I really enjoyed this book! While it’s listed as a historical non fiction book it reads like a novel most of the time. It was very interesting to read some of the things that were happening during the war that aren’t typically included with history books. It’s a great read and I’ve been recommending it to friends and family to read as well!
Dave WildePrime Q
The Princess Spy is historical narrative about Aline Griffith, prominent among America’s OSS spies during World War II, who went on to become a world-renowned countess and wrote fictional Spy novels based on her exploits. It’s the story of a small town girl who wished she too could help her country as her brothers set off to do when the U.S. finally entered the war. A former model, Aline quickly found herself embedded in neutral Spain, secretly working fir Uncle Sugar (the U.S.) and hobnobbing with various bullfighters and nobles, all of whom found their way to Spain. It was in those days a hotbed of spies from both sides and Aline had to ferret out who was working for who and sometimes supply misinformation to the Germans. As the tide of the war changed, her duties included finding fleeing Nazis and their loot as attempts were made to ship it to South America. Through it all, Aline walks a narrow line balancing her secret work with her social to-dos, often to the detriment of her personal life. The story is fascinating, but don’t expect too much of the cloak and dagger James Bond kind of stuff.
Chuck. DunbarDave
Not your typical spy story. However, a story about training for WW2 work as a spy and then more of a memoir Of her her life in WW2 Spain as a coder and information gatherer about Germans hiding their money and stolen art and efforts to trace that. If the reader can forgone the typical emphasis on the " blood and violence aspect" they will find this to be an engaging story.It's a fascinating story of what goes into information gathering with a good helping of romance. There is a happy ending. This book would make a great movie.
Short Excerpt Teaser
Chapter 1: Dying to Fight CHAPTER 1 DYING TO FIGHT
