The Spy Who Loved

August 10, 2012 12:18 PM

Christine Granville was, at least apocryphally, Winston Churchill's favourite spy. Born Maria Krystyna Janina Skarbek, daughter of a charming but dissolute Polish aristocrat and a Jewish banking heiress, she was described in 1939 as "a flaming Polish patriot … expert skier and great adventuress". So she was.
posted by Chrysostom (7 comments total)

How many history books contain, and then go on to justify, the sentence "It would not be the only trained patrol dog she subverted"? The second dog, Mulley reports straight-faced, permanently switched allegiance and remained on the Allied side for the rest of the war.

WHY isn't this out in the US???
posted by leesh at 12:34 PM on August 10, 2012 [1 favorite]

Jesus Christ, what an outrageously ignominious end to a remarkable life.
posted by clockzero at 12:56 PM on August 10, 2012 [1 favorite]

How do they know the dog defected? Did Churchill and Hitler stand on either side of a meadow and call it?
posted by maryr at 2:46 PM on August 10, 2012

How do they know the dog defected?

It started barking in an English accent
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 3:03 PM on August 10, 2012

So "woof woof" instead of "Vuf Vuf" ?
posted by maryr at 3:13 PM on August 10, 2012 [1 favorite]

We just got this book in at the library where I work. Such a sad end. Unfortunately the book is a request so I won't be able to grab it for a while. Sounds fascinating.
posted by Fence at 9:12 AM on August 11, 2012

If ever I were to prepare a list of eight virtual ideal guests to invite to a supper party, this woman would be on it. Phew.
posted by Schroder at 11:47 PM on August 11, 2012