Avenue of Spies. A True Story of Terror, Espionage, and one American Family’s Heroic Resistance in Nazi-Occupied Paris by Alex Kershaw
When Toquette Jackson was asked to join the French
Resistance she didn’t hesitate for one second even though she lived on the
Avenue Foch, surrounded by buildings taken over by high-ranking Nazis, including the Gestapo. She knew
that her American husband Sumner Jackson, the head of the American Hospital in
Paris, was already in danger because he helped Allied prisoners escape. He even
falsified records so that recovered prisoners were listed as deceased. He did
all this in spite of the German headquarters being opposite the main entrance
gate. Phillip, their son, was also anxious to help the Resistance and did as
much as he could but he was a schoolboy so it was difficult for him. However, he also showed great bravery by infiltrating a German submarine base at Saint-Nazaire to photograph U-boat pens and managing to give the photos to the Allies.
This true story about an amazingly courageous family who went
beyond the call of duty to fight the Nazis even though they were surrounded by
spies on every side is wonderfully inspiring. Excellent writing and thorough research makes Avenue of Spies one of the best books of the year.
Be warned, however.
It is extremely harrowing even for readers who have read many books
about the French Resistance.
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