Schoolmaster's War: Harry Ree?A British Agent in the French Resistance

The wartime adventures of the legendary SOE agent Harry Rée are compiled in a book, "The Schoolmaster and the Spy: The Extraordinary Life and Death of Harry Rée," which provides insights into life in the French Resistance and the anxiety, folly, and pity of war.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2021
Publisher: Yale University Press

The extraordinary wartime exploits of the legendary SOE agent Harry Rée, as recounted in his own words, are presented in this captivating collection of writings. Crafted by the schoolmaster-turned-secret agent himself, these memoirs, postwar broadcasts, and letters from French comrades seamlessly blend to portray a vivid portrait of everyday heroism, treachery, and tragedy.

"A beautiful collection of writings by schoolmaster-turned-secret agent Harry Rée," praises Robert Gildea, author of Fighters in the Shadows: A New History of the French Resistance. "Memoirs, postwar broadcasts, and letters from French comrades combine to paint a picture of everyday heroism, treachery, and tragedy."

In a book dedicated to heroism in its true, self-effacing form, modesty seems entirely appropriate, and it serves as a tribute both to Ree and to his son, Jonathan Rée, who masterfully compiled this remarkable compilation.

Harry Rée, a pacifist school teacher at the onset of the war, underwent a profound transformation with the fall of France in 1940. He was deployed into a secret branch of the British army and parachuted into central France in April 1943. His remarkable journey led him to earn the trust of local resisters, and he assumed the role of a guiding light, orchestrating a series of daring sabotage operations.

Rées memoirs, skillfully edited by Jonathan Rée, offer a unique and profound insight into the life of the French Resistance. Through his vivid storytelling, Rée delves into the depths of anxiety, folly, and pity that characterize the realm of war. His words paint a poignant portrait of the resilience and sacrifice of those who fought against oppression and tyranny.

This collection of writings is a testament to the indomitable spirit of human resilience and the power of courage in the face of adversity. Harry Rée's story reminds us of the profound impact that individuals can have on the course of history, and his words continue to inspire and educate generations to come.

Weight: 230g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300259179