A Guest of the Reich

“Gripping . . . As well-paced and exciting to read as a good thriller.” —Moira Hodgson, The Wall Street Journal “The life of a young woman named Gertrude 'Gertie' Legendre was so exotic that it sounds like the plot of a stage play or a motion picture . . . Her saga is like no other.” —Jonathan Kirsch, The Washington Post  “A vivid chronicle of the waning days of Nazi Germany, when a country answered for its own hubris and one American woman witnessed the nightmare.” —Mary Ann Gwinn, Minneapolis Star Tribune “I read A Guest of the Reich breathlessly, and found myself amazed by the pluck, guts, and courage of Gertrude Legendre . . . Her life was one enormous adventure.” —Lisa Birnbach, author of True Prep   “Thrilling! A Guest of the Reich is an intimate spy story, as though a dear friend is taking us along on her misadventure behind Nazi lines.” —Bill Dedman, author of Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune “Beautifully paced . . . An entertaining picture of a remarkable woman . . . Finn’s own writing shines in his description of pre-war American high society.” —The Economist “Gertrude Legendre was anything but the average rich society hostess; she possessed an unquenchable desire for adventure . . . [A] riveting account of a little-known historical personality.” —Library Journal “[A] biographical adventure story . . . Legendre's life makes for a captivating historical yarn and a unique addition to the cultural history of World War II.” —Booklist “Legendre was an extraordinary woman, whose 'journey through Hitler's collapsing Reich' will appeal to anyone equally enamored of glamor and wartime adventure.” —Publishers Weekly “An intrepid American heiress, already a world traveler and big-game hunter, tumbles into World War II, ending up a prisoner of the Gestapo as the Nazi regime begins to collapse. This is a true adventure story, a story of spirit and courage told wonderfully well.” —Kate Alcott, author of The Dressmaker   “Gertrude Legendre was a glamorous New York socialite, a world-class adventurer, and a crack shot with a rifle . . . With thorough research and skillful writing Peter Finn brings to life her dramatic story. It’s better than anything Hollywood could invent.” —Douglas Waller, author of Wild Bill Donovan: The Spymaster Who Created the OSS and Modern American Espionage

"An intrepid American heiress, already a world traveler and big-game hunter, tumbles into World War II, ending up a prisoner of the Gestapo as the Nazi regime begins to collapse. This is a true adventure story, a story of spirit and courage told wonderfully well." --Kate Alcott, author of The Dressmaker

"I read A Guest of the Reich breathlessly and found myself amazed by the pluck, guts, and courage of Gertrude Legendre." --Lisa Birnbach, author of True Prep and The Official Preppy Handbook

"Thrilling! A Guest of the Reich is an intimate spy story, as though a dear friend is taking us along on her misadventure behind Nazi lines. A first-rate journalist, Peter Finn employs careful reporting and compassion, bringing to life Gertie Legendre, an independent woman of many resources." --Bill Dedman, co-author of Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune

"With thorough research and skillful writing Peter Finn brings to life [Gertrude Legendre's] dramatic story. It's better than anything Hollywood could invent." --Douglas Waller, author of Wild Bill Donovan: The Spymaster Who Created the OSS and Modern American Espionage