Author: Hourly History
Publication: February 4th 2019
Genre: Nonfiction, History
Purchase Link: Amazon
Rating: 4/5★
The original international woman of mystery, Mata Hari is maligned as a spy and a traitor. Having seduced a number of the most powerful men in Europe, she was accused of spying for both Allied and Central Powers during the First World War. Mata Hari’s biography tells a different story. From her remarkable transformation from a captain’s wife and mother in the Dutch East Indies to the most celebrated stage presence in Europe, Mata Hari fought for what she believed in. Yet what she believed in was neither France’s independence, nor Germany’s superiority, but her own personal quest for luxury, adventure, and love.
Inside you will read about...
✓ A Wife and Mother
✓ The Night of Horror
✓ Code Name H21
✓ Becoming a Spy
✓ The Trial and Execution of Mata Hari
And much more!
"A harlot? Yes, but a traitress, never!"
— Mata Hari
I don't know what it is about Mata Hari but her life has intrigued me for quite some time now, which is why I always jump on the chance to read about her. Maybe it's because she was a Dutch woman and as a Belgian I've always enjoyed reading about Dutch people from history but even more than that she led a pretty fascinating life and she made things happen for herself and her career by sheer willpower, which was unconvential at the time. This makes her ending even more tragic, in my opinion. I truly believe she was injustly imprisoned and executed, whether or not she really was a spy for the Germans or the French.
So if you're looking for a short but at the same time informative and interesting book about the life of Mata Hari, this is definitely one I would highly recommend. It covered the life she led before her marriage, during her marriage, the start of her career as a dancer and courtesan all the way through the first world war and to her untimely death. You can absolutely pick it up and finish it in the same day, just like I did, even in just an hour. I took my time and still finished it really quickly. I enjoyed it immensely!
5 interesting facts I learned:
- Mata Hari also went by the names of Margaretha "Margreet" Zelle, Gretha MacLeod and Madame Rouseau
- She was born on August 7, 1876 in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.
- She was the eldest child and only girl in the family.
- She married Rudolf MacLeod on March 1, 1856 who was 20 years older than her. The marriage didn't last and they ended up divorcing eventually.
- Her codename was H21 (given to her by Karl Kroemer, the German consul in Amsterdam)
Some pictures related to Mata Hari:
Performing in 1905
In 1910 wearing a bejewelled head-dress
At her arrest
Statue of Mata Hari in Leeuwarden, Netherlands
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Check out my other Hourly History reviews:
What a fascinating woman! I don't really know much about her.
ReplyDeleteI am ashamed to say that I have never heard of Mata Hari before! This book sounds absolutely fascinating and I am really intrigued to learn about this woman. I am so happy that you loved it so much. :)
ReplyDeleteShe's probably more known in Europe. Especially in Belgium, the Netherlands and France. But I also think history (*cough*men*couch*) mostly doesn't want to remember her.
ReplyDeleteThis book is a great introduction to her life!
ReplyDelete