The Leper Spy: The Story of an Unlikely Hero of World War II

by Ben Montgomery Narrated by Joe Barrett

Overview

The GIs called her Joey. Hundreds owed their lives to the tiny Filipina who stashed explosives in spare tires, tracked Japanese troop movements, and smuggled maps of fortifications across enemy lines. As the Battle of Manila raged, Josefina Guerrero walked through gunfire to bandage wounds and close the eyes of the dead. Her valor earned her the Medal of Freedom, but what made her a good spy was also destroying her: leprosy, which so horrified the Japanese they refused to search her. After the war, army chaplains found her in a nightmarish leper colony and fought for the U.S. government to do something it had never done: welcome a foreigner with leprosy. This brought her celebrity, which she used to publicly speak for other sufferers. However, the notoriety haunted her and she sought a way to disappear. Ben Montgomery now brings Guerrero's heroic accomplishments to light.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Some of the most poignant moments of war lie not in the savage atrocities but the quiet moments of valor risked by the smallest unsung heroes. With the eye of a historian and the soul of a storyteller, Ben Montgomery paints a tender portrait of an unlikely paladin, who turned the curse of her cruel disease into a shield and a sword. We can all learn from this.”—Kim Cross, New York Times best-selling author of What Stands in a Storm
 




"Written with grace and elegance, The Leper Spy tells a surprising—and affecting—espionage story." —Howard Blum, the author of The Last Goodnight: A World War II Story of Espionage, Adventure, and Betrayal


"I love this story. I love it when a gap in history is filled in with such a riveting tale, and Montgomery does it here with deep reporting, and fluid, beautiful writing." —Alex Tizon, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of Big Little Man


"Once again, Ben Montgomery has unearthed from history a gem of a forgotten story—about war and love, patriotism and sacrifice—and invites us all to gather round for his thrilling tale of an amazing woman." —Thomas Mullen, author of The Last Town on Earth


“Montgomery offers a fascinating tribute to the slight Filipina who courageously saved thousands and chose anonymity.” —Booklist


“The woman’s remarkable story is related with you-are-there lucidity by Ben Montgomery.” —Washington Times

From the Publisher - AUDIO COMMENTARY

"Written with grace and elegance, The Leper Spy tells a surprising and affecting espionage story." —Howard Blum, author of The Last Goodnight

JANUARY 2017 - AudioFile

Narrator Joe Barrett gives a strong performance in narrating this story of WWII audacity and heroism. Josefina Guerrero, a young Filipina, became a spy for the United States following her country’s occupation by the Japanese. Her work for the resistance was helped by her affliction with leprosy. The Japanese were so repulsed by her condition that they would not search her, which allowed her to smuggle information and move with little interference. Barrett’s resonant baritone is deep and although it’s somewhat gravelly, is still pleasing to the ear. His affectation of individuals’ voices is better than he has done in the past but not as strong as his narrative portions. He easily moves through the text and gives a professional presentation throughout this fascinating story. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171010485
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	10/01/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged

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