In World War II, 37 women were dropped in occupied France to work as Special Operations Executive agents and "set Europe ablaze". 13 never returned. They were executed in Hitler's concentration camps. This is the story of eight of these female agents, all from civilian life, who were warned of the likelihood of arrest, torture and a brutal death before they volunteered. None demurred. The women were given months of arduous fitness, gun, explosives, endurance and code training before parachuting into occupied territory. But this story also contains eight very personal tales. Why did these women volunteer? Where did they come from? Marcus Binney tells of a life of resistance work and undercover operations, clandestine activities and even armed combat, and a constant fear of discovery. But above all this book tells of extreme bravery and devotion to duty.