Shadows of Influence: Vera Atkins and the Gendered Ethics of Espionage in WWII—A Critical Review of William Stevenson’s Biography
William Stevenson’s biography Vera Atkins. Povestea celei mai importante agente secrete originare din România din al Doilea Război Mondial offers an in-depth exploration of one of the most significant, yet underrepresented, figures in the history of WWII espionage. Born in Romania as Vera Maria Rosenberg, Atkins rose to prominence within the British Special Operations Executive (SOE), playing a crucial role in coordinating sabotage and resistance efforts across Nazi-occupied Europe. This review examines Stevenson’s methodological approach, utilizing recently declassified intelligence files and interviews with Atkins’ contemporaries, shedding light on both the human and operational dimensions of Allied intelligence.