Yale University Press scoops historian Kate Vigurs' second book

Yale University Press has scooped historian Kate Vigurs’ second book on special operations executives (SOE) during the Second World War, entitled Mission Europe.

Vigurs’ latest book will tell the stories of the women who worked across Europe, from the Netherlands to Belgium and Poland to Denmark. She will also explore the lives of Jewish agents recruited in Mandate Palestine for missions in Eastern Europe.

Mission Europe examines why women were recruited, analysing their successes and contributions while celebrating the ordinary women who did extraordinary things.

Publisher Heather McCallum acquired world all-language rights from Charlie Campbell at Greyhound Literary. The book will publish in May 2025.

McCallum said: "Kate’s brilliant debut on the women of SOE F-section established her as one of the most dynamic new historians writing on intelligence and the Second World War. We are thrilled to be publishing this sequel in which she broadens her canvas to the whole of Europe."

Vigurs’ first book Mission France told the story of the women of the SOE. It has sold more than 8,000 copies across all editions so far.

Vigurs is also a regular public speaker and renowned communicator on the Second World War, appearing at history festivals such as Chalke and on podcasts such as "We Have Ways of Making You Talk" and "History Hit". She is also a regular contributor to TV programmes in the UK and internationally. She is the director of History’s Maid, a live historical interpretation company.

Vigurs said: "Researching and writing Mission Europe has given me the opportunity to draw lesser-known SOE women from all over Europe together under one cover. Each country and each woman had such varied experiences, and it has been an honour to compile them and make their stories known."