I Am Not Afraid of Looking Into the Rifles

Congratulations to Rick Stroud (Tulley's 1966) whose most recent book, I Am Not Afraid of Looking Into the Rifles, has been published today, 29 February.  

Rick’s book is not a traditional history of the First World War but rather the moving untold story of the women of the resistance in Belgium and occupied France during that conflict. 

Rick describes how the actions of eight exceptionally brave women affected the course of the war. The women took incredible risks with extraordinary results to establish underground networks, transmit coded information, carry out sabotage attacks and help to repatriate Allied soldiers. What they did was dangerous and exhausting, and the penalties were severe. Three faced the firing squad. 

Recounting their heroism and their tragedies, I Am Not Afraid of Looking into the Rifles is a beautifully told story. In revealing the inspiring work of these remarkable women, Rick enlightens readers with an entirely new version of the events of this conflict.  

Reviewing Rick’s book, Elizabeth Buchan, author of Two Women in Rome, said: 

“With his eye for detail and his grip on the narrative, Stroud succeeds in building a fierce, intense picture of this aspect of the war, with its risks and consequences. What courage these women had and what a sense of duty. It is horrifying and uplifting at the same time and it will stay with me.” 

Rick Stroud is a producer, director, and author of several books. His most recent book, Lonely Courage: The True Story of the SOE Heroines who Fought to Free Nazi-Occupied France, has been optioned by Tessa Ross at House Productions. 

We look forward to welcoming Rick back to Alleyn’s to talk about his book and share these fascinating untold stories of World War 1 resistance to Alleyn’s pupils, staff and the wider community as part of our series of Monday Evening Talks, MET@Alleyn’s, on 25 March. Please do let us know on [email protected] if you would like to join us.