In her own words, the true account of the dancer, courtesan and spy whose legend has enflamed and fascinated men and women for nearly a century. Born in the Netherlands, Mata gives us her own erotic awakening, her many loves, the dangers that she faced, her imposture as a Javenese princess, the adventures she thrived upon... until her execution as a spy in 1917. Unexpurgated.

When struggling painter Nicholas Gray first sees Margaretha Zelle, it is in a poor photograph. But something draws him to her. All men are drawn to Margaretha—her mysterious eyes, her effortless sensuality. In another life, she will become known as Mata Hari.As a dancer, she becomes famous. As a seductress, she becomes legendary. Soon, Mata Hari is crisscrossing Europe, collecting generals, aristocrats, and businessmen as her lovers. But staying behind in Paris, only Gray truly love...

"An engrossing biography" of the Dutch exotic dancer accused of being a spy for the Germans during World War I.In 1917, the notorious Oriental dancer Mata Hari was arrested on the charge of espionage; less than one year later, she was tried and executed, charged with the deaths of at least 50,000 gallant French soldiers. The mistress of many senior Allied officers and government officials, even the French minister of war, she had a sharp intellect and a golden tongu...