Fans and lovers of Audrey Hepburn will enjoy this book as it explores Audrey in a new angle. Her philanthropic side and her work with Unicef.
I've always adored Audrey Hepburn so it was quite refreshing and amazing to read this side of her that was passionate about helping others with her influence.

An indepth look at the effects of war and poverty on children through the lens provided by Audrey Hepburn's work with UNICEF. The stories of starving children, lovingly lifted up to be momentarily cared for by a woman about whom they know nothing are almost never-ending. Matzen chronicles Hepburn's work with UNICEF from it's inception with just a couple o glamorous events to it's end, when Hepburn has sacrificed her health in her dedication to the world's starving children.

It's a side of Hepburn most people only know about, not in detail, and it begins with how living through an occupied Dutch town during WWII gave Hepburn a unique perspective as well as her perceived attitude of being a soldier in a battle. The battle was one she experienced during the war, that of starving at the hands of men who were battling to control her physical location. She was a child, caught up in the fight between Nazis and others, much as the children she was serving through UNICEF were caught up between warring factions whose focus was and is on power and possession, not on people, especially not the children.

To that end, it's not a happy book. There are some bits of relief when Hepburn dons a Givenchy gown to present something to a gala or a group of individuals, all in the hope of raising awareness of the children. There are some vignettes told of her travels which make it unique and interesting On the flip side, much of it is the constant tale of starvation, children not understanding, Hepburn entering, sharing some compassion, then leaving again, over and over. So much of it is the same story, just in a different location, it is easy to lose track of where you are in the reading.

This is a book well worth reading. The knowledge imparted is valuable, as well as the potential for Hepburn's work to continue as information is shared and spread..There may be times when the reader decides to skim pages, because of the repetitive nature of what they are reading. That shouldn't lessen the impact of the book's message.

My thanks to the publisher, NetGalley, and Robert Matzan for this advanced copy for review. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.

In this book the author Robert Matzen reveals another side most of us didn’t get to see about Audrey Hepburn. Audrey never understood why people were fascinated with her or thought she was someone special. She never used her name to get special treatment until her son Luca seen his grandfather lying in a hospital bed left to die he said to her for once MUMMY USE YOUR BLOODY NAME when she did a hospital bed became available at a hospital closer to her family Audrey soon realized what using her name opened up to her. She went on to use her name to help fight and raise awareness and money for UNICEF. I always thought of Audrey Hepburn as a Hollywood actress but this book showed me what a beautiful and caring person Audrey really was. Until her death Audrey worked tirelessly to help others and continued working with UNICEF If you think you knew Audrey Hepburn read this book you will finish it in awe of this women. Thank you to Robert Matzen for writing this book and her two sons Luca, and Sean for sharing their mother’s story and life with us.
And Thank You Netgalley for letting me read this and give my honest opinion.

I always thought of Audrey Hepburn as an amazing person, but after her involvement with UNICEF I think she was an angel on earth. She put herself out there, so that the world knew what was going on with children all over the world and how people could help.
This book was better then a biography, it was the story of who Audrey Hepburn really was and how much she cared for others. It talks about all the people in her private life and how dear they were to her.
The book is well written and begins with Audreys relationship with UNICEF and continues until it ends upon her death. It also talks about all the people that became involved in UNICEF because of Audrey and changed so many lives.

I want to thank Goodknights book and Netgalley for giving the honor of reading this wonderful book about this wonderful person.

I've always had a "crush" for Audrey Hepburn: her beauty, her style, her elegance, the way she dressed, her big expressive eyes.... that was how I would have like to be myself!
I already knew she used to work for UNICEF, but I hadn't understood to what extent and how committed she had been. Such a beautiful person in and out!
I don't agree with the author that her work caused her death, I think her work gave her a new, fullfilled life. but maybe I can see that, being always super invested in other people's wellbeing she neglected her own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Audrey Hepburn is known for her beauty and her movies, she is beautiful both on the outside and on the inside, she was kind and humble. After her retirement in Hollywood, she lived a quiet time in Switzerland, until she became involved with UNICEF.

Audrey may be a shy and reserved person, but she was never weak, she was a fighter and a warrior, just like the title of the book, strength manifests itself in different ways and hers was raising her voice to those who needed it.
She was not only the pretty face to raise funds, she got completely involved, made visits to countries in need and sometimes went to war zones, she cared about people and was fond of children, she understood their pain because she also lived something similar (she grew up under the domination of the Nazis).
She raised her voice for those who could not do it on their own, to get them food and medicine, and try to give them a better life. Traveled to dangerous areas, mixed with people, listened to them and offered her support and comfort, they were happy to see her, right there she was not a famous actress or a fashion icon, she was helpful, she was empathetic and kind.

This is a very well-documented biography, the bibliographic record is extensive and among the collaborations is the youngest son of the actress, providing more intimate and unknown stories.

She is one of my favorite actresses, I started watching classic movies because of her, I have read other biographies and I knew she worked with UNICEF but I did not know much about what she was involved, usually her biographies focus on her movies and fashion style, with a small mention of what she did after retiring. Audrey was a great actress and even a great person, I wish her humanitarian work was also just as admired and inspiring, as well as her iconic fashion style.

If you're Audrey a fan or want to know how UNICEF works, this biography might interest you.

This was an incredibly in-depth exploration into the later life of Audrey Hepburn; in particular, her many important and influential experiences working as goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

Having very little knowledge of Hepburn, I went into this fairly blind, and was humbled by her wealth of experiences. Especially strange to read about was the extremity of the contrasts in her life; caring for sick and dying children whilst campaigning one moment, and in Hollywood the next. I was also blown away by the parallels drawn between the experiences of Hepburn and Anne Frank; growing up the same age in the Netherlands and experiencing the horror of the Nazis in such different ways. What an incredibly fulfilling and interesting life Hepburn led, and what an inspiration she was.

I must admit, however, that I did find it to be a touch repetitive, and - dare I admit it - a bit too much information. It was a bit of an overwhelming read. I understand, appreciate and admire the level of research and detail provided in this book, but personally I hate to admit that it didn’t make for the most riveting reading experience. I found myself skipping through large sections, especially in the second half.

Overall, I’d recommend this to anyone who wants a rigorous account of Hepburn’s UNICEF years.

Warrior shines a spotlight on a little explored time in the life of one of cinema's most beloved stars. Like most from my generation, I first knew Audrey Hepburn as a classic film star and fashion icon. After watching her movies I was mesmerized, though nothing comes close in my admiration for her than the fact she spent the last years of her life advocating for children as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Many biographies and magazine specials brush over this time so I was overjoyed to see that Robert Matzen was focusing on this era in his new biography Warrior..

This was an an incredible read. Both riveting and heartbreaking, it's an illuminating look at Audrey Hepburn's relationship with UNICEF and her dedication to children. I loved that though it told the story of Audrey it explored stories (hers and others) to really set the stage for each chapter. The context helped provide insight and amplified the stakes of many situations. Highlighting her empathy and hope for a better a world for all children it serves quite the informative punch. I'm in awe of how she was able to go on missions and see such suffering and still insist on continuing on.

If you've ever enjoyed an Audrey Hepburn film or adored her fashion I really do hope you pick up this biography. She really had a huge heart and used her fame to champion children, going into war-torn areas to do so, when many would have been content to stay happily retired or do a gala or two. Her legacy deserves so much more than her looks. This really illustrates how dedicated to the hope of peace and a just world she was, and is no doubt what she'd like to be remembered for. The next time someone looks at a trendy Audrey Hepburn poster I hope they see not a fashion icon but inspiration to help those in need and change the world. The legacy she deserves.

Thank you to Netgalley for the digital copy to review.

There aren’t many of us of a certain age who aren’t fans of Audrey Hepburn. Her grace, style and story of overcoming is admirable over and above her acting skill. While this book highlights her commitment to her work with UNICEF (with frequent side mentions of her fondness for Kent cigarettes) there was a little too much repeat detail. I confess to skimming to the end, disappointing.

Bravery comes in many forms.
The thing that had me mentally speechless was that one of the places that she visited on behalf of UNICEF and that really made a distinct change in her was Tigray. Yes, THAT Tigray. The one where children and their families are in peril right now in 2021.
The book recaps her early life in The Netherlands during the German occupation, the year of starvation, and the rescue/liberation by Canadian forces. It then progresses through the Hollywood years, husbands, and the importance of her children.
Then comes the retirement from film making, her introduction to UNICEF, her devotion to the work, her extensive trips into the field under harsh conditions, and the countless speaking engagements and fundraisers (even after invasive cancer made itself known). It highlights the individuals who gave her the kind of support she needed as well as the toll it all took on her mind and body. There are the honest side rants regarding faulty government leaders of the suffering countries as well as the moneyed ones. The author has an excellent relationship with her son, Luca, and he has contributed to the book.
Impressive woman and impressive book. I will be buying a copy when available.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from GoodKnight Books Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
It is worth the full retail price.

For me personally this book was very interesting because I am a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn as an actress and I wanted to know more about her. She really was a great woman and this book underlines that!

Sorry I didn't finish it. Not for me. Sorry. It was too much detail for me. I'm sure other readers might take more from it

Gone almost 30 years, Audrey Hepburn remains among the most beloved movie stars of all time, known for that face, and for hits like Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and My Fair Lady. At the height of her fame, at age 38, she walked away from Hollywood to raise her sons. A decade later, seeking a new direction, she came upon the organization that had saved her as a Dutch girl at the end of World War II: UNICEF.

What happened next surpassed the plot twist of any movie. The introverted and reclusive Audrey Hepburn became a warrior, using her fame to capture the media’s attention as she charged into the most dangerous places on earth to save children and mothers in desperate situations. For five years she drove herself mercilessly on a quest that would ultimately kill her. She waded into war zones, met with world leaders, and called out injustice wherever she saw it.

At every opportunity she espoused causes that command headlines today—systemic racism, refugee populations in crisis, superpowers’ manipulation of the developing world, and the reckless killing of our planet. What a fascinating read about this beautiful person. So much I never knew! A definite recommend!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Wow what a great read. This was so interesting. I never knew she had done so much for humanity.

“For once in your life, Mummy, use your bloody name!”

Audrey’s son Luca could not have known how those words would stay with his mother for the rest of her life.

Warrior, Audrey Hepburn is another example of how Robert Matzen becomes intimately acquainted with his subjects. Audrey may be gone, but her legacy lives on in her sons Sean and Luca, and now her passion is being shared with the world through Warrior.

In Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II, Matzen introduces a young Audrey who dreamed of becoming a ballerina. Then the Nazi’s came. Audrey lived through World War II under Nazi occupation. She witnessed first-hand the atrocities of war – images that would haunt her the rest of her life. She also remembered the hunger – not knowing when, or even if, she would eat again. Robert Matzen helps his readers experience the Hunger Winter of 1944. It was this memory that would drive Audrey to sacrifice her own health and ignore any perceived danger so she could use her “bloody name” to show the world the true victims of senseless wars – the children.

In Warrior, Robert Matzen exposes the real Audrey Hepburn. Beyond the glitz and glamour was a mother who never understood why people were so fascinated by her. She never saw her outer beauty. This book gives the world a clear picture of Audrey’s inner beauty, a beauty that was so much more than people could see on a screen.

Audrey never thought she was special. She never used her name to solicit special treatment for herself or for Sean and Luca. When Luca saw his grandfather lying in a hospital bed left to die, he pleaded with his mum, “For once in your life, Mummy, use your bloody name!” When she did, a bed miraculously became available at a hospital closer to family. Audrey saw the power of her name, and Luca’s words would stay with Audrey and become a driving force in her work with UNICEF.

When Audrey and “her Robbie” (Robert Wolders, her partner) made their first trip for UNICEF in which they looked into the eyes of starving children, Audrey was immediately transported back to the Hunger Winter. She recognized the look in their eyes. She remembered how it felt to suffer the same symptoms these children were suffering. She had to do something. Luca’s words came back to her, “use your bloody name!”

Warrior, Audrey Hepburn shares Audrey’s passion for children and how she used her name as much and as often as she could. This “Mother Teresa in designer jeans” was on a mission to save the worlds children. Luca once stated, “UNICEF expected Audrey Hepburn would be a pretty princess for them at galas. But what they really got was a badass soldier.”

No one could have ever imagined just how hard this soldier would fight for the children of the Developing World. She went into war zones. She showed the seemingly forgotten victims of men’s greed love and compassion like they had never seen. These victims did not know Audrey Hepburn the actress. They only knew the lady who brought smiles, who brought love, who hugged them and cared for them, and the lady who brough the trucks with food and medicine.

Audrey spent her final years as a fierce warrior. As shy as she was, she found the courage to speak to hundreds and thousands about UNICEF and the children they were trying to save. Journalists sometimes accused her of using UNICEF to bring attention to herself. The truth was that she was using herself, putting herself in harm’s way, sacrificing herself, to bring attention to UNICEF and the children.

Warrior, Audrey Hepburn is the portrait of a woman who did not see herself the way the world saw her. She truly was a warrior who spent her whole life putting others before herself. Matzen may not have ever met Audrey Hepburn, but through his research and the relationships he developed with people who did know her, there is no doubt he now has a very special relationship with Audrey Hepburn, and he makes the reader believe that he was right beside her every step of the way, fighting for the world’s children. His imagery is so vivid that one forgets the author was not actually there. Matzen shows the world Audrey’s passion. He shows the readers the world through Audrey’s eyes.

Aside from raising Sean and Luca, Audrey Hepburn was more passionate about saving the innocent children of the world than anything else. Everything she did was for the children. When asked by a reporter if her role at UNICEF was the most rewarding, she replied, “I’m not playing a role. Roles are imaginary and fantasy. There’s no fantasy to this. It’s tough heartbreaking reality.”

Yes, Audrey Hepburn represented beauty and elegance and grace. More importantly, Audrey Hepburn represented hope – hope to a world in which no one should be forced to live. Robert Matzen takes his readers to that world.