Toto Koopman and Coco Chanel were two women who embodied the glamour and extravagance of 1930s Paris and London high society. But as World War II loomed, their paths diverged dramatically.

In Toto & Coco, author Alan Frame presents a compelling account of these two women’s lives and how their choices during the war showcased the best and worst of the human spirit.

Toto Koopman, a beautiful Vogue cover girl, was the lover of the all-powerful press baron and wartime Cabinet minister Lord Beaverbrook. She chose to become a British spy, risking incarceration in a concentration camp, to fight against the Nazis. Her bravery and determination shine through as Frame tells the story of her time as a partisan in Italy and her eventual capture and imprisonment in Ravensbrueck concentration camp.

Coco Chanel, on the other hand, chose to collaborate with the Nazis and lived in luxury in occupied Paris with the help of her Gestapo lover. She did what she felt was right for herself and her business, even if it meant consorting with the enemy.

Toto and Coco were once friends, united by their status in high society, but their paths diverged as the war approached. The contrast between their choices is stark and highlights the stark reality of wartime choices.

Frame weaves both women’s stories together in a readable and fascinating manner, showcasing the best and worst of humanity in times of war. Toto & Coco is a must-read for anyone interested in the lives of women during World War II and the choices they faced.