Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of WWII by Liza Mundy
After the year we've had, I've found myself called to true stories of bad ass women being bad ass women and getting zero credit for it. So the instant Code Girls came out, I knew I'd be reading it. These women were geniuses, largely responsible for our wins in WWII, yet so many of them hold their secrets to this day... while their male counterparts write books about their bravery and derring do.
Liza Mundy has an amazing capacity to cram a lot of information into her stories, while also giving them a very readable narrative. She paints each of the women with a brush that brings them to life. She also manages to teach the reader previously unknown information about the process of code breaking in a way that makes it more accessible. She does this all in service to the women's stories. She put us in those dank, oppressive rooms, hunched over the machines and trying desperately to save our country... knowing full well we'd never get any recognition for doing so.
I know there were a lot of "_____ Girls" books published last year. But don't let the title fatigue you. This is absolutely worth the read. Let's all prepare for a 2018 where women and their contributions to society refuse to be silenced.
Synopsis:
Recruited by the U.S. Army and Navy from small towns and elite colleges, more than ten thousand women served as codebreakers during World War II. While their brothers and boyfriends took up arms, these women moved to Washington and learned the meticulous work of code-breaking. Their efforts shortened the war, saved countless lives, and gave them access to careers previously denied to them. A strict vow of secrecy nearly erased their efforts from history; now, through dazzling research and interviews with surviving code girls, bestselling author Liza Mundy brings to life this riveting and vital story of American courage, service, and scientific accomplishment.
My Rating:
5 cups!
