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Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II Hardcover – October 10, 2017

by Liza Mundy (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 6,476 ratings
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The award-winning New York Times bestseller about the American women who secretly served as codebreakers during World War II--a "prodigiously researched and engrossing" (New York Times) book that "shines a light on a hidden chapter of American history" (Denver Post).

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.
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  1. Print length
    432 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Hachette Books
  4. Publication date
    October 10, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 1.5 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780316352536
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0316352536
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Uncovered photos of Code Girls

In Arlington Hall, a secret African American unit – mostly female, and unknown to many white workers – tackled commercial codes, keeping tables on which companies were doing business with Hitler or Mitsubishi. (Courtesy of National Security Agency).

The women worked around the clock and often didn’t know whether to eat breakfast or dinner when they finished a shift. Navy code breaker Edith Reynolds (center), recruited from Vassar, relaxes with colleagues. (Courtesy of Edith Reynolds).

Dot Braden worked at Arlington Hall, which before the war had been a girls’ finishing school complete with teahouse and lily ponds. It had been converted to a massive code-breaking facility that attacked the codes of Japan and many other nations, with more than seven thousand workers, most of them female. (Courtesy of National Security Agency).

Women also ran the machines that attached the German Enigma ciphers, maintained wall maps that kept track of U-boat locations and Allied Convoys, and wrote intelligence reports that would be used by naval commanders. (Courtesy of National Security Agency).

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Irresistible.... We owe Mundy gratitude for rescuing these hidden figures from obscurity. Even more valuable is her challenge to the myth of the eccentric, inspired, solitary male genius, like Alan Turing."―Elaine Showalter, Washington Post

"Code Girls...finally gives due to the courageous women who worked in the wartime intelligence community."―Smithsonian.com

"Code Girls is a riveting account of the thousands of young coeds who flooded into Washington to help America win World War II. Liza Mundy has written a thrilling page-turner that illuminates the patriotism, rivalry, and sexism of the code-breakers' world."―Lynn Povich, authorof The Good Girls Revolt

"Code Girls is an extraordinary book by an extraordinary author. Liza Mundy's portraits of World War II codebreakers are so skillfully and vividly drawn that I felt as if I were right there with them--mastering ciphers, outwitting the Japanese army, sinking ships, breaking hearts, and even accidentally insulting Eleanor Roosevelt. I am an evangelist for this book: You must read it."―Karen Abbott, NewYork Times bestselling author of Sin in the Second City and Liar,Temptress, Solider, Spy

"Code Girls reveals a hidden army of female cryptographers, whose work played a crucial role in ending World War II. With clarity and insight, Mundy exposes the intertwined narratives of the women who broke codes and the burgeoning field of military intelligence in the 1940s. I cannot overstate the importance of this book; Mundy has rescued a piece of forgotten history, and given these American heroes the recognition they deserve."―Nathalia Holt, NewYork Times bestselling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls

"Mundy is a fine storyteller.... A sleek, compelling narrative.... The book is a winner. Her descriptions of codes and ciphers, how they worked and how they were broken, are remarkably clear and accessible. A well-researched, compellingly written, crucial addition to the literature of American involvement in World War II."―Kirkus (starred review)

"Similar to Nathalia Holt's The Rise of the Rocket Girls and Margot Lee Shetterly's Hidden Figures, this is indispensable and fascinating history. Highly recommended for all readers."―LibraryJournal (starred review)

"Mundy's fascinating book suggests that [the Code Girls'] influence did play a role in defining modern Washington and challenging gender roles--changes that still matter 75 years later."―Washingtonian

"Fascinating.... Addictively readable.... [Mundy] displays a gift for creating both human portraits and intensely satisfying scenes."―Boston Globe

"Like Hidden Figures, this well-crafted book reveals a remarkable slice of unacknowledged U.S. history.... Captivating."―The Christian Science Monitor

"Extraordinary.... Mundy's book is expansive and precise. It's anecdotal enough to make it an entertaining read for the layperson, and there's plenty of technical detail to interest the crypto-nerd."―Houston Chronicle

"Salvaging this essential piece of American military history from certain obscurity, Mundy's painstaking and dedicated research produces an eye-opening glimpse into a crucial aspect of U.S. military operations and pays overdue homage to neglected heroines of WWII. Fans of Hidden Figures (2016) and its exposé of unsung talent will revel in Mundy's equally captivating portraits of women of sacrifice, initiative, and dedication."―Booklist (starred review)

"Astonishing.... Mundy, who mined US National Security Agency archives and interviewed survivors for the book, joins authors such as Margot Lee Shetterly and Nathalia Holt in giving the women behind great twentieth-century scientific endeavors their due."―Nature

"Mundy unveils the untold story of a very important part of American History that otherwise would have been kept secret."―Miami Herald

"Fans of Hidden Figures .... will love this true story of the women who cracked German and Japanese military code during World War II."―Entertainment Weekly (Grade: A-)

"The book not only shines a light on a hidden chapter of American history, it also tells the kind of story of courage and determination that makes you want to work harder and be better."―Denver Post

"Women who helped bring victory achieve visibility, at last, in this history."―Military Times

"Enlightening... riveting and engaging...Liza Mundy's richly detailed account of their experiences will, hopefully, help give these dedicated and patriotic women the long overdue recognition they deserve."
―Finger Lakes Times

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Liza Mundy is a former reporter at the Washington Post and contributes to numerous publications including the Atlantic, TIME, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, Mother Jones, Spectator (UK), and the Guardian. She is a frequent commentator on countless prominent national television, radio, and online news outlets.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0316352535
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hachette Books; First Edition (October 10, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780316352536
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316352536
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.5 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 6,476 ratings

About the author

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Liza Mundy

Liza Mundy

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Liza Mundy is an award-winning journalist and the New York Times bestselling author of five books, including CODE GIRLS, and her latest, THE SISTERHOOD.

Published in 2017, CODE GIRLS tells the story of more than 10,000 female code breakers recruited during World War II to perform work that saved countless lives, shortened a global war, and pioneered the modern computer and cybersecurity industries.

Available October 2023, THE SISTERHOOD is a gripping history of women in the CIA across three generations--beginning with unlikely female spies who served in the war and its aftermath, through to the women who tracked down Osama Bin Laden.

Her other titles include MICHELLE: A BIOGRAPHY; THE RICHER SEX; and EVERYTHING CONCEIVABLE.

In addition to her work as a narrative non-fiction author, Liza, a former staff writer for The Washington Post, writes about history, culture, and politics for publications such as The Atlantic and Politico.

At various points in her life as a working parent she has worked full-time, part-time, all-night, at home, in the office, remotely, in person, on trains, in the car, alone, in crowds, under duress, and while simultaneously making dinner.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
6,476 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Rabid Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Contribution of Women
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
Code Girls was thoroughly enjoyable, surprisingly so. As a feminist, I expected to be angered to read a history of an enormous body of work by women that has gone, almost wholly, overlooked.

The author, Liza Mundy, captures the heart and spirit of the women who were recruited by the Army and the Navy to be cryptanalyst's up to and during World War II.

I found the little things the most fascinating. Such as what made a certain woman a particularly good candidate for the job. Or how an incredibly intelligent and private woman could thrive in the war time environment.

Code Girls was meticulously researched, put together with love and written with wit and smarts that, create an altogether educational and entertaining story. A true, and sadly untold story, until now, about how woman have always been the backbone of our nation.

Read this book. Give it to your sisters and daughters. Send them to good schools with strong STEM programs. Did you know that although over half of scientists are now women, only 3% are getting published? Be the change these incredible women paved the way for with their sweat equity.
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Sal Portaro
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book about a little known subject
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2021
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Code Girls tells the important story of the US’s code breaking efforts during WWII. Much of this work was done by female Army employees and Navy officers. I consider myself fairly well read. However, this was new to me. I knew about Rutherford, Alan Turing and Bletchley Park, but not this aspect of the cryptological effort.

Liza Mundy’s book does an excellent job of going through the founding and operations of the Naval Annex and Arlington Hall. She focuses on a handful of women and on the important breakthroughs. She also interviews some of the living, as of 2015ish, code breakers.

Pros
Liza has a good style of writing and the story flows along.
Individual stories are told in an engaging manner and you get a real feel for the times and the individuals. The effects of the war are shown on the code breakers. There are probable 5 women who are the focus and another 15 that are featured slightly less. Mundy does a good job of reminding you of who is who since a few chapters may go by before mentions of an individual. She also follows some of the women after the war.
Of course, there were gender and racial discriminations. The author handles these nicely. She points them out time and time again, but they are not the focus of the book.
She shows the tremendous importance of the code breaking to the Allied war effort.
She does a fair job with the technical explanation of the code breaking itself.
Cons
I wish there were diagrams to help the reader understand how the codes were broken. I find diagrams to be very helpful with technical material.
I read the Kindle version and think there were issue with some chapter subheadings.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Read!
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2024
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I loved this book & found it so interesting that I stayed up late to read it! This should be required reading for history class! Thank you for all of your research and for writing this Liza Mundy!! I highly recommend this book.
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K.B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating look at women who helped win World War 2
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2019
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4.5 stars
So glad I finally got around to reading this one as it was everything I hoped it would be. I love reading books that showcase remarkable women doing extraordinary things. Highly recommend if you enjoy non-fiction, history about World War 2, and/or books that celebrate the achievements of women.

Having watched the movie The Imitation Game, I had some basic knowledge about codebreaking during World War 2, but this book really gave me a much better understanding, particularly the important role played by American women in helping win the war. Over 10 thousand young women, many teachers or college students, were recruited by the U.S. government to work as codebreakers. Their work was so secretive that most downplayed their jobs when talking with friends and family as just typical, secretarial work. Decades later many of the codebreakers were highly reluctant to discuss their work during the war even though the government had given them permission to speak of their experiences. It was incredibly heartbreaking to read the toll this job took and how it had a negative impact on some women for the rest of their lives.

While the book does focus on the lives of a few women in particular, you do get a glimpse into the lives of many other codebreakers and it was utterly fascinating learn about their experiences. It was slightly frustrating though when a person would be brought up and then not mentioned again until the very end of the book and by that point you had forgotten who they were, but for the most part it was a fairly easy book to follow.

I highly recommend getting the updated version of this book (I believe it might only be available in paperback) as it contains some updates on a few of the people featured as well as the author sharing some stories from readers of this book who reached out to her. I actually shed a few tears while reading because it was incredibly awesome to hear that this book gave people an opportunity to learn more about their family history. This book really shines a light on women who deserve recognition for their contribution to the war effort. I honestly can't say enough good things about it. Just go out and read it already!
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Tipster
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read
Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
Fabulous book about the women who worked as code breakers during WWII. They worked long hours, had little in terms of social lives but they helped the GI’s who served overseas by writing letters to them. What I think was discouraging was the lack of assistance they received from the U.S. Government when the war ended, in terms of finding new jobs. Liz Mundy does a fantastic job of detailing these women in the book and bringing them to life. I learned quite a few things about WWII by reading the book. Well worth it!
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ninak
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in Germany on July 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is a wonderful book, an untold story until now, well written and very interesting. Enjoyed it very much!
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Client d'Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book. Easy and enjoyable to read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2019
Verified Purchase
À superb and informative book. Lots of names, dates and detail to absorb. But was easy enough to do so
Thank you Amazon.co.uk for sorting out my 'mis order' so quickly and efficiently.
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Muhammad Nizam Bin Mohtar
4.0 out of 5 stars A well written book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reviewed in Singapore on February 19, 2024
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A well written book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Emma290497
4.0 out of 5 stars The „untold“ story of Amercian women making a difference
Reviewed in Germany on November 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
I guess I would never have come across this book if it hadn’t been recommended in a read-along in a book forum.

The early 1940s, America „joins“ WW2, men are leaving to fight... and intelligent, weil-educated women with a disposition to solving puzzles enter the war effort ... as code breakers for the Navy and the Army.

Well deserved credit to women who might well have changed the outcome and the length of this war. This book tells their stories, how they came to join the war effort and what happened after - in a time where women where to be house wives - and even the best of them hardly had a chance for a good college / university education and make use of it other than becoming a school teacher.
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