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Code Girls
448 pages, 2018
biographies & memoirs
997 booksAward-winning New York Times bestseller about the American women who secretly served as codebreakers during World War II. These 10,000+ women lived in Washington D. C. and learned the meticulous work of code-breaking.
Recruited by the U. S. Army and Navy from small towns and elite colleges, they served our country by breaking codes that were vital to ending WWII sooner than expected. A strict vow of secrecy nearly erased their efforts from history; now, through stunning research and interviews with surviving code girls, bestselling author Liza Mundy brings this riveting and vital story to life.
In 'Code Girls', Liza Mundy brings to light the untold story of American women who played a crucial role in breaking enemy codes during World War II. These women were the unsung heroes whose work significantly contributed to the Allied victory.
The book explores how these women broke gender stereotypes of their time. They were not just secretaries or nurses, but mathematicians and cryptanalysts. They proved that women could excel in fields traditionally dominated by men.
These women faced numerous challenges, including the complexity of the codes and the pressure of war. However, they never gave up. Their persistence and dedication are a great lesson for anyone facing obstacles in their life.
Mundy's research shows the heavy toll secrecy can take. These women couldn't share their work with anyone, not even their families. This isolation and the weight of their responsibility had a significant impact on their mental health.
The work of these codebreakers laid the foundation for modern cryptology and cybersecurity. By reading 'Code Girls', you can see how their contributions continue to influence these fields today.
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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.
Walter Isaacson - Biographer, JournalistLiza Mundy's Code Girls reveals one of World War II's last remaining secrets: the true tale of the young American women who cracked key Axis codes. Mundy brings to life this vital story of American courage, service, and scientific accomplishment.
Lynn Povich - Journalist, AuthorCode 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.
Douglas Brinkley - Historian, AuthorCode Girls is a fascinating account of the women who outsmarted some of the smartest minds in Japan and Germany during World War II. Liza Mundy has uncovered a tale of resourcefulness and bravery that is full of suspense, pathos, and triumph.
Cokie Roberts - Political CommentatorCode Girls is a riveting and much-needed account of the extraordinary, courageous women who cracked the codes of the foes of the United States during World War II. Liza Mundy's book is a real-life detective story that will inspire generations to come.
Margot Lee Shetterly - Author, Researcher