The Road to Station X

From Debutante Ball to Fighter-Plane Factory to Bletchley Park: A Memoir of One Woman’s Journey Through World War Two

By: Sarah Baring

Narrated by: Polly Lee

Length: 6 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

In 1938, Sarah Baring was enjoying life as a young debutante. Only a few years later, at the height of World War Two, she was working alongside some of the greatest minds of Britain in their code-breaking operations at Bletchley Park.

How did she end up in the top-secret world of cyphers and codes?

Like many young men and women across all levels of British society, the outbreak of war in 1939 dramatically altered the course of Sarah's life.

Knowing that she could not stand by while others were enlisting, she left her position in Vogue magazine and signed up to work as a telephonist at an Air Raid Precautions Centre before working in a fighter plane factory to do her bit.

Yet, after just a few months, she was requested to leave the factory behind and was thrust into the world of intelligence, code-breaking, and huge computers, rubbing shoulders with awkward geniuses like Alan Turing.

The Road to Station X provides a window into the life of a young woman who shifted from being a carefree debutante to factory girl to working with code-breakers in Bletchley Park as a result of the turbulent events of World War Two.

©2000 Edward Baring (P)2021 Tantor

First person point of view

I've had the interesting experience of touring Bletchley Park aka Station X. it was very interesting to hear a first person point of view from one of the women who worked there. The tour guides had made it seem like secreteries and shop girls worked on the bombe machines. It was interesting to hear how many finished young women volunteered and worked there as well. it was also interesting hearing how frequently the "girls" left BP for London on their off days. I'd been given the impression that they were pretty much held close to the campus. Also of note were her impressions of Turing. - Nicely read. Written much like a diary and accessible to all audiences.

Excellent Very Real Story of WW11

Great listen! Thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved the writer’s sense of humor. This book is a great addition after loving and finishing The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. I highly recommend both of these books! Love hearing true stories taken right out of WW11

The storyline was good and a good account of q World War 2 from a female British decoder

More innuendo and sass about the characters intonation and volume change invoice thank you if you love we 2 stories you’ll love this

Story Well Told

Wonderfully written accounts of several women’s experiences during WWll, while working at Bletchley Park in Great Britain. Fascinating insight into the secret workings in a romantic mansion in the countryside, and also into a women’s often untold but crucial to winning the war!
Characters are dimensional, easy writing style, great descriptions and very likely there are many true stories about ones similar to the characters in this.
Rose Code has whetted my appetite for more WWll stories!

wonderfully written

if you love history, are inspired by selflessness and bravery, and want to know more about some of WW2's unsung heroes, have a listen or read it!

Amazing historical fiction

This was truly a fascinating summary of the actions of the enigma translators during the world war. I very much enjoyed the historical details that brought everything to life. The release of the prisoners from Auschwitz was heartbreaking and illuminating. It’s a time my parents live through and I wish they were here to ask more questions of their experience during this time.

Fascinating

Hearing a firsthand account, from a woman, was fascinating. I highly recommend if you are interested in the goings-on at Bleachery Park.

Brief, but Interesting

I found this through The Rose Code. Both are good books and this was used as source material for The Rose Code.

Fantastic History Lesson!!!

A tale of WWII in a way I haven't heard before.. Fascinating History described in such detail that the dates and places usually blurred over in academic texts are vividly imprinted in the story telling.

Just Couldn't do it

I really tried to persevere listening to this as I am intrigued about the Bletchley Park "story" but after an hour, I just had to call it quits. Instead of listening to a story, it was like listening to someone read off a grocery list (or something equally as boring). Super disappointed! But with the money, hopefully, refunded, I'll buy something else that is educational but also entertaining.