Code Girls

The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II

By: Liza Mundy

Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Length: 14 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Recruited by the US Army and Navy from small towns and elite colleges, more than 10,000 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 codebreaking. 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, best-selling author Liza Mundy brings to life this riveting and vital story of American courage, service, and scientific accomplishment.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Liza Mundy (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

" Code Girls reveals a hidden army of female cryptographers, whose work played a crucial role in ending World War II.... Mundy has rescued a piece of forgotten history, and given these American heroes the recognition they deserve." (Nathalia Holt, best-selling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls)

"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." ( Library Journal)

Just released, about 80% through this story

Side note that prompted me to write this review: How can anyone give this straight across 1's on a the same-day release for a book this long?

Erin Bennett as the narrator is amazingly good, an excellent reader with no quirks at all. The of this story just flows. I would gladly listen to any story she narrates. (I'm about 10 hours into this story and, while I'd keep listening to it as I have all day long, I'm going to savor the final chapters by waiting until tomorrow to finish it up.)

Follows the lives of a handful of young adult Code Girls, female crypto-analysts living in the DC/VA area (Arlington Farms boarding house for women) just before and during WWII. Story explains how they grew up, how they ended up working in the highest top secret vaults in DC. In story fashion, follows their recruitment, hiring, training, and what their daily lives are like. Friendships develop, 10's of 1000s of women in these government work roles 'invade' DC as government employees. Although many women filled many government office jobs in more traditional roles or as Congressional staffers and aides, this story is about the top secret Code Girls and their dedication to the War effort working as crypto-analysts.

Couldn't give this a straight across 5's because a little bit of disconnected story line trying to keep track of where the some of the crypto girls are working, who they are working for; some disconnect in tying together how all the cogs of different government and military agencies handled sometimes the same kind of work. But the main theme of the day to day life of the very important work these women did shines through and makes this a great story about a small, but important segment these women played regarding the ultimate outcome of US WWII History. A bit of disconnection in trying to piece in the older history of the women in computing and cryptography work roles prior to this era. Those who aren't into complex analysis and code-breaking might not find this part of the story fitting very well with the day to day perils of regular life of these girls when they are away from work. A bit of disconnection in the story explaining cryptography and how difficult it is -- I enjoyed it, but I'm kind of geeky like that. Adding some regular dates and chapter titles that distinguish the reference between the different girls' stories and the side-history and historical context that brought these women to their jobs would have made this story a cleaner, more straight-forward story. An included pdf extra attachment with the photos of the girls and captions helps piece together this somewhat disjointed story of the story of several of the girls, but primarily the telling of the stories of the friendship of Dot and Ruth (nicknamed 'Crow').

A great listen for anyone interested in women working in crypto-analysis; what it must have been like being very smart, college-educated, but still a bit naive jumping into the DC/VA big-city, top-secret world of being a US government code breaker (of Japanese, German, and every other country codes that the US wanted these girls to decode messages from).

A political, feminist story??? As political as the USA was from the mid-1930s-WWII era. Political with regard to the fact that ALL of these girls were government employees holding top secret clearances and had a strong desire to work for the government to help the war effort -- if you are offended by women who wanted to work this kind of job rather than settle down and stay at home to be mothers and raise kids and not work, this story will not be for you. If you would like a vision of what the DC area must have been like circa WWII era, with women at work, and women asserting their capabilities outside of a of traditional women work roles (teacher, secretary, nurse, babysitter, housemaid) this is an inspiring story told from the perspective of living in that time, in that location, from the perspective of the girls who lived this life. Enjoy!

An amazing look and palpable story

It is an incredible insiders look at WWll from those that broke gender barriers and without knowing it tipped the scales in a war that change it all.
As a person that lived in DC because of my husbands service to its government it allowed me to be transported and to reminisce about the streets and sights that I walked many decades later. To know the important role that these women played and the doors that they opened for the many people that work in those capacities today and how they change the world by taking a chance.
The narrator made the women and their lives come alive!
If you or you have daughters that are history buffs I would recomendable this as a book or as an unabridged audio book!!
It leaves you with a sense of pride and with a sense that everyone’s work makes a difference.
Thank you Mrs. Mundy for bringing this piece of history to the fore front.

Fascinating story of women who made a difference

It's a shame that it took so long for this story to be told. These women worked so long and hard for almost no recognition. It's wonderful that now their story can be shared, and people be aware of their dedication to duty, and their sacrifices for the country.

Often tedious

Really interesting period of history. I bought this because i wanted to learn more about the women code breakers and their perspective, While much of the book is about the women, it often is more of a general history of code breaking from world war I to II. The level of detail was often tedious. I am still trying to get it finished.

Simply Overwhelming

This book, being Historically accurate, is difficult to continue with. I finished it but by using the read at an accelerated speed button. The listing of the VOLUMES of codes and conditions or practical and physical devices used is by a far measure, overwhelming!

Yet, I'm HAPPY that these Brilliant Women plyed their considerably above average intelligence in the service they did!

Not a great speaker

The story was pretty good. I like the girl power aspect and appreciate the sacrifices the women made. However the story was a bit slow at the beginning. My Grandmother was a nurse in the Army Air Corps during WWII, so I like to hear the stories of women in the war.
The speaker or reader didn’t do it for me. It was like listening to a computer read the book.

Outstanding

I learned much about WWII and the women who supported it. Their patriatism and loyalty is amazing. The author did very good research.

Why Call Them Girls

Code Girls was one of the most outstanding books that I've read all year because when it comes to WWII, I naturally gravitate toward history. Without the female code breakers, the war would had been that much harder. Someone needs to make a miniseries from this book.

I had a problem with this title and I really hope most authors will take notes of my remarks. It's when we are referring to females who are over a certain age, we really need to respect of what they have achieved and respect their titles.

When an author keeps referring their characters as girls, they loses their credibility. as if they weren't doing something important. You wouldn't call a decorated soldier less than their given title. Why would you call a full grown woman, a girl?

Worth the commitment

I loved this story but it took time for me to get through it. By the epilogue you have learned so much and it comes at you in the most beautifully paced ending!

really enjoyed the book.

It was an easy read. the. The narration was very good. Left me wanting more.