Overnight Code

The Life of Raye Montague, the Woman Who Revolutionized Naval Engineering

By: Paige Bowers, David R. Montague

Narrated by: Robin Eller, Kevin Kenerly

The inspiring story of a groundbreaking African American female engineer who created the first computer-designed ship for the US Navy.

Raye Montague was an ambitious little girl in segregated Little Rock. She grew to be a woman who spent a lifetime educating herself, both inside and outside of the classroom, so that she could become the person and professional she aspired to be.

Where some saw roadblocks, Montague only saw hurdles that needed to be overcome. Her mindset helped her become the first person to draft a Naval ship design by computer, using a program she worked late nights to debug. She did this as a single mother during the height of the Cold War, all the while imbuing her son with the hard-won wisdom she had accumulated throughout the years.

Equal parts coming-of-age tale, civil rights history, and reflection on the power of education, Overnight Code is a tale about persistence and perseverance when the odds against you seem insurmountable.

©2021 Paige Bowers and David R. Montague (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

Riveting Heroine, Genius Flavored with Love for Family

Overnight Code is the kind of story that stays with you long after you close the book. It’s not a romance, not a glossy tech fantasy — it’s a deeply human, deeply inspiring account of a Black woman who refused to let the world define her limits. The journey from dream to reality is anything but smooth, and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling.

What moved me most was the heroine’s unwavering desire to design ships — a dream that sounds simple until you see the obstacles she had to navigate. The book doesn’t shy away from the tests, trials, and outright barriers she faced, yet it also never reduces her to struggle alone. Her brilliance, creativity, and resilience shine through every chapter. You feel her ambition, her frustration, her breakthroughs, and her triumphs in a way that makes you root for her wholeheartedly.

This is a story about talent meeting grit, about a woman who carved out space in a field that wasn’t built to welcome her. It’s empowering, eye-opening, and beautifully told. I loved every moment of it.

If you’re looking for a book that celebrates real-world achievement, honors Black excellence, and reminds you what determination can look like in the face of adversity, Overnight Code is a must-read.

Inspired

Being Asian I have come across much racism in my lifetime. Hard work and discipline helped me overcome some of the situations I faced, but not all. Listening to this book inspired me to do more no matter the push back.

Wonderful and inspiring story with lessons for anyone

This was a wonderful story about a very inspiring American who worked her way up with hard work, thoughtful strategies and determination. These are lessons we can all learn from that apply towards our career and our personal life. Although Ray was not always successful she would learn from what happened and move forward in a productive direction even when the situation was very unfair.

The lessons in this book are approachable and one’s we can all draw from. This is better than a self help book because the situations are realistic and relatable.

This was an awesome read.

This book was fascinating. I loved how it was read. Straight to the point. I highly recommend this book.

She Exploded So Many Barriers

I'm surprised I've never heard of this fantastic role model. It was a very captivating story and I highly recommend it. I got emotional several times because of the barrier she overcame.