Propaganda Girls (by Lisa Rogak)

I really enjoy reading historical fiction books. This was a little different focus from my typical book in that genre and one I really appreciated. I liked getting to know the four primary characters and their work with the OSS (which later became known as the CIA) and their efforts to help end WWII.  The women, Betty MacDonald, Jane Smith-Hutton, Zurka Lauwers, and Marlene Dietrich worked behind the scenes at lower pay than men and little recognition to control emotions via propaganda. Divided into several sections, the book focuses on the time before, during, and after WWII. While Marlene Dietrich is famous in her own right, I did not realize all she did to be a part of the OSS and fight against her native country, Germany, to stop Hitler’s reign of terror. While she could have remained safe in roles in the United States, she was willing to travel abroad and help encourage the soldiers and letting them know how important they were in the fight for freedom. I am so glad that these unsung heroes are finally being recognized for the different they made in the time when women’s contributions to the war efforts were not highly valued. An interesting view into that time period and how women were overlooked as being an integral part in ending WWII.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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Biography

Espionage

Historical

History

Nonfiction

War

Women's

WWII