6.5 / 10

The Propaganda Girls were a small network of women who were tasked with creating false narratives during WWII that were leaked behind enemy lines with the hope of emotionally wearing down the enemy and getting them to surrender.

We really aren’t sure what effect they had on the war. They weren’t even sure. But they were dedicated and they tried.

That’s exactly like this book. I really wasn’t sure where the author was going, but she was dedicated and she tried.

Unfortunately it’s hard to make a compelling story out of a less-than-compelling subject.

The most interesting thing about this group was that the German born actress Marlene Dietrich was one of the Propaganda Girls. If anybody had an impact, it was probably her, if for nothing else than her fame and her well-known hatred of the Third Reich, which she professed on radio shows and live shows.

I was really interested in reading this book because I had never heard of the propaganda girls initiative and was intrigued to learn what they did.

Unfortunately, though they dedicated their time, effort and careers to the US military, there isn’t any there there - at least not enough to justify a compelling book.

I do have to say, though, it is well written.
It’s hard to write a book without a compelling story and keep it compelling.
Kudos to Lisa for knocking that out of the park.

#netgalley #propagandagirls

3 stars

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I liked that Rogak selected four women with vastly different backgrounds and experience, but the stories themselves were surface level only and didn't provide the detail i was hoping for. At 240 pages, each woman received roughly 60 pages to describe their early life, wartime activities and their post-war doings, not nearly enough to fully understand and immerse yourself into their lives or experiences. As a primer for the topic, its a good first book, but if you are looking for a deep dive into the topic of female service during WWII this is not the best book for that.

I absolutely loved this book. The narrative style in which the author wrote about these real women hooks you from the very beginning — it felt like I was reading fiction! I’m so glad this book is shining a light on some forgotten (or ignored) parts of WWII history, because women played such a huge role and deserve our appreciation. I recommend this to everyone who likes history!

This was an amazing book. So well written and engaging. Love it Highly recommend this for all libraries. Made me want to learn more.

“Propaganda Girls” was an interesting book. I enjoyed reading about different propaganda campaigns and how the ideas for the campaigns were developed and then implemented, as well as the obstacles faced by the Morale Operation staff, especially the primarily female staff. I am familiar with Marlene Dietrich, but the other three women highlighted in the book were unfamiliar names — Elizabeth “Betty” MacDonald, Jane Smith-Hutton, and Barbara “Zuzka” Lauwers. I appreciated that the author discussed propaganda efforts in both European and Asian countries during WWII. I also liked that the author talked about what the women did post-war.

"Propaganda Girls" is about Four Women chosen to work to the OSS during WWII. Its another very informative book on women and their contribution to the war and their bravery. Three of the four were ordinary citizens Of the US and the fourth an actress born in Germany. I loved reading about the individual stories of their exploits and how close some were to losing their lives. This book is well written.

In this incredible new World War II history book, readers discover Betty MacDonald, Zuzka Lauwers, Jane Smith-Hutton, and Marlene Dietrich and their contributions to the American Office of Strategic Services’s (OSS) propaganda war against the Axis. Working in each theater of the war, sometimes near or behind the front lines, these women were part of a team forging letters and “official” military orders and creating newspapers, radio broadcasts, songs, and rumors meant to demoralize the Axis soldiers and create a web of misinformation and mystery to bolster the Allies’ war effort. Uncovering these previously hidden stories and contributions, Rogak has done a brilliant job balancing four different biographies without losing the larger threads or the smaller details, and this creates a fascinating picture of the OSS’s propaganda efforts during World War II. Readable, interesting, and immersive, this is a brilliant addition to the women in World War II history canon, and the incredible details, documents, and research really bring these powerful stories to life. The book is easy to read for all sorts of readers with varying history backgrounds, and the language is incredibly accessible, making this brilliant new women in World War II history book difficult to put down.

Propaganda Girls is a group biography that tells the story of Betty MacDonald, Zuzka Lauwers, Jane Smith-Hutton, and Marlene Dietrich, each recruited by the United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS)—the precursor to the CIA whose work helped shape the outcome of World War II through psychological warfare - some times with outrageous propaganda such as forging documents, scripting radio broadcasts, producing fake newspapers, spreading rumors through covert channels, and brothel visits. Rogak brings their stories to life, showing how they operated in dangerous theaters like occupied China and Europe, often behind enemy lines. I learned a few new things, but was hoping for more. Thanks to the author and publisher, St. Martin Publishing Group for the ARC copy.

Betty, Zuzka, Jane, and Marlene - four women who helped military operations during World War II. Like Vietnam, where it was said that women did not serve in the military, these women were not spies during World War II. Wrong - these women were members of the OSS, and helped with war efforts. You will learn their stories, and how they helped with the war efforts. All four making sacrifices to help. Learned quite a few things about those women while reading this book. Thanks to Ms. Rogak, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What these four women managed to accomplish as OSS agents during the Second World War is extraordinary. And to have their stories is remarkable. I have read or listened to many world war 2 era books and this was one that I had not seen written about before. So I was definitely intrigued and pleased to have both the audiobook and book. Same review will be for each one. I enjoyed learning each of the women’s stories and talents. It was a very well done book.

I voluntarily reviewed both the audiobook and book provided by NetGalley.

I struggled with this one and ended up dnfing it. It felt repetitive and slow. The concept was really interesting but I had trouble wanting to pick it up over other options.

Firstly, let me express my thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing Propaganda Girls with me.
It is a very interesting and well-researched book, written with deep admiration for all the women involved in the struggles of WWII. The author presents the stories of four women—Zuzka Lauwers, Marlene Dietrich, Jane Smith-Hutton, and Betty MacDonald. We understand these are just a few shining examples; behind them, in the shadows of history, are the actions and sacrifices of countless other women whose contributions have gone unrecognized.

This is what makes the book not only interesting, but also important. Every opportunity to honor remarkable women should be embraced fully. For far too long, women have been silenced, overlooked, forgotten, and ridiculed.

Propaganda Girls is a WWII historical fiction novel. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, especially WWII with strong female characters. This novel doesn't disappoint. Propaganda Girls were hired to spread disinformation to keep the Germans off their game. I loved reading and learning new information about WWII and the use of women for the allies.
LOVE the cover art too!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced version of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Propaganda Girls is a quick, insightful read into an often underrepresented part of every war effort. Not only that, but the book takes it a step further to document and discuss the role four women played in that effort.

This was informative, strong, and impactful. I liked the pace of the novel and how the chapters were long enough to give good information and historical context without becoming dry. The book was a great travel companion and I believe anyone would be hard-pressed not to find the stories of the women inspiring and patriotic.

I enjoyed this book and would consider reading additional works by author Lisa Rogak in the future.

PROPAGANDA GIRLS

A really fascinating look at the lives of four women during WWII and their efforts to develop war propaganda. All four were members of the OSS, the precursor to the CIA. Like most programs developed by Bill Donovan, the Morale Operations department focused on unconventional methods of warfare. This book takes an in-depth look at each of these women, before, during, and after the war. Each brought a unique set of skills, abilities, and connections that contributed to the success of their contributions to the war effort.

Elizabeth “Betty” MacDonald was a journalist living in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Božena Lauwers “Zuzka/Barbara” was lawyer of Czechoslovakian descent. Jane Hutton-Smith was the wife of a naval attaché living in the American embassy in Tokyo. German born Marlene Dietrich was a famous singer and actress. All were intelligent, hard working, and dedicated to securing an Allied victory. Several were multilingual and knowledgeable of the culture in the locations where they served, including Germany, China and India.

It was fascinating to learn of the creative ways that each woman developed their war propaganda, from writing demoralizing pamphlets, degrading cartoons, newspaper reports, and revisions to operating procedures, to changing the words to popular songs and newscasts. Special programs like The League of Lonely Women, The Yoke of Shame, and the MUZAK Project all focused on demoralizing and confusing the enemy. These efforts worked to cause the enemies to worry about what was going on back home with loved ones, and to convince them that for them the war was already lost. Working with the USO providing entertainment, and prisoner interrogation and recruitment for special operations, were also used to give an advantage to the Allies.

It was very interesting to read these women’s perspectives of the war from the propaganda angle, the inside scoop. How they managed their personal lives and careers after the end of the war was fascinating, utilizing many of the skills they had learned in future endeavors. Although at times it was a little difficult to differentiate the women, the overall message of what they accomplished was worth the challenge. Extensive bibliography and notes, well researched.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Lisa Rogak, and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What an interesting and compelling story about 4 very different women and their war time contributions. The description of their work also gives one pause in today’s world as we thing about disinformation in every day life. Propaganda can and does exist even without a war and it’s good to know the ways people are deceived.

This is the interesting true story of four women who used their creative skills to help generate propaganda and win WWII. All of the women are inspiring, but I especially liked reading about Betty, a reporter from Hawaii who lived through the attack on Pearl Harbor. Most surprising of the group was someone famous, Marlene Dietrich, the German-American actress and singer.

I enjoyed the book so much, I passed it on to my Mom to read and she loved it as much as I did!

If you are looking for a non-fiction book about some extraordinary contributions by women who helped win WWII, this book is for you!

I would give Propaganda Girls 3 stars. I believe it was more my problem than lacking in the actual book. I really enjoyed the four women’s personal stories but their military history drove me a little crazy. Propaganda, of course, means lies and deception. Because of what we are experiencing in the US today, I found it all a bit hard to swallow. I realize this is a personal reason and no fault of the authors. Please give this unknown history a try and see what your thoughts are. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this electronic ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! When I first opened it I was thinking it was a historical fiction book but it was an actual nonfiction book which sometimes are not my type of book but I thought this one was really interesting especially reading about a group of women that I had never heard of before. I really liked the layout of the book and how there were four women and there would be a section devoted to each woman and then there would be a new part of their story so it was easy to keep track of each woman’s story. Also at the first part of Marlene’s story I realized that her songs may be on Apple Music and they were so I listened to her voice singing while reading about her life and her contributions to the war which really enhanced the reading experience. I tonight I would be bored to tears with a nonfiction book but it was really good! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

(This review is based on an ARC sent to me by NetGalley)

Propaganda Girls
The Secret War of the Women in the OSS
by Lisa Rogak

The author presents a well-researched account of four women's lives and careers, each instrumental to the "black propaganda" efforts of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS)--the precursor to the CIA--during World War II.
The main protagonists "Propaganda Girls" are four women who worked for the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) during World War II: Betty MacDonald, Zuzka Lauwers, Jane Smith-Hutton, and Marlene Dietrich. These women were key players in a covert propaganda campaign aimed at undermining Axis morale.
Betty MacDonald:
A reporter from Hawaii, she was initially assigned to write for the women's section of her newspaper but longed for more challenging work.
Zuzka Lauwers:
A multilingual Czech immigrant, she was fluent in several languages and played a crucial role in disseminating propaganda messages.

Jane Smith-Hutton:
The wife of a naval attaché living in Tokyo, she was imprisoned by the Japanese and later used her experiences to inform her OSS work
.
Marlene Dietrich:
A famous German-American actress and singer, she used her star power to promote Allied causes.

This is the true story of four unsung heroes, whose accomplishments
would change the course of history.

There is an extensive bibliography at the end of the book.