An informative, comprehensive account of four women who initiated propaganda during the second world war to lower the morale of Axis soldiers. This is a wonderful, historical nonfiction read. Thorough, concise and quite interesting. Each woman’s path to involvement in the OSS, duties during their time in the OSS, and their lives after the military are meticulously documented. Each chapter focuses on a different woman. This is one of the best nonfiction novels I have read. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

Propaganda Girls is the incredible true story of four unsung heroes whose spellbinding achievements would change the course of history. I had no idea anything like fake propaganda had taken place during WWII! The four amazing women discussed in this book made significant contributions towards the end of World War II.

This book also tells about the lives these four women led before OSS, during the war, and post-war. It was frustrating to read how these unsung and heroic women worked circles around the OSS men yet weren't paid anywhere near what the men were being paid!

The roles women played in history are very often overlooked, and I'm grateful to Ms. Rogak for shining the spotlight on these four.

Thank you, #StMartinsPress, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. It has an expected publication date of March 4, 2025.

#LisaRogak #WW2 #UnsungWomen

I had just finished the non fiction "Agents of Change" when I started this book eager to read more about inspiring women. I was definitely not disappointed. Propaganda Girls tells the story of four women who used rumors, newspaper stories, radio and more to break the mentality of Axis soldiers. What I found most interesting was how different the women were and how their paths to get to where they ended up differed. A true non-fiction written in such an exciting way you would think that you are reading a novel!

Four woman, worlds apart in up-bringing and background find themselves working at the Office of Strategic Services (OSS); Morale Operations (MO) branch which during WWII, produced and disseminated 'black' propaganda to destabilize the enemy and encourage resistance movements. Most of us has heard of the beautiful Marlene Dietrich, the German ex-pat labeled a traitor by Hitler. The other three woman featured in this book were Elizabeth 'Betty' MacDonald, who found WWII coming to her in Hawaii, an native of Czech, Bozena Lauwers who first name was changed to Zuzka when she was naturalized, and Jane Smith-Hutten whom husband was a Naval attache at the Embassy in Japan.

The book is about how these woman played vital roles in the OSS, Their assignments, their triumph and their life post-WWII. The book was hard to put down, subject matter being what it was. I think anyone interested in WWII will find it fascinating.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this book!

This was a very interesting and informative book about how a group of women supported the war effort during WWII in some unusual ways. For me, this was a quick read as I was very interested in each of their stories, and how what they did impacted the war. They all had such different backgrounds and talents, and they all helped in such different and creative ways!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in WWII history!

I wanted to like this book but could not get into it. The writing was slow and it felt like a chore to pick up every day.

An interesting, informative read about four remarkable women and their contributions behind the scenes during WWII and after. It was amazing how their unique backgrounds and talents added so much to the war effort, in creative and inventive ways. They were all unsung heroes, undervalued during their time of service, yet contributing so much to winning the war without firing a single shot. Learning about the OSS was intriguing.

The writing seemed to be well researched with a lot of personal information. They all worked so hard and sacrificed so much. I would have liked more stories from their field experiences.

Recommend to readers of who like history, especially during WWII.
4.5 stars

Proganda Girls was a really enjoyable no. fiction. The narration was very well done and the way the story was written was engaging and informative but not at all in a stuffy way that some non fiction read.

I truly loved learning about all four of these incredible women, I was especially floored by the fact that Marlena Dietrich was a member of the OSS. Through all the historical fiction I’ve read, that fact never presented itself and it was such a treat to learn this new fact.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the alc and St. Martin’s Press for the arc via Netgalley!

This book shines a light on the contribution of a small group of women during World War II. You will have heard of Marlene Dietrich, German- born actress and singer who became an American citizen and entertained American troops on the front line. The other women profiled worked behind the scenes in the Morale Office of the OSS (precursor of the CIA) encouraging enemy forces to surrender by publishing pamphlets full of false information. Each of the women worked with zeal and as was the norm of the day, received lower pay and less respect than their male counterparts.
I found this an interesting addition to my knowledge of WWII. The writing was serviceable but it was more along the lines of informational newspaper writing than a book with a heart. I had expected more interaction among the women, but there was little of that. For each of the four, their time during the war was the highlight of their life because, at a time when women were second class citizens in American society,, they were making meaningful contributions to the war effort. The author continued the store of each woman til her death many years later often in assisted living facilities. This may satisfy your curiosity but dilutes the power of the story which for this reader as well peaked at war’s end.

I had never heard of a lot of these women before reading this book, but now I will never forget them. This book kept me engaged from the first page and I loved learning about the impact all of these women made on the war.

Okay, so this was fascinating. Like, hello?? Four women basically running a secret mind game to help win WWII?? And no one talked about them until now? Absolutely wild.

Betty, Zuzka, Jane, and Marlene (yes, that Marlene) were out here forging documents, scripting fake news, and recording songs to totally mess with the enemy’s morale. It’s giving top-tier spy energy, but with zero credit at the time because, you know, women. Their creativity? Next level. The fact that they were overlooked despite outperforming the men? Ugh, classic.

This was such a fast read—super engaging, never dry, and totally eye-opening. If you love forgotten history, badass women, or just a good war story with major "wait, they did what?" moments, add this to your list.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

What a great read! The information is in this book is fascinating and it is refreshing to see the female side of war. I enjoyed Rogak's writing style nd look forward to reading more from her in the future.

I found this book to be very interesting and full of action. I learned so much about the ladies who worked with the military and wrote propaganda to help win the war. I was entertained by their stories and the predicaments they would get into. Well worth the read for anyone who enjoys true stories of real women who stepped into a mostly men's world. They were strong, they were smart, and above all, they got the job done.

Heartfelt thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Net Galley for the honor and pleasure of reading this ARC.

This is exactly the kind of book that I enjoy reading the very most. Having grown up and lived during the time in our history where the skills and intelligence of women were often downplayed, The Propaganda Girls hit home with me and made me extremely proud. Thank you, Lisa Rogak for this beauty of a book.

Four women whom worked for the Office of Strategic Services during World War 11 creating propaganda to dissuade he enemy forces. They also took part in entertaining the war exhausted troops stationed overseas. Each of the four very brave women are described in detail in chapters created for each, Jane, Betty, Zuzska and Marlene (Dietrich).

I will be reading this fascinating and wonderful book again.

4.5 Stars

WWII seems to have an inordinate number of books written about it, but this one is in a field of its own.

Ms. Rogak takes the stories of four women (two of whom are naturalized US citizens) and weaves a compelling interwoven tale of camaraderie, struggle, independence, and strength. I came away with a much better understanding of not only the societal expectations during the late 1930s through the 1940s (and beyond), but also how much these four women laid the groundwork for so many of our servicewomen today. Not to mention our rights as simply American women - which in some cases are still being denied or considered a privilege.

Incredibly well-researched (HUGE bibliography and endnotes section) but not in the least bit dry, I was drawn into the story of their lives and couldn't put it down. There were a few places where they faced assault but handled it with great aplomb, and apparently little to no harm. Certainly an impressive legacy has been left by these largely unknown women (excepting Marlene Dietrich).

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

This is a quick easy read about 4 young ladies involved in supporting WWII in participating in the OSS. I most enjoyed learning more about Marlene Dietrich, I had read a previous book about her and she was quite a talented actress/singer and I bet the soldiers just loved her. She was all about putting on a show those men deserved, even in the the middle of winter. Each of these ladies had a story to tell and I enjoyed reading about them all.

I always love to learn more about the dedicated women that put themselves on the line to support our military and our country. They are true heroes.

I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my unbiased review. Comes in with four stars.

A sucker for a good World War II tell-all, I enjoyed Lisa Rogak’s “Propaganda Girls.” A short-read (@ 212 pages) non-fiction, the book tells the intriguing and often funny true story of how four women used psychology, creativity, and often their wits to produce highly effective propaganda that thwarted our then-enemies both in Germany and Japan. I see a Netflix miniseries in this book’s future. Due out March 3, 2025. Definitely worth the read.

Propaganda Girls follows four women who worked for the OSS during WWII. The beginning chapters introduce each women individually and thier back stories. Written very textbook with little narrative, I found my self having to work hard to keep reading the book. Good historical information- just not what I was hoping for.

I have read many, many fiction and non-fiction books about World War II. I vowed I wasn’t going to read any more, those times were so heroic and so tragic. However, I couldn’t resist “Propaganda Girls-The Secret War of the Women in the OSS” by Lisa Rogak. And I am glad I read this engaging story.

The story revolves around four young women who. worked for the OSS- the Office of Strategic Services (now the CIA). Betty, Zuzka, Jane and Marlene. Marlene is the famous one- Marlene Dietrich.The other women were well educated and eager to contribute to the war effort. They were assigned to create propaganda to demoralize the enemy countries. They didn’t fight with guns, they created letters, leaflets, military orders, newspaper article, radio broadcasts, all to communicate false and depressing news, to lower the enemies’ morale. Marlene Dietrich sang performed for the soldiers, she truly loved “the boys”.

There are four “Acts” in the book, and each character tells their part, for each act. I found the first act, “Going to War” and the last act, “Back to Reality” to be the most interesting. The “Acts” involving the sabotage weren’t very detailed.

Thank you to these brave and dedicate women for giving so much of their efforts to the USA. I highly recommend “The Propaganda Girls”.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.

Lisa Rogak does a great job of exploring the history of four women's contributions to the American war effort during WW2. This author writes in a style similar to Kate Moore. Even though this book is non-fiction, it is written in a story telling way. This makes it very easy to read, follow, and get into the story. Even though the book went in chronological order and bounced around between the different women, it was very easy to follow and keep everything straight. This is a great book for anyone interested in learning more about history.