Well researched and well written. I was engaged the whole time, very interesting and informative. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Propaganda Girls is an informative and inspiring look at the women who played a role in shaping and spreading messages during pivotal moments in history. The book effectively highlights the sexism and other challenges these women faced, yet it also showcases their resilience, loyalty, and determination. Their stories are compelling, but I found myself wanting more—more depth, more personal details, and more time spent on their individual experiences rather than quickly moving from one figure to the next. While the book provides a strong introduction to these remarkable women, it sometimes feels a little thin, leaving the reader wishing for a deeper exploration of their lives beyond their public roles. Still, it’s a worthwhile read for anyone interested in history, media, and the power of women’s voices in shaping narratives.

What an interesting glimpse into how dynamic women helped to win the fight in World War II. Well done, easy read and a good book to add to your reading stack!

I'm studying this novel like a 2025 textbook and fetching my 2001 glitter pens, because how else will the intellectuals survive.

Lovingly,

A child who was formerly American propaganda with the DoD

Propaganda Girls tells the true story of four energetic, highly intelligent and brave women who helped the Allies win WWII with their contributions to the OSS (precursor to the CIA). With varied backgrounds and fluency in numerous languages these women pushed traditional gender roles and dedicated themselves to contributing as much as possible to the victory. The book follows these women in Europe, Asia and Washington DC and provides insight into some of the psychological impacts of war and how the Allies attempted to disrupt and demoralize the opposition. I greatly enjoyed each of their stories during the war, and also the overview of their lives after the war. Transitioning from meaningful, respected work and returning to daily life in a society who understandably wanted to get back to normal. A normal which didn’t always value women’s work outside the home. Women’s contributions which are often overlooked in history and Propaganda Girls provides a record of four brave women (as well as their female colleagues).
Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The utterly fascinating true life story’s of four women who fought the Nazis and the Japanese with rumor and disinformation.

Wow! I have always loved reading stories about WW2 and this is no different. I loved learning about Betty, Zuzka, Jane and Marlene and their lives before Pearl Harbor, during the war and after. I learned so much from this book. I had no idea about the OSS and women involvement in the war to the extent of spreading propaganda throughout enemy areas and more. If you're studying WW2 in school or just looking to learn more about different aspects of WW2 this book is for you!

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.