One of my goals this year is to read more nonfiction. I tend to read a lot of WWII historical fiction, so this nonfiction book about the incredible untold story of four women who helped win WWII by generating a wave of black propaganda caught my eye, especially since one of the four women was the famous actress, Marlene Dietrich. In addition to Dietrich, the other women were Betty MacDonald, a reporter from Hawaii, who witnessed the bombing of Pearl Harbor; Zuzka Lauwers from Czechoslovakia; and Jane Smith-Hutton, the spouse of a naval attaché based in Tokyo.

These women were members of the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) and they were trained to produce and distribute what is known as black propaganda. The goal of black propaganda is to demoralize the enemy and to encourage pockets of resistance, and the propaganda these women produced was incredibly effective, creating one of the most covert & successful military campaigns in WWII.

I liked how this book was structured, giving the reader each woman’s POV in alternating chapters. I always worry that nonfiction will come across as dry, even if informative, but the way the author presents the information, it’s like reading four mini memoirs about the same experiences from 4 POVs. I enjoyed getting to know each woman. Since their contributions were obviously top secret at the time, it’s great for them to finally be recognized now.

This book is well researched, filled with great information about these women and their impact on the war, and at only 240 pages, it’s a quick read too. Not only that, but it’s also a page turner, which made me glad I had the audiobook, narrated by Samara Naeymi, so I didn’t have to stop reading when my hands were too busy to hold the book. Naeymi’s narration was so engaging that at times, I forgot I was listening to nonfiction rather than historical fiction.

This was an absolutely fantastic read about four fabulous and brave [out of MANY] who worked both as spies, and as propaganda writers within the OSS [which was 1. the precursor to the CIA, and 2. had several famous names were a part of the OSS as well; some are mentioned in the book], and their lives before *AND* after the war [and what storied, interesting lives they all led].

Detailed, expertly researched and written in an upfront, engaging way, this was one of the best books i have read this month, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a history buff or enjoys stories about truly brave and strong women.

Very well done!!

Samara Naeymi is a new-to-me narrator and I seriously hope its not the last time I get to listen to her narrate a book. She does an excellent job here and makes you really feel the story and the women within it. I highly recommend this audiobook!!

I was invited to read/review this book by the publisher [St. Martin's Press] and I thank them, NetGalley, Lisa Rogak, and Macmillan Audio for providing both the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars!

A masterfully written true story of four women who helped win WWII with a campaign of deceptive propaganda!

There were countless brave women who contributed in some way to war efforts but they are rarely recognized or brought to light. So it was amazing to get to read such well researched stories of four young women who served in the OSS during WWII.

This was such a perfect read for Women's History Month! The narrator did an incredible job in helping bring this story to life! It doesn't seem to matter how many WWII stories I read, I always want to read more. There is still so much to learn!

I’ve always been interested in the roles of women in WWII and this was a fascinating look into the jobs that four key women played in overseas propaganda operations during that time period. I think I have previously read a loosely fictionalized version of Zuska’s wartime activities via a historical fiction novel (which I can’t for the life of me remember the name of) but it was interesting to see what the real story was. The book was both well written and read in audiobook by a narrator who was very easy to listen to. I’m often wary of nonfiction, or nonfiction audio specifically, because the wrong narrator or a dry author can turn even the most interesting subject matter into a snooze. Thankfully both the author and the narrator created a compelling story of the four women’s lives and their work during the war.

A great listen for International Women's month and beyond! Always good to be reminded of the essential roles women have played in history that have sorely gone under acknowledged and appreciated. Lisa Rogak did her research and crafted a plot line that allows listeners to follow the lives and contributions of 4 fabulous and strong women. The narrator of this audio book is clear and engaging. Thank you Lisa Rogak, Macmillan Audio and of course NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audio ARC. Put it on your list!

Propaganda Girls shines light on all the wonderful things women did during war. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was the precursor to the CIA and played a key role in U.S. intelligence during World War II. Thousands of women served in the OSS in roles ranging from administrative support to espionage, codebreaking, and sabotage operations behind enemy lines. They worked with resistance groups, gathered intelligence, and helped organize sabotage missions.. Women worked in intelligence analysis, breaking enemy codes, translating intercepted messages, and interpreting aerial reconnaissance images. This book follows four women of the OSS and their journeys. A remarkable read

This is the incredible story of four women who did their part for the war effort by creating black propaganda. This propaganda had the sole aim to break the morale of the Axis soldiers.

Rogak has crafted an easy to read account of four amazing women that were drawn to serving their country. It appears to be thoroughly researched, yet not overly technical. This was a perfect read for international women’s month.

Propaganda Girls: The Secret War of the Women in the OSS
By Lisa Rogak
Narrated by Samara Naeymi
4 ⭐️

The lives of the 4 women this book follows during WWII were fascinating. The book was written with steady pacing and is thoughtfully complied. As a fiction reader, I was never bored and happily learned loads of things I never knew or fully understood. The narration of the audiobook is solid.

Thank you NetGalley, Lisa Rogak, and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook ARC.

Absolutely fantastic listen. Gives insight into some of the women who helped the Allies win WWII. I binged listened to it in a day and have not stopped talking about it since I finished it.

I listened to the audio version of Propaganda Girls. Given the current political climate I was especially interested in this topic and thought listening around International Women’s Day would be very fitting!

Re: The narrator: she sounds a bit like a newscaster, which I suppose, given the material is appropriate. For me, personally, I wish the narration was more varied and emotional. I found myself hearing but not listening, and then needing to rewind and physically engage myself which is not common for me with audiobooks.

I wished that I had a taste of the women’s personalities. Although the 4 women have a lot in common, they have varied backgrounds and their voices should be distinguishable. I found this to be the case especially with Marlene Dietrich as the book gets beyond just her upbringing marriage. Because of this, I wonder how much the author has infused her own conclusions into their women’s personalities.

While the women in the service are clearly treated unfairly, wage gaps and denials of promotions aren’t stunningly shocking. There were some facts that DID shock me, I will keep this spoiler-free but less harping on commonly known issues with the patriarchy and a heavier focus on some of the lesser-known facts would have been more captivating.

The women are inspiring, they broke the mold and paved a path for future generations and for that, I appreciate them. I found that I learned a lot about Marlene Dietrich, I mean, what an absolute icon. I cannot imagine the bravery for living her life the way she did in the 40’s.

Although this book is well researched, I wish the material read less like a book report, however.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a copy of the audio book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and the stories of each of the women.
This book was well-researched, well-organized, and well-written account of the lives of four women whose contributions during World War II

“Did I hate the Germans? The Japanese? Not really. I helped make up the slogans to make the other people hate,” she said. “Packaged hate, like packaged breakfast foods, produced by the ad man in uniform. And249 a prize of a promise in every package— the corner drugstore, ice cubes, America.”

Happy International Women’s Day (and yes, it’s real - despite what any Apple or Google calendar will now tell you)! And, thanks to both @macmillan.audio and @stmartinspress, I was able to recently read and listen to such a fitting book: a #gifted copy of PROPAGANDA GIRLS: The Secret War of the Women in the OSS by Lisa Rogak.

This was the fascinating, well-researched story of four women who were responsible for brainstorming, creating, and strategizing the release of propaganda that eventually helped win WWII. They created parody newsletters and manuals in other languages; they strategized to release them via airplane or by strategically recruitment POWs to their cause. It was truly fascinating to see how they manipulated the enemy’s emotion and knowledge to influence morale and energy.

It showed readers both the backstory of each woman and how they ultimately were called to serve, the major projects they oversaw during the war, the gender inequality they faced (particularly as it relates to promotion and recognition), and how they spent their time later in life - so I appreciated that we were able to get to know the women even outside of their military accomplishments.

The audiobook was incredibly engaging; there was a single narrator and she helped bring these women to life - without it feeling like we were lost in facts and dates.

PROPAGANDA GIRLS is out now!

I would like to begin by thanking NetGalley for providing the audiobook of Propaganda Girls by Lisa Rogak in exchange for an honest review.

From the very first chapter, Rogak draws readers into the tense and turbulent atmosphere of World War II, setting the stage for an enthralling narrative. Propaganda Girls follows the stories of four remarkable women, each of whom played a significant role in the wartime efforts of the Allied forces, fighting against the Axis powers. Rogak expertly weaves together their individual journeys, showcasing the personal and professional challenges they faced while contributing to the war effort.

Each woman’s story is fascinating and unique, with Rogak delving into both the struggles and, at times, the more salacious details of their work in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a precursor to the CIA. Rogak does an exceptional job of bringing these women's voices to life, highlighting their resilience, courage, and determination in a time of global chaos.

This book is a captivating blend of history and personal narrative, making it a perfect read for history enthusiasts. Though it's a relatively quick read, it offers enough depth to keep you hooked while remaining entertaining throughout. I highly recommend Propaganda Girls to anyone interested in the unsung stories of women during World War II or those looking for an engaging historical account.

This book is SO well done! It’s well paced, and well broken up. The Narrator absolutely nailed it! I really appreciated the author's choice to cover the women's whole life and not just the segments of their lives that aligned with the war. Talking about women's adjustment to life after the war is very important, and the struggle that these women had with readjustment is covered very well.
I like the range of women that the author chose to write about. I think covering multiple cultures and types of lifestyle is very important, and was very well done in this book! The biggest compliment I can give a history book is that while reading it I forget that it is a history book and that is something that happened multiple times in this book!

Thank You NetGalley Macmillan Audio and the author for this AudioARc.



Again, I am so sorry for the previous mix up.

Highly recommend this book! Propaganda Girls recounts the wartime experiences of four gifted women from vastly different backgrounds, including Marlene Dietrich, who were recruited to the OSS and proceeded to show a remarkable gift for psychological manipulation to help demoralize Axis soldiers in WWII. Some of their greatest hits included putting toilet paper with Hitler’s face printed on it in German soldiers’ latrines (think for a moment about the ability to pull off printing toilet paper in wartime conditions); erasing original messages on postcards from enemy soldiers to their families and replacing the text with unsettling reports before sending them on their way; and recording and broadcasting to Germans English songs translated into German with the original lyrics rewritten to undermine morale.

When I first saw that this audiobook clocks in at only 6.5 hours, I was not sure how Lisa Rogak would cover the ground necessary to do these women justice. But she has done it masterfully. The book reads and moves more like journalism, compressing an enormous amount of research, providing vivid details (starting with her depiction of Betty MacDonald, a reporter herself, in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor—I had not known about the birds), and bringing the women and their experiences alive. The image of Marlene Dietrich throwing herself voluntarily into scrubbing floors in a USO facility kitchen on her hands and knees in an evening gown makes a lasting impression, as does the fact that Gen. Patton gave her a pearl-handled revolver with which to kill herself should she be captured by the Nazis, who had deemed to her a priority target. The other women featured are Zuka Lauwers and Jane Smith-Hutton—all fascinating. The book follows them through WWII and their immediate post-war experiences to the ends of their long and accomplished lives. You will be glad to have met them.

Samara Naeymi is an engaging and effective narrator. Interestingly, she makes no attempt to imitate the women’s actual voices or accents in reading quotes attributed to them, which is probably a wise choice, though she instead renders all quotes in the same slightly odd voice.

Although I had resolved to not read any more WWII books, I decided to give this a try and I am glad I did! . I listened to the audio version of the Propaganda Girls and the narration was excellent and the story easy to follow. The book was about four women from differing backgrounds (including the actress Marlene Dietrich). The four were from different countries but had several traits in common: they were smart, well-educated formally and informally, spoke more than one language, were eager to explore the world, and were unable to find meaningful, fulfilling work in the “man’s world” of the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. Through various means they all found their way to the OSS, an arm of the American military which was engaged in spreading propaganda helpful to the Allies and demoralizing to the enemy.
The four characters were well-fleshed out and because they were each unique it was easy to follow the story. It was an eye opener because I knew the US was engaged in this type of war-time activity but was unaware of what it entailed. It was a fascinating read and I strongly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher St Martins Press and to the author for this well-researched book.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved learning about the women involved in the O.S.S., especially Marlena Dietrich. All of these women had an amazing impact on World War II. I learned so much about each woman's life and impact on the War. Thanks again to NetGalley and MacMillan for access to both the ebook and audriobook. #PropogandaGirls

A compelling look at women who defied convention and worked in secret against the Nazis in WWII. I really enjoyed the incredibly thorough look at the lives of each of these brave ladies and the courage they showed not only as soldiers, but as females in a male dominated field. The tales of their determination and fortitude are inspiring. The research is impeccable and each story jumps from the page.

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Macmillan audio for my copies. These opinions are my own.

Propaganda Girls: The Secret War of the Women in the OSS is the absolutely fascinating story of four women - Betty MacDonald, Zuzka Lauwers, Jane Smith-Hutton, and Marlene Dietrich - and the incredible work they did during WWII. These women were part of a secret group of the OSS who were tasked with creating black propaganda to be used to break the morale of Axis soldiers. They fabricated newspapers and "official" military orders, wrote songs and radio broadcasts, and even worked with spies to create stories to be spread amongst enemy soldiers. I cannot believe that I have not heard of these women until now! Their stories are so intriguing and I loved hearing the ins and outs of their efforts to create and spread these "believable lies" in order to help win the war. I appreciate that the author, Lisa Rogak, did not shy away from the more difficult war-related topics and told the stories of these women in a clear, transparent way without sugar-coating things or glossing over the more questionable aspects of their roles. The narrator, Samara Naeymi, has a lovely voice, and I enjoyed listening to her read the stories of Betty, Zuzka, Jane, and Marlene.

First, the narrator Samara Naeymi is outstanding and was perfect for this title. Next, a point of clarification - OSS means Office of Strategic Services, an agency of the U.S. Fed Gov 1942-1945c when WWII ended.

This book isn’t too lengthy, following four women entering the military and serving to demoralize and encourage surrenders. Each with their own reasons to join and serve, and each serving important roles where they were stationed and with their work.

At 6 hours and 30 minutes for the audiobook, it isn’t too lengthy and doesn’t oversaturate listeners with information. I would love a PDF companion guide with names, dates, and service locations to get started, and it may be worth buying the book for.

I recommend this title for readers interested in women’s history, WWII history, and history of communication, wartime, and propaganda.