I am admitting now that I am not a huge non-fiction reader. I prefer documentaries over non-fiction books, but I’ve really been trying to push myself to read more non-fiction. I love reading stories from World War II about people surviving or how it all played out, so I thought Eder’s book The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line would be the perfect book for me.

This book is made up of multiple stories of different women who played different roles in World War II that significantly changed the course of the War in general, or the course of the war for a group of people. Eder did such a great job telling these stories. I found myself worked up a lot and fighting tears as I read about the things these women went through during the war. They weren’t even counted as soldiers at the time, but the things they did were groundbreaking and life changing in the eyes of those suffering from and fighting in this war. I love the different types of stories Eder chose to tell. This book shares stories about women in intelligence, women in camps, women in administrative roles, pilots, and so much more. I never knew the things women were doing during World War II and I feel I am better now for knowing what they, and so many more, did.

My only issue with this book was the ending. After so many great stories, the last few chapters seemed a bit unorganized. They fluctuated back to some of the women in the stories we had just read and added little bits and pieces to their stories, but it jumped around in time, acknowledged some of their achievements, and also talked about current women who are continuing to “step out of line” and do things women aren’t expected to do. This part of the book just came across disorganized and didn’t flow well for me. I enjoyed the information, I just wished it was a bit more smooth like the rest of the book was.

With that being said, I love this book. I highly recommend it for everyone, whether you are a World War II buff or not. The information shared is so useful to understand what was going on for women in that time and how their roles played a part in our success in that war. It’s inspiring to hear what these women did. You want to be more like them. Do more. I truly enjoyed these stories and would love to read of more greatness from women in World War II. You will get emotional. You will feel inspired. You will want to cheer. This book is so much more than a few stories of women. So much more.

The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line by Mari K Eder tells the stories of fifteen women who through their bravery and determination did extraordinary things during World War 2. The group of women chosen range from those who were proud to serve in uniform to scientists and medical professionals , resistance fighters and opera loving socialites with a secret agenda. Each of the women in their own way contributed to the Allied victory, often at great personal cost.
The author does a wonderful job of bringing the women to life on the page, and each mini biography gives a full account of their lives before, during and after the war. What many of the women had in common was the struggle they faced after the war ended, when they were expected to return to "normal" life and I appreciated that the author dedicated a chapter to the discussion of this issue, and how the women dealt with it. This was a powerful and inspiring book and I enjoyed it immensely.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

A great introductory book, revealing 15 women fro WWII that had grit and tenacity. I was delighted to read each individual chapter about women who not only were trailblazers but also created legacies. I liked the personalizes attention to each woman’s story so that readers could gain a more intimate understanding of their contributions. This book is a testament to strong women who made not only their country proud, but also themselves.

History buffs will love these stories of WWII featuring these brave women. Truly an inspiration to all readers. Interesting and well written. Recommended.

This was such a great view into some inspiring and empowering untold stories. It gave perspective and context, while offering some great storytelling. I would read it again, and will definitely be recommending it to others!

This book shines the light on women who made a difference but were outshined by their male counterparts. I would love to see this book in every school in America. We need to know these women and every little girl needs to look up to them.

The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line
By Major General Mari K. Eder
Sourcebooks, 3 August 2021

From the publisher:

The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line are the heroes of the Greatest Generation that you hardly ever hear about. These women who did extraordinary things didn't expect thanks and shied away from medals and recognition. Despite their amazing accomplishments, they've gone mostly unheralded and unrewarded. No longer. These are the women of World War II who served, fought, struggled, and made things happen--in and out of uniform.

Retired U.S. Army Major General Mari K. Eder wrote this book because she knew their stories needed to be told--and the sooner the better. For theirs is a legacy destined to embolden generations of women to come.

My thoughts:

I love reading about amazing, courageous women who have been forgotten, women who made a difference and whose lives should be remembered. Theirs are the stories that need to be told. Women such as famous tennis player Alice Marble, who claimed to have been a spy during WWII. Or the fascinating Stephanie Czech Rader, who served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Counter Espionage Branch X-2. And then there was Ruth Gruber, an intelligent young woman who obtained her doctorate at the age of 20! Ruth became a journalist and helped 1,000 refugees escape Europe in 1944.

Retired U.S. Army Major General Mari K. Eder said she didn’t want to write a book “about what these women were forbidden to do. Or how they were discriminated against.” Instead, she chose to write “the story of who these women were and what they did do.” She wrote about what they accomplished in spite of the discrimination that they all confronted and fought to overcome. These women were part of the greatest generation and, as Eder stated, they “not only made history, they created the future.” This book reminds us of what they accomplished and how their determination to fight for their dreams and for their country helped open doors for women decades later.

This book is well-researched and has an extensive bibliography. It also includes numerous pictures of each of the women, both during their time in the military and in later years when they were finally recognized for their World War II service. I highly recommend this book that shares the stories of 15 women who made a difference during the war and throughout their lives.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Brilliantly written mini biographies of courageous women in 20th Century history that should be included in every "herstory"book. Mari Eder brings the lives of amazing women and their brave exploits into sharp focus and reminds us that everyone has a story. Inspirational as well as informative history at its best.

Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebooks (NON-FICTION) for the chance to read and review this fabulous book! The opinions expressed are my own.
This book was wonderful! This book is filled with the stories of so many courageous women who changed the course of WW II. These women did not let anything hold them back. In spite of danger and adversity, these brave women had the courage to do what they thought was right. I really admire these brave women and I love to read their stories. Highly recommend!

Every female should read this book - no matter what age - but the younger the better! Real stories of real women who made a difference in so many avenues of life. A book with a message that every young woman should read. Let no one tell you what you're role will or should be, choose for yourself! Major General Eder's book is informative, the stories of truly courageous women are riveting, and it is a book not to be missed!

A very well written historical account of these ladies and their contribution to history. So thankful to have again learned a little more of the service of women in history.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

I requested this book through Netgalley because of course I want to read a book about some amazing women. And I am really glad I did so.

In this book we read the stories of 15 women who in some way contributed in the war effort… maybe by being a pilot, a spy, a smuggler for Jewish refugees, part of the resistance, a map maker or by sorting out the mess that was the postal services. Women may not have fought on the front lines, but still they were incredibly important during WWII… something for which they didn’t get their rightful recognition until far too late.

Although most of the women included in this book are American, I hugely appreciated the other nationalities included in this book. Especially the Dutch Diet really struck close to home (being Dutch myself) and just… wow. That women, as all the others included in this book, was so incredibly strong and inspirational.

The book itself is incredibly well written. I’m impressed the the anecdotes Eder managed to include in here. The chapters themselves are also just the perfect length, making this whole book very easy to read. After the stories of the 15 women, we are told about how long it took for them to get their medals. We also get to see how the actions of these and other women during WWII influenced future generations, especially the Baby Boomers. Eder concludes her book by showing how there are still too many firsts, and drawing our attention to some of the women and girls who step out of line today (such as Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai, but also many more).

If you want to read a book filled to the brim with strong, smart, brave, amazing and inspirational women… please pick this up. I adored it.

Thank you Major General Mari K Eder for both your service to this country and researching and writing this book! Information like this should be shared in all history classes. Each chapter provided and in depth look at the person and what she did for the war effort. Every day women doing their part without thought for themselves. Yes men did the same thing but their efforts were appreciated and acknowledged. These women and the many others, were pushed aside and told to go back to their homes and families never to speak of their war work. Thank you Major General Mari Eder and NetGalley for giving me this wonderful opportunity to learn about Women Who Stepped Out of Line!

This was a book outside of my normal genre but I loved how it introduced me to so many incredible women. It’s an inspiring and powerful read. I really appreciated how the book was formatted so you could read about each lady.

A wonderful look at women and their accomplishments that are often overlooked or forgotten. I liked that the book was broken down with a section dedicated to each woman. It makes it an easy book to set down and come back to at a later date. Would recommend.

historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, espionage, resistance-efforts, torture, smuggling, science, aviation, Yad Vashem*****

Retired U.S. Army Major General Mari K. Eder wrote this book because she knew their stories needed to be told even as the last of them are nearing or past their centenary. How these women lived to be forty is amazing given what they endured, let alone into their 90s and over. Some were tortured, many were starved, PTSD is a given, some were humiliated by their own branch of services, some were spies and/or resistance fighters, all were driven. And not all were white either! And shame on the US govt for denying them the recognition due them until so late. Even the US Army refused to acknowledge that they were veterans or deserved benefits--and the Army was the last branch to include women!
There are many photos from archives and families.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Sourcebooks via NetGalley. Thank you!
I have preordered a copy for my local library.

A few of the women profiled here are familiar: Betty MacDonald and Virginia Hall of the OSS, Charity Adams of the WAC. Others were representative of the WASP, WAVEs, army nurses.
Some were curious choices: a 9-year-old interned in China, her missionary parents at another camp; while interesting, how did she change the course of World War II? Stephanie Czech spied in Poland after the war, outwitting the Russians.
American Mary Barraco spent 16 months in Gestapo prisons, constantly tortured for the fun of it. She suffered broken bones and teeth, kidney damage, sterilization, yet lived to 96, always championing freedom.
Betty Bemis helped built Bombes as a WAVE. The WAVEs codebreaking reduced the war by 1-2 years, but they didn’t learn how meaningful their work had been until fifty years later.
These were amazing women, but not until the 1980s did they begin to be recognized for their contributions to the war. By then, many were deceased.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line by Mari K. Eder
I liked this book! A collection of stories of woman who went above and beyond to serve our country in WW2, this was an amazing book. As woman had to step up in to the working world, it was a big shift that has impacts even today. This book get 5 Stars from me!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read in exchange for an honest review.

I am really enjoying this new wave of books chronicling the exploits of women in history. This joins books like The Women in Silver Wings and A Woman of No Importance in bringing to light lesser known stories of women "stepping out of line". I think one of the greatest messages from this book is that every individual can make an impact. Caring for sick children in the infirmary in a concentration camp can seem like a relatively small kindness in the vast war, but that experience enabled Gena Turgel to tell her story and educated children about the horrors of the Holocaust so that the next generations would not forget.

A beautiful look at many women in history whose actions under difficult conditions have been forgotten or unknown to most people. The stories are nothing short of heroic. A fantastic resource for classrooms to inspire current generations while remembering our past. 4 stars only because the last third of the book turned to more current people than a look at the past, and in doing so it feels like an agenda rather than a look at history. Thanks to NetGalley for the read.