Nathalia Holt is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Rise of the Rocket Girls." With "Wise Gals: The Spies Who Built the CIA and Changed the Future of Espionage," Holt once again takes us inside the complex universe of women who changed the world, in this case specifically of espionage, and yet whose roles have largely been disregarded until now.

"Wise Gals" is an impeccably researched account focused largely on four women - Adelaide Hawkins, Mary Hutchison, Eloise Page, and Elizabeth Sudmeier - whose influence on the early days of what is now known as the CIA is undeniable and whose "wise gals" moniker recognizes both their quick-witted ways and their sharp intelligence that helped serve as a foundation for America's burgeoning spy program in the post-World War II years.

In the early days, Holt makes it clear that this was a world that was traditionally "male, pale, and Yale" but these were smart, courageous, and incredibly gifted women whose work continues to be essential to America's security today.

While Holt's work here is undeniably an intelligent and important work, I struggled to fully engage with "Wise Gals," a book that promises one thing but seems to deliver something else entirely. While Hawkins, Hutchison, Page, and Sudmeier are woven into the foundational tapestry of "Wise Gals," the book spends as much time or more time focused on the organizational structure and operations of the early CIA itself. At times, the notion of the "wise gals" feels like more gimmick than untold story as we learn as much, if not more, about the men in this story as we do the women whose lives we're being asked to understand and admire.

While on some level the tone in "Wise Gals" makes sense, after all these were essentially spies whose lives were never fully engaged with their peers, it became difficult after a time to remain fully invested in stories that never became fully fleshed out and to somehow connect with these women whose exploits never quite feel as larger than life as one might expect from a story like this one.

We're told, repeatedly, that each of these wise gals struggles against the male-dominated culture in terms of professional advancement, salaries, and opportunities. Yet, simultaneously, we're asked to embrace that these women "changed the future of espionage" in ways that never really come to life here but at least start to gain some tangible expression toward the book's end.

This doesn't mean I didn't like "Wise Gals." In fact, I did. I simply never felt truly immersed in it and I found it rather easy to put down. I was never tempted to give up on the book, though I found "Wise Gals" an easy took book to put down for the night not because I needed to let the material soak in but really because the material itself never completely grabbed me and made me pay attention.

As a comparison, I might use "Hidden Figures," a book that became a motion picture bringing to life women who were essential in the growth of NASA yet whose efforts were largely unrecognized for many years. "Hidden Figures" brought these women's lives to life in a myriad of ways and it was easy to connect with who they were and what they'd accomplished. By the end of "Wise Gals," I didn't feel like I knew these "wise gals" and I'm not sure I fully understand the accomplishments that each one had fully offered during their service. Sure, I understood that they were accomplished women working in male-dominated fields but if we're being honest that was pretty much true across the board in the 50's and 60's.

I think it's fair to say that I went into "Wise Gals" with unrealistic expectations for a tale of intrigue, suspense, and political insight. No, I wasn't expecting a female 007 to come alive within these pages but I was expecting to gain some sense of what it truly meant to be an American female spy domestically and abroad in the early days of the CIA. Instead, I feel like I got the fairly familiar tale of male-dominated culture that we've read and heard a zillion times before because we already know it was true. Yes, the aspect of it occurring with the CIA adds some intrigue to it but anyone who has ever worked within the government, as I do, knows that it's often the last system to effect cultural change.

I guess it comes down to the simple fact that I expected more from "Wise Gals" than I got. Instead of getting "the spies who built the CIA and changed the future of espionage," more often than not I got "the spies who tried really hard to get promoted but mostly didn't because of those "male, pale, and Yale" fellows except for the occasional one who believed in me and so I was able to accomplish way more than anyone else expected."

There's a difference there.

For those into American history, behind-the-scenes political tales, and tales of influential women, however, "Wise Gals" likely offers enough to give it at least a modest recommendation. While it didn't fully work for me, the research alone here is remarkable and these women do, indeed, have stories that deserve to be told even if I can't help but wish Holt had done a more effective job of telling them.

An amazing book on the lives of the women who started the CIA and fought for equality with the men who served with them. In these most hidden of Hidden Figures is the world of James Bond for America.

I really enjoyed reading about these amazing women: Adelaide Hawkins, Mary Hutchison, Eloise Page, and Elizabeth Sudmeier. These women were true pioneers of their time. I learned so much about these incredible women and the role they played in the early years of the CIA.

Would recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and badass women.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was really excited about this book because it tells the stories of the women that had integral parts in forming intelligence and how they led non traditional lives and hid their actual roles from their families.

I liked how the women were detailed out in their lives before joining the ops and their stories of the missions they were a part of. I found it fascinating that such amazing women were only thought by their families to be clerks when they were so much bigger.

I wish the book had focused on a few of the women at a time or for one book rather than jumping around because the transitions were too clunky for my liking and by the time we came back I'd almost forgotten what had happened before. I know this was done to show how they were all connected, but it was a style I didn't really care for.

Overall the stories were fascinating and important to see how things couldn't have been accomplished without these strong women.

Wise Gals by Nathalia Holt is a fascinating account of the women integral to the founding & development of the CIA. These women were true pioneers and I'm so grateful the author brought their stories to light. Much of it reads life fiction—Highly recommend!

I was really excited for this book based on the description. Unfortunately, I ended up finding it difficult to get into. For the most part, the book seemed to focus on operatives used by the Allies/the US and with whom the “wise gals” worked rather than on the wise gals themselves. DNF

I loved this book.

Badass women? Check.
Highlighting women's role in history? Check.
Riveting non-fiction? Check.
Highlighting each woman's life AND her role? Check.

I had never heard about any of these women or how they influenced the development of the CIA and it was absolutely fascinating. It was a refreshing change from reading about the male, Bond-esque agents all the time. I learned so much and it was so easy to read. Not at all dense or dry.

I did have two notable complaints:
-Why are the women referred to by first name and the men by last name? I'd like to give Holt the benefit of the doubt and assume that this was to make the women's stories feel more personal or something but it was felt like a nod to the patriarchy.
- The writing felt a bit awkward and forced many times throughout the book. Transitions could use some work.

If you enjoy history, historical fiction, or learning about the role of women throughout history I highly recommend this one. Great choice for readers of Erik Larson and Walter Isaacson.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC.
Expected Publication: September 6, 2022

Wise Girls focuses on the careers of several women involved with the founding and early years of the CIA. It's probably gonna sella lot of copies, and there's no doubt that the women chronicled here deserve the attention. But the writing is clunky, full of awkward transitions and forced connections that make it a less-that-stellar read. I understand the author's desire to show the interconnectedness of the women she covers, but a more linear or other structure would have served their stories better. I also look askance at the author's decision to call the women by their first names while referring to men by their last names; this practice is sexist and most editors will call authors on it. Maybe Holt and her editor wanted the women to seem more familiar or human, but using an old-fashioned, male-centric practice undermines the feminist argument that the book offers.

Wise Gals: The Spies Who Built the CIA and Changed the Future of Espionage by Nathalia Holt is a great nonfiction that gives a glimpse into the fascinating and complex lives of some of the first female CIA agents. Just wonderful!

I really enjoyed reading about these four pivotal women: Adelaide Hawkins, Mary Hutchison, Eloise Page, and Elizabeth Sudmeier. Each had their own story, strengths, weaknesses, specialties, and additions to the network.

The author clearly has a passion for these women and to be able to tell their respective stories, as it clearly showed with the research that was done to produce such a wonderful biography. I learned so much about not only these brave, smart, and impressive women, but also about the history of the organization and obstacles placed upon women at this time. These women saw these barriers and chose to persevere (and sometimes with consequences) and I am all the more great full for their sacrifices and gumption.

I also just liked learning more about the early years of what would be the CIA and some of the foundational aspects that were created and developed. As I said, I truly learned a lot and the author was able to place it into an easy to read context so that it left me feeling engaged and interested.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/13/22.

Positively riveting. I had no idea how integral women were to the early evolution of American intelligence.

Fans of Erik Larson will appreciate the compelling combination of historical context and colorful personal detail. As readers we get an intimate look at the life of each exceptional woman as well as an understanding of how they fit into the greater narrative. The experiences of being often underestimated, pushed aside. and undervalued mimic the experience of many professional women in the current time. Yet, like their modern counterparts, these women persevered and were able to accomplish some truly incredible things against the odds.

Would highly recommend to anyone who appreciates reading within the genres of History, Historical Fiction, Spy Fiction, Women's Studies, or Biography.

Anything CIA related gets me excited, and when it's a women focused plot, I'm 100% in. I learned so much through this page-turning book.