I loved how informative, yet creative this book was. I learnt a lot and I think it's an incredible talent for an author to do this without making you're taking too much in at once. Any book involving inspirational women instantly draws me in, and this did not disappoint. I loved it and would recommend to anyone :)

I will buy this book to finish later, as I did not manage to finish this in time - but it is in line with my interests on spying and particularly female spies. I will consider connecting with the author regarding an interview on how it was put together because the topic is so interesting and the storytelling was fantastic!

An important book so that these brave people, women, are not forgotten in the history of the 20th century. The fore runners of the CIA in the Second World War and instrumental in its subsequent foundation in peacetime. I did find it over long and in my opinion it had too much detail. It will interest the American market more than any other. But as I say an important book.

Such an interesting story, women are so often overlooked in history but Wise Gals introduces us to some real life trail blazers. Women that fought against society and the establishments to carve out careers in the CIA. Some started their roles before the CIA even existed. Focusing on the individuality they each brought to their jobs and their determination to be recognised as equal to their male colleagues.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read Wise Gals.

This factual account of the group of American women who contributed to the allied war effort by joining the OSS and Federal agencies as spies and cryptographers, is totally enthralling. Their battle for equality with their male counterparts and colleagues was to last over 25 years but despite this and other injustices, they devoted themselves tirelessly and with great skill to their roles.
The tales of their experiences in occupied Europe during WWll and thereafter countering the threats from the Soviet Union, are truly stranger than fiction and demonstrates what goes on behind the scenes to our more ‘normal’ everyday lives. I also emphasizes that the threats we do hear about are the tip of the iceberg and should be a wake-up call to us today in our own troubled world.
They never gave up.

[3.75 stars on Storygraph]

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book in return of an honest review.

I enjoyed this book but I think that there is some room for improvement. I felt that the story itself was really interesting and gripping but the story jumped around a lot and it was difficult to follow who was being mentioned/what time phase. I wonder whether a chapter on each 'Wise Gal' would have been easier to follow and would mean that the introduction to each of them wouldn't be repeated. I often felt I was re-reading information I had already been given a few pages ago.

I have only just recently read a book set during WW2 in Germany and so had been briefly introduced to a lot of the ideas mentioned in the beginning of the book so it was really interesting to get more context to this area.

I would recommend this book but would also warn of its structure.

I've never read anything quite like this before, both in style and in content.
Reading this has definitely made me want to discover more about life in tough circumstances like this. Will be looking out for similar works.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I always enjoy to learn about the important work women have done through out history. The book is very well researched following the story of the women who gave shape to the CIA. The problem with this book is probably me, I'm quite wary about American intelligence. Another important point I got out of this book is that while reading these type of stories you realize that the fight of women to find their place and recognition isn't new and never ends.

The descriptions throughout the novel by Holt are vivid and deeply engaging, transporting you across the world to walk right alongside these women as they develop the face of 20th Century espionage. You feel every twist as the Gals move to reform the system they've devoted their lives to, to earn the proper credit for their work. Perhaps now, decades after they finished service, they can.
There are many nuggets of information that introduces readers to information not just about the OSS and the CIA but also plenty of worldwide historical events both well-known and not in the public eye.

Histories of espionage can often find themselves dealing with thin sources in terms of what can be revealed. I think that’s what got this account of some of the CIA’s early women officers and their struggle for recognition. A lot of the time it felt more like a rather dry history of the CIA than of these women, and when it did pivot to the spies in question, it often did not delve into detail as to how they achieved what they did. We hear of the agents they recruited but once we get beyond WW2, it says little about how. While there are many good nuggets of interesting information here, I think it’s a book better suited to summaries than a full read unless this subject is really your jam, in which case this will shed a light on the under-talked about.

A Fascinating Story Of Extraordinary Women
Wise gals is a very well-researched book and a fascinating read. The book Wise Gals focuses on the careers of several women involved with the founding and early years of the CIA which was created in 1942. It is the biography of five strong-willed women who held significant positions in the early years in the CIA and who all worked for the Office of Strategic during WWII.
To read the stories of these truly amazing, and ground-breaking women is truly fascinating. Mary Hutchinson, Elizabeth Sudmeier Adelaide Hawkins, Jane Burrell, and Eloise Page each rose through the ranks on different paths. Every one of these women successfully contributed to the CIA mission of gathering and sharing intelligence to protect the U.S.A. from threats.
The research is incredible as these women had integrity, courage, and intelligence. They are extremely brave women. Holt also identifies the obstacles, hardships, and frustrations these women faced. The successes these women achieved in service to their country is the reason why today’s young women have the life they do
Nathalia Holt tells a fascinating story of extraordinary women and If you enjoy history and learning about the role of women throughout history then I highly recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview in exchange for review

There's something about the way the author writes that makes the words flow easily, and the pages turn themselves!

Fascinating bits of history revealed, especially for those who have either a special interest in the Cold War, or the inner workings of secret services. As always, I am chuffed to see more books out there that bring women back into the limelight of history, and that was why I picked up this one. I would echo other reviewers’ comments that editing transitions and working to make the flow of the story smoother would have improved the reading experience a great deal, but overall - interesting bit of history.

Thanks to #Netgalley for providing an advance copy of the book.

Very enjoyable though I feel like the description is slightly miss-written. The book is definitely more of a biography/history text book rather than stories based on fact.