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.

Heartfelt thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Net Galley for the honor and pleasure of reading this ARC.

This is exactly the kind of book that I enjoy reading the very most. Having grown up and lived during the time in our history where the skills and intelligence of women were often downplayed, The Propaganda Girls hit home with me and made me extremely proud. Thank you, Lisa Rogak for this beauty of a book.

Four women whom worked for the Office of Strategic Services during World War 11 creating propaganda to dissuade he enemy forces. They also took part in entertaining the war exhausted troops stationed overseas. Each of the four very brave women are described in detail in chapters created for each, Jane, Betty, Zuzska and Marlene (Dietrich).

I will be reading this fascinating and wonderful book again.

4.5 Stars

WWII seems to have an inordinate number of books written about it, but this one is in a field of its own.

Ms. Rogak takes the stories of four women (two of whom are naturalized US citizens) and weaves a compelling interwoven tale of camaraderie, struggle, independence, and strength. I came away with a much better understanding of not only the societal expectations during the late 1930s through the 1940s (and beyond), but also how much these four women laid the groundwork for so many of our servicewomen today. Not to mention our rights as simply American women - which in some cases are still being denied or considered a privilege.

Incredibly well-researched (HUGE bibliography and endnotes section) but not in the least bit dry, I was drawn into the story of their lives and couldn't put it down. There were a few places where they faced assault but handled it with great aplomb, and apparently little to no harm. Certainly an impressive legacy has been left by these largely unknown women (excepting Marlene Dietrich).

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

This is a quick easy read about 4 young ladies involved in supporting WWII in participating in the OSS. I most enjoyed learning more about Marlene Dietrich, I had read a previous book about her and she was quite a talented actress/singer and I bet the soldiers just loved her. She was all about putting on a show those men deserved, even in the the middle of winter. Each of these ladies had a story to tell and I enjoyed reading about them all.

I always love to learn more about the dedicated women that put themselves on the line to support our military and our country. They are true heroes.

I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my unbiased review. Comes in with four stars.

A sucker for a good World War II tell-all, I enjoyed Lisa Rogak’s “Propaganda Girls.” A short-read (@ 212 pages) non-fiction, the book tells the intriguing and often funny true story of how four women used psychology, creativity, and often their wits to produce highly effective propaganda that thwarted our then-enemies both in Germany and Japan. I see a Netflix miniseries in this book’s future. Due out March 3, 2025. Definitely worth the read.

Propaganda Girls follows four women who worked for the OSS during WWII. The beginning chapters introduce each women individually and thier back stories. Written very textbook with little narrative, I found my self having to work hard to keep reading the book. Good historical information- just not what I was hoping for.

I have read many, many fiction and non-fiction books about World War II. I vowed I wasn’t going to read any more, those times were so heroic and so tragic. However, I couldn’t resist “Propaganda Girls-The Secret War of the Women in the OSS” by Lisa Rogak. And I am glad I read this engaging story.

The story revolves around four young women who. worked for the OSS- the Office of Strategic Services (now the CIA). Betty, Zuzka, Jane and Marlene. Marlene is the famous one- Marlene Dietrich.The other women were well educated and eager to contribute to the war effort. They were assigned to create propaganda to demoralize the enemy countries. They didn’t fight with guns, they created letters, leaflets, military orders, newspaper article, radio broadcasts, all to communicate false and depressing news, to lower the enemies’ morale. Marlene Dietrich sang performed for the soldiers, she truly loved “the boys”.

There are four “Acts” in the book, and each character tells their part, for each act. I found the first act, “Going to War” and the last act, “Back to Reality” to be the most interesting. The “Acts” involving the sabotage weren’t very detailed.

Thank you to these brave and dedicate women for giving so much of their efforts to the USA. I highly recommend “The Propaganda Girls”.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.

Lisa Rogak does a great job of exploring the history of four women's contributions to the American war effort during WW2. This author writes in a style similar to Kate Moore. Even though this book is non-fiction, it is written in a story telling way. This makes it very easy to read, follow, and get into the story. Even though the book went in chronological order and bounced around between the different women, it was very easy to follow and keep everything straight. This is a great book for anyone interested in learning more about history.

Propaganda Girls in an excellent account of an untold story of World War II. If you just rely on the traditional historical accounts, it is easy to miss this significant achievement of women both during the Second World War and the founding of the OSS (later the CIA). Rogak provides for us a powerful story of strong and clever women who used their talents to help America fight and win a war. They came from disparate backgrounds, but they all did amazing things in the war. This story tells us of their lives, often in their own words, and helps complete a picture that was missing some pieces.

Propaganda Girls is a real winner from start to finish! With a great cover and fascinating topic, readers are sure to enjoy this multi-biographical nonfiction read. Lisa Rogak gives us a view into the world of four women who bucked the restrictive role of women in wartime and carved out their place in history. Each woman has a very different life and very different experiences. We have Betty, the reporter who wanted more than to publish articles about food rationing. Zuzka leaves her homeland of Czechoslovakia in search of adventure and eventually becomes an American citizen and soldier. We also meet Jane Smith-Hutton, who gives us a unique look into being held prisoner in Japan during the war. Finally, our most famous woman, Marlene Dietrich is presented as never before as a strong advocate of the US and enemy of the Nazis.
Each chapter illustrates the concerted use of propaganda in both the European and Japanese fronts. Our female propagandists not only help spread the stories that helped change the war, they in many cases created the plan to use it. This book is a real page turner which could have only been strengthened by pictures. Sadly, there are no photographs in the book to enrich the reading experience. Rogak's story does make you want more. These are definitely women who belong in the pages of our history books.

I give the book 4.5 stars. I received a free ebook in exchange for a fair and unbiased review of the book. I like non-fiction. I like books about women and the war. This was one of the only books I have read of women in the resistance who weren't holocaust survivors.

The women and there stories are amazing. I can't imagine how strong these women were. The fact they all dealt with sexism is horrendous.

The book covers 4 women. At times, it would take me a minute to remember who was who. The stories were incredible.

The book was easy to read. The chapters were short. I finished the book in less than a week.

I am so thankful for the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. Being back in the Trump times, the book seems even more relevant today.

There is a lot more to war than guns, tanks, and bombs. Government agencies like England’s SOE and the US’s OSS fought differently, with spies, saboteurs, and propagandists. This book describes four women who had the particular skills, motivations, and circumstances to make them useful in the OSS’s propaganda war.

Of course you’ll recognize the famous Marlene Dietrich, who’d been a celebrated German actress, musician and singer, but came to the US as a fervent anti-Nazi, willing to do anything to help the Allied war effort. Three other, lesser-known women, had unique skills and opportunities. Each of them traveled extensively, sometimes to dangerous places, working night and day to try to save American lives and shorten the war.

The book describes each woman’s prewar lives, their war work, and postwar lives. It’s impressive and entertaining to read about the clever tricks they played to weaken the Axis enemies. Anyone familiar with the period will not be surprised that they were not paid or treated appropriately, and that they struggled after the war to find rewarding work that was available to women and that came anywhere close to the intensity and meaning of their war work. The book isn’t an in-depth treatment, but it’s a decent read.

Betty, Jane, Zuzka, and Marlene: four very different woman who found a place creating propaganda for the OSS (forerunner of the CIA) during the second world war. Their job was to convince enemy soldiers to surrender or desert. Betty was a reporter from Hawaii. Zuzka was a language scholar from Czechoslovakia. Jane was the wife of a naval attaché stationed in Tokyo. Marlene was a German-American actress and singer. I knew nothing about the role these woman played and recommend the book to anyone interested in women's history, or in the history of World War II. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was an amazing read! These women were so strong and brave. They did things I don’t know if I would have had the courage to even consider. This was an easy read, the words flowed and it was over before I realized. I could have read so many more pages because the author did such an awesome job.

I want to thank NetGalley and St Marins Press for this advanced reader copy. This is my honest opinion.

For me, this book contained too much speculation and conjecture about what the people involved were thinking and feeling. It's an interesting work of pop history, but I was looking for something a little more . . . factual.

I received an ARC from NetGalley.