Agents of Change is a uniquely intimate portrait of “ordinary” women in CIA operations – those who perhaps didn’t make the national headlines but were pioneers and role models for the women around and behind them.

From the 60’s to the present, Hillsberg’s narrative follows a handful of women over their careers at the CIA. Many of the women initially struggled to be taken seriously by their colleagues, as they were either discounted because of their physical appearance or assumed they would drop out once they had children. Hillsberg describes each of their unique career paths, particularly highlighting the difficult tradeoffs they faced to gain access to advanced opportunities for leadership and experience.

I was struck by how much I could relate to their stories – even though my work in corporate is very different, I too have dreams and face barriers trying to grow and develop a career. I also appreciated Hillsberg’s attention to the women’s myriad and tireless efforts to improve the CIA as a place to work for women. I was both inspired and sobered while reading of their successes and setbacks, and I’m grateful that Hillsberg has shone a light on their work in that area.

Agents of Change is a fascinating look at how “cool life as a CIA agent” stands not just on its own, but also blends with the relatable labor of trying to change an organizational culture, all while keeping the mundane day-in and day-out rhythm of work and family and life going.

Agents of Change by Christina Hillsberg is a fascinating peek into the world of real women CIA agents from the 1960s to the 2020s.

Each chapter focuses on a different decade, weaving together history, societal shifts, and personal stories of career triumphs, family struggles, and the fight for equality.

Hillsberg’s style makes it feel like you’re sitting down with these women over coffee, listening to stories that will make you laugh, gasp, and cheer them on.

Highly recommend for anyone interested in CIA, history, women’s movements, or just a darn good story.

It is a well-written non-fiction account of women’s lives as CIA developed through ww2 and further through the Cold War and to our days. I did expect a lot more for it to be focused on spying schemes than on daily lives, but I guess a book like that wouldn’t be allowed to be published.
It does really well go into detail of how women’s rights movement reflected their positions in CIA. How over time women had to prove and again prove themselves to show they are as valuable asset as a man. They were far and in between. Talented. Dedicated. Many sacrificed aspects of thier kids’ lives to perform. And yet women when women did get into the game it was out of necessity for men. Because apparently women did have particular niches at which they excelled. And they did success despite many turning a blind eye on it.

I wanted to like this more than I did. It is a collection of vignettes of different agents’ stories over the decades. While well-written and sourced, there was nothing unifying the entries, other than it being difficult to be a woman in the CIA. I feel this narrative may have been Overtaken By Events (OBE) given recent headlines. It was a nice snapshot of different times in Agency history, but it did not go further/deeper than that for me.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A considered, well-researched, and at times, deeply frustrating read. The frustration isn’t directed at the book or the author, but at the misogyny, discrimination, and outright assault that women at the CIA have endured while dedicating their careers to intelligence work. The very people risking their lives in service of their country have had to fight battles not just against external threats but also within their own organisation.

One of the most compelling aspects of Agents of Change is its exploration of how women’s roles in the CIA evolved over the decades. Hillsberg brings these stories to life through exclusive interviews with former and current officers, shedding light on the resilience, sacrifices, and determination of these trailblazers. It’s easy to imagine that some within the Agency didn’t want this book published—and even sadder to know that others simply don’t care.

This book is an important reminder that while intelligence work is inherently dangerous, no one should have to fear the very colleagues who are meant to have their back. Let’s hope Agents of Change moves the needle towards safer, more equitable work environments for those who serve.

And as Hillsberg fittingly concludes:
“So here’s to the troublemakers. The trailblazers. The agents of change. May we celebrate them. May we remember them. May we be them.”

📅 Out 24 June 2025

#AgentsOfChange #ChristinaHillsberg #NetGalley #BookReview #WomenInEspionage #NonFiction #History #FeministReads #IntelligenceCommunity

What an amazing book! Tracking women's journeys in the CIA from the 1960s to the present, Hillsburg delves into the sexism and other barriers that have been placed against women trying to succeed in this profession, The women that she writes about are truly inspiring and it was intriguing to see the type of work CIA agents do. A must have for libraries and bookstores.

An interesting look at CIA life from the women who lived it. The CIA has always fascinated me, and these women's stories are interesting as well. I wouldn't say there's anything groundbreaking in there, but it's a lot of fun.

Does what it says on the tin. Focuses on women’s experiences in the CIA through the previous decades. Content is very much focused on their experiences re discrimination, equality etc rather than their operational stories. Solid historical record. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

An amazing book. I was afraid Agents of Change might be a dry-as-dust history of women in the CIA but instead if was a fascinating account of several woman and their stories. I was immediately captivated by the author's history with "The Firm." It wasn't an easy time for women (and still isn't) but she succeeded thanks to intelligence, sheer grit and determination. She also highlighted the sacrifices women case officers had to make; in many cases, their personal lives were put on the back burner, and some women forfeited a family life. Thoroughly engrossing, highly recommend.

An engrossing look into the women of the CIA, from the 1960s to the present day. I found the book's structure (one chapter = one decade) particularly effective, and I enjoyed following the various women throughout the time periods. Informative, well-researched, and written in a very approachable way.