First published 2022
Nathalia Holt uncovers the hidden history of Adelaide Hawkins, Mary Hutchison, Eloise Page, and Elizabeth Sudmeier, four intelligence officers who shaped the early CIA. Their male colleagues dubbed them "wise gals" for their sharp wit and keen intellect. Holt traces how these women created new espionage methods while fighting for recognition in a male-dominated field. Adelaide developed advanced cryptosystems that changed spy communication. Mary built lasting partnerships across Europe and Asia. Elizabeth gathered crucial intelligence on Soviet weapons in dangerous Middle Eastern operations. Eloise influenced technical operations worldwide and identified global terrorism threats. The author draws on declassified documents and interviews with former officials to reveal how these agents rose to leadership positions during the Cold War. Their story shows how friendship and determination helped them transform an organization traditionally dominated by Ivy League men, though their journey included personal sacrifices and professional setbacks.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, biography-memoir, 21st-century, military-history, espionage
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: friendship, gender-roles, hidden-history
Setting: Asia, Europe, Middle East, Soviet Union
Period: Cold War, World War II
400 pages · Hardcover · G.P. Putnam's Sons