momwrex's review against another edition
5.0
The author describes the evolution and role of the women in the Signal Corps. She places it in the the social-political context of the era. While some reviewers see the topics of women's suffrage, fights for equality, etc as tangents, I feel that the author gives an accurate description of the plight of women, the plight of working women and specifically the plight of women soldiers before, during and after WWI.
Women's history and current events take place in a complex context. I appreciate every researcher and author who helps us understand this history, which was ignored for far too long.
Women's history and current events take place in a complex context. I appreciate every researcher and author who helps us understand this history, which was ignored for far too long.
danicapage's review against another edition
3.0
Well researched and interesting.
Half the book is about the “Hello Girls” and their service and work and half is about the fight for suffrage at home and how that relates to giving the women who fought recognition as soldiers.
I’ve read much more about women in WWII, so I enjoyed reading one about WWI.
Sad but not surprised to hear they had to wait so long to get recognition.
Half the book is about the “Hello Girls” and their service and work and half is about the fight for suffrage at home and how that relates to giving the women who fought recognition as soldiers.
I’ve read much more about women in WWII, so I enjoyed reading one about WWI.
Sad but not surprised to hear they had to wait so long to get recognition.
singingshooter's review against another edition
Good information, but wasn't my cup of tea.
ncrabb's review against another edition
4.0
This is brilliantly written about a piece of history almost none of us ever studied or even contemplated much. As the United States finally entered World War I in the spring of 1917, it became rapidly obvious to General Pershing that he needed a more rapid and more reliable way to communicate with the far-flung battlefields in his charge. The nascent radio systems of the day were heavy, unreliable, and anything but private. Infantry men could use the switchboard, but female switchboard operators who worked for the corporations back in the states could connect a call a full minute faster than their infantryman counterpart. That single minute could mean life or death to an entire group of soldiers.
Thus began a partnership between government and the private sector. American women as young as 16 ultimately were recruited to run switchboards for U.S. officers in France. The war department refused to classify these women as actual soldiers, but Pershing thought of them as such. Their presence near a battle zone created its share of headaches, but their absence from a battle zone meant death and confusion at every turn.
The book details the story of these remarkable women, most of whom were bi-lingual in addition to their switchboard specialization. It is the story of women's suffrage and the sad story of justice delayed and denied for these women. Upon their return from the war, they were shrugged off by the war department and essentially kicked to the storage room with the rapidly aging equipment. Not until 1979, with Senator Barry Goldwater at the forefront of the battle, did the women finally get the recognition they deserved as actual soldiers. By then, of course, most of them were dead.
You'll five-star this if you have warm fuzzy feelings toward Woodrow Wilson. I don't have those kind of feelings. I appreciated being presented with a more sympathetic portrayal of Wilson than I had up to now, and while that portrayal was well written, it didn't move my personal needle much. But you ought not let my silly biases interfere with your willingness to read this. The author engages in an economy of words that I found refreshing and compelling. I didn't find myself zoning out for 15 or 20 pages. She moves the book forward with the competence and rapidity of, well, of a female switchboard operator on the battle front.
the audio edition of this is nicely narrated and added to my appreciation of the book. I head the author interviewed earlier in 2019 on the "Ephemeral" podcast, and based on that interview, I knew I had to read the book.
Thus began a partnership between government and the private sector. American women as young as 16 ultimately were recruited to run switchboards for U.S. officers in France. The war department refused to classify these women as actual soldiers, but Pershing thought of them as such. Their presence near a battle zone created its share of headaches, but their absence from a battle zone meant death and confusion at every turn.
The book details the story of these remarkable women, most of whom were bi-lingual in addition to their switchboard specialization. It is the story of women's suffrage and the sad story of justice delayed and denied for these women. Upon their return from the war, they were shrugged off by the war department and essentially kicked to the storage room with the rapidly aging equipment. Not until 1979, with Senator Barry Goldwater at the forefront of the battle, did the women finally get the recognition they deserved as actual soldiers. By then, of course, most of them were dead.
You'll five-star this if you have warm fuzzy feelings toward Woodrow Wilson. I don't have those kind of feelings. I appreciated being presented with a more sympathetic portrayal of Wilson than I had up to now, and while that portrayal was well written, it didn't move my personal needle much. But you ought not let my silly biases interfere with your willingness to read this. The author engages in an economy of words that I found refreshing and compelling. I didn't find myself zoning out for 15 or 20 pages. She moves the book forward with the competence and rapidity of, well, of a female switchboard operator on the battle front.
the audio edition of this is nicely narrated and added to my appreciation of the book. I head the author interviewed earlier in 2019 on the "Ephemeral" podcast, and based on that interview, I knew I had to read the book.
missazane's review against another edition
5.0
I learned so much from this Book!
I was surprised with how much I learned, considering I thought I knew the history of women’s suffrage... surprise, nope!
Thank you for this book
I was surprised with how much I learned, considering I thought I knew the history of women’s suffrage... surprise, nope!
Thank you for this book
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