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wlkperkins's review against another edition
4.0
Very thoroughly researched and clearly written. This is an excellent biography of a woman who had, until now, largely been written out of history. My only quibble is with the author’s continual confusion as to why Friedmann didn’t have the historical recognition she deserved. He talks about her self-effacement and focus on preserving her husband’s legacy like is this mysterious act of humility, at times even trying to puzzle (pun intended) through her reasoning. There’s no mystery; she was acting the way women of her class and era were socialized to act: as invisible supporters and caretakers of men. It’s fantastic that women such as Friedmann are getting rediscovered and re-placed, but we must never fall into the trap of believing that the footprints they left are all the steps they took.
heidilreads's review against another edition
5.0
Ronald Dahl was a British spy???? Yes, that's the first comment for this book.
I love reading about remarkable women.
I love reading about remarkable women.
mersell's review against another edition
5.0
My expectations for this book were pretty high: I've followed Jason Fagone's magazine work for a while and know him as a strong writer and evocative storyteller. I bought The Woman Who Smashed Codes for myself as a birthday gift and was excited to crack it open. Let me tell you: It delivered above and beyond my expectations.
First, let's just look at the physical hardback. Published by Dey St., an imprint of HarperCollins, the book is 444 pages thick (don't let that scare you -- notes and the index occupy a sizable chunk) and beautifully designed. Many of the chapters have an accompanying photo on the first page and a quote to set the tone for the oncoming narrative. The typeface is welcoming to the eyes.
Now, the writing. Fagone's nonfiction narrative draws you into the story and introduces you to scenes and characters in a way that makes you want to keep reading and reading. The book is divided into three sections, each of which encompasses a specific period of time in Elizebeth Smith's (later, Friedman's) journey in codebreaking and in life with William Friedman. Each chapter ends with questions that drive the narrative forward, propelling the reader into the next chapter and then the next.
The Woman Who Smashed Codes is truly narrative nonfiction. Thoroughly researched (with pages of notes to prove it) and grounded in history, it doesn't at all read like a textbook. It reads like a story. One with surprises, mystery, intrigue, and even romance in various corners. The narrative about Nazi spy operations in South America was especially interesting to me, as I wasn't familiar with that part of history, and the drama around U.S. government agencies, particularly the FBI versus everyone else, was fascinating.
This book followed through on the promise to educate and inform regarding World War II history and a particular woman codebreaker, while also entertaining and delighting on a storytelling level -- from overarching narrative all the way down to the sentence level. I highly recommend it to anyone who thinks they know everything about World War II, has an interest in women's history, or simply enjoys a good book.
First, let's just look at the physical hardback. Published by Dey St., an imprint of HarperCollins, the book is 444 pages thick (don't let that scare you -- notes and the index occupy a sizable chunk) and beautifully designed. Many of the chapters have an accompanying photo on the first page and a quote to set the tone for the oncoming narrative. The typeface is welcoming to the eyes.
Now, the writing. Fagone's nonfiction narrative draws you into the story and introduces you to scenes and characters in a way that makes you want to keep reading and reading. The book is divided into three sections, each of which encompasses a specific period of time in Elizebeth Smith's (later, Friedman's) journey in codebreaking and in life with William Friedman. Each chapter ends with questions that drive the narrative forward, propelling the reader into the next chapter and then the next.
The Woman Who Smashed Codes is truly narrative nonfiction. Thoroughly researched (with pages of notes to prove it) and grounded in history, it doesn't at all read like a textbook. It reads like a story. One with surprises, mystery, intrigue, and even romance in various corners. The narrative about Nazi spy operations in South America was especially interesting to me, as I wasn't familiar with that part of history, and the drama around U.S. government agencies, particularly the FBI versus everyone else, was fascinating.
This book followed through on the promise to educate and inform regarding World War II history and a particular woman codebreaker, while also entertaining and delighting on a storytelling level -- from overarching narrative all the way down to the sentence level. I highly recommend it to anyone who thinks they know everything about World War II, has an interest in women's history, or simply enjoys a good book.
davechua's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent biography about code breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman, who was first hired by a millionaire to prove that Francis Bacon wrote Shakespeare's plays. She later become a code-breaker for the Coast Guard, cracking criminal codes and then of Japanese and Nazi agents. Illuminating.
mtnmama's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating story! Even though I love solving crossword puzzles, the types of puzzles and codes featured in this book make my head spin.
leasummer's review against another edition
5.0
This is so well written and her life is so interesting it is like reading a fiction adventure story. If you enjoyed Code Girls, you will love this book. I highly recommend it.
tidoublegarrr's review against another edition
5.0
I was impressed with this book on so many levels:
1. With Elizebeth Friedman and all the incredible work she did breaking codes through both world wars; what a shame her story had been (stolen) and lost to history. Thank goodness Fagone decided to tell it to the world.
2. With her relationship with her husband and how they were a power team in their work. He was a rockstar in his own right too, but a troubled genius.
3. Fagone's writing is just wonderful. The book reads like a novel but it's straight history. He makes it so interesting and brings their story to life.
4. I learned a ton of history from this book that I didn't know about WWII, codebreaking, and the birth of the FBI and NSA.
This was sent to me as a gift and was one of my favorite reads of the year. Just read it. :)
1. With Elizebeth Friedman and all the incredible work she did breaking codes through both world wars; what a shame her story had been (stolen) and lost to history. Thank goodness Fagone decided to tell it to the world.
2. With her relationship with her husband and how they were a power team in their work. He was a rockstar in his own right too, but a troubled genius.
3. Fagone's writing is just wonderful. The book reads like a novel but it's straight history. He makes it so interesting and brings their story to life.
4. I learned a ton of history from this book that I didn't know about WWII, codebreaking, and the birth of the FBI and NSA.
This was sent to me as a gift and was one of my favorite reads of the year. Just read it. :)