Propaganda Girls - by Lisa Rogak (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The incredible untold story of four women who spun the web of deception that helped win World War II. Betty MacDonald was a 28-year-old reporter from Hawaii. Zuzka Lauwers grew up in a tiny Czechoslovakian village and knew five languages by the time she was 21. Jane Smith-Hutton was the wife of a naval attachâe living in Tokyo. Marlene Dietrich, the German-American actress and singer, was of course one of the biggest stars of the 20th century. These four women, each fascinating in her own right, together contributed to one of the most covert and successful military campaigns in WWII. As members of the OSS, their task was to create a secret brand of propaganda produced with the sole aim to break the morale of Axis soldiers. Working in the European theater, across enemy lines in occupied China, and in Washington, D.C., Betty, Zuzka, Jane, and Marlene forged letters and "official" military orders, wrote and produced entire newspapers, scripted radio broadcasts and songs, and even developed rumors for undercover spies and double agents to spread to the enemy. And outside of a small group of spies, no one knew they existed. Until now. In Propaganda Girls, bestselling author Lisa Rogak brings to vivid life the incredible true story of four unsung heroes, whose spellbinding achievements would change the course of history"--

Book Synopsis

The incredible untold story of four women who spun the web of deception that helped win World War II.

Betty MacDonald was a 28-year-old reporter from Hawaii. Zuzka Lauwers grew up in a tiny Czechoslovakian village and knew five languages by the time she was 21. Jane Smith-Hutton was the wife of a naval attaché living in Tokyo. Marlene Dietrich, the German-American actress and singer, was of course one of the biggest stars of the 20th century. These four women, each fascinating in her own right, together contributed to one of the most covert and successful military campaigns in WWII.

As members of the OSS, their task was to create a secret brand of propaganda produced with the sole aim to break the morale of Axis soldiers. Working in the European theater, across enemy lines in occupied China, and in Washington, D.C., Betty, Zuzka, Jane, and Marlene forged letters and "official" military orders, wrote and produced entire newspapers, scripted radio broadcasts and songs, and even developed rumors for undercover spies and double agents to spread to the enemy. And outside of a small group of spies, no one knew they existed. Until now.

In Propaganda Girls, bestselling author Lisa Rogak brings to vivid life the incredible true story of four unsung heroes, whose spellbinding achievements would change the course of history.

Review Quotes

"Journalist [Lisa] Rogak offers a riveting portrait of four women who worked as Allied propagandists during WWII. ... WWII buffs will be hooked." --Publishers Weekly

"Gripping." --Wall Street Journal

"An enjoyable and briskly told group biography." --Kirkus Reviews

"A well-researched, approachable, and captivating account ... Lisa Rogak shines a light on the efforts of four long-overlooked women who were instrumental to the work of the OSS during World War II." --Shelf Awareness

"A clean, compact story about four amazingly successful soldiers in one of our first information wars." --BookPage

"A fascinating exploration of women's work in propaganda during wartime." --Booklist

"While pieces of their stories have been public knowledge for years, Rogak paints the first full portrait of this revolutionary, essential group of women in Propaganda Girls." --The A.V. Club

"A well-researched and meaty story, but written in such a way that feels accessible.... There is much to be learned from the Propaganda Girls." --The Irish Independent

"Offers a fascinating view into historic events and into the lives of each of these four women whose achievements deserve to be uplifted." --Porchlight

"A page-turning account of the courageous women who manufactured the fog of war and armed the OSS with an arsenal of lies. Rogak writes a story to rival those of her protagonists--except this time it's true." --John Lisle, author of The Dirty Tricks Department

"A riveting journey into the covert world of female OSS agents who played a pivotal role in securing victory during WWII through strategic cunning, masterful deception, and razor-sharp wit. Readers will be pulled into this gripping account of four women whose unwavering determination and willingness to risk everything helped triumph over the forces of fascism." --Lorissa Rinehart, author of First to the Front

"Lisa Rogak's extraordinary book centers around a select group of women during World War II who worked for the American Office of Strategic Services... Through the eyes of Marlene, Betty, Zuzka, and Jane, the reader is transported across enemy lines into the thick of clandestine war operations. Rogak's vivid and engaging narrative launches the reader on a captivating journey. Five star entertainment that both educates and enthralls." --Heath Hardage Lee, author of The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon

"An astonishing slice of untold WWII history, Propaganda Girls is a stunning feat of storytelling. Rogak's riveting narrative grants the often unknown but courageous women behind the OSS their much-deserved moment in the spotlight." --Ric Prado, bestselling author of Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior

About the Author

LISA ROGAK is the bestselling author of numerous books, including And Nothing But the Truthiness: The Rise (and Further Rise) of Stephen Colbert, and Angry Optimist: The Life and Times of Jon Stewart. She is the editor of the New York Times bestseller Barack Obama in His Own Words. Rogak lives in New Hampshire.