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Women in Intelligence: The Hidden History of Two World Wars
From the twentieth century onwards, women took on an extraordinary range of roles in intelligence, defying the conventions of their time. Across both world wars, far from being a small part of covert operations, they ran spy networks and escape lines, parachuted behind enemy lines and interrogated prisoners. And, back in Bletchley and Whitehall, women’s vital administrative work in MI offices kept the British war engine running.
In this major, panoramic history, Helen Fry looks at the rich and varied work women undertook as civilians and in uniform. From spies in the Belgian network ‘La Dame Blanche’, knitting coded messages into jumpers, to those who interpreted aerial images and even ran entire sections, Fry shows just how crucial women were in the intelligence mission. Filled with hitherto unknown stories, Women in Intelligence places new research on record for the first time and showcases the inspirational contributions of these remarkable women.
In this major, panoramic history, Helen Fry looks at the rich and varied work women undertook as civilians and in uniform. From spies in the Belgian network ‘La Dame Blanche’, knitting coded messages into jumpers, to those who interpreted aerial images and even ran entire sections, Fry shows just how crucial women were in the intelligence mission. Filled with hitherto unknown stories, Women in Intelligence places new research on record for the first time and showcases the inspirational contributions of these remarkable women.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published October 17, 2023
129 people are currently reading
1541 people want to read
About the author
Helen Fry
37 books73 followersHelen Fry has written numerous books on the Second World War with particular reference to the 10,000 Germans and Austrians who fought for Britain in the war.
Other books by Helen include histories of various Anglo-Jewish communities, including The Lost Jews of Cornwall (with Keith Pearce); and The Jews of Exeter. Her titles also include books on Christian-Jewish Dialogue. Her textbook Christian-Jewish Dialogue: A Reader has been translated into Russian, Czech and Polish.
Helen has branched out into fiction with James Hamilton under the pseudonym JH Schryer. Together they have written two novels of historical fiction and been in development on scripts with Green Gaia Films for a TV drama based on their novels.
Helen is an Honorary Research Fellow in the Dept of Hebrew & Jewish Studies at University College London and Lecturer at the London Jewish Cultural Centre. She is a member of The Biographers’ Club, The Society of Authors and an Honorary member of The Association of Jewish Refugees.
Other books by Helen include histories of various Anglo-Jewish communities, including The Lost Jews of Cornwall (with Keith Pearce); and The Jews of Exeter. Her titles also include books on Christian-Jewish Dialogue. Her textbook Christian-Jewish Dialogue: A Reader has been translated into Russian, Czech and Polish.
Helen has branched out into fiction with James Hamilton under the pseudonym JH Schryer. Together they have written two novels of historical fiction and been in development on scripts with Green Gaia Films for a TV drama based on their novels.
Helen is an Honorary Research Fellow in the Dept of Hebrew & Jewish Studies at University College London and Lecturer at the London Jewish Cultural Centre. She is a member of The Biographers’ Club, The Society of Authors and an Honorary member of The Association of Jewish Refugees.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
December 11, 2024
4.4 stars
January 27, 2025
I really wanted to love this book, and the women discussed have done amazing things but I found it difficult to engage with this writing style and didn’t manage to finish it.
August 22, 2023
Helen Fry's 'Women in Intelligence' is the work of years of incidental surprises and shocking discoveries made in the course of other research. It is, in essence, a compendium of the vast and complex array of roles undertaken by women working for the British secret services during the two world wars. But more than this, it is a celebration of the previously unrecognised women who contributed so much to the Allied successes between 1914 and 1945 - whether they are named or still shrouded in mystery. These were the trailblazers who enabled, sixty years later, women to take the top-spots in MI5 and other British intelligence services, proving that the 'fairer sex' were equally as capable as men in undertaking traditionally masculine jobs.
Perhaps surprisingly, 'Women in Intelligence' contains a huge number of roles, stories, and characters, with Fry considering everyone from the famous glamorous spies like Mata Hari to the women who organised packages of itching powder destined for the bedding and uniforms of German soldiers. Beyond that, there are the codebreakers of Bletchley Park, the analysers of aerial photographs, the translators, and the collectors of titbits of information on enemy troop movements and morale. Then there are the often-overlooked secretaries and clerks, entrusted with information requiring the highest levels of security and responsibility, working alongside their bosses on everything from accounts to running agents and issuing orders. Throughout it all, Fry convincingly argues that all of these women made a valid, and valuable, contribution to the war effort: these women weren't 'just' secretaries to the men doing the 'real' work, but experts in their own field, regularly consulted and utilised for the most important tasks.
Part of the surprise might come from the fact that we rarely stop to define what 'military intelligence' means. The exciting bit, the one that draws millions of people to cinemas around the world, is the James Bond-style, adrenalin-loaded action. There were, of course, ‘Jamie Bonds’, but the purview of the British secret services was so much wider. And it is here that Fry’s attention rests, with those women tirelessly, and often thanklessly, working behind the scenes, discovering and analysing data, drawing conclusions, writing reports and sending orders. Some readers might not appreciate this, as it lacks the strong, thriller narrative of the few isolated published biographies of female intelligencers. But instead, Fry aims to emphasise the number of women involved - rather than to focus on those few individuals who are already well known - and to honour them all. The downside is that the sheer quantity of stories can, occasionally, be a little overwhelming - although it proves her argument absolutely. And the approach can be frustrating. ‘Women in Intelligence’ offers almost too much of a tantalising glimpse into women in all walks of intelligence, for it leaves the reader wanting more.
The sources, of course, restrict what can be included. There is a depressing frequency in the times Fry states that 'the sources aren't available for a fuller assessment'. Despite explaining why - that so many files remain classified to protect both the operatives and their families, and the British state should war break out again - it is still disappointing. Fry therefore has to rely on what sources are available, requiring skills of detection par excellence, along with memoirs and oral histories. Memoirs are both a historian’s dream and nightmare: they add flesh to the bones of official documents, bringing a human touch and personal insight to otherwise dry material. But they are always altered. At best, they are based on memories, which are subject to change and reinterpretation; at worst, they are written to present the subject in a certain, usually flattering, light, glossing over or explaining away awkward facts and events. It is little wonder, then, that some of the women appear in perhaps a better light than they deserve. Fry is less critical than, for example, Vigurs in her study of women in SOE. This is largely a symptom of the different styles of book – Vigurs wants a few women to be understood warts and all, whereas Fry is more concerned with showing the volume of women’s work in all areas of intelligence - but it is noticeable.
But in Fry's aims, she absolutely succeeds. After reading 'Women in Intelligence' no-one can doubt the significant contribution women made to every aspect of military intelligence during the two world wars. What's more, by extending our definitions of intelligence gathering and use - specifically to include the secretaries and clerks - she has opened a whole new avenue ripe for investigation. This is a book that will inspire PhD students for decades. Beyond that, it will shift every reader's perception about what it meant to be a member of the most secret of services. And perhaps most importantly, it will allow us to understand and honour anew the unsung heroes - male or female - who fought in the shadows to win peace in the light.
Perhaps surprisingly, 'Women in Intelligence' contains a huge number of roles, stories, and characters, with Fry considering everyone from the famous glamorous spies like Mata Hari to the women who organised packages of itching powder destined for the bedding and uniforms of German soldiers. Beyond that, there are the codebreakers of Bletchley Park, the analysers of aerial photographs, the translators, and the collectors of titbits of information on enemy troop movements and morale. Then there are the often-overlooked secretaries and clerks, entrusted with information requiring the highest levels of security and responsibility, working alongside their bosses on everything from accounts to running agents and issuing orders. Throughout it all, Fry convincingly argues that all of these women made a valid, and valuable, contribution to the war effort: these women weren't 'just' secretaries to the men doing the 'real' work, but experts in their own field, regularly consulted and utilised for the most important tasks.
Part of the surprise might come from the fact that we rarely stop to define what 'military intelligence' means. The exciting bit, the one that draws millions of people to cinemas around the world, is the James Bond-style, adrenalin-loaded action. There were, of course, ‘Jamie Bonds’, but the purview of the British secret services was so much wider. And it is here that Fry’s attention rests, with those women tirelessly, and often thanklessly, working behind the scenes, discovering and analysing data, drawing conclusions, writing reports and sending orders. Some readers might not appreciate this, as it lacks the strong, thriller narrative of the few isolated published biographies of female intelligencers. But instead, Fry aims to emphasise the number of women involved - rather than to focus on those few individuals who are already well known - and to honour them all. The downside is that the sheer quantity of stories can, occasionally, be a little overwhelming - although it proves her argument absolutely. And the approach can be frustrating. ‘Women in Intelligence’ offers almost too much of a tantalising glimpse into women in all walks of intelligence, for it leaves the reader wanting more.
The sources, of course, restrict what can be included. There is a depressing frequency in the times Fry states that 'the sources aren't available for a fuller assessment'. Despite explaining why - that so many files remain classified to protect both the operatives and their families, and the British state should war break out again - it is still disappointing. Fry therefore has to rely on what sources are available, requiring skills of detection par excellence, along with memoirs and oral histories. Memoirs are both a historian’s dream and nightmare: they add flesh to the bones of official documents, bringing a human touch and personal insight to otherwise dry material. But they are always altered. At best, they are based on memories, which are subject to change and reinterpretation; at worst, they are written to present the subject in a certain, usually flattering, light, glossing over or explaining away awkward facts and events. It is little wonder, then, that some of the women appear in perhaps a better light than they deserve. Fry is less critical than, for example, Vigurs in her study of women in SOE. This is largely a symptom of the different styles of book – Vigurs wants a few women to be understood warts and all, whereas Fry is more concerned with showing the volume of women’s work in all areas of intelligence - but it is noticeable.
But in Fry's aims, she absolutely succeeds. After reading 'Women in Intelligence' no-one can doubt the significant contribution women made to every aspect of military intelligence during the two world wars. What's more, by extending our definitions of intelligence gathering and use - specifically to include the secretaries and clerks - she has opened a whole new avenue ripe for investigation. This is a book that will inspire PhD students for decades. Beyond that, it will shift every reader's perception about what it meant to be a member of the most secret of services. And perhaps most importantly, it will allow us to understand and honour anew the unsung heroes - male or female - who fought in the shadows to win peace in the light.
June 21, 2024
this book was so good!! despite it taking me so long to read the stories were truly inspiring and i loved every story of the brave women who served their country in the world wars and some received no credit. women like Vera Akins who after the war made it her mission to find out what happened to the 118 men and women who didn’t come home, who she sent out is truly inspiring. i think everyone can learn a lesson or two from these amazing women. Helen Fry displayed to us beautifully the contribution of women to the world wars and i feel honoured to have been able to read these stories!!! it took me so long to read this book but these women’s stories were truly inspiring!!!!
February 25, 2024
A potentially fascinating subject spoiled only be the poor writing and apparent lack of editorial oversight.
The number of egregious errors of facts which would strike any reasonably informed reader tends to undermine faith in the rest.
Needless repetition, non sequitors, speculations, broad, unfounded generalisations, poor chronology & spurious judgements can be tedious & break the flow.
This is a subject which is crying out for examination by a trained historian working with an editor.
The number of egregious errors of facts which would strike any reasonably informed reader tends to undermine faith in the rest.
Needless repetition, non sequitors, speculations, broad, unfounded generalisations, poor chronology & spurious judgements can be tedious & break the flow.
This is a subject which is crying out for examination by a trained historian working with an editor.
November 9, 2024
I felt there was some fantastic content and stories within this book, but the way it was written made it a bit of a slog
February 16, 2025
What an excellent book, highlighting the often forgotten and frequently underestimated roles of women in military intelligence in WW1 and WW2. This covered women acting as agents in Churchill's Secret Army (SOE), code breakers, interrogators, active agents like Virginia Hall who was instrumental in keeping the French Resistance active after the deaths of most of the field agents (and ran it almost singlehandedly as the main contact for some time), secretaries in the war office, analysts and more. Really, I had no idea women were in so many roles in military intelligence in the world wars. This book was thoroughly researched, excellently written and truly inspiring. Frequently sad at times too, since many of these women, for security reasons, have never received any recognition... Until now
I would add an extra note, that I listened to this on audible and saw a few reviews which accused this book of anti-male polemic, I believe one said the text was man-hating. I believe these readers either read a different book to me or chose to take personally the occasional reference to the struggle these women had in a world where they did not own equal rights to men . There are certainly references to a patriarchal system which did not take women seriously or offered them equal rights, but that is, indeed, part of the story, and what I remembered more from this book was the mentions of men of vision, willing to look beyond the conventions and restrictions of their societal norms who hired women for roles they had never played in the military before, who took a risk by accepting women into skilled and sometimes highly dangerous roles.
This book, just as it highlighted the excellence of women, did so too for men. Comments about this book being anti male or man hating are disingenuous, and I suspect spring more from a lack of understanding that criticism of a patriarchal system is not necessarily criticism of the men, or indeed women, within it but criticism of a social structure which represses the rights of one group (or more) in favour of promoting those of another. Readers taking a mere mention of the word patriarchy personally enough to spout lies about the book's contents in reviews perhaps makes this book even more appealing to me. If a book about women in military intelligence has upset such people, then it's probably doing its job perfectly.
Highly recommended.
I would add an extra note, that I listened to this on audible and saw a few reviews which accused this book of anti-male polemic, I believe one said the text was man-hating. I believe these readers either read a different book to me or chose to take personally the occasional reference to the struggle these women had in a world where they did not own equal rights to men . There are certainly references to a patriarchal system which did not take women seriously or offered them equal rights, but that is, indeed, part of the story, and what I remembered more from this book was the mentions of men of vision, willing to look beyond the conventions and restrictions of their societal norms who hired women for roles they had never played in the military before, who took a risk by accepting women into skilled and sometimes highly dangerous roles.
This book, just as it highlighted the excellence of women, did so too for men. Comments about this book being anti male or man hating are disingenuous, and I suspect spring more from a lack of understanding that criticism of a patriarchal system is not necessarily criticism of the men, or indeed women, within it but criticism of a social structure which represses the rights of one group (or more) in favour of promoting those of another. Readers taking a mere mention of the word patriarchy personally enough to spout lies about the book's contents in reviews perhaps makes this book even more appealing to me. If a book about women in military intelligence has upset such people, then it's probably doing its job perfectly.
Highly recommended.
October 23, 2023
An in-depth look at the roles women played in the British Intelligence services in both World Wars. Far from being confined to being secretaries or typists, sometimes these roles concealed jobs working in decoding, setting up & running spy networks in Europe, & even being parachuted into occupied territory to work undercover. These women were not merely the 'femme fatales' of films but hardworking, courageous, intelligent women who put their lives on the line for the Allies.
The author has obviously carried out painstaking research in putting together the stories of these forgotten women. There's a wealth of information in these pages with probably much more to come if the rest of the files are ever declassified. Some of the stories were staggering in the bravery that these women showed under pressure, saving not only their own lives but the lives of Allied soldiers & other undercover operatives. There were also many who disappeared & it was unknown what had happened to them. It's a fascinating subject but at times, the writing was a little dry to read with many dates, names etc to remember. Overall it was an informative read & these women deserve to have their stories told & their sacrifices acknowledged. 3.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Yale University Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
The author has obviously carried out painstaking research in putting together the stories of these forgotten women. There's a wealth of information in these pages with probably much more to come if the rest of the files are ever declassified. Some of the stories were staggering in the bravery that these women showed under pressure, saving not only their own lives but the lives of Allied soldiers & other undercover operatives. There were also many who disappeared & it was unknown what had happened to them. It's a fascinating subject but at times, the writing was a little dry to read with many dates, names etc to remember. Overall it was an informative read & these women deserve to have their stories told & their sacrifices acknowledged. 3.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Yale University Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
April 30, 2025
I have a growing interest in the role of women in WW2, especially in intelligence and SOE, so when a friend suggested this book, I couldn't buy it quick enough!
It was fact-based and rather dry in places, but nevertheless HUGELY interesting. I learned SO MUCH. And there is still so much that is classified, which is mind-boggling!!!
One thing though, I know that not every woman could be named, but I was struck that Nancy Wake, who is very well known as working on the Pat line and then SOE, wasn't even mentioned. Not once, not even in passing. Why was that? Even if it was to say that her stories / memoirs were not entirely verifiable? For me, that was a curious omission in an otherwise extremely detailed book.
CNBC notes - the majority of the women working in intelligence/SOE were childless, as they were selected because they were under 30 and did not have children. A few did, and of course many went on to have children, but this book doesn't go into that, other than occasional passing references.
It was fact-based and rather dry in places, but nevertheless HUGELY interesting. I learned SO MUCH. And there is still so much that is classified, which is mind-boggling!!!
One thing though, I know that not every woman could be named, but I was struck that Nancy Wake, who is very well known as working on the Pat line and then SOE, wasn't even mentioned. Not once, not even in passing. Why was that? Even if it was to say that her stories / memoirs were not entirely verifiable? For me, that was a curious omission in an otherwise extremely detailed book.
CNBC notes - the majority of the women working in intelligence/SOE were childless, as they were selected because they were under 30 and did not have children. A few did, and of course many went on to have children, but this book doesn't go into that, other than occasional passing references.
July 26, 2025
This book is really difficult to review, partly due to the length of time it took me to read it bit by bit.
I loved each and every incredible story and I’m so glad that somebody took the time to discover and provide a place for us to read about the women who rarely get any mention in the history books.
Testament to the lack of acknowledgement women in intelligence have received throughout the years, there are a LOT of stories about different people, times and places. This made the read quite challenging as I wanted to give each story the attention and focus it deserves, but is quite difficult to remember. I think this book could have been 5 stars if broken into a bit of a series, focusing on different areas of intelligence or different wars.
Women have been so much more instrumental in conflict than I ever realised they had been given the opportunity to be. Underestimated and over protected, this book shows what women can do and how perceptions of femininity can make them some of a countries greatest weapons💪
Super duper book, can not fault the content, the delivery I just found challenging - but that might just be me!
I loved each and every incredible story and I’m so glad that somebody took the time to discover and provide a place for us to read about the women who rarely get any mention in the history books.
Testament to the lack of acknowledgement women in intelligence have received throughout the years, there are a LOT of stories about different people, times and places. This made the read quite challenging as I wanted to give each story the attention and focus it deserves, but is quite difficult to remember. I think this book could have been 5 stars if broken into a bit of a series, focusing on different areas of intelligence or different wars.
Women have been so much more instrumental in conflict than I ever realised they had been given the opportunity to be. Underestimated and over protected, this book shows what women can do and how perceptions of femininity can make them some of a countries greatest weapons💪
Super duper book, can not fault the content, the delivery I just found challenging - but that might just be me!
October 29, 2024
A fascinating look at women who served in secret in both world wars. I enjoyed the inclusion of women who served in WWI as they are often over looked. It was interesting to read the stories of the many women and there are many more out there who's missions are still classified that we know nothing about. Of interest is the Princess of Wales's grandmother who along with her twin worked at Bletchley Park, the women who knitted code about troop movements and the man who was forced to divorce her husband because she was an enemy spy. Edith Cavell ran a whole spy ring and inspired another in WWII. Also interesting Mata Hari was not actually a spy. There are many stories told within this book that were quite interesting and I'm glad these women are finally getting the recognition they deserve.
October 17, 2023
"Women in Intelligence: The Hidden History of Two World Wars" by Helen Fry is an eye-opening acccount of the unsung contributions of women in the field of military and civilian intelligence, particularly during the Second World War. Fry shines a light on the women who served at Bletchley Park and in signals intelligence, revealing that two-thirds of the workforce were women. These women were instrumental in clandestine missions behind enemy lines, forming a vital part of the intelligence machinery. This is a really useful reference book for many disciplines, from war history to women's studies.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
November 23, 2024
This could have been so good! Sadly found it distinctly a mediocre read. There were so many stories of women, none of them go into any depths so it was hard to relate to any of them. The chronological structure made sense. At times however the author expected a lot of familiarity with the British Spyworld (what was SOE again?) and it was hard to follow what all these branches actually do. I think it didn’t help that I just finished Margaret McMillan and Walter Isaacson - both excellent historical writers.
The thing that annoyed me most though is the authors continued “surprise” that women could do “men’s” jobs. This came across as condescending and tedious rather than sympathetic. All in all an important contribution to an under-researched historical field. I hope a lot more authors find good source material here.
The thing that annoyed me most though is the authors continued “surprise” that women could do “men’s” jobs. This came across as condescending and tedious rather than sympathetic. All in all an important contribution to an under-researched historical field. I hope a lot more authors find good source material here.
February 19, 2025
Fascinating subject and I really wanted to love this book. There is alot of content but the way the book is written makes it difficult to engage with the stories and the women featured. The book came across as simply laying out chronologically different women in intelligence with no central theme besides the fact that women can also do intelligence work. The author jumps across various wars and intelligence agencies, making it difficult to follow any particular agency or individual. Overall, the book is useful for those looking for source material on different women in intelligence. However, if you are looking to develop greater understanding of how the role of women evolved in the field of intelligence or their strengths, look elsewhere.
May 3, 2025
I was hoping for exhilarating, in-depth stories of female badasses and trailblazers, but instead got a general overview of women’s role in WWI and WWII. I honestly feel like I could’ve gotten the same understanding from a 2 paragraph AI response. I still learned some stuff, but didn’t enjoy the book that way I was hoping to.
July 29, 2025
Rating: 4* of five
The Publisher Says: From the twentieth century onwards, women took on an extraordinary range of roles in intelligence, defying the conventions of their time. Across both world wars, far from being a small part of covert operations, they ran spy networks and escape lines, parachuted behind enemy lines and interrogated prisoners. And, back in Bletchley and Whitehall, women’s vital administrative work in MI offices kept the British war engine running.
In this major, panoramic history, Helen Fry looks at the rich and varied work women undertook as civilians and in uniform. From spies in the Belgian network ‘La Dame Blanche’, knitting coded messages into jumpers, to those who interpreted aerial images and even ran entire sections, Fry shows just how crucial women were in the intelligence mission. Filled with hitherto unknown stories, Women in Intelligence places new research on record for the first time and showcases the inspirational contributions of these remarkable women.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Every machine has cogs. No machine moreso than the War Machine, and perhaps the total wars fought between 1914 and 1945 did more cog-making than any others in human history.
As men were perceived as more suitable to the killing parts of war than women, and as modern war is hugely more industrial than at any prior time, who did the admin? Who answered the phones, staffed the production lines, translated the intelligence intercepted in all the newfangled ways?
Women. Not that the men who mostly documented the wars, then wrote about the wars, ever gave them much credit for their work. Comme d'habitude. It does mean that there are tantalizing holes in the records. I hope generations of future scholars will feel the itch to fill them in.
This 2023 book set out to restore the women who worked in the ever-more-important field of military intelligence to their place in the historical record. Author Helen Fry had her finger on the pulse, a pulse that current powers-that-be are doing their best to still in every way possible. The crisis of the World Wars caused old attitudes about women, and society more broadly, to shift. These advances are what make the men (mostly, still men at the top) in charge so uneasy and eager to turn the clock back.
For my part I oppose this. After reading this chronicle of just how central women doing the work that needed doing, doing it well, and maintaining the everyday functioning of the world for the fighting men, you might just agree with me.
Reading the book is not always a joy...Author Fry's narrative voice is well-honed but not always euphonious in my reader's ear...but it's really the sources that let the reader down. Many aren't available, remaining "classified" for some variety of reason. Some were just never there in official records, needing tracking down and interpreting implied or obfuscated truths from elsewhere.
A fan of spy fiction would do well to look into how it was really done by those whose need of answers was pressing. A reader of women's history will find rabbit hole after rabbit hole. The resister of regression will find a pile of reasons not to give up, nor give in, to the regressive pressures on us all.
I want, perhaps naïvely, to believe there are enough of us unwilling to lose what we have all as a society gained to make that our reality.
The Publisher Says: From the twentieth century onwards, women took on an extraordinary range of roles in intelligence, defying the conventions of their time. Across both world wars, far from being a small part of covert operations, they ran spy networks and escape lines, parachuted behind enemy lines and interrogated prisoners. And, back in Bletchley and Whitehall, women’s vital administrative work in MI offices kept the British war engine running.
In this major, panoramic history, Helen Fry looks at the rich and varied work women undertook as civilians and in uniform. From spies in the Belgian network ‘La Dame Blanche’, knitting coded messages into jumpers, to those who interpreted aerial images and even ran entire sections, Fry shows just how crucial women were in the intelligence mission. Filled with hitherto unknown stories, Women in Intelligence places new research on record for the first time and showcases the inspirational contributions of these remarkable women.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Every machine has cogs. No machine moreso than the War Machine, and perhaps the total wars fought between 1914 and 1945 did more cog-making than any others in human history.
As men were perceived as more suitable to the killing parts of war than women, and as modern war is hugely more industrial than at any prior time, who did the admin? Who answered the phones, staffed the production lines, translated the intelligence intercepted in all the newfangled ways?
Women. Not that the men who mostly documented the wars, then wrote about the wars, ever gave them much credit for their work. Comme d'habitude. It does mean that there are tantalizing holes in the records. I hope generations of future scholars will feel the itch to fill them in.
This 2023 book set out to restore the women who worked in the ever-more-important field of military intelligence to their place in the historical record. Author Helen Fry had her finger on the pulse, a pulse that current powers-that-be are doing their best to still in every way possible. The crisis of the World Wars caused old attitudes about women, and society more broadly, to shift. These advances are what make the men (mostly, still men at the top) in charge so uneasy and eager to turn the clock back.
For my part I oppose this. After reading this chronicle of just how central women doing the work that needed doing, doing it well, and maintaining the everyday functioning of the world for the fighting men, you might just agree with me.
Reading the book is not always a joy...Author Fry's narrative voice is well-honed but not always euphonious in my reader's ear...but it's really the sources that let the reader down. Many aren't available, remaining "classified" for some variety of reason. Some were just never there in official records, needing tracking down and interpreting implied or obfuscated truths from elsewhere.
A fan of spy fiction would do well to look into how it was really done by those whose need of answers was pressing. A reader of women's history will find rabbit hole after rabbit hole. The resister of regression will find a pile of reasons not to give up, nor give in, to the regressive pressures on us all.
I want, perhaps naïvely, to believe there are enough of us unwilling to lose what we have all as a society gained to make that our reality.
November 10, 2023
Helen Fry, Women in Intelligence The Hidden History of Two World Wars, Yale University Press, October 2023.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
Helen Fry has achieved two things in writing this book: she has assembled a wealth of information that ensures that women take their place in the history of intelligence, and she has, particularly in the World War two section of the book, delivered some awe-inspiring stories in detail. This is not to say that the earlier information is not awe inspiring- it is – however, the easier access to information in the later period has made given the writing a liveliness that is not so readily apparent in the accumulation of facts in the earlier chapters.
Helen Fry explains the discrepancy in her very informative conclusion. Many of the files associated with women’s intelligence work during World War 1 remain classified. This includes in particular SIS operations which involved men’s work as well. She mentions trailblazers of the period, suggesting that at least some material is available, and hope is held out that more will appear.
In the meantime, this book is a marvel of information. As expected, there is a huge commitment to the women who worked at Bletchley. However, this does not overtake the achievements described by Fry that took place in the various secret services, even the boy scouts and girl guides, and in Britain and overseas. The sexism that dogged the services, as in other aspects of society, is referred too. But so too, is the actions of men who believed that the women in their areas of expertise and command deserved more, and fought for better treatment, pay, conditions and work for women. Fry is meticulous in providing both single and married names for the women she discusses, adding to the ease with which other writers might follow up these women in both their professional and domestic spheres.
The citations are numerous and informative, and the bibliography a dream source of further information. The professionalism of these rounds off an excellent read which is thoroughly engrossing. Thank you, Helen Fry, for an insightful compendium of information about the women who worked in intelligence.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
Helen Fry has achieved two things in writing this book: she has assembled a wealth of information that ensures that women take their place in the history of intelligence, and she has, particularly in the World War two section of the book, delivered some awe-inspiring stories in detail. This is not to say that the earlier information is not awe inspiring- it is – however, the easier access to information in the later period has made given the writing a liveliness that is not so readily apparent in the accumulation of facts in the earlier chapters.
Helen Fry explains the discrepancy in her very informative conclusion. Many of the files associated with women’s intelligence work during World War 1 remain classified. This includes in particular SIS operations which involved men’s work as well. She mentions trailblazers of the period, suggesting that at least some material is available, and hope is held out that more will appear.
In the meantime, this book is a marvel of information. As expected, there is a huge commitment to the women who worked at Bletchley. However, this does not overtake the achievements described by Fry that took place in the various secret services, even the boy scouts and girl guides, and in Britain and overseas. The sexism that dogged the services, as in other aspects of society, is referred too. But so too, is the actions of men who believed that the women in their areas of expertise and command deserved more, and fought for better treatment, pay, conditions and work for women. Fry is meticulous in providing both single and married names for the women she discusses, adding to the ease with which other writers might follow up these women in both their professional and domestic spheres.
The citations are numerous and informative, and the bibliography a dream source of further information. The professionalism of these rounds off an excellent read which is thoroughly engrossing. Thank you, Helen Fry, for an insightful compendium of information about the women who worked in intelligence.
January 14, 2025
WOMEN IN INTELLIGENCE is a book that examines the many different roles women have played in the intelligence services across the two world wars.
It's biggest strength is the breadth of its information. The book very much challenges the stereotypes of the femme fatale, showing women in all roles from field agents to secretaries. They were in all parts of the intelligence apparatus, slowly gaining recognition in the face of attitudes at the time. There was a fair bit of sexism to fight against, but I appreciated that the book also highlighted that, thanks to the shortage of men and also the forward thinking nature of some commanders, this was not the case everywhere.
This book does have to contend with a lack of declassified files in many cases - and is very open about this problem. There are many places where only a single tantalising name is mentioned with almost no details. The book does a good job of highlighting how this hints at a world of details still in files that may never be declassified, showing how the information within its pages are just the tip of the iceberg.
One of the downsides to this declassification is that many of the known stories are failures, pieced together from records of capture and death. It is important, though, that the sacrifices and lives lost are well known.
The book can feel a little repetitive at times as there was so much overlap between the different services (not to mention the many, many escape routes - many of which got detailed sections on.) There were so many more (overall) divisions operating then as opposed to today and honestly at times it felt a little bit ridiculous. I am sure there were distinctions between some but I didn't always work it out.
In all, it's strength is the ability to cast light across a wide range of roles over 30 years of an evolving, strenuous period of British intelligence services in Europe.
It's biggest strength is the breadth of its information. The book very much challenges the stereotypes of the femme fatale, showing women in all roles from field agents to secretaries. They were in all parts of the intelligence apparatus, slowly gaining recognition in the face of attitudes at the time. There was a fair bit of sexism to fight against, but I appreciated that the book also highlighted that, thanks to the shortage of men and also the forward thinking nature of some commanders, this was not the case everywhere.
This book does have to contend with a lack of declassified files in many cases - and is very open about this problem. There are many places where only a single tantalising name is mentioned with almost no details. The book does a good job of highlighting how this hints at a world of details still in files that may never be declassified, showing how the information within its pages are just the tip of the iceberg.
One of the downsides to this declassification is that many of the known stories are failures, pieced together from records of capture and death. It is important, though, that the sacrifices and lives lost are well known.
The book can feel a little repetitive at times as there was so much overlap between the different services (not to mention the many, many escape routes - many of which got detailed sections on.) There were so many more (overall) divisions operating then as opposed to today and honestly at times it felt a little bit ridiculous. I am sure there were distinctions between some but I didn't always work it out.
In all, it's strength is the ability to cast light across a wide range of roles over 30 years of an evolving, strenuous period of British intelligence services in Europe.
December 19, 2025
I feel awful, but I’ve had to go with one star because I gave up and didn’t finish this book.
I was so excited by the concept, but unfortunately found it really difficult to engage with. Clearly Fry knows the history of the World Wars exceptionally well, but is not able to simply articulate this for less knowledgeable readers. She uses a large amount of acronyms which it seems she assumes the readers will know or remember - I had to refer to the abbreviation list a lot! - and she tends to move around between departments with little description to signpost the reader. MI5, MI6, MI11(c), SIS, Hut 6, Hut 29, Room M - I was lost!
The book sadly reads as paragraph after paragraph of “this woman worked here and did this, this other woman also worked here and did this…” Names of women and men are peppered throughout the text and I found myself flicking back to earlier pages thinking “who the hell was Denning? Oh, the man who ran that spurious department she mentioned in the last chapter!”
Descriptions are relatively superficial, and although I appreciate that this is likely due to limited source information, I think I would have enjoyed some in-depth exploration of a small number of women working in intelligence during wartime, rather than an endless list. Fry is clearly trying to demonstrate the extent to which women were involved, but this book (in my opinion) serves as a descriptive catalogue rather than an analysis. I was disappointed, and ultimately after 172 pages, bored enough to give up. I think this could be a good reference resource for someone researching the topic or time period, but not for the purpose of reading for interest/enjoyment.
I was so excited by the concept, but unfortunately found it really difficult to engage with. Clearly Fry knows the history of the World Wars exceptionally well, but is not able to simply articulate this for less knowledgeable readers. She uses a large amount of acronyms which it seems she assumes the readers will know or remember - I had to refer to the abbreviation list a lot! - and she tends to move around between departments with little description to signpost the reader. MI5, MI6, MI11(c), SIS, Hut 6, Hut 29, Room M - I was lost!
The book sadly reads as paragraph after paragraph of “this woman worked here and did this, this other woman also worked here and did this…” Names of women and men are peppered throughout the text and I found myself flicking back to earlier pages thinking “who the hell was Denning? Oh, the man who ran that spurious department she mentioned in the last chapter!”
Descriptions are relatively superficial, and although I appreciate that this is likely due to limited source information, I think I would have enjoyed some in-depth exploration of a small number of women working in intelligence during wartime, rather than an endless list. Fry is clearly trying to demonstrate the extent to which women were involved, but this book (in my opinion) serves as a descriptive catalogue rather than an analysis. I was disappointed, and ultimately after 172 pages, bored enough to give up. I think this could be a good reference resource for someone researching the topic or time period, but not for the purpose of reading for interest/enjoyment.
July 21, 2025
My new obsession is learning about the impact of the lives of women on history. Our stories have been lost, deliberately obscured or ignored. In the last five years I've begun to see these stories being exposed by female writers. The truth is that women have ALWAYS been capable of greatness and frequently their work has been stolen by men or downplayed in favour of the accomplishments of men.
The women Fry writes about here are amazing. There is so much that went on during the World Wars that I had no idea about. Sadly a lot is still unknown and will remain so as not all intelligence files are released to the public.
The stories I most wished to know more about were those of the women we only get to know by their codenames. I understand why we can't fully know them but their stories impacted me the most. From the spies in the field that died in order to protect soldiers or escape routes to the unnamed women that worked in cramped, hot, poorly ventilated basements documenting secret messages and working constantly with short 1 or two hour breaks to sleep or eat.
Fry's in-depth research shines. She gets down to the tiniest details and squeezes as much info out of it so that we may know these women as much as possible.
This book is not fiction and therefore some may find it dry as it is a lot of facts. I wasn't bored but I just put that as a warning for those that don't appreciate this type of book.
The women Fry writes about here are amazing. There is so much that went on during the World Wars that I had no idea about. Sadly a lot is still unknown and will remain so as not all intelligence files are released to the public.
The stories I most wished to know more about were those of the women we only get to know by their codenames. I understand why we can't fully know them but their stories impacted me the most. From the spies in the field that died in order to protect soldiers or escape routes to the unnamed women that worked in cramped, hot, poorly ventilated basements documenting secret messages and working constantly with short 1 or two hour breaks to sleep or eat.
Fry's in-depth research shines. She gets down to the tiniest details and squeezes as much info out of it so that we may know these women as much as possible.
This book is not fiction and therefore some may find it dry as it is a lot of facts. I wasn't bored but I just put that as a warning for those that don't appreciate this type of book.
November 28, 2023
It is almost always useful to look at a topic from a different angle, and Helen Fry has done this with the 20th century history of intelligence, focussing on the two world wars from a female perspective. The approach is (mostly) successful.
Dr Fry draws out a number of consistent themes: that British and Allied agencies, under the pressure of existential threat, abandoned entrenched views and appointed the most appropriate person for the job; that commanders felt women had certain abilities men lacked (while carefully not endorsing or contradicting this view); and that women had greater freedom of movement than men in occupied territories, while running the same risks if caught.
There is impressive research into the lives of many of the personalities involved, drawing on both oral and documentary sources. If anything, these stories follow too thickly upon each other and slow down the overall narrative. It's difficult to see what else she could do though, other than move some of the detail into an appendix.
There is an extensive and useful plate section.
There are a few typos and factual slips which should have been picked up by Yale's editors (tut! tut!) and which I hope will be corrected in the paperback edition. Also one or two points where I read the evidence differently - but that's normal disagreement and no reason to dock a star.
Dr Fry draws out a number of consistent themes: that British and Allied agencies, under the pressure of existential threat, abandoned entrenched views and appointed the most appropriate person for the job; that commanders felt women had certain abilities men lacked (while carefully not endorsing or contradicting this view); and that women had greater freedom of movement than men in occupied territories, while running the same risks if caught.
There is impressive research into the lives of many of the personalities involved, drawing on both oral and documentary sources. If anything, these stories follow too thickly upon each other and slow down the overall narrative. It's difficult to see what else she could do though, other than move some of the detail into an appendix.
There is an extensive and useful plate section.
There are a few typos and factual slips which should have been picked up by Yale's editors (tut! tut!) and which I hope will be corrected in the paperback edition. Also one or two points where I read the evidence differently - but that's normal disagreement and no reason to dock a star.
February 24, 2024
An excellent appraisal of the roles of women in espionage in the first and second world wars, doing away with the myth of seductive beauties delilahing the secrets out of 'the enemy'.
Much of the history of women in espionage roles - in the guise of clerks, secretaries etc, but heading up and or running units on the European continent (and elsewhere), interrogating and so forth suspects, indexing, coding, decoding, transmitting, messages, photographs, has previously been invisible and files have only been released fairly recently - 70 years after the end of WW2 - but many still remain classified for some reason (one sentence in the book mentions 'fear of reprisals' even this long afterwards).
The only reason I knocked a star off because there are a fearsome number of names, dates & places throughout the book which can be slightly tedious to read. However, as a reference book for those interested in either specific individuals or the operation of the three main agencies SOE, SIS, M19, it is an excellent resource.
It appears that the espionage services were among the first to recruit 'the best person for the job' regardless of gender.
Also of interest is the number of famous authors who seem to have run spying ops during WW2 - Graham Green, Ian Fleming, Malcolm Muggeridge, to name just 3 (because I can't remember the rest!)
Much of the history of women in espionage roles - in the guise of clerks, secretaries etc, but heading up and or running units on the European continent (and elsewhere), interrogating and so forth suspects, indexing, coding, decoding, transmitting, messages, photographs, has previously been invisible and files have only been released fairly recently - 70 years after the end of WW2 - but many still remain classified for some reason (one sentence in the book mentions 'fear of reprisals' even this long afterwards).
The only reason I knocked a star off because there are a fearsome number of names, dates & places throughout the book which can be slightly tedious to read. However, as a reference book for those interested in either specific individuals or the operation of the three main agencies SOE, SIS, M19, it is an excellent resource.
It appears that the espionage services were among the first to recruit 'the best person for the job' regardless of gender.
Also of interest is the number of famous authors who seem to have run spying ops during WW2 - Graham Green, Ian Fleming, Malcolm Muggeridge, to name just 3 (because I can't remember the rest!)
November 14, 2023
Using recently declassified documents, memoirs and oral histories, historian, Helen Fry, has explored the important contribution of women working in military intelligence and espionage during the two World Wars. These fascinating and wide-ranging roles include setting up and running spy networks, managing covert operations behind enemy lines and organising escape lines as well as working in administrative positions such as translators and codebreakers. From the celebration of the famous through to the unrecognised (and often unnamed), the valuable contributions, bravery and sacrifices of women are examined through their personal stories and their expertise in their field is acknowledged. Fry has written a book that is a useful contribution to war history and women’s studies with an extensive bibliography providing an excellent opportunity for further reading and researching into the topic.
October 28, 2023
I have always been fascinated with spies. This non-fiction work is a comprehensive look at female British spies during the first half of the 1900s. At first women were not allowed in this line of work, and then only as secretaries. However, women soon proved very effective spies and their assignments expanded into many important locations and roles. Records have been released that detail much more involvement of women than was previously public knowledge. This time frame including both World Wars and the Cold War was a very important time for spies. Very detailed and well researched which focuses not on the mission of one female spy, but of many, bringing to light the significance of their contributions during this decisive period in history. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
November 24, 2024
What a book!! An indept, emotional and exceptional piece of history. I am so impressed with this book. The book gives an indept account about the women who worked in British intelligence.
I never really thought about women in intelligence untill last year when I visited Western Approaches HG museum in Liverpool. I discovered there that at some point during the war 80% of the people who worked there where women, because the men where gone fighting. So when i saw this book, i thought what a great opportunity to learn more about women during war time.
Helen Fry's writing is fenomenal. She took me straight into this incredible story about these absolutely heroic women.
The fact that this is hidden history and not commom knowledge is very surprising indeed. These women deserve all the respect and recognition. Because the work they have done during two wars and after is incredible.
I never really thought about women in intelligence untill last year when I visited Western Approaches HG museum in Liverpool. I discovered there that at some point during the war 80% of the people who worked there where women, because the men where gone fighting. So when i saw this book, i thought what a great opportunity to learn more about women during war time.
Helen Fry's writing is fenomenal. She took me straight into this incredible story about these absolutely heroic women.
The fact that this is hidden history and not commom knowledge is very surprising indeed. These women deserve all the respect and recognition. Because the work they have done during two wars and after is incredible.
March 6, 2024
I would like to thank NetGalley and the Author for giving me the opportunity to review this ARC.
This book covers the role played by women in British intelligence in the twentieth century. The author had obviously done a great deal of research on a topic which is clearly difficult to track down due to its secretive nature. Although the writing style is very clear and understandable, I found it very much a descriptive and fact reporting approach without a lot of in depth analysis of background and operational detail. I wish there were more stories and details in the content.
However, I must note that as the book progresses, there does seem to be more detailed stories behind the people identified. This may be due to better more accessible records in later years.
This book covers the role played by women in British intelligence in the twentieth century. The author had obviously done a great deal of research on a topic which is clearly difficult to track down due to its secretive nature. Although the writing style is very clear and understandable, I found it very much a descriptive and fact reporting approach without a lot of in depth analysis of background and operational detail. I wish there were more stories and details in the content.
However, I must note that as the book progresses, there does seem to be more detailed stories behind the people identified. This may be due to better more accessible records in later years.
May 4, 2025
Although some documents are still classified this book tells the fascinating stories of the roles women played during the first and second world wars! Behind closed doors women rose to high ranks, earned the same as the male counterparts and run resistance groups, but sadly become a hidden history, treated as equals behind closed doors the outside world failed to keep
Their, bravery, determination, dedication and selfless acts saved so many lives, sadly for some at the cost of their own. From the Bletchley Park decoders, to those behind enemy lines, espionage, sabotage, smuggling airman, soldiers across enemy lines to safety. Some got betrayed, tortured and either executed or taken to concentration camps. Finally your stories are being told, your voices will be heard.
You are female warriors, shield maidens! We owe you so much, each and everyone one you.
Thank you ❤️
Their, bravery, determination, dedication and selfless acts saved so many lives, sadly for some at the cost of their own. From the Bletchley Park decoders, to those behind enemy lines, espionage, sabotage, smuggling airman, soldiers across enemy lines to safety. Some got betrayed, tortured and either executed or taken to concentration camps. Finally your stories are being told, your voices will be heard.
You are female warriors, shield maidens! We owe you so much, each and everyone one you.
Thank you ❤️
June 19, 2025
This is a very well researched and detailed book about women spies in WW|, WWII and the Cold War.
„From the shadows of secrecy emerges an understanding and admiration of the roles of thousands of often nameless women who became intelligencers….“
„All were heroines who played their part in securing democracy and freedom …“
The world of espionage is fascinating. A secret world most people have no idea it exists and how it operates.
This was an interesting read even though the second part was a bit long-winded.
In 1914 and thereafter lots of women in intelligence were recruited because they could speak different languages. Most of them were nannies, governesses or nurses.
I found their stories intriguing. Such brave women.
„From the shadows of secrecy emerges an understanding and admiration of the roles of thousands of often nameless women who became intelligencers….“
„All were heroines who played their part in securing democracy and freedom …“
The world of espionage is fascinating. A secret world most people have no idea it exists and how it operates.
This was an interesting read even though the second part was a bit long-winded.
In 1914 and thereafter lots of women in intelligence were recruited because they could speak different languages. Most of them were nannies, governesses or nurses.
I found their stories intriguing. Such brave women.
January 29, 2024
I received an advanced reader’s copy through Netgalley, although the opinions are my own.
My taste in books is somewhat eclectic, I stumbled onto a biography not that long ago of a lady codebreaker in America, who came from my home state. And I’ve kinda been interested ever since. How cool was this book?! All the groundbreaking they did as women in a field you don’t hear much about. I have now added a bunch of books to my tbr pile. I like the format of this one with little nuggets of stories, it’s easy to put down and come back too without worrying I’ve forgotten too much. Highly recommend this book
My taste in books is somewhat eclectic, I stumbled onto a biography not that long ago of a lady codebreaker in America, who came from my home state. And I’ve kinda been interested ever since. How cool was this book?! All the groundbreaking they did as women in a field you don’t hear much about. I have now added a bunch of books to my tbr pile. I like the format of this one with little nuggets of stories, it’s easy to put down and come back too without worrying I’ve forgotten too much. Highly recommend this book
September 25, 2025
I really wanted to love this book, but my god is it a slog! It’s written more like a thesis and struggles with dense, often unnecessary details, referencing every single section, troop or branch repeatedly. Rather than focusing on singular, detailed, accounts of amazing women doing incredible, important work it reads like a list: “and then this woman did this and this woman did that and another woman did something else…”
As someone with a keen interest in military intelligence I was really hoping to be captivated by the stories of our unsung heroines but instead I’m only half way through and struggling to keep motivated to finish.
As someone with a keen interest in military intelligence I was really hoping to be captivated by the stories of our unsung heroines but instead I’m only half way through and struggling to keep motivated to finish.
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