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Agents of Change: The Women Who Transformed the CIA
From a former intelligence operative, a sweeping, daring look at America’s female CIA officers, detailing their groundbreaking, clandestine work inside a deeply masculine environment that faces ongoing challenges to its deeply rooted dilemma of sexism.
The timely and revelatory exploration of the pioneering women who changed the insulated world of international espionage—from the barrier-crashing challenges of the 1960s to the present day reckoning—told through the eyes of a former intelligence operative herself.
Years after her successful and impactful career at the CIA, Christina Hillsberg became enthralled with the stories of the trailblazing women who forged new paths within the Agency long before she began her career there in the aughts. These were women who sacrificed their personal lives, risked their safety, defied expectations, and boldly navigated the male-dominated spy organization.
Through exclusive interviews with current and former female CIA officers, many of whom have never spoken publicly, Agents of Change tells an enthralling and, at times, disturbing story set against the backdrop of the evolving women’s movement. It was the 1960s, a “secretarial” era, when women first gained a foothold and pushed against the one-dimensional, pop-culture trope of the sexy Cold War Bond Girl. Underestimated but undaunted, they fought their way, decade-by-decade, through adversity to the top of the spy game.
Seamlessly weaving together the individual stories of these exceptional women, Hillsberg deftly tackles not just the fight for gender equality at the CIA, but the current dilemma the Agency faces when dealing with the culmination of a decades-long culture of sexual harassment and assault. Each chapter sheds a light on women’s issues during that decade before bringing to life the stories of female CIA operations officers whose experiences were emblematic of that given era. In this fascinating and empowering chronicle, Hillsberg takes readers inside the Agency in a way that’s never been done before, paying long overdue tribute to the survivors and thrivers, the indispensable groundbreakers, and defiant rabble-rousers who made the choice to change their lives and in turn, changed history.
The timely and revelatory exploration of the pioneering women who changed the insulated world of international espionage—from the barrier-crashing challenges of the 1960s to the present day reckoning—told through the eyes of a former intelligence operative herself.
Years after her successful and impactful career at the CIA, Christina Hillsberg became enthralled with the stories of the trailblazing women who forged new paths within the Agency long before she began her career there in the aughts. These were women who sacrificed their personal lives, risked their safety, defied expectations, and boldly navigated the male-dominated spy organization.
Through exclusive interviews with current and former female CIA officers, many of whom have never spoken publicly, Agents of Change tells an enthralling and, at times, disturbing story set against the backdrop of the evolving women’s movement. It was the 1960s, a “secretarial” era, when women first gained a foothold and pushed against the one-dimensional, pop-culture trope of the sexy Cold War Bond Girl. Underestimated but undaunted, they fought their way, decade-by-decade, through adversity to the top of the spy game.
Seamlessly weaving together the individual stories of these exceptional women, Hillsberg deftly tackles not just the fight for gender equality at the CIA, but the current dilemma the Agency faces when dealing with the culmination of a decades-long culture of sexual harassment and assault. Each chapter sheds a light on women’s issues during that decade before bringing to life the stories of female CIA operations officers whose experiences were emblematic of that given era. In this fascinating and empowering chronicle, Hillsberg takes readers inside the Agency in a way that’s never been done before, paying long overdue tribute to the survivors and thrivers, the indispensable groundbreakers, and defiant rabble-rousers who made the choice to change their lives and in turn, changed history.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published June 24, 2025
43 people are currently reading
4755 people want to read
About the author
Christina Hillsberg
2 books34 followersChristina Hillsberg is a former CIA intelligence officer and author of USA Today Bestseller Agents of Change: The Women Who Transformed the CIA and License to Parent: How My Career as a Spy Helped Me Raise Resourceful, Self-Sufficient Kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
July 18, 2025
(3.75 stars)
Agents of Change gives you an inside look at how women who worked at the CIA survived and even thrived in the male-dominated agency over the past several decades. Hillsberg, herself a former CIA agent, gives us personal stories of many of the women who proceeded her, starting in the 1960s and moving forward decade by decade. As the publisher’s blurb says, these were women who sacrificed their personal lives, risked their safety, and defied expectations. It was not an easy road by any means.
I don’t read a ton of nonfiction but this topic really appealed to me and I’m glad I gave it a read. The discrimination, misogyny and sexual harassment didn’t surprise me, sad to say, but I was very pleased to read details of the successes in spycraft that these women accomplished.
Note: There were a lot of abbreviations/acronyms used throughout the book and I sometimes couldn’t remember what they each stood for. Example: COS = Chief of Station.
Thank you to Citadel/Kensington, Kaye Publicity and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Agents of Change gives you an inside look at how women who worked at the CIA survived and even thrived in the male-dominated agency over the past several decades. Hillsberg, herself a former CIA agent, gives us personal stories of many of the women who proceeded her, starting in the 1960s and moving forward decade by decade. As the publisher’s blurb says, these were women who sacrificed their personal lives, risked their safety, and defied expectations. It was not an easy road by any means.
I don’t read a ton of nonfiction but this topic really appealed to me and I’m glad I gave it a read. The discrimination, misogyny and sexual harassment didn’t surprise me, sad to say, but I was very pleased to read details of the successes in spycraft that these women accomplished.
Note: There were a lot of abbreviations/acronyms used throughout the book and I sometimes couldn’t remember what they each stood for. Example: COS = Chief of Station.
Thank you to Citadel/Kensington, Kaye Publicity and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
June 24, 2025
Happy publication day 🎉🥳🎧
I really enjoyed so much about Agents of Change, which as is described is based on the women who transformed the CIA for other women.
I loved the way the book was laid out. Essentially each chapter takes a deep dive into a decade and a woman or women working for the CIA at that time.
As is usually always the case I would love to be able to tell you that I was astonished at the women’s treatment within such an esteemed organisation. I was not, but I was astounded at the trailblazers who set to make changes.
Great writing. Great narration.
Many thanks to HighBridge audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
I really enjoyed so much about Agents of Change, which as is described is based on the women who transformed the CIA for other women.
I loved the way the book was laid out. Essentially each chapter takes a deep dive into a decade and a woman or women working for the CIA at that time.
As is usually always the case I would love to be able to tell you that I was astonished at the women’s treatment within such an esteemed organisation. I was not, but I was astounded at the trailblazers who set to make changes.
Great writing. Great narration.
Many thanks to HighBridge audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
August 30, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Christina Hillsberg, Kensington Publishing/Citadel, and HighBridge Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2025
So much hype and expectation for this one. Completely falls flat. Think vanilla cupcakes, from a box mix, with crap plastic tub artificially flavored vanilla frosting. There is nothing exciting or revealing, and the examples of events given are nothing remarkable. Don’t waste your calories on this one 😉.
August 12, 2025
Agents of Change: The Women Who Transformed the CIA by Christina Hillsberg explores the history of women in the CIA from the 1960s to today, highlighting their contributions to intelligence operations, analysis, and leadership. Told decade by decade, it blends agency history with personal accounts from female officers, aiming to shine a light on the challenges they faced in a male-dominated institution as well as the critical roles they played in shaping events behind the scenes.
Acronyms, acronyms, acronyms! I get that they’re a huge part of CIA life - after all, it is the CIA! But as an outsider, they’re not exactly familiar vocabulary. While the author explains them at first, the steady stream becomes overwhelming, and remembering each one starts to feel like homework. There’s a glossary in the back, but flipping to it every couple of pages takes you out of the reading experience. The sheer number of people mentioned also adds to the challenge; we get quick introductions but never enough depth to truly connect with them, so they tend to blur together over time.
The structure, organized by decades, starts slowly in Chapter 1, with groundwork on the agency and women’s place in it. The pace picks up in Chapter 2, when we get into specific events and see the women’s roles come into sharper focus. There’s an over-reliance on certain words (like “clandestine”), and while I appreciate that the book spotlights both the struggles and the triumphs, the accounts aren’t especially vivid. Understandably, there are limits on what can be revealed, but that distance makes it harder to be fully drawn in.
Overall, this was okay for me. The subject matter is important and the women’s accomplishments deserve recognition, but the writing style felt disjointed and didn’t pull me in the way I hoped. I came away informed but not fully engaged.
Thank you to Kensington Books for a copy of this book.
Acronyms, acronyms, acronyms! I get that they’re a huge part of CIA life - after all, it is the CIA! But as an outsider, they’re not exactly familiar vocabulary. While the author explains them at first, the steady stream becomes overwhelming, and remembering each one starts to feel like homework. There’s a glossary in the back, but flipping to it every couple of pages takes you out of the reading experience. The sheer number of people mentioned also adds to the challenge; we get quick introductions but never enough depth to truly connect with them, so they tend to blur together over time.
The structure, organized by decades, starts slowly in Chapter 1, with groundwork on the agency and women’s place in it. The pace picks up in Chapter 2, when we get into specific events and see the women’s roles come into sharper focus. There’s an over-reliance on certain words (like “clandestine”), and while I appreciate that the book spotlights both the struggles and the triumphs, the accounts aren’t especially vivid. Understandably, there are limits on what can be revealed, but that distance makes it harder to be fully drawn in.
Overall, this was okay for me. The subject matter is important and the women’s accomplishments deserve recognition, but the writing style felt disjointed and didn’t pull me in the way I hoped. I came away informed but not fully engaged.
Thank you to Kensington Books for a copy of this book.
June 27, 2025
Having worked in a male dominated industry for my entire adult life, Agents Of Change: The Women Who Transformed The CIA by Christina Hillsberg really spoke to me.
Starting with the sixties and broken down by decade, chapters start with pop culture references that help set the scene and create an easily digestible non-fiction. As a Canadian and someone who doesn't know a lot about the CIA, this book was both informative and well written, never assuming readers have excessive government knowledge.
My big take away from this book, however, is that discrimination, sexism, and misogyny can happen to all women - no matter how bad-ass of a career they may have. This knowledge created a type of comradery I wasn't expecting between myself and those women who helped shape and change the CIA.
The audiobook was well done with Hillsberg narrating her own words, creating a personal touch to the harshness discussed. Additionally, Valerie Plame lends voice to her own words while narrating the forward.
I can see this book being easily gifted to a variety of women and would make for a fantastic book club discussion!
Thank you NetGalley, Kaye Publicity, Kensington Publishing, Citadel and HighBridge Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.
Starting with the sixties and broken down by decade, chapters start with pop culture references that help set the scene and create an easily digestible non-fiction. As a Canadian and someone who doesn't know a lot about the CIA, this book was both informative and well written, never assuming readers have excessive government knowledge.
My big take away from this book, however, is that discrimination, sexism, and misogyny can happen to all women - no matter how bad-ass of a career they may have. This knowledge created a type of comradery I wasn't expecting between myself and those women who helped shape and change the CIA.
The audiobook was well done with Hillsberg narrating her own words, creating a personal touch to the harshness discussed. Additionally, Valerie Plame lends voice to her own words while narrating the forward.
I can see this book being easily gifted to a variety of women and would make for a fantastic book club discussion!
Thank you NetGalley, Kaye Publicity, Kensington Publishing, Citadel and HighBridge Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.
February 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
A considered, well-researched, and at times, deeply frustrating read. The frustration isn’t directed at the book or the author, but at the misogyny, discrimination, and outright assault that women at the CIA have endured while dedicating their careers to intelligence work. The very people risking their lives in service of their country have had to fight battles not just against external threats but also within their own organisation.
One of the most compelling aspects of Agents of Change is its exploration of how women’s roles in the CIA evolved over the decades. Hillsberg brings these stories to life through exclusive interviews with former and current officers, shedding light on the resilience, sacrifices, and determination of these trailblazers. It’s easy to imagine that some within the Agency didn’t want this book published—and even sadder to know that others simply don’t care.
This book is an important reminder that while intelligence work is inherently dangerous, no one should have to fear the very colleagues who are meant to have their back. Let’s hope Agents of Change moves the needle towards safer, more equitable work environments for those who serve.
And as Hillsberg fittingly concludes:
“So here’s to the troublemakers. The trailblazers. The agents of change. May we celebrate them. May we remember them. May we be them.”
📅 Out 24 June 2025
#AgentsOfChange #ChristinaHillsberg #NetGalley #BookReview #WomenInEspionage #NonFiction #History #FeministReads #IntelligenceCommunity
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
A considered, well-researched, and at times, deeply frustrating read. The frustration isn’t directed at the book or the author, but at the misogyny, discrimination, and outright assault that women at the CIA have endured while dedicating their careers to intelligence work. The very people risking their lives in service of their country have had to fight battles not just against external threats but also within their own organisation.
One of the most compelling aspects of Agents of Change is its exploration of how women’s roles in the CIA evolved over the decades. Hillsberg brings these stories to life through exclusive interviews with former and current officers, shedding light on the resilience, sacrifices, and determination of these trailblazers. It’s easy to imagine that some within the Agency didn’t want this book published—and even sadder to know that others simply don’t care.
This book is an important reminder that while intelligence work is inherently dangerous, no one should have to fear the very colleagues who are meant to have their back. Let’s hope Agents of Change moves the needle towards safer, more equitable work environments for those who serve.
And as Hillsberg fittingly concludes:
“So here’s to the troublemakers. The trailblazers. The agents of change. May we celebrate them. May we remember them. May we be them.”
📅 Out 24 June 2025
#AgentsOfChange #ChristinaHillsberg #NetGalley #BookReview #WomenInEspionage #NonFiction #History #FeministReads #IntelligenceCommunity
October 27, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and am slightly thrown by some of the reviews…. How does one leave a review of a book when they gave up after two chapters? Seems like a lengthy review for what 20 pages…
I thought it was great and a change up for me, as this isn’t my usual read. I listened to her first book and enjoyed it so I naturally assumed I’d enjoy the next. I was right, maybe it’s all the story telling of a topic I know little about that made me enjoy it.
If she writes again would like to read as well given I have enjoyed her first two books.
To the author (if you check these), don’t forget, everyone has something to complain about these days it seems, and they are behind a screen. Don’t let a few people determine your worth and success. Keep writing!
I thought it was great and a change up for me, as this isn’t my usual read. I listened to her first book and enjoyed it so I naturally assumed I’d enjoy the next. I was right, maybe it’s all the story telling of a topic I know little about that made me enjoy it.
If she writes again would like to read as well given I have enjoyed her first two books.
To the author (if you check these), don’t forget, everyone has something to complain about these days it seems, and they are behind a screen. Don’t let a few people determine your worth and success. Keep writing!
June 18, 2025
I have previously read two other excellent books on the role of women in the CIA, THE SISTERHOOD and IN TRUE FACE, the material covered was interesting, but not necessary fresh. The research was solid and the anecdotes were interesting. Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2025
Good news: This book gives you a reasonably good look at what seems to be the main duty of a lot of CIA people: Recruit and retain and cultivate assets, defined as people in the foreign countries the agents are stationed at who can provide intelligence or other insights about their countries.
Bad news: The book is awfully repetitive, describing over and over again the stories of women in the agency; while the culture of the CIA regarding women has improved over the years (although Hillsberg makes it clear there's still plenty of progress yet to be accomplished), it doesn't seem that the basic roles of agents, male or female, has changed much over the years. So the stories of Denise or Mary or whomever have plenty of similarities, at least as far as their duties in various roles go.
My eyes did start to glaze over plenty of times. I also frankly don't think the book is particularly well-written, which is kind of a shame as it's an important topic. Reading this didn't make me want to dig deeper into the history of the CIA, or the history of women at the CIA, which is one way I gauge the success of a book.
Bad news: The book is awfully repetitive, describing over and over again the stories of women in the agency; while the culture of the CIA regarding women has improved over the years (although Hillsberg makes it clear there's still plenty of progress yet to be accomplished), it doesn't seem that the basic roles of agents, male or female, has changed much over the years. So the stories of Denise or Mary or whomever have plenty of similarities, at least as far as their duties in various roles go.
My eyes did start to glaze over plenty of times. I also frankly don't think the book is particularly well-written, which is kind of a shame as it's an important topic. Reading this didn't make me want to dig deeper into the history of the CIA, or the history of women at the CIA, which is one way I gauge the success of a book.
July 2, 2025
To summarize the blurb: Each chapter sheds a light on women’s issues during that decade before bringing to life the stories of female CIA operations officers whose experiences were emblematic of that given era. Individual stories are seamlessly woven together to create a history spanning from the 1960s to present day.
This is narrative nonfiction at its finest. It is compulsively readable, full of personal stories that just flow. Propulsive tales of history, politics, and gender dynamics that made this difficult to put down.
There are so many advantages to using women in the field. We often go unnoticed or are overlooked by men. One woman was never given a tail so frequently worked dead drops. It wasn’t until their source was compromised she was caught. Women will notice things men were never taught to look for. One woman found a man out of place at a market because of his shoes.
Despite proving themselves capable and valuable, these women were ignored, sidelined, stymied, or abused. These practices are still at play, despite almost 60 years of societal change. We hear from a variety of women at the CIA. Retired, still working, childfree, mothers, married, happily single, disabled, queer, and a variety of ethnicities. This book has better representation than Congress.
This has been on of my favorite reads of the year. I loved it and would absolutely recommend this. If you like history, feminism, DEI, espionage, or good memoirs, read it. 5/5
This is narrative nonfiction at its finest. It is compulsively readable, full of personal stories that just flow. Propulsive tales of history, politics, and gender dynamics that made this difficult to put down.
There are so many advantages to using women in the field. We often go unnoticed or are overlooked by men. One woman was never given a tail so frequently worked dead drops. It wasn’t until their source was compromised she was caught. Women will notice things men were never taught to look for. One woman found a man out of place at a market because of his shoes.
Despite proving themselves capable and valuable, these women were ignored, sidelined, stymied, or abused. These practices are still at play, despite almost 60 years of societal change. We hear from a variety of women at the CIA. Retired, still working, childfree, mothers, married, happily single, disabled, queer, and a variety of ethnicities. This book has better representation than Congress.
This has been on of my favorite reads of the year. I loved it and would absolutely recommend this. If you like history, feminism, DEI, espionage, or good memoirs, read it. 5/5
June 5, 2025
A well researched chronicle of female agents in the CIA. The book follows several agents through the decades from the 60s to the present. Not surprising, these women experienced the same level of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, misogyny and sexual assault as women in private industries but with seemingly a lot more macho male stereotypes in the spy game. While the book includes references to the significant progress women have made, it also pointed out how much more improvement is needed. Highly recommended
Thanks to NetGalley and Citadel for an advanced reader copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Citadel for an advanced reader copy.
April 18, 2025
This was a very interesting , formative, and definitely worth reading ! These women definitely want through a lot and deserves to have their story told! They made history and they should be very proud of what they accomplished!
September 22, 2025
Fantastic book! Loved the history, progress, and the trailblazing women featured! Thank you Kensington for my copy via Goodreads Giveaways! :-)
July 2, 2025
I was curious to read this book as it’s a subject I haven’t explored before, and I’m glad I was given the opportunity to read an advanced review copy from NetGalley.
Agents of Change offers a well written and structured account of women’s experiences in the CIA from the 1960s to present day. I especially liked how each chapter was framed as a case study as this gave the book a strong narrative flow while highlighting individual stories.
It was very interesting to learn how women in the CIA fought for recognition and opportunity over the decades. By the 1970s, progress had begun, but progress is still needed in terms of true gender equality, although significant strides have been made over the decades. One of the book’s strengths is how it shows women supporting one another and the importance of that solidarity in male-dominated institutions. Stories of how women continue to breakdown barriers were and are very inspiring.
That said, I did find myself struggling to stay engaged about halfway through. Some parts dragged for me, and I felt the momentum dipped. It picked up again when the book reached the 2000s and 2010s, as opportunities for women generally, and within the CIA specifically began to improve. The book celebrates the accomplishments of women in the CIA, but makes clear bias and exclusion haven't disappeared but major progress has been made.
Agents of Change offers a well written and structured account of women’s experiences in the CIA from the 1960s to present day. I especially liked how each chapter was framed as a case study as this gave the book a strong narrative flow while highlighting individual stories.
It was very interesting to learn how women in the CIA fought for recognition and opportunity over the decades. By the 1970s, progress had begun, but progress is still needed in terms of true gender equality, although significant strides have been made over the decades. One of the book’s strengths is how it shows women supporting one another and the importance of that solidarity in male-dominated institutions. Stories of how women continue to breakdown barriers were and are very inspiring.
That said, I did find myself struggling to stay engaged about halfway through. Some parts dragged for me, and I felt the momentum dipped. It picked up again when the book reached the 2000s and 2010s, as opportunities for women generally, and within the CIA specifically began to improve. The book celebrates the accomplishments of women in the CIA, but makes clear bias and exclusion haven't disappeared but major progress has been made.
October 15, 2025
How the women's revolution changed the CIA
Few agencies of the US Government resisted women’s liberation and the civil rights movement as long or as fiercely as the CIA. Born in the macho exploits of the OSS in World War II, an old boys’ network continued to direct the country’s premier spy service well into the 1980s. Of course, there were exceptions—a handful of women (though rarely people of color) who rose into the agency’s highest ranks. But they were circumscribed by the testosterone-drenched culture and rarely nurtured younger women as candidates for choice postings. And only when a few courageous women began to band together and speak out openly did the first real stirrings of change make a dent in the high wall of male resistance. In telling this story, intelligence veteran Christina Hillsberg taps previously silent sources and produces a damning portrait of an agency that still resists change.
Adding to our understanding of the agency’s history
Agents of Change adds an important dimension to our understanding of the CIA’s history. It may help us grasp how the agency could have blundered so badly in the 1950s and 1960s, when the cowboy mentality ran roughshod over pleas for diplomatic solutions to our foreign policy challenges. Undoubtedly, the evolving role of women in the CIA has opened the agency to new perspectives on its work. We owe Christina Hillsberg and her sources, many of them confidential, a debt of gratitude for illuminating these changes.
Drawbacks of the book
Hillsberg performs a valuable service by providing a rare insider’s account of women’s struggle for equality in the CIA. However, an earlier book by the journalist Liza Mundy, The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA, offers a more readable and better organized look at this history. Because Agents of Change is flawed in several ways.
The author doesn’t write very well
Hillsberg is not a professional writer, and it shows. Her prose is flat and sometimes awkward.
The text is filled with acronyms
Agents of Change is filled with unfamiliar acronyms. Hillsberg usually spells them out on first usage but fails to remind the reader of their meaning even many chapters later. There is a glossary at the end of the book, but using it while reading the text requires annoying interruptions. For example, there are repeated references to one “directorate” or another in the agency. But the book lacks any perspective on how these units relate to each other or to the organization as a whole. An organization chart would have helped.
The story is rigidly structured
The book is organized into strictly chronological order, with each individual chapter devoted to a full decade (the 1950s, 60s, and so forth). While there is merit in this, it makes it difficult to track the histories of the individual women whose experiences serve as Hillsberg’s case studies. If my memory were better, I might be able to recall the early experiences of the senior women profiled in the book’s closing chapters. Unfortunately, it’s not. I felt lost when I should have been cheering how far these exceptional women had come over the years.
Confusing acronyms throughout
This damning portrait of the CIA would have benefited from an organizational chart of the agency
In Agents of Change, the author uses CIA acronyms and shorthand to refer to several departments and offices within the agency. It’s impossible to see how they relate to one another. A current organizational chart would help. For example, note that the branch she calls the Directorate of Operations, or DO, is now the National Clandestine Service.
Summary of this book by Claude-AI
I’ve learned that the artificial intelligence app Claude-AI from Anthropic can do a far better job than I can summarizing the content of any book. And I’ve almost never found any errors in the summaries it produces. Here, then, I’m reproducing verbatim Claude’s response to my request for a 500-word summary of this book. I’ve made just two changes: deleting the intrusive URLs to its sources (which are reviews and promotional material) and adding subheads to make the text more readable.
Agents of Change: The Women Who Transformed the CIA is a USA Today bestseller that explores the pioneering women who reshaped international espionage from the 1960s to the present day. Written by Christina Hillsberg, a former CIA intelligence officer, the book features a foreword by Valerie Plame, the famous CIA operations officer and author of Fair Game.
The stories of trailblazing women
After her successful CIA career in the 2000s, Hillsberg became fascinated by the stories of trailblazing women who forged paths within the Agency before her time. These women sacrificed their personal lives, risked their safety, defied expectations, and boldly navigated a male-dominated spy organization. Through exclusive interviews with current and former female CIA officers—many of whom had never spoken publicly—the book tells an enthralling and sometimes disturbing story set against the backdrop of the evolving women’s movement.
The book is structured chronologically, with each chapter examining a different decade. It begins in the 1960s, described as a “secretarial era,” when women first gained a foothold and pushed against the one-dimensional Cold War Bond Girl stereotype that dominated popular culture. Underestimated but undaunted, these women fought their way, decade by decade, through adversity to reach the top of the spy game.
Addressing the fight for gender equality and the agency’s current crisis
Hillsberg seamlessly weaves together individual stories of exceptional women, tackling not just the fight for gender equality at the CIA but also addressing the current crisis the Agency faces: the culmination of a decades-long culture of sexual harassment and assault. Each chapter illuminates women’s issues during its respective decade before bringing to life the stories of female CIA operations officers whose experiences exemplified that era.
The book pays tribute to survivors and thrivers, indispensable groundbreakers, and defiant rabble-rousers who chose to change their lives and, in doing so, changed history. During her own CIA career, Hillsberg specialized in African politics and leaders as one of the intelligence community’s few Swahili and Zulu linguists. She produced analytic assessments for senior-level policymakers including the president and his cabinet, and served in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, clandestinely collecting intelligence from the field.
Acclaim from fellow professionals
The book has received widespread acclaim from critics and fellow intelligence professionals. Reviewers have described it as reading “like an espionage thriller,” praising how Hillsberg uses her insider knowledge to profile dozens of agents from the 1960s to the present, showing their resilience and determination while taking readers behind the scenes to explore how women’s roles in the CIA evolved decade by decade.
Agents of Change fills a critical gap in CIA history, providing an insider’s account that makes clear the Agency’s need for continued reform while celebrating the extraordinary contributions of women who transformed one of America’s most secretive and influential organizations.
About the author
Christina Hillsberg‘s bio on her author website reads in part as follows: “Christina Hillsberg is a former CIA intelligence officer and writer. While at the CIA, she wrote analytic assessments for the President, his Cabinet, and other senior-level policymakers. Christina specialized in African politics and leaders and was one of the Intelligence Community’s few Swahili and Zulu linguists. She later worked in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, clandestinely collecting intelligence from the field. She is the recipient of multiple CIA Exceptional Performance Awards.
“After leaving the CIA, Christina worked in Information Security at Amazon, where she established the company’s first Insider Threat program, built a new global framework to analyze cyber risks, and created new processes to leverage intelligence tradecraft to analyze information security threats. In 2017, she left Amazon to care for her children, stealing away to write whenever she can.” In addition to Agents of Change, she also wrote a book about raising her five children.
Few agencies of the US Government resisted women’s liberation and the civil rights movement as long or as fiercely as the CIA. Born in the macho exploits of the OSS in World War II, an old boys’ network continued to direct the country’s premier spy service well into the 1980s. Of course, there were exceptions—a handful of women (though rarely people of color) who rose into the agency’s highest ranks. But they were circumscribed by the testosterone-drenched culture and rarely nurtured younger women as candidates for choice postings. And only when a few courageous women began to band together and speak out openly did the first real stirrings of change make a dent in the high wall of male resistance. In telling this story, intelligence veteran Christina Hillsberg taps previously silent sources and produces a damning portrait of an agency that still resists change.
Adding to our understanding of the agency’s history
Agents of Change adds an important dimension to our understanding of the CIA’s history. It may help us grasp how the agency could have blundered so badly in the 1950s and 1960s, when the cowboy mentality ran roughshod over pleas for diplomatic solutions to our foreign policy challenges. Undoubtedly, the evolving role of women in the CIA has opened the agency to new perspectives on its work. We owe Christina Hillsberg and her sources, many of them confidential, a debt of gratitude for illuminating these changes.
Drawbacks of the book
Hillsberg performs a valuable service by providing a rare insider’s account of women’s struggle for equality in the CIA. However, an earlier book by the journalist Liza Mundy, The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA, offers a more readable and better organized look at this history. Because Agents of Change is flawed in several ways.
The author doesn’t write very well
Hillsberg is not a professional writer, and it shows. Her prose is flat and sometimes awkward.
The text is filled with acronyms
Agents of Change is filled with unfamiliar acronyms. Hillsberg usually spells them out on first usage but fails to remind the reader of their meaning even many chapters later. There is a glossary at the end of the book, but using it while reading the text requires annoying interruptions. For example, there are repeated references to one “directorate” or another in the agency. But the book lacks any perspective on how these units relate to each other or to the organization as a whole. An organization chart would have helped.
The story is rigidly structured
The book is organized into strictly chronological order, with each individual chapter devoted to a full decade (the 1950s, 60s, and so forth). While there is merit in this, it makes it difficult to track the histories of the individual women whose experiences serve as Hillsberg’s case studies. If my memory were better, I might be able to recall the early experiences of the senior women profiled in the book’s closing chapters. Unfortunately, it’s not. I felt lost when I should have been cheering how far these exceptional women had come over the years.
Confusing acronyms throughout
This damning portrait of the CIA would have benefited from an organizational chart of the agency
In Agents of Change, the author uses CIA acronyms and shorthand to refer to several departments and offices within the agency. It’s impossible to see how they relate to one another. A current organizational chart would help. For example, note that the branch she calls the Directorate of Operations, or DO, is now the National Clandestine Service.
Summary of this book by Claude-AI
I’ve learned that the artificial intelligence app Claude-AI from Anthropic can do a far better job than I can summarizing the content of any book. And I’ve almost never found any errors in the summaries it produces. Here, then, I’m reproducing verbatim Claude’s response to my request for a 500-word summary of this book. I’ve made just two changes: deleting the intrusive URLs to its sources (which are reviews and promotional material) and adding subheads to make the text more readable.
Agents of Change: The Women Who Transformed the CIA is a USA Today bestseller that explores the pioneering women who reshaped international espionage from the 1960s to the present day. Written by Christina Hillsberg, a former CIA intelligence officer, the book features a foreword by Valerie Plame, the famous CIA operations officer and author of Fair Game.
The stories of trailblazing women
After her successful CIA career in the 2000s, Hillsberg became fascinated by the stories of trailblazing women who forged paths within the Agency before her time. These women sacrificed their personal lives, risked their safety, defied expectations, and boldly navigated a male-dominated spy organization. Through exclusive interviews with current and former female CIA officers—many of whom had never spoken publicly—the book tells an enthralling and sometimes disturbing story set against the backdrop of the evolving women’s movement.
The book is structured chronologically, with each chapter examining a different decade. It begins in the 1960s, described as a “secretarial era,” when women first gained a foothold and pushed against the one-dimensional Cold War Bond Girl stereotype that dominated popular culture. Underestimated but undaunted, these women fought their way, decade by decade, through adversity to reach the top of the spy game.
Addressing the fight for gender equality and the agency’s current crisis
Hillsberg seamlessly weaves together individual stories of exceptional women, tackling not just the fight for gender equality at the CIA but also addressing the current crisis the Agency faces: the culmination of a decades-long culture of sexual harassment and assault. Each chapter illuminates women’s issues during its respective decade before bringing to life the stories of female CIA operations officers whose experiences exemplified that era.
The book pays tribute to survivors and thrivers, indispensable groundbreakers, and defiant rabble-rousers who chose to change their lives and, in doing so, changed history. During her own CIA career, Hillsberg specialized in African politics and leaders as one of the intelligence community’s few Swahili and Zulu linguists. She produced analytic assessments for senior-level policymakers including the president and his cabinet, and served in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, clandestinely collecting intelligence from the field.
Acclaim from fellow professionals
The book has received widespread acclaim from critics and fellow intelligence professionals. Reviewers have described it as reading “like an espionage thriller,” praising how Hillsberg uses her insider knowledge to profile dozens of agents from the 1960s to the present, showing their resilience and determination while taking readers behind the scenes to explore how women’s roles in the CIA evolved decade by decade.
Agents of Change fills a critical gap in CIA history, providing an insider’s account that makes clear the Agency’s need for continued reform while celebrating the extraordinary contributions of women who transformed one of America’s most secretive and influential organizations.
About the author
Christina Hillsberg‘s bio on her author website reads in part as follows: “Christina Hillsberg is a former CIA intelligence officer and writer. While at the CIA, she wrote analytic assessments for the President, his Cabinet, and other senior-level policymakers. Christina specialized in African politics and leaders and was one of the Intelligence Community’s few Swahili and Zulu linguists. She later worked in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, clandestinely collecting intelligence from the field. She is the recipient of multiple CIA Exceptional Performance Awards.
“After leaving the CIA, Christina worked in Information Security at Amazon, where she established the company’s first Insider Threat program, built a new global framework to analyze cyber risks, and created new processes to leverage intelligence tradecraft to analyze information security threats. In 2017, she left Amazon to care for her children, stealing away to write whenever she can.” In addition to Agents of Change, she also wrote a book about raising her five children.
April 20, 2025
This is an eye-opening chronicle of the struggles women faced in the Agency, written by one who had the insider's take on what these women experienced. There are still many more untold stories, but as the synopsis notes, this is a ".... long overdue tribute to the survivors....".
Read more here @ Melisende's Library
Read more here @ Melisende's Library
June 30, 2025
Finished only one third of of the audio. Her voice was so boring that I couldn’t listen. I’m interested in the topic. Would prefer a book.
June 23, 2025
The stories of women who broke through at the CIA
In the 1960's most people asked to envision an intelligence operative would likely picture James Bond or someone like him, i.e., a man. In truth, women have been equally adept in that profession since the days of William Donovan's OSS...they just weren't generally as accepted or valued (and seldom were paid the same either). In Agents of Change, author Christina Hillsberg, herself a former CIA operative, interviewed a group of women who either now or in the past have served as intelligence officers for the CIA dating as far back as the 1960's. In the best of circumstances it is not an easy job, with the risk of danger always in the offing and personal sacrifices demanded to ensure the success of each mission. But for many of these women, there were additional challenges. Most had to fight in order to be considered for field work instead of being stuck at a desk typing, filing, and maybe (if they were lucky) doing analysis for the men who were out in the field. Promotions did not come as readily...why, many male supervisors would reason, promote someone who was just going to get married and then pregnant? And then there were the sexist attitudes which resulted in anything from inappropriate comments to out and out sexual harassment and assault, both by the people female operatives wanted to recruit and (sadly) by their own co-workers and supervisors. In a clandestine agency the culture of secrecy made it all too easy for those with power to prey on those without, and many women were afraid to push back or speak out knowing that it would likely affect their own careers more than those who were actually guilty of unacceptable behavior. But there were women who fought back in ways large and small, who made it easier for the next generation of women to have more opportunities and fewer barriers, including several of the women interviewed here who stood their ground and persevered. The book is structured sequentially, taking a look decade by decade at what was happening in the world at large vis à vis women's rights (be it the ERA or #MeToo) and what was going on behind the scenes at the CIA. I found it to be easy to read, and though some of the pop culture benchmarks seemed a little weak and I didn't think it necessary to lump women's rights in with the more contemporary catchall of DEI, I enjoyed reading the different women's stories, their successes and losses, the avenues they chose to secure the jobs they wanted and more. For those interested in women's history and/or espionage in general as well as readers of Amaryllis Fox, Liza Mundy and Tracy Walder, this is a must read. My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing/Citadel for allowing me access to this informative glimpse at a secretive world in exchange for my honest review...and my profound thanks to the women who broke through barriers to pave the way for future generations.
In the 1960's most people asked to envision an intelligence operative would likely picture James Bond or someone like him, i.e., a man. In truth, women have been equally adept in that profession since the days of William Donovan's OSS...they just weren't generally as accepted or valued (and seldom were paid the same either). In Agents of Change, author Christina Hillsberg, herself a former CIA operative, interviewed a group of women who either now or in the past have served as intelligence officers for the CIA dating as far back as the 1960's. In the best of circumstances it is not an easy job, with the risk of danger always in the offing and personal sacrifices demanded to ensure the success of each mission. But for many of these women, there were additional challenges. Most had to fight in order to be considered for field work instead of being stuck at a desk typing, filing, and maybe (if they were lucky) doing analysis for the men who were out in the field. Promotions did not come as readily...why, many male supervisors would reason, promote someone who was just going to get married and then pregnant? And then there were the sexist attitudes which resulted in anything from inappropriate comments to out and out sexual harassment and assault, both by the people female operatives wanted to recruit and (sadly) by their own co-workers and supervisors. In a clandestine agency the culture of secrecy made it all too easy for those with power to prey on those without, and many women were afraid to push back or speak out knowing that it would likely affect their own careers more than those who were actually guilty of unacceptable behavior. But there were women who fought back in ways large and small, who made it easier for the next generation of women to have more opportunities and fewer barriers, including several of the women interviewed here who stood their ground and persevered. The book is structured sequentially, taking a look decade by decade at what was happening in the world at large vis à vis women's rights (be it the ERA or #MeToo) and what was going on behind the scenes at the CIA. I found it to be easy to read, and though some of the pop culture benchmarks seemed a little weak and I didn't think it necessary to lump women's rights in with the more contemporary catchall of DEI, I enjoyed reading the different women's stories, their successes and losses, the avenues they chose to secure the jobs they wanted and more. For those interested in women's history and/or espionage in general as well as readers of Amaryllis Fox, Liza Mundy and Tracy Walder, this is a must read. My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing/Citadel for allowing me access to this informative glimpse at a secretive world in exchange for my honest review...and my profound thanks to the women who broke through barriers to pave the way for future generations.
October 12, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Christina Hillsberg’s Agents of Change is a revelatory blend of memoir, institutional history, and feminist reckoning. Told through the lens of a former CIA operations officer, the book traces the untold stories of women who defied expectations, broke barriers, and reshaped one of the most secretive organizations in American government.
Hillsberg, who began her career writing geopolitical analysis for the President’s Daily Brief before transitioning into field operations, uses her insider perspective to spotlight the women who came before her—those who infiltrated the male-dominated corridors of Langley from the 1960s onward. The book is structured as a series of profiles, interwoven with Hillsberg’s own reflections and experiences, creating a layered narrative that’s both personal and historical.
Each chapter introduces a different woman—some known, many unsung—whose contributions ranged from clandestine operations to digital innovation. These are not sanitized heroics; Hillsberg is candid about the sacrifices, compromises, and emotional tolls these women endured to serve in an institution often resistant to their presence.
Agents of Change refuses to romanticize espionage. Hillsberg interrogates the CIA’s legacy of sexism, racism, and institutional inertia, while also honoring the courage and ingenuity of the women who navigated it. The book is as much about systemic reform as it is about individual resilience.
Hillsberg’s own story—balancing motherhood, marriage, and covert work—adds a deeply human dimension. Her vulnerability strengthens the narrative, offering a rare glimpse into the emotional calculus of women in intelligence.
For readers interested in leadership, organizational change, or gender equity, this book offers rich insight. Hillsberg draws connections between past struggles and present-day reckonings. The foreword by Valerie Plame adds gravitas, but it’s Hillsberg’s voice—clear-eyed, empathetic, and quietly fierce—that carries the book.
🧪 Agents of Change is a powerful, necessary addition to the canon of intelligence literature. It’s not just about women in the CIA—it’s about what it takes to change a system from within. For readers who value emotional intelligence, ethical inquiry, and real-world impact, this book delivers.
Recommended for fans of: Code Girls by Liza Mundy, Fair Game by Valerie Plame, and Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez.
Christina Hillsberg’s Agents of Change is a revelatory blend of memoir, institutional history, and feminist reckoning. Told through the lens of a former CIA operations officer, the book traces the untold stories of women who defied expectations, broke barriers, and reshaped one of the most secretive organizations in American government.
Hillsberg, who began her career writing geopolitical analysis for the President’s Daily Brief before transitioning into field operations, uses her insider perspective to spotlight the women who came before her—those who infiltrated the male-dominated corridors of Langley from the 1960s onward. The book is structured as a series of profiles, interwoven with Hillsberg’s own reflections and experiences, creating a layered narrative that’s both personal and historical.
Each chapter introduces a different woman—some known, many unsung—whose contributions ranged from clandestine operations to digital innovation. These are not sanitized heroics; Hillsberg is candid about the sacrifices, compromises, and emotional tolls these women endured to serve in an institution often resistant to their presence.
Agents of Change refuses to romanticize espionage. Hillsberg interrogates the CIA’s legacy of sexism, racism, and institutional inertia, while also honoring the courage and ingenuity of the women who navigated it. The book is as much about systemic reform as it is about individual resilience.
Hillsberg’s own story—balancing motherhood, marriage, and covert work—adds a deeply human dimension. Her vulnerability strengthens the narrative, offering a rare glimpse into the emotional calculus of women in intelligence.
For readers interested in leadership, organizational change, or gender equity, this book offers rich insight. Hillsberg draws connections between past struggles and present-day reckonings. The foreword by Valerie Plame adds gravitas, but it’s Hillsberg’s voice—clear-eyed, empathetic, and quietly fierce—that carries the book.
🧪 Agents of Change is a powerful, necessary addition to the canon of intelligence literature. It’s not just about women in the CIA—it’s about what it takes to change a system from within. For readers who value emotional intelligence, ethical inquiry, and real-world impact, this book delivers.
Recommended for fans of: Code Girls by Liza Mundy, Fair Game by Valerie Plame, and Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez.
July 4, 2025
4 STARS
Agents of Change, Women Who Transformed the CIA, was a terrific novel based on actual CIA women and the many difficulties they experienced in the 1960's up to current time. This was written by an ex-CIA operative and detailed the main spy organization, aka the old "CIA Boys Club", which treated women no differently than the boys clubs in corporate law and business places everywhere.
However, the main difference in this novel is we get the female perspective by Hillsberg who was there! She shares stories and friend's stories, along with historical information that hasn't been easily attainable or at least isn't featured in most CIA stories - glad that's changing. It's an uplifting story of the intelligent and brave women who dedicated and risked their lives in the CIA regardless of the many obstacles endured internally and externally. I had a hard time putting this one down - fascinating women, some with husbands in the business.
My apologies, but I took off a star because of the narration, which I felt was too sweet to represent this collective band of women. Ironically, one of the narrators was Hillsberg, herself.
READ THIS to enlighten yourself and to remember how many women have been at the forefront in so many historical aspects of our lives. Be proud of them and their stories, especially ground breaking CIA operatives.
Thank you to the author, publisher HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley for having the courage to tell these stories and my deep appreciation to all for the ARC.
Publishers Note:
"The timely and revelatory exploration of the pioneering women who changed the insulated world of international espionage—from the barrier-crashing challenges of the 1960s to the present day reckoning—told through the eyes of a former intelligence operative herself. Years after her successful and impactful career at the CIA, Christina Hillsberg became enthralled with the stories of the trailblazing women who forged new paths within the Agency long before she began her career there in the aughts. These were women who sacrificed their personal lives, risked their safety, defied expectations, and boldly navigated the male-dominated spy organization."
Agents of Change, Women Who Transformed the CIA, was a terrific novel based on actual CIA women and the many difficulties they experienced in the 1960's up to current time. This was written by an ex-CIA operative and detailed the main spy organization, aka the old "CIA Boys Club", which treated women no differently than the boys clubs in corporate law and business places everywhere.
However, the main difference in this novel is we get the female perspective by Hillsberg who was there! She shares stories and friend's stories, along with historical information that hasn't been easily attainable or at least isn't featured in most CIA stories - glad that's changing. It's an uplifting story of the intelligent and brave women who dedicated and risked their lives in the CIA regardless of the many obstacles endured internally and externally. I had a hard time putting this one down - fascinating women, some with husbands in the business.
My apologies, but I took off a star because of the narration, which I felt was too sweet to represent this collective band of women. Ironically, one of the narrators was Hillsberg, herself.
READ THIS to enlighten yourself and to remember how many women have been at the forefront in so many historical aspects of our lives. Be proud of them and their stories, especially ground breaking CIA operatives.
Thank you to the author, publisher HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley for having the courage to tell these stories and my deep appreciation to all for the ARC.
Publishers Note:
"The timely and revelatory exploration of the pioneering women who changed the insulated world of international espionage—from the barrier-crashing challenges of the 1960s to the present day reckoning—told through the eyes of a former intelligence operative herself. Years after her successful and impactful career at the CIA, Christina Hillsberg became enthralled with the stories of the trailblazing women who forged new paths within the Agency long before she began her career there in the aughts. These were women who sacrificed their personal lives, risked their safety, defied expectations, and boldly navigated the male-dominated spy organization."
June 28, 2025
I received a free copy of this book for review.
I have been fascinated by spy stories for as far back as I can remember. I have clear memories of playing “secret agents” with my little brother as we used our pretend gadgets to do clandestine work. I know the spy stories we see are often Hollywood-ized and not fully accurate and I still like consuming those fun stories, but even more than that I like the grounded, authentic ones about real spies throughout history. Which is why I was very curious to pick up this new nonfiction book that tells the story of real women throughout the history of CIA.
Written by Christina Hillsberg (who worked for the CIA herself) Agents of Change explores women’s experience from the 1960s to present day. I really liked the way it depicted the building progress over time and the appreciation for the all the women along the way that helped influence the changes that have trickled down. I always love stories of women supporting women and this book felt like generations of sisterhood and support (for the women with that mindset at least—there will always be women who hold each other back as well). It was really interesting to see how the author wove reflections of the society and media of the time and how that mirrored what was happening within the role of women in the CIA as well.
The book is written in an attainable and easy to understand way with plenty of human stories. It was not a dry nonfiction and it would approachable for any readers to pick up regardless of background knowledge.
Trigger/content notes: discusses sexual assault and harassment but not full of explicit details. Some strong language including a couple F words
I have been fascinated by spy stories for as far back as I can remember. I have clear memories of playing “secret agents” with my little brother as we used our pretend gadgets to do clandestine work. I know the spy stories we see are often Hollywood-ized and not fully accurate and I still like consuming those fun stories, but even more than that I like the grounded, authentic ones about real spies throughout history. Which is why I was very curious to pick up this new nonfiction book that tells the story of real women throughout the history of CIA.
Written by Christina Hillsberg (who worked for the CIA herself) Agents of Change explores women’s experience from the 1960s to present day. I really liked the way it depicted the building progress over time and the appreciation for the all the women along the way that helped influence the changes that have trickled down. I always love stories of women supporting women and this book felt like generations of sisterhood and support (for the women with that mindset at least—there will always be women who hold each other back as well). It was really interesting to see how the author wove reflections of the society and media of the time and how that mirrored what was happening within the role of women in the CIA as well.
The book is written in an attainable and easy to understand way with plenty of human stories. It was not a dry nonfiction and it would approachable for any readers to pick up regardless of background knowledge.
Trigger/content notes: discusses sexual assault and harassment but not full of explicit details. Some strong language including a couple F words
Read
August 4, 2025I picked up Agents of Change knowing approximately nothing about the history of women in the CIA—aside from what TV taught me (read: trench coats, lipstick, and suspiciously good lighting). Turns out? The real story is far grittier, way more inspiring, and full of women doing the most while getting the least credit.
Christina Hillsberg—former CIA officer, so she’s not guessing—takes us behind the scenes, decade by decade, to spotlight the women who kept the agency running. From the '60s “be a secretary and smile” era to the modern-day women holding their own at the top, these stories are equal parts maddening and motivating. These aren’t Bond girls—they’re brilliant, strategic, and tough as hell, operating under pressure and patriarchy.
The structure works really well. Each chapter focuses on a different decade, so you get this clear sense of how progress actually happens: slowly, unevenly, and usually after someone gets overlooked five times and still shows up for work.
The audiobook is great—narrated by Hillsberg and Valerie Plame, and it feels grounded, not overly polished. Like you’re being let in on something real. Which you are.
Also, quick side note: I don’t rate memoirs. In my opinion, it feels weird and kind of unfair to assign stars to someone else’s life. So while you won’t see a number from me, I will say this—if you’re into spycraft, feminist history, or stories about women who refuse to sit quietly, this one’s worth your time.
Thank you to Christina Hillsberg, HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the early listen—opinions are mine, attitude also mine. Agents of Change is on sale now.
Christina Hillsberg—former CIA officer, so she’s not guessing—takes us behind the scenes, decade by decade, to spotlight the women who kept the agency running. From the '60s “be a secretary and smile” era to the modern-day women holding their own at the top, these stories are equal parts maddening and motivating. These aren’t Bond girls—they’re brilliant, strategic, and tough as hell, operating under pressure and patriarchy.
The structure works really well. Each chapter focuses on a different decade, so you get this clear sense of how progress actually happens: slowly, unevenly, and usually after someone gets overlooked five times and still shows up for work.
The audiobook is great—narrated by Hillsberg and Valerie Plame, and it feels grounded, not overly polished. Like you’re being let in on something real. Which you are.
Also, quick side note: I don’t rate memoirs. In my opinion, it feels weird and kind of unfair to assign stars to someone else’s life. So while you won’t see a number from me, I will say this—if you’re into spycraft, feminist history, or stories about women who refuse to sit quietly, this one’s worth your time.
Thank you to Christina Hillsberg, HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the early listen—opinions are mine, attitude also mine. Agents of Change is on sale now.
July 3, 2025
I knew basically nothing about the history of women in the CIA before this book. Agents of Change is quite a history lesson that can sometimes feel like an emotional gut punch - especially if you're a woman navigating male-dominated spaces.
Christina Hillsberg, a former CIA officer, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the real women who have helped shape the agency - from the 1960s "secretarial" era to the women currently holding their own in the highest levels of intelligence. These aren't James Bond characters in heels. They're intelligent, strategic, and tough women who had to fight for everything.
The structure of the book works really well. Each chapter focuses on a different decade, so you can feel how things slowly evolve. It's frustrating at times, especially knowing how much these women had to endure just to be taken seriously. But it's also inspiring in that "how did they keep going?" kind of way. I was both mad and motivated.
The audiobook is very well done. Hillsberg narrates alongside Valerie Plame, and both bring a personal, grounded energy to the stories. It never feels overly polished or stiff. It feels like they lived it because they did.
This was my first Hillsberg book, but it won't be my last. If you're into spy stuff, feminist history, or stories about badass women who refused to stay quiet, this one's a must.
Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for an advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Christina Hillsberg, a former CIA officer, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the real women who have helped shape the agency - from the 1960s "secretarial" era to the women currently holding their own in the highest levels of intelligence. These aren't James Bond characters in heels. They're intelligent, strategic, and tough women who had to fight for everything.
The structure of the book works really well. Each chapter focuses on a different decade, so you can feel how things slowly evolve. It's frustrating at times, especially knowing how much these women had to endure just to be taken seriously. But it's also inspiring in that "how did they keep going?" kind of way. I was both mad and motivated.
The audiobook is very well done. Hillsberg narrates alongside Valerie Plame, and both bring a personal, grounded energy to the stories. It never feels overly polished or stiff. It feels like they lived it because they did.
This was my first Hillsberg book, but it won't be my last. If you're into spy stuff, feminist history, or stories about badass women who refused to stay quiet, this one's a must.
Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for an advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 27, 2025
This book gave me a new view of history I did not know. It tells the story of women who worked inside the CIA, from the 1960s until now. These women were strong, smart, and often invisible to the public. They had to fight two battles — one against enemies of the country, and one inside the agency, where men had all the power. I learned how hard it was for them to be taken seriously, even when they risked their lives.
The writing is clear and respectful. Hillsberg was also a CIA officer, so she knows what she is talking about. She uses many interviews with women who never told their stories before. Some of them worked in secret missions. Others helped change rules from the inside. You feel the courage in every chapter — and also the anger, because they had to suffer so much for so long.
What I liked most was how this book connects past and present. It does not only show women from history, but also talks about what is still broken now — harassment, unfair promotion, silence. It made me think about how change happens very slowly, and how it often takes quiet fighters, not loud heroes, to make it real.
This book is not long, but it is full of meaning. If you want to know more about spies, power, or the quiet kind of bravery, this is a strong read. It is not about action movies. It is about real people who did impossible things, and changed the world one mission at a time.
The writing is clear and respectful. Hillsberg was also a CIA officer, so she knows what she is talking about. She uses many interviews with women who never told their stories before. Some of them worked in secret missions. Others helped change rules from the inside. You feel the courage in every chapter — and also the anger, because they had to suffer so much for so long.
What I liked most was how this book connects past and present. It does not only show women from history, but also talks about what is still broken now — harassment, unfair promotion, silence. It made me think about how change happens very slowly, and how it often takes quiet fighters, not loud heroes, to make it real.
This book is not long, but it is full of meaning. If you want to know more about spies, power, or the quiet kind of bravery, this is a strong read. It is not about action movies. It is about real people who did impossible things, and changed the world one mission at a time.
March 16, 2025
I waited a bit to do this review because I feel as if we are on the cusp of reversing the strides these women have made against overt misogyny. Not to denigrate their hard work and frustrations, but to highlight how far the white male opposition is so fearful of ANY challenge by others and is willing to sacrifice the good works of others just to bolster their own pride.
Back to the book. The transformation referred to is the inroads made by these intrepid women into their rightful place in the work and hierarchy of the US intelligence service since the end of the OSS. It can be hard to read at times (office sexual politics no better than a casting couch) but these women deserve our respect, and we need to educate ourselves to know how hard they worked to implement change.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Kensington Publishing | Citadel via NetGalley. Pub Date Jun 24, 2025
#AgentsofChange by @christinahillsberg @kensingtonbooks #nonfiction #history #newbooks #femaletrailblazers #nonfictionbooks #upcomingrelease #feministreads #espionage #misogynisticrepression @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble @waterstones *****Review @booksamillion @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk @kobo
Back to the book. The transformation referred to is the inroads made by these intrepid women into their rightful place in the work and hierarchy of the US intelligence service since the end of the OSS. It can be hard to read at times (office sexual politics no better than a casting couch) but these women deserve our respect, and we need to educate ourselves to know how hard they worked to implement change.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Kensington Publishing | Citadel via NetGalley. Pub Date Jun 24, 2025
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June 22, 2025
This here book is somethin else I tell ya. Christina Hillsberg she was a spy herself and she went and dug up all these stories bout them brave ladies at the CIA. Now you think of spies you think of fellas right all James Bond and such but nope these women they was out there doin the real work and nobody even knew it.
This book it goes way back to the sixties when women they was mostly just secretaries but these gals they wasnt havin none of that. They pushed and they fought and they showed them fellas they could do just as good a job if not better. And Hillsberg she dont shy away from the hard stuff neither. She talks bout how these women had to deal with all sorts of trouble just cause they was women.
Harassment and all kinda bad things.
She talks to these women who never spoke up before and tells their stories in a way that just pulls you right in. You learn bout how they changed things decade by decade and how they made it possible for women like Hillsberg to even be spies. This aint just some spy story nah its bout how tough these women was and how they changed history. If you wanna know bout some real American heroes you gotta read this book.
I give it 5 catfish outta 5!
This book it goes way back to the sixties when women they was mostly just secretaries but these gals they wasnt havin none of that. They pushed and they fought and they showed them fellas they could do just as good a job if not better. And Hillsberg she dont shy away from the hard stuff neither. She talks bout how these women had to deal with all sorts of trouble just cause they was women.
Harassment and all kinda bad things.
She talks to these women who never spoke up before and tells their stories in a way that just pulls you right in. You learn bout how they changed things decade by decade and how they made it possible for women like Hillsberg to even be spies. This aint just some spy story nah its bout how tough these women was and how they changed history. If you wanna know bout some real American heroes you gotta read this book.
I give it 5 catfish outta 5!
July 27, 2025
A non-fiction powerhouse!! Hillsberg takes the reader on an enthralling journey through the decades of women finding their footing within the ranks of the CIA. As varied as these womens’ experiences were, both in their path to find the CIA and their experiences inside, they share similar stories of grit and determination to find success despite the odds. The experiences of these trailblazing women are fascinating, awe-inspiring and also…extremely frustrating!!
Hillsberg makes you feel an appreciation for these women and their enduring dedication to the mission and goals of the CIA despite being constantly underestimated, undervalued and overlooked.
Hillsberg, as former CIA herself, is well positioned to tell these stories. She highlights the benefits of a woman’s innate skill set and the shared challenges all women face juggling career choices with family obligations - making note of the nuanced challenges specific to the CIA.
The work of these women brought real change (albeit definitely slow!) and women in every professional career can relate and appreciate the fight at some level. I was rooting for the “Agents of Change” with every turn of the page!
Hillsberg makes you feel an appreciation for these women and their enduring dedication to the mission and goals of the CIA despite being constantly underestimated, undervalued and overlooked.
Hillsberg, as former CIA herself, is well positioned to tell these stories. She highlights the benefits of a woman’s innate skill set and the shared challenges all women face juggling career choices with family obligations - making note of the nuanced challenges specific to the CIA.
The work of these women brought real change (albeit definitely slow!) and women in every professional career can relate and appreciate the fight at some level. I was rooting for the “Agents of Change” with every turn of the page!
August 9, 2025
I have to say: there are some badass women in this world, and Christina Hillsberg is definitely one of them! Especially in this day and age, any books that document the plight of women in traditionally male-dominated fields are so important! Ms. Hillberg has done a fantastic job recounting the stories of the pioneering women who faced countless challenges and hardships while pursuing their dreams in these high-stakes careers. What's more is that they were unknowingly blazing the trail for others to follow, inspiring them to reach even greater heights!
The book is organized decade by decade, beginning in the 1960s, and highlights various women and their powerful stories along the way. The timeline traces the progress of the agency with respect to the treatment and acceptance of women.
Overall, these real-life accounts are gripping, and I must admit that it blows my mind how courageous these women are!!!
Many thanks to partners, Kaye Publicity and Kensington Books for this gifted review copy!
For more of my reviews, please check out my blog at www.mamasgottaread.blogspot.com or follow me on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mamasgottaread.
The book is organized decade by decade, beginning in the 1960s, and highlights various women and their powerful stories along the way. The timeline traces the progress of the agency with respect to the treatment and acceptance of women.
Overall, these real-life accounts are gripping, and I must admit that it blows my mind how courageous these women are!!!
Many thanks to partners, Kaye Publicity and Kensington Books for this gifted review copy!
For more of my reviews, please check out my blog at www.mamasgottaread.blogspot.com or follow me on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mamasgottaread.
October 28, 2025
An absolutely fascinating and empowering read!
Agents of Change: The Women Who Transformed the CIA by Christina Hillsberg is one of those books that sticks with you long after you’ve finished it. It offers a rare and captivating look inside the world of intelligence through the lens of the women who helped shape it—women whose courage, intellect, and resilience changed the agency from within.
Hillsberg does an incredible job blending storytelling with history, making each chapter feel both informative and deeply personal. I loved how she highlighted not just the professional achievements of these women, but also the human side of their journeys—the sacrifices, the moral complexities, and the strength it took to thrive in such a high-stakes, male-dominated environment.
This book isn’t just for people interested in espionage or government work; it’s for anyone who loves stories about leadership, grit, and breaking barriers. Hillsberg’s writing is sharp, thoughtful, and deeply respectful of the women she profiles.
I couldn’t put it down—truly one of the most inspiring and well-written nonfiction books I’ve read in a long time.
Agents of Change: The Women Who Transformed the CIA by Christina Hillsberg is one of those books that sticks with you long after you’ve finished it. It offers a rare and captivating look inside the world of intelligence through the lens of the women who helped shape it—women whose courage, intellect, and resilience changed the agency from within.
Hillsberg does an incredible job blending storytelling with history, making each chapter feel both informative and deeply personal. I loved how she highlighted not just the professional achievements of these women, but also the human side of their journeys—the sacrifices, the moral complexities, and the strength it took to thrive in such a high-stakes, male-dominated environment.
This book isn’t just for people interested in espionage or government work; it’s for anyone who loves stories about leadership, grit, and breaking barriers. Hillsberg’s writing is sharp, thoughtful, and deeply respectful of the women she profiles.
I couldn’t put it down—truly one of the most inspiring and well-written nonfiction books I’ve read in a long time.
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