This is the incredible untold story of four women who helped win World War II by generating a wave of black propaganda.
Betty MacDonald was a 28-year-old reporter from Hawaii. Zuzka Lauwers grew up in a tiny Czechoslovakian village and knew five languages by the time she was 21. Jane Smith-Hutton was the wife of a naval attaché living in Tokyo. Marlene Dietrich, the German-American actress and singer, was one of the biggest stars of the 20th century. These four women, each fascinating in her own right, together contributed to one of the most covert and successful military campaigns in WWII.
Members of the Office of Strategic Services, their task was to create a secret brand of propaganda produced with the sole aim to break the morale of Axis soldiers. Working in Europe, across enemy lines in occupied China and in Washington D.C., Betty, Zuzka, Jane and Marlene forged letters and ‘official’ military orders, wrote and produced entire newspapers, scripted radio broadcasts and songs and even developed rumours for undercover spies and double agents to spread to the enemy. And outside of a small group of spies, no one knew they existed. Until now.
‘A page-turning account of the courageous women who manufactured the fog of war and armed the OSS with an arsenal of lies. Rogak writes a story to rival those of her protagonists – except this time it’s true’ – John Lisle, author of THE DIRTY TRICKS DEPARTMENT
‘A riveting journey into the covert world of female OSS agents who played a pivotal role in securing victory during WWII through strategic cunning, masterful deception, and razor-sharp wit. Readers will be pulled into this gripping account of four women whose unwavering determination and willingness to risk everything helped triumph over the forces of fascism’ – Lorissa Rinehart, author of FIRST TO THE FRONT
‘Lisa Rogak’s extraordinary book centers around a select group of women during World War II who worked for the American Office of Strategic Services … Through the eyes of Marlene, Betty, Zuzka, and Jane, the reader is transported across enemy lines into the thick of clandestine war operations. Rogak’s vivid and engaging narrative launches the reader on a captivating journey. Five star entertainment that both educates and enthralls’ – Heath Hardage Lee, author of THE MYSTERIOUS MRS. NIXON
‘An astonishing slice of untold WWII history, Propaganda Girls is a stunning feat of storytelling. Rogak’s riveting narrative grants the often unknown but courageous women behind the OSS their much-deserved moment in the spotlight’ – Ric Prado, bestselling author of BLACK OPS: THE LIFE OF A CIA SHADOW WARRIOR
Lisa Rogak is the author of numerous books, including And Nothing But the Truthiness: The Rise (and Further Rise) of Stephen Colbert. She is the editor of the New York Times bestseller Barack Obama in His Own Words and author of the New York Times bestseller Angry Optimist: The Life and Times of Jon Stewart. Rogak lives in New Hampshire.
