The Woman Who Smashed the Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America’s Enemies by Jason Fagone
BOOK CLUB CHOICE, September 2020
Reviewed by: Gina Steele
Joining the ranks of Hidden Figures and In the Garden of Beasts, this is the incredible true story of the greatest codebreaking duo that ever lived, an American woman, Elizebeth Smith Friedman and her husband, William F. Friedman. They invented the modern science of cryptology, helped to shape modern intelligence and went on to change the course of history together. Elizebeth, however, did not receive the recognition she deserved.
Jason Fagone chronicles the life of this extraordinary woman who played an integral role in America’s history for 40 years. After World War 1, Elizebeth used her talents to catch gangsters and smugglers during the Prohibition. Then she accepted a covert mission to expose Nazi spy rings that were spreading like wildfire across South America, advancing ever closer to the United States. As World War 2 raged, Elizebeth fought a highly classified battle of wits against Hitler’s Third Reich, cracking multiple versions of the Enigma machine used by the Germans. Meanwhile in an Army vault in Washington, her husband worked furiously to break Purple, the Japanese code machine and eventually succeeded. This intelligence led to the defeat of the Japanese fleet at Midway. William was given the Exceptional Service Award, the highest civilian award in America.
An outstanding ten minute YouTube video called “The Woman Who Shattered Codes and Broke Gender Barriers – Elizebeth Friedman” gives an overview that encompasses her life and work.
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 