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Propaganda Girls
The Secret War of the Women in the OSS
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Narrated by:
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Samara Naeymi
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By:
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Lisa Rogak
About this listen
The incredible untold story of four women who spun the web of deception that helped win World War II.
Betty MacDonald was a 28-year-old reporter from Hawaii. Zuzka Lauwers grew up in a tiny Czechoslovakian village and knew five languages by the time she was 21. Jane Smith-Hutton was the wife of a naval attaché living in Tokyo. Marlene Dietrich, the German-American actress and singer, was of course one of the biggest stars of the 20th century. These four women, each fascinating in her own right, together contributed to one of the most covert and successful military campaigns in WWII.
As members of the OSS, their task was to create a secret brand of propaganda produced with the sole aim to break the morale of Axis soldiers. Working in the European theater, across enemy lines in occupied China, and in Washington, D.C., Betty, Zuzka, Jane, and Marlene forged letters and “official” military orders, wrote and produced entire newspapers, scripted radio broadcasts and songs, and even developed rumors for undercover spies and double agents to spread to the enemy. And outside of a small group of spies, no one knew they existed. Until now.
In Propaganda Girls, bestselling author Lisa Rogak brings to vivid life the incredible true story of four unsung heroes, whose spellbinding achievements would change the course of history.
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.
©2025 Lisa Rogak (P)2025 Macmillan AudioCritic reviews
"An enjoyable and briskly told group biography."—Kirkus Reviews
"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
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