Book Review: 'Wise Gals' by Nathalia Holt

✰✰✰✰ After World War II, America sought to form a new organization tasked with helping to keep the country safe. This new organization would gather foreign intelligence and analyze it. Today we know this organization as the Central Intelligence Agency, but how did it get started? And who were the people who were instrumental in developing the tools and skills of the world of espionage? It turns out that among the many men recruited to form this organization, there was also a small group of women who played a pivotal role as well. This is a story of five women whose wit, wisdom, and bravery paved the way for future female agents to come. Known as the ‘wise gals’ for their sense of humor and intelligence, these women will go down in history as smart, brave, and inspirational.

The Bottom Line: This is a fascinating looking into a little-known part of American history. The stories of these amazing women are fascinating and engaging. However, be prepared to time jump as the writing is a bit disorganized. Additionally, there are so many names mentioned that a “cast of characters” may have been helpful. Recommended for history buffs and those interested in espionage and women’s history. 

Book Club Notes: This was our first meeting of 2025. We were excited to read about a part of history that we knew very little about. Thoughts about this book were mixed. At times the timeline seemed to have gaps, and members commented that there were so many characters that it was difficult at times to keep all the names straight. This issue became even more pronounced as the evening progressed. Overall, we found the book to be interesting and filled with information we did not know. The content was good, and the writing style was readable. This book helped us understand history better, and we appreciated the stories of the “gals” and their bravery. 

Some members loved the book; others…not so much, citing that the author jumped around and the text lacked organization. Due to the structural issues with the book, ratings ranged from a low of 3 to a high of 5 for an average of 3.9 stars (on a scale of 1 - 5). 

Book Clubs can find a reading guide at Penguin Random House or a book club kit at Issuu. 

Details: Wise Gals: The Spies Who Built the CIA and Changed the Future of Espionage by Nathalia Holt. Hardcover published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons in 2022. 400 p. ISBN: 978-0-593-32848-4