A groundbreaking new history of the role of American servicewomen in WWII
National Bestseller
Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist
Amazon Editor’s Pick
VALIANT WOMEN is the story of the 350,000 American women who served in uniform during World War II. These incredible women served in every service branch, in every combat theater, and in nearly two-thirds of the available military occupations at the time. They were pilots, codebreakers, ordnance experts, gunnery instructors, metalsmiths, chemists, translators, parachute riggers, truck drivers, radarmen, pigeon trainers, and much more. They were directly involved in some of the most important moments of the war, from the D-Day landings to the peace negotiations in Paris. These women—who hailed from every race, creed, and walk of life—died for their country and received the nation’s highest honors. Their work, both individually and in total, was at the heart of the Allied strategy that won World War II.
Yet, until now, their stories have been relegated to the dusty shelves of military archives or a passing mention in the local paper. Often the women themselves kept their stories private, even from their own families. Now, military analyst Lena Andrews corrects the record with the definitive and comprehensive historical account of American servicewomen during World War II, based on new archival research, firsthand interviews with surviving veterans, and a deep professional understanding of military history and strategy.
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“Women… are a weapon waiting to be used.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
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“Lena Andrews's lively book uncovers the little-known story of the amazing variety of women—from nurses to scientists, clerks to pilots—who sometimes had to fight a double battle during World War II: against the Axis powers, and against men who belittled their vital contributions."
ADAM HOCHSCHILD, author of American Midnight and King Leopold's Ghost
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"Focusing on a fascinating dimension of the Second World War, Lena Andrews' Valiant Women explores how American women uniquely contributed to the war effort, examining the organizational, cultural and personal dimensions, and demands, associated with their critical contributions. This illuminating account helps explain why World War II continues to cast such a large shadow over American society—and will continue to do so for years to come. Read it to learn about, and to honor, those amazing women that served."
Brigadier General PAULA G. THORNHILL, USAF (Ret.)
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“This engrossing book highlights the long-neglected but vital contributions of an entire generation of American women to the decisive allied victory in World War II. Lena Andrews introduces us to these uncommon heroes – including pilots, mechanics, intelligence experts and gunnery instructors – and weaves their exploits into a fresh and surprising chapter of the largest war in history. At turns heartbreaking and inspiring, this unique narrative shares the powerful stories of these fearless women who made that decisive victory possible.”
Lieutenant General DAVID BARNO, US Army (Ret.), former senior American commander of U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan
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"This engaging account of the 350,000 women who served in uniform during World War II sheds new light on overlooked members of the Greatest Generation."
PEOPLE “Best New Books”
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“An enlightening revisionist history…Through interviews with the few servicewomen still alive and comprehensive research, Andrews takes an ingenious look at WWII…[VALIANT WOMEN] is a must-read.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review)
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"The beginnings of the WAAC, WAVES, SPARS, Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, and Women’s Airforce Service Pilots are all outlined, the stories of their founding women brilliantly told.… Binge-able and easily approachable for those new to the subject, this book is perfect for WWII buffs and readers of history, military history, women’s history, and feminist nonfiction."
BOOKLIST (starred review)
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“An invaluable addition to our knowledge of the Allied victory…[VALIANT WOMEN] is a welcome celebration of military heroes who deserve more recognition.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS (starred review)
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"Valiant Women is a vital and engrossing attempt to correct the record and rightfully celebrate the achievements of female veterans of World War II."
BOOKPAGE (starred review)
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"Based on interviews, memoirs, and extensive archival research, this engaging book offers a wide-ranging look at women’s contributions to the war effort...Readers interested in women’s and military history, especially World War II events and experiences, will value this book."
LIBRARY JOURNAL (starred review)
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"Andrews paints a vivid historical scene, demonstrating the transformative nature of women in the war effort--not only for the more than 350,000 women who served in the armed forces before, during, and after the war, but also for U.S. society as a whole. ... Fascinating portraits of individual women enliven the narrative.... Andrews's book is a fitting history of and tribute to the women who contributed so vitally to the Allied victory."
SHELF AWARENESS (starred review)
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"We tend to associate war with all things men: male soldiers, male officers, and male heroes. Lena Andrews, who happens to be a military analyst for the CIA, would like to have a word about that. In this can’t-miss piece of nonfiction, she gets into the many achievements of the women who served during World War II — working as everything from codebreakers to translators to parachute riggers and beyond. If you’re a history buff (or just love stories of women breaking barriers), add it to your list."
THE SKIMM
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"Dr. Andrews’ engaging book helps to remedy this gap in the historic record, but also goes beyond being merely a recollection of noteworthy stories about the women who fought in WWII. She invites us to look at the war in a different way and to perhaps use that new perspective to understand that like WWII, the requirements of war in this modern era will stretch the capacity of even the largest and best prepared combatants."
THE CIPHER BRIEF
Meet Lena
Lena Andrews is the author of Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II and an Associate Research Professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy. Lena previously served as a military analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, and has also worked at the RAND Corporation and United States Institute of Peace. Her work has appeared on MSNBC, PBS, CNN, Today, People, and TIME, among many other outlets. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Lena received her Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Photo by Kirth Bobb
“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”
Harry Truman
