The Woman All Spies Fear: Code Breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman and Her Hidden Life

This comprehensive biography centers Elizebeth Smith Friedman (1892-1980), one of America's most important and little-known code breakers, who had a profound impact on WWI and WWII. Greenfield thoroughly covers Friedman's life, from her repressive childhood; college education; early introduction to codes in a research program run by an eccentric millionaire; marriage to and partnership with brilliant fellow cryptanalyst William Friedman; and varied government career and later life. While coverage of Friedman's extended professional machinations slows the pace, the book proves strongest as it ably chronicles how her skills developed and homes in on codes and code breaking. Recurring offset feature "Code Breaker" offers fascinating details on the mechanics, such as "Rail Fence Love Letter," a coded love note; "Solving in Depth," which highlights Friedman's work on the famous Nazi Enigma code; and "The Last Word," which reveals how Friedman even employed a code on her husband's tombstone. B&w photographs help round out the history, alongside primary sources such as news stories and even Friedman's own handwritten notes. A captivating account of the life and critical contributions of "one of the most formidable code breakers in the world." Back matter includes a bibliography and notes. Ages 12-up. (Oct.)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 8 Up--Most people have likely never heard of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, but she is one of the most prolific code breakers in U.S. history. Often overshadowed by her husband, with whom she worked closely, this biographical account of her life brings her story to young adult readers. From falling into code breaking by landing a job for an eccentric millionaire during a visit to the library to falling in love with a fellow code breaker and working her way through two world wars solving ciphers and more, Smith Friedman's life story is a fascinating one. The book follows a linear time line, from her birth and childhood all the way to how she has been recognized and commended post-humously. Each chapter ends on a cliff-hanger, which helps to make a sometimes slow-paced narrative more engaging. There are also sections that break up the chapters called "Code Breaks," which give more detail on either the subject's work or the ciphers themselves. This narrative is very dense at times, but the level of detail and interesting topic make up for that. The back matter includes a bibliography and notes from each chapter. VERDICT A worthy purchase for secondary school libraries and where there are gaps in historical biography sections, especially about women in STEM.--Molly Dettmann, Norman North H.S., OK

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.