The Bletchley Girls

2015 | History & Politics

The women of Bletchley Park have a unique story to tell. Although critical to the success of the project to break the German and Japanese codes in World War II, their contribution has been consistently overlooked and undervalued. Through unprecedented access to surviving veterans, this book reveals how life at "The Park" and its outstations was far removed from the glamorous existence usually portrayed. The women speak vividly of their lives in the 1930s, why they were selected to work in Britain's most secret organization, and the challenges of re-entry into civilian life. Forbidden to talk about their vital war work, they often found it hard to adjust to the expectations of both their immediate families and society as a whole. By spending time with these fascinating female secret-keepers, who are still alive today, Tessa Dunlop captures their extraordinary journeys into an adult world of war, secrecy, love, and loss. Through the voices of the women themselves, this is a portrait of life at Bletchley Park beyond the celebrated code-breakers. The Bletchley Girls is the story of the women behind Britain's ability to consistently outsmart the enemy

Tessa Dunlop (Author)