The Sisterhood

The Secret History of Women at the CIA

By: Liza Mundy

Narrated by: Liza Mundy

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A “rip-roaring” (Steve Coll), “staggeringly well-researched” (The New York Times) history of three generations at the CIA, “electric with revelations” (Booklist) about the women who fought to become operatives, transformed spycraft, and tracked down Osama bin Laden, from the bestselling author of Code Girls

A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS’ CHOICE • A FOREIGN POLICY AND SMITHSONIAN BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

In development as a series from Lionsgate Television, executive produced by Scott Delman (Station Eleven)

Created in the aftermath of World War II, the Central Intelligence Agency relied on women even as it attempted to channel their talents and keep them down. Women sent cables, made dead drops, and maintained the agency’s secrets. Despite discrimination—even because of it—women who started as clerks, secretaries, or unpaid spouses rose to become some of the CIA’s shrewdest operatives.

They were unlikely spies—and that’s exactly what made them perfect for the role. Because women were seen as unimportant, pioneering female intelligence officers moved unnoticed around Bonn, Geneva, and Moscow, stealing secrets from under the noses of their KGB adversaries. Back at headquarters, women built the CIA’s critical archives—first by hand, then by computer. And they noticed things that the men at the top didn’t see. As the CIA faced an identity crisis after the Cold War, it was a close-knit network of female analysts who spotted the rising threat of al-Qaeda—though their warnings were repeatedly brushed aside.

After the 9/11 attacks, more women joined the agency as a new job, targeter, came to prominence. They showed that data analysis would be crucial to the post-9/11 national security landscape—an effort that culminated spectacularly in the CIA’s successful effort to track down bin Laden in his Pakistani compound.

Propelled by the same meticulous reporting and vivid storytelling that infused Code Girls, The Sisterhood offers a riveting new perspective on history, revealing how women at the CIA ushered in the modern intelligence age, and how their silencing made the world more dangerous

Fabulous Feminist History

Compellingly written and well researched with excellent voice performance. Overall, a fabulous read for feminist history lovers.

Fascinating Information of CIA Operations

Although the book traces the contribution of women in the CIA from its beginning to the present, it reveals much more about inner CIA workings by using case examples. Part way through the book, I paused to watch the movie, Zero Dark Thirty. When I returned to The Sisterhood, I gained a whole new more realistic understanding of the operation. The result of listening to this Audible book is that I have a better understanding of important CIA cases and the role women played. Ron Perkins

Close to my heart

Great insider overview of momentous changes.
Many were far too slow in fruition.
Respect. #sempervigilis

Amazing history!

Enjoyed hearing about the women helping each other to advance their careers. Bravo to these brave women!

An Absolute Must Read - OBL found by all female analysts

This is an revealing, shockingly appalling story of the repeated denigration through the years of the incredible expertise of women in the CIA. Did you know that Osama bin Laden was found by the CIA’s female caseworkers ? Even having lived through it myself (different profession, but the same age currently as many of the now retired agents), it is literally mind blowing to hear that even what we considered, as the smartest of men were absolutely unable to recognize how equally or more intelligent women were and continue to be. A definite must read.