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.

©2023 Liza Mundy (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Based on more than 100 interviews, published histories, academic articles, declassified documents and personal writings, The Sisterhood is a deeply researched, exhaustive read spanning seven decades of CIA history.”—Smithsonian

“Liza Mundy recognizes how rescuing stories from the past can illuminate bias and abuse, and she does so in her latest book. . . . The Sisterhood offers a different and valuable inside look at an agency that has long fascinated American culture.”—Washington Post

“Staggeringly well-researched . . . Mundy, who has written four other books, including the similarly sweeping Code Girls, delivers suspenseful stories of women like Heidi August, a onetime clerk who went on to spend three decades in the C.I.A. and became one of its first female station chiefs; and Lisa Manfull Harper, who worked menial jobs for a decade before being permitted to complete certification as a sleuth.”—The New York Times

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!

Don’t Mess with these Women

This is one of the best books I have ever listened to. It is thoroughly researched and very well-written. The patriotism of the women whose stories are recounted is truly inspiring. It is such a shame that the talents and gifts of these extraordinary women were often overlooked, dismissed or ignored. Yet, they persisted. A great listen!

Detail of women’s involvement and pervasive of Bias

Incredible story of the pre-9/11 state of the CIA and the blinders that were on both politicians, political leadership and administrative leadership of the plan and services.

Women’s persistence to serve, despite these obstacles phenomenal performance.

Brings history to life

This book brings the history of women in the CIA to life. It is amazing what they accomplished despite having their wings clipped at every turn. That was real grit and brains at work.

I learned so much

I liked the frankness of the portrayal of the CIA. I think male former CIA should read this and reflect on how they treated women and ask if they would want their daughters to be treated the same.

Outstanding Performance

The Sisterhood reads like a documentary you just don’t want to put down. Easy to listen to and gripping stories about the Women of the CIA.

Once again women save the day. Duh.

The enormous and often times unacknowledged contribution of women in the CIA and the abuse they faced in a system dominated by the male ego was staggering. I especially enjoyed the trip through history and around the world. It is simply outstanding.