A review by mppilk
Spying on Spies: How Elizebeth Smith Friedman Broke the Nazis' Secret Codes by Marissa Moss

informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

This is a little gem of a book. Written for younger readers it tells the story of Elizebeth Friedman, a cryptanalyst who broke the codes of criminals during prohibition in the US and the Enigma codes during World War II. I’m ashamed to saw I had never heard of her before this despite being familiar with Alan Turing and the code breaking work of Bletchley Park. On reading this book it’s hardly surprising really as she was very much kept behind the scenes herself especially during the war. 
While the work of Elizebeth was primarily code breaking, and with pen and paper unlike Turing, the book breaks down the history of the time very nicely thereby adding significance to her work. 
I hope we hear more about this remarkable woman in the years to come and she earns her place among the Alan Turings of this world. This book should be placed in every school library. As I said, a little gem. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.