Queen of Codes: The Secret Life of Emily Anderson, Britain's Greatest Female Code Breaker
Jackie Ui Chionna
Apr 2023 · Headline · Narrated by Melanie McHugh
4.0star
1 reviewreport
headphones
Audiobook
9 hr 49 min
Unabridged
family_home
Eligible
info
reportRatings and reviews aren’t verified Learn More
Want a 59 min sample? Listen anytime, even offline.
Add
About this audiobook
When the history of British codebreaking is told, the story is often a men-only preserve (for example, of the top fourteen listed actors in Bletchley Park-set The Imitation Game, only one is a woman). That perception completely ignores the fact that the vast majority of codebreakers were in fact women. And foremost among them was one who is largely unknown to the public, and whose activities were a secret even to her closest contacts - Emily Anderson.
Anderson was a leading member of British intelligence for over three decades. She played key roles in both World Wars, worked in Bletchley Park and in the Middle East, and was reckoned among the top three female codebreakers in the world. Her work coincided with her other great love - music. She is famous in musicology circles as being the first to effectively decipher the letters and diaries of Mozart and Beethoven. In 1961 Germany awarded her their highest honour, the Order of Merit First Class, completely ignorant of the fact that the interpretative skills they were honouring were the same utilised to defeat their military only a few years previously.
Secrecy was the keyword of her life, as she also had numerous relationships with other women at a time when such was not generally accepted. That few are familiar with her name is no surprise. Even those close to her had little idea that she had such a significant role in international affairs. Now, this startling new narrative of her life, complete with new material and sources The Queen of Codes will place Emily Anderson at the forefront of great British codebreakers.
(P) 2023 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
Anderson was a leading member of British intelligence for over three decades. She played key roles in both World Wars, worked in Bletchley Park and in the Middle East, and was reckoned among the top three female codebreakers in the world. Her work coincided with her other great love - music. She is famous in musicology circles as being the first to effectively decipher the letters and diaries of Mozart and Beethoven. In 1961 Germany awarded her their highest honour, the Order of Merit First Class, completely ignorant of the fact that the interpretative skills they were honouring were the same utilised to defeat their military only a few years previously.
Secrecy was the keyword of her life, as she also had numerous relationships with other women at a time when such was not generally accepted. That few are familiar with her name is no surprise. Even those close to her had little idea that she had such a significant role in international affairs. Now, this startling new narrative of her life, complete with new material and sources The Queen of Codes will place Emily Anderson at the forefront of great British codebreakers.
(P) 2023 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
Ratings and reviews
4.0
1 review
About the author
Dr Jackie Ui Chionna is one of Ireland's foremost social and oral historians. She is the author of two books, including the prize-shortlisted (and local Irish bestseller) He Was Galway. She has a PhD from National University of Ireland, Galway.
Rate this audiobook
Tell us what you think.
Listening information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can read books purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
