"A nonfiction chronicle of the courageous efforts of remarkable young women recruited by the US government to crack German and Japanese military codes during World War II."--Provided by publisher.

Introduction: the secret letters -- The most difficult problem -- "I have something to show you" -- Magic -- "It was heart-rending" -- Midway -- The most important secret -- WAVES -- Uncle Sam wants you! -- "Q for communications" -- MacArthur's secret weapon -- "That's it! that's it!" -- A major break -- Twenty-eight acres of girls -- The largest clandestine message center in the world -- "I'm saving it!" -- So many girls -- Operation vengeance -- Sugar Camp -- Breaking shark -- The tables turn -- Pencil-pushing mamas sink Japanese ships -- One sad shoe -- Department K -- "Enemy landing at the mouth of the Seine" -- D-day -- Teedy -- The surrender message -- Peace -- Epilogue: the mitten.