Switchboard Soldiers audiobook

Switchboard Soldiers, a historical fiction novel set during World War I, is the story of the brave, adventure-seeking, and talented young women who served in the U. S. Army Signal Corps. In a time when most females aided the war effort by sewing or entertaining, these Hello Girls traveled Over There to the front lines of action to work as telephone operators. Jennifer Chiaverni was thorough in her research, and this novel is an education in itself. Other reviewers have criticized the amount of history in the book. Welcome to the world of historical fiction! The groundwork and detail are so complete that I will long remember this story. The descriptions of their daily work and of the circumstances in which they lived represent the true experience of all of the soldiers who served in that war. Mention was made of the Mersey River, and I hummed the Beatles’ “Ferry Cross the Mersey” for the next few chapters. I also found it interesting that the women wore masks to protect against influenza. One of the characters said that she hoped she’d never need to wear a mask again. (Me, too!) I easily identified with each of the women who were the main characters. And don’t worry, there is that necessary touch of romance that most readers want. This is a well-told and informative story.

I love learning about different parts of history I never learned in school!! This book focuses on the women who served in the US Army Signal Corp during WWI. Told through multiple POVs, the story mainly takes place near the end of the war when America finally entered in 1917-1918 and tells the story of the women who braved the front to help pass along important messages both during and after the war ended. Highly recommended for fans of books like Band of sisters by Lauren Willig or Lost roses by Martha Hall Kelly. Great on audio narrated by my fav historical fiction narrator, Saskia Maarleveld.

I enjoyed learning about the Signal Corps and the women involved during WW1. My father served in the Signal Corps in Korea and Viet Nam. The author should be commended for her research and that is why I gave the book 4 stars. The story itself, though, was too lengthy and somewhat contrived to me. I would give it 3 stars.

This is an unbiased review of a free book I received from the publisher.There has never been a book more researched than Switchboard Soldiers. Whether it is in the battles, the layout of Paris, or the ins and outs of the women running the switchboards, it is obvious that Jennifer Chiaverini knows what she is writing about. That being said, all that information sometimes gets in the way of the story. I had never heard of the Switchboard Soldiers and was fascinated by their story. Chiaverini tells the story of the women going overseas (the Hello girls) during WWI to run the switchboards to get the messages to the generals, the soldiers in the field, and everywhere else they needed to go; the story is basically told from the point of view of three very different women. Where the story gets bogged down sometimes is in the details (and I usually love all the details!). I found I would quickly read over the parts that described in detail which company was going to which city or all the streets of France they were crossing. Some of those details did not further the story at all and felt like they could have been left out. Overall though, I enjoyed learning about this unknown (to me!) part of history and appreciated the way Chiaverini stayed true to the culture of that time.

I learned another piece of history…female switchboard operators during WWI. It was interesting to learn about their training and experiences. My grandfather served in WWI in the same area so I was able to learn more what it may have been like for him.The book is well researched. Sometimes the story got bogged down by all the little details.

It's World War I, and General Pershing is leading the American Expeditionary Forces stationed throughout France as Allied forces attempt to thwart a German invasion. Communications are key to the war effort, and Pershing needs trained switchboard operators that are fluent in English and French to serve on the front lines in France. Advertisements calling for "Hello Girls" to serve in the U. S. Army Signal Corp are posted nationwide in every newspaper and telephone office. Grace Banker, Marie Miossec, and Valerie DeSmedt apply to become switchboard soldiers. Each young woman has a special connection to France or the war. Grace's brother has joined the Army. She feels compelled to join the effort herself to help end the war and bring her brother back home. Marie, an accomplished classical singer and French-American immigrant, wants a chance to be of service to her newly adopted country while also serving to protect her homeland. Valerie is also a new American who immigrated from Belgium and she also has a brother who joined the army. She wants to contribute to the family the best way she knows how, as a switchboard operator while serving her nation and supporting Belgium.These three strong-willed women are put through rigorous testing and training before being accepted as soldiers in the army. They are the first women to serve in the military. Over 200 women went to France during World War I as switchboard soldiers. After training and preparing for their new roles in the U. S., the women were shipped to France in multiple waves in military convoys across the Atlantic. They survived rough seas, enemy bombings, and an influenza outbreak before landing in La Havre, France. Once they arrived, they were deployed to various encampments, including Paris, Tours, and Chaumont, often moving to stay close to the front lines under Pershing's command. Their work and living conditions were often no better and maybe even sometimes worse than the soldiers they were there to support. They suffered through air raids, fires, and harsh weather but never left their posts. The women of the Signal Corp were entrusted with army intelligence and took their job seriously. Communications were vital to the war effort; these women proudly served and fulfilled a job that the men could not do as successfully. They earned the respect of their fellow soldiers, officers, and Pershing. In her fictionalized story of the switchboard soldiers, Jennifer Chiaverini stays very close to the actual events during World War I. Of the women portrayed in the book, Grace Baker was the only real-life character. The others were amalgamations of various women who served. Chiaverini takes the story of these women from headlines, newspapers, and archival records and brings to life their story in a very relatable way. You want to cheer for each of these women and feel for them when they are put in harm's way. Each one has a beautiful backstory that is wrapped up nicely in the end. This is another great story from Chiaverini.In the Author's Note at the end of the book, Chiaverini explains that these women were not considered veterans after the war, even though they served in the Army, wore the uniform, and took the oath like every other soldier. They were told they were civilian contractors. It took 60 years and the help of AT&T and many people in political office, before Jimmy Carter finally gave these women the distinction they deserved. They received official honorable discharges and full veteran rights. Many, including Grace Banker, did not live to see this happen. These women, the first women soldiers, paved the way for the many female soldiers who have proudly served since the Great War.

So interesting......whenever I read books like this I wonder about all the lost stories we will never know about, where women stepped up.

Absolutely riveting account of what American women did on the front lines in France in WWI.

The Womens’ U.S.A. Signal Corp were courageous women in World War 1 that I knew nothing about! They were enlisted in the army at a time when women didn’t even vote. Yet they went through military training, gas mask training, and served very near the front lines in Europe. They were taught to shoot and defend themselves as they were so near the battle. Yet when the war ended the USA government said that they were not soldiers. So they had no benefits or service history. ATT phone company battled to get them justice for their service but it wasn’t until 1974 when Jimmy Carter gave them the medals and the credit they deserved. By that time many had died. I just want to say to these brave women who served well after the peace talks and everyone else got to go home… thank you for your service!! So resilient!!!

I loved everything about this book—a WW1 novel (we need more of these!) and a glimpse into the 1918-20 Spanish Flu Pandemic, but most of all, learning about the Switchboard Soldiers! These were incredible women who heroically worked the switchboards allowing phone calls to be connected that inevitably, significantly assisted in the Allies victory of WW1. Truly inspiring!

I went back and forth between 3 or 4 stars. I think the writing I will give a 3. But the concept/story a 4. I read a lot of WWI and WWII books and many stories are similar. But never have I read about the telephone operators and their role. These women were fierce and heroic and I enjoyed learning about their story and their importance. It is great to read more and more about the women during the war. The wars couldn’t have been won without them.

I have read many books about WW1. Switchboard Soldiers is the book that made the war become real for me. Perhaps ot is a connection I felt with these women because I worked as a switchboard operator during high school. Perhaps it is my deep connection with my great grandma, who lost her firstborn child on a battlefield in France and never knew where he was buried. At any rate, this is one of those books I will be pondering for a very long time.