| About A fascinating insight into a daughter’s discovery of her mother’s secret life during World War II. Original letters and photographs from family and friends’ archives, including the Vatican War enquiry Dept., the Foreign Office, Bletchley Park and the National Archives. How was Daisy Lawrence chosen? Why she was chosen, and what did she do? Learn about her early life and meet the friends and colleagues who covertly worked to defeat the Axis Powers, while personal anxieties raged inside. Discover what happened to Daisy after the war, and the tumultuous consequences of carrying a noble but secret burden for most of her life. A rare combination of family and wartime experiences from London life to codebreaking, to conflict in the Far East and mental health. “What would it be like to keep a secret for fifty years? Never telling your parents, your children, or even your husband?” Codebreaker Girls: A Secret Life at Bletchley Park tells the true story of Daisy Lawrence. Following extensive research, the author uses snippets of information, unpublished photographs and her own recollections to describe scenes from her mother’s poor, but happy, upbringing in London, and the disruptions caused by the outbreak of the Second World War to a young woman in the prime of her life. The author asks why, and how, Daisy was chosen to work at the Government war station, as well as the clandestine operation she experienced with others, deep in the British countryside, during a time when the effects of the war were felt by everyone. In addition, the author examines her mother’s personal emotions and relationships as she searches for her young fiancée, who was missing in action overseas. The three years at Bletchley Park were Daisy’s university, but having closed the door in 1945 on her hidden role of national importance — dealing with Germany, Italy and Japan — this significant period in her life was camouflaged for decades in the filing cabinet of her mind. Now her story comes alive with descriptions, original letters, documents, newspaper cuttings and unique photographs, together with a rare and powerful account of what happened to her after the war. About the Author Jan Slimming is a publishing professional with a former career in London’s educational and international publishing industry before moving to America with her husband and young family. This is her first book. As Director of three companies, she has also chaired committees and fund-raising initiatives in aid of children’s education, before delving into historical research. Jan was six when she first heard of Bletchley Park, but it was decades later that she was compelled to research and write about this little-known part of her mother’s life. Jan is a member of the Atlanta Writers Club (Established 1914), and an active member of her community both in local events and WWII matters, with her twin sister, with whom she also writes. Jan has first-class qualifications from the Royal Society of Arts in English, Business and Publishing from Wimbledon College and the University of the Arts London (formerly London College of Printing and Graphic Arts). She lives in Atlanta with her husband and growing family. You can check out Jan’s debut publication here and it is also available on Amazon.com for USA pre-orders here To read reviews click here |
Member Jan Slimming has a new book out called Codebreaker Girls: A Secret Life at Bletchley Park. Foreword by Sir Dermot Turing
