Decoding the Devil

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By Sarah Valentine *07

Published Sept. 22, 2026

Decoding the Devil (HarperCollins Publishers) is the untold, true story of the Black women who made crucial contributions to decode Stalin’s atomic secrets during the height of the Cold War. Valentine describes the segregation and grueling hours endured by the women who made up the codebreaking unit. Although underappreciated, underpaid these women directly helped to seal victory over the USSR, even as their civil rights were being eroded on home soil. Valentine offers a new perspective on the Cold War, bringing to light the incredible story of the contributions of these heroic Black women. 

Paw in print

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PAW's October 2026 cover, featuring a photo of a loaf of challah bread and the headline "The Braids That Bind."
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