THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT

An inspiring chronicle of the all-women, African American 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, which saved the U.S. mail system during World War II.

By 1945, mail delivery in Europe had stalled. Weary soldiers were becoming homesick. But “powerful people came up with a powerful plan” to put someone new on the job—the 6888th (referred to here as the Six Triple Eight). With the rallying cry “no mail, low morale,” these women cleared the enormous mail backlog, first in England and then in France. Overcoming challenges including racism and cold conditions, they redirected more than 17 million pieces of mail. While few remembered the women who were “the glue for service members,” with this admirable introduction to their significant contributions, Abari ensures that they will never be forgotten. She establishes a comprehensible timeline that covers huge swaths of information, including “Rosie the Riveter,” segregation, collaboration between civil rights activists and politicians, and more. The narrative occasionally feels a little bulky, and the book’s framing is somewhat bewildering. It opens by naming six members of the Six Triple Eight, but it doesn’t explicitly state why these particular women were chosen or the roles of all six. Thankfully the backmatter fills in those gaps with verve and clarity. Evans’ handsome, desaturated digital art evokes the period aesthetic of old-time war posters. Creamy backgrounds and angular, overlapping portraits create an appropriate tone of solemnity.

A worthy read that bears witness to the brave women of the Six Triple Eight.