Railwaywomen: Exploitation, Betrayal and Triumph in the Workplace - Hardcover

Wojtczak, Helena

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1904109047 ISBN 13: 9781904109044

Publisher: Hastings Press, 2005

Synopsis

Unusual book

About this title

Review:

"A wonderfully complete picture of railwaywomen in war and peace." -- Gail Braybon, historian

"Meticulous archival research. Traces the trials, tribulations and triumphs of railwaywomen". -- Dr Gerry Holloway, Sussex University

"Such tales, such adventures and such achievements against the odds. Heroically researched, illuminatingly written and entertaining. I loved it." -- Dale Spender, educator and historian

"Superb documentary evidence. Future historians will see this work as the definitive history of women in the railway industry." -- Dr Gillian Reynolds, Coventry University

"The definitive guide to the place of women in the history of Britain’s railways." -- THE ARGUS

"Wojtczak has a rare talent which combines rigorous academic research with an immense gift
for storytelling." -- MICHAL BONCZA, THE MORNING STAR, 13 SEPT 2005

A well-written work in a style that never becomes dry, heavy or patronising. -- Steam World magazine

An unbiased, academically excellent and very entertaining work of history. Beautifully written from what has clearly been meticulous research. -- Adrian Vaughan

Wojtczak has a rare talent which combines rigorous academic research with an immense gift for storytelling. -- The Morning Star

Synopsis:

"Railwaywomen" is the first book ever written about the place of women workers in the history of Britain's railways. There have been several books on male labour on the railways, including those by Joby, McKenna, Bagwell, J.A.B. Hamilton and others, but for the most part they have ignored the women workers. Women have worked on Britain's railways since the industry began. From the 1830s they were employed to clean offices and within 20 years they were engaged in operational and workshop jobs. Among the earliest named women were a station mistress at Merry Lees (1832) and a level crossing keeper at Bexhill (1851). These women, and others in similar roles, open a book that takes us through the roller coaster of women's struggle for equality in one of Britain's most important and famous workforces, a book that is brought right up to date by including interviews and events as recent as July 2005. "Railwaywomen" is a landmark book, which has become, immediately upon publication, the standard reference work on the subject. The book takes its place in the canon of women's history, labour history and the story of trades unionism in Britain.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hastings Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1904109047
• ISBN 13: 9781904109044
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384