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Womens history?

10 replies

SpinyNorman · 09/04/2009 16:14

I'm very interested in women's history, can anyone recommend a book with a good overall history of the Suffragettes and any other books about the womens movement? TIA

Also, am half way though Can Any Mother Help Me and am really enjoying it, so thanks to all of those that have recommended it so many times on here

OP posts:
littlebrownmouse · 09/04/2009 19:42

Singled Out by Virginia Nicholson is all about the women who missed out on husbands because of the first world war and is about how they reshaped thier lives accordingly. I really enjoyed it and thought it was really fascinating. I'm quite interested in 20th century history so it ws right up my street.

nkf · 10/04/2009 18:49

I second Singled Out too. And apparently that book about Virginia Woolf and her servants is interesting in showing how attitudes have changed.

TheCrackFox · 10/04/2009 18:56

I loved Singled Out. Sad and inspiring at the same time.

Can Any Mother Help Me. I'm off to Amazon for a browse.

littlebrownmouse · 10/04/2009 19:15

Must read Can Any Mother Help Me. Sounds fabulous.

TheCrackFox · 10/04/2009 19:27

I've just ordered it, can't wait.

subtlemouse · 10/04/2009 19:38

Try anything by Jill Liddington (The Long Road to Greenham, or One Hand tied Behinf Us, or Rebel Girls: their fight for the vote) or Sheila Rowbotham (Hidden from History, or The Past is Before us). Melanie Phillips (of the Mail) did a general history of suffrage, but I wouldn't recommend it.
June Purvis writes with great enthusiasm for the Pankhursts in various biiographies.Sandra Holton is excellent on various aspects of the movement.

Sorry, this list may be a bit academic, but I really would look out for Liddington/Rowbotham for the perspectives of women who were themselves activists.

Libra · 10/04/2009 19:49

Second all the authors mentioned by Subtle Mouse.

Would also recommend Vera Brittain, Testament of Youth, because there is a lot in there about women's fight for equality of education as well as the first world war.

Libra · 10/04/2009 19:50

And it is of course, primary rather than secondary material.

littlelamb · 10/04/2009 19:51

A bit later than the suffragettes, but Call the Midwife is really good too

KingRolo · 13/04/2009 17:41

'Can Any Mother Help Me?' is excellent. The secret magazine the women contributed to actually reminds me somewhat of Mumsnet!

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