Product Description

An analysis of oral histories, workers' journals, newspapers and official reports which presents a portrait of women munitions workers in Britain during World War I. The text demonstrates how working-class women were offered for the first time independence and a reliable income.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #721810 in Books
• Published on: 1994-05-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

Sometimes overly-academic, but a valuable work.
This book sprung from a Ph.D. thesis text, and as such, reads like one a bit too much. That said, it does flow nicely, and is packed with valuable information about a subject all-too overlooked in the story of WW1.

Munitions workers weren't just shell makers and fillers; they worked in metals, mining, leather, textiles - anything that was needed for the industry of war came under the term 'munitions'.

For an academic, the author does tend to make a few too many non-objective assertions; the phrase 'they must have been' creeps in time and again, when there's little evidence to suggest that the assertion has been based on reality. The author also seems to colour her text with feminist views, and sometimes this also casts doubt on her objectivity.

But, overall, the text does take its lead from accounts of those who worked in munitions at the time, and is heavily referenced. The footnotes are a little annoying, but it's hardly a cardinal sin.

Altogether, an invaluable text that students and lay readers will find a great addition to their bookshelves. Personally, I found it curiously difficult to put down!