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Fighting on the Home Front

The Legacy of Women in World War One

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About this listen

Best-selling author and award-winning former BBC Chief News Correspondent Kate Adie reveals the ways in which women's lives changed during World War One and what the impact has been for women in its centenary year.

In 1914 the world changed forever. When World War One broke out and a generation of men went off to fight, best-selling author and From Our Own Correspondent presenter Kate Adie shows how women emerged from the shadows of their domestic lives.

Now a visible force in public life, they began to take up essential roles - from transport to policing, munitions to sport, entertainment, even politics. They had finally become citizens, a recognised part of the war machine, acquiring their own rights and often independent incomes.

The former BBC Chief News Correspondent charts the seismic move towards equal rights with men that began a century ago and through unique firsthand research shows just how momentous the achievements of those pioneering women were.

This is history at its best - a vivid, compelling account of the women who helped win the war as well as a revealing assessment of their legacy for women's lives today.

©2013 Kate Adie (P)2014 Isis Publishing Gender Studies Military Social Sciences War

Critic reviews

"History at its most celebratory." (Daily Telegraph)

"Adie uses her journalistic eye for personal stories and natural compassion to create a book definitely worthy of her heroines." (Big Issue)

"Fascinating, very readable...provides a complete wartime women's history." (Discover Your History)
All stars
Most relevant
A very informative and heartfelt story of the women of WW1. I really enjoyed this book and the narration by Kate Adie is perfect.

It has left me looking at life differently and with a greater sense of gratitude for the world we live in now. It doesn't contain what I know as 'woke' or indulgent western feminism, but instead illustrates the genuine hardships that women faced and the achievements of the many that overcame them.

Brilliant

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Great book and very interesting. Was totally gobsmacked when she mentioned one of my relatives in the book...I had no idea!

Great from Adie

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This is a serious , intelligent and considered account of how women worked to win both the first and second 'world wars'

Intelligent and percetiive.

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First half a little disjointed, latter half of content more cohesive and Chronological. Interesting in many parts

Tip of ice berg

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