How a Century of War Changed the Lives of Women (Counterfire)

How a Century of War Changed the Lives of Women looks at the remarkable impact of war on women in Britain. It shows how conflict has changed women’s lives and how those changes have put women at the centre of peace campaigning. Lindsey German, one of the UK's leading anti-war activists and commentators, shows how women have played a central role in anti-war and peace movements, including the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The women themselves talk about how they overcame prejudice and difficulty to become active. The book integrates this experience with a historical overview, analysing the two world wars as catalysts of social change for women. It looks at how the changing nature of war, especially the involvement of civilians, increasingly involves significant numbers of women. As well as providing an inspiring account of women's opposition to war, the book also tackles key contemporary developments, challenging negative assumptions about Muslim women and showing how anti-war movements are feeding into a broader desire to change society. How a Century of War Changed the Lives of Women looks at the remarkable impact of war on women in Britain. It shows how conflict has changed women's lives and how those changes have put women at the centre of peace campaigning. Lindsey German, one of the UK's leading anti-war activists and commentators, shows how women have played a central role in anti-war and peace movements, including the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The women themselves talk about how they overcame prejudice and difficulty to become valued members of the struggle. The book integrates this experience with a historical overview, analysing the two world wars as catalysts of social change for women. It looks at how the changing nature of war, especially the involvement of civilians, increasingly involves significant numbers of women. As well as providing an inspiring account of women's opposition to war, the book also turns a critical eye to contemporary developments, challenging negative assumptions about Muslim women and showing how anti-war movements are feeding into a broader desire to change society. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 7 Introduction......Page 10 1. Women and the Great War......Page 19 2. The Home Front, 1939-45......Page 50 3. In the Shadow of the Bomb......Page 83 4. Vietnam and the Liberation Decade......Page 103 5. From Greenham to the Gulf......Page 122 6. A Mass Movement is Born......Page 144 7. War, Liberation and Muslim Women......Page 177 8. Changed: War and Women's Consciousness......Page 206 9. Conclusion......Page 232 Notes......Page 243 Suggested Reading......Page 262 Index......Page 267 Intro -- Title page -- Copyright page -- Contents -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- 1 Women and the Great War -- 2 The Home Front, 1939-45 -- 3 In the Shadow of the Bomb -- 4 Vietnam and the Liberation Decade -- 5 From Greenham to the Gulf -- 6 A Mass Movement is Born -- 7 War, Liberation and Muslim Women -- 8 Changes: War and Women's Consciousness -- 9 Conclusion -- Notes -- Suggested Reading -- Index Women And The Great War -- The Home Front, 1939-45 -- In The Shadow Of The Bomb -- Vietnam And The Liberation Decade -- From Greenham To The Gulf -- A Mass Movement Is Born -- War, Liberation And Muslim Women -- Changes: War And Women's Consciousness. Lindsey German. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 234-252) And Index. An inspiring history of women's involvement in anti-war activism and the impact of war on women's position in society. Published to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the anti-Iraq war protest, the biggest protest in British history