Railwaywomen

Helena Wojtczak, Hastings Press, hardback, 384 pages, £30.00

Every now and again a truly memorable book on labour history is published, which really opens up a hidden vista to the world of work. Railwaywomen is just such a book. It is the first book written about the place of women workers in the history of Britain's railways - but it is much more than that.

For one thing, it is a firsthand account. Helena Wojtczak became the first woman guard on the railways in 1978, finishing in 1996 after a workplace injury.

However, it is far from being a book of reminiscences. It is a scrupulously documented and carefully researched work, containing the testimonies of other women pioneers. It also tackles issues such as the sexism, discrimination and harassment faced by women in the industry.

In short, it is an irreplaceable chronicle of railway history with great relevance to current issues in the industry. A fascinating read.