Firsts: The Livewire Book of British Women Achievers

Firsts is a new edition of a book first published in 1989. Since then there have been many more firsts to add to the roll call of honour; the first woman Chief Constable, first female Head of M15 and first woman Director of Public Prosecution. More professional and sporting associations have admitted women and statutory changes are providing for greater equality for new parents. This interesting catalogue of achievement reveals the roles that women have played in history; the contributions to exploration, invention and discovery. Many of the women whose stories are touched on were, unsurprisingly, omitted from the textbooks and many played more than supporting roles to men whose achievements were more gloriously recorded. In spite of contemporary awareness of these issues, Firsts still manages to surprise, and succeeds in helping the reader to reassess and contexualise the 'progress' towards equality of opportunity. At times the rationale for selection of entries seems confused; genuine firsts are mixed with entries for women that the author deems 'most acclaimed', 'most successful' or 'most infamous'. A useful bibliography is provided for those who want to delve deeper.