How the Girl Guides Won the War by Janie Hampton

Full of fond and funny anecdotes and rich social history, 'How the Guides Won the War' takes us on the journey of one of the twentieth century's most extraordinary movements. It is difficult to imagine what the war effort would have looked like without the Guides.

The embodiment of the Home Front spirit, they dug shelters, provided crucial First Aid, and also assisted the millions of children who were forced to flee their city homes to safer places in the country. They grew food on their company allotments and knitted for the entire country. They kept up morale in bomb shelters, demonstrating 'blitz cooking' with emergency ovens made from the bricks of bombed houses at the request of the Ministry of Food. When the Blitz broke out, the Guides knew what to do. In this eye-opening history, Janie Hampton explores how the Guides' work was crucial to Britain's victory. All too often regarded merely in terms of biscuit sales and sing-songs, hardly anybody is aware of the massive impact that the Guides had on gender equality and, more fundamentally, the outcome of the Second World War. Whatever their feelings, most former Guides retain strong memories of their experiences. They either loved them or hated them they were either proud to wear their uniform or refused to join. Providing a new slant on both the Guide movement, and World War II, Janie Hampton's remarkable book finally gives the Girl Guides the historical. Mention Girl Guides to any woman and the reaction will be strong. Told by the Guides themselves 'How the Girl Guides Won the War' is packed with rich social history, fond and funny anecdotes, surprising archives, and the lingering taste of smoky tea in a tin mug. A completely original history of one of the most extraordinary movements in the world - the Girl Guides - and how they helped win the war.

How the Girl Guides Won the War by Janie Hampton