Reading's Influential Women

by Terry Dixon, Linda Saul (Illustrator)

A wide-ranging and fact-filled compendium of influential women, all with a connection to the Reading area. Some are well known international names, others deserve to be. They are pioneers, familiar faces, recognisable voices, unsung heroes, campaigners, world changers, socialists, celebrities, Olympic champions, writers, artists, and scientists.

This book features more than 60 individual Women who have a connection with Reading and have made a notable difference in the world. They include a fish scientist called ET, an air racer and one of Britain’s worst serial killers. Illustrated with a quirky mix of artistic styles, chosen to complement the individuals’ stories, this book will open your eyes to the parts women have played in our town’s life over centuries.

76 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, which is full of fascinating women, both contemporary and historical. The little snippets of their lie stories are written in an engaging way, and I have come away now wanting to read more about many of them, and have a list of books to hunt out from the public library! It's a really good range of diverse women (including one 'baddie' who locals will no doubt be able to guess!) and covers Reading and surrounding villages and towns. They are influential for a variety of reasons, some being involved in the arts, some in science, some in engineering or education or local business and government. I wasn't born in Reading, but I've lived here quite some time, and I always enjoy learning more about where I live. This was especially interesting because so often our history is dominated by male figures, so it was good to see the women who through years gone by, and still today, have made an impact.
There are small illustrations throughout, linked to the profiles, and it's a beautifully created little book. I have already talked about it to several friends who now also want to get a copy!

[Sandy Millin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick read, providing a really interesting insight into some of the important women, past and present, who have been connected to Reading in some way. I moved here 3 years ago, and I expect to stay for a long time, so learning more about the town’s history was interesting, as were some of the surprising women included in the book. It’s a small(ish!) town with pretty big clout!