It is 84 years since Humbert Wolf wrote the immortal lines:
"You canot hope to bribe or twist,
Thank God, the British journalist
But seeing what the man will do
unbribed, there's no occasion to."
So true then as the vast majority of United Kingdom journalists were male. Many newspapers had no women at all.
But things are very different today as Liz Hodgkinson's latest book "Ladies of the Street" reveals.
This fascinating and unique volume is packed with stories of the
"monstrous regiment of women" who have surged into editorial offices from Fleet Street to rural weekly papers over the past half century.
Some publications now have more women than men.
So every reader of "Ladies" is certain to see a familiar name from their national or local paper or magazine.
This is a highly readable book -- particularly ideal for any girl considering a career in newspapers. As Hodgkinson says:"It is the story of women who by ther courage, persistance and sheer talent have feminised and humanised national newspaper journalism".
By Stanley Blenkinsop, Daily Express
news editor 1969--86.
