An exuberant group biography—"a splendidly various collection of 'brief lives' written with both gusto and sensitivity" (The Guardian)—that follows ten women in 1950s Britain whose pioneering lives paved the way for feminism and laid the foundation of modern women's success. In Her Brilliant Career, Rachel Cooke goes back in time to offer an entertaining and iconoclastic look at ten women in the 1950s—pioneers whose professional careers and complicated private lives helped to create the opportunities available to today's women. These plucky and ambitious individuals—among them a film director, a cook, an architect, an editor, an archaeologist, a race car driver—left the house, discovered the bliss of work, and ushered in the era of the working woman. Daring and independent, these remarkable unsung heroines—whose obscurity makes their accomplishments all the more astonishing and relevant—loved passionately, challenged men's control, made their own mistakes, and took life on their own terms, breaking new ground and offering inspiration. Their individual portraits gradually form a landscape of 1950s culture, and women's unique—and rapidly evolving—role. Before there could be a Danica Patrick, there had to be a Sheila van Damm; before there was Barbara Walters, there was Nancy Spain; before there was Kathryn Bigelow, came Muriel Box. The pioneers of Her Brilliant Career forever changed the fabric of culture, society, and the work force. This is the Fifties, retold: vivid, surprising and, most of all, modern. Her Brilliant Career is illustrated with more than 80 black-and-white photographs. Who were the women who defined an era before the world was ready for them? Pioneering Women: Meet the architect, race-car driver, archaeologist, and Queen’s Counsel who left the house, discovered the bliss of work, and defied the expectations of 1950s Britain. - A Feminist History: Discover how these women’s complicated private lives and professional ambitions challenged men’s control and laid the groundwork for modern feminism before the movement had a name. - Unsung Heroines: Uncover the astonishing and relevant stories of trailblazers like rally-driver Sheila van Damm and journalist Nancy Spain, whose obscurity makes their accomplishments even more inspiring. - Vivid Social History: Go back in time with more than 80 black-and-white photographs that form a compelling landscape of post-war culture and the rapidly evolving role of the working woman. “Cooke’s book provides a sparkling group of portraits that, taken together, cast the ‘50s in a new and modern light.” - Marilyn Dahl, Shelf Awareness “In a series of engaging, gossipy essays, filled with sharp observations, she examines the lives of 10 very different women…. It’s clever and amusing, a series of sketches that provide a revealing glimpse into the culture of 1950s Britain.” - Moira Hodgson, Wall Street Journal “Reveals the challenges, failures, triumphs and sex lives of those who came of age during World War II by defying society’s expectations…The men and women, loves and losses that shaped them are a fascinating reminder of how the choices we make both imprison and free us.” - Patty Rhule, USA Today “Both entertaining and touching…. It’s Cooke’s intention to “make people reconsider the ‘lost’ decade between the war and feminism” and to “pull the reader along” with these tales of “derring-do.” She succeeds on every count.” - Buzzy Jackson, Boston Globe “Lively…. Cooke offers up a “sly kind of feminism” with this collection of rule-breakers and role models…What shines through in these intimate stories is Cooke’s respect for her subjects’ shared attitude of ‘derring-do’.” - Washington Post “Shines a new light in an elegantly original way into the 1950s…. A very enjoyable and distinctive book.” - Kate Atkinson, author of Life After Life “Rachel Cooke’s Her Brilliant Career is that rare beast: a work of history as utterly enjoyable as it is important. The women profiled herein are fascinating, yes, and offer enormous insight into our lives today, but this splendid book’s power stems entirely from the author’s intimate, masterful voice, her way of shaping a story, her powerful analysis and far-reaching ideas. Cooke writes with a novelist’s authority, humor, and eye for detail―Kate Atkinson and Diane Johnson come to mind―and, in doing so, has crafted a history for the ages. Which, of course, you should read right now .” - Joanna Rakoff, author of My Salinger Year “Rachel Cooke’s Her Brilliant Career is that rare beast: a work of history as utterly enjoyable as it is important. Cooke writes with a novelist’s authority, humor, and eye for detail and, in doing so, has crafted a history for the ages.” - Joanna Rakoff, author of My Salinger Year “Cooke’s droll, pressing style is what binds the stories together; no sooner do we embark than we know we will not be disappointed, though every portrait is different, every life depicted complex and, at times, sta