Why did working-class women become the central labour force on assembly lines in the new consumer goods' industries of the inter-war period? What was the long-term significance of this for the pattern of women's work, both in paid employment and in the home? Originally published in 1990, Women Assemble fills a major gap in the history of women and work, and develops a theory of women's class relations, and of course gender and class more generally, by means of an original case-study. Taken from a wide variety of sources, it uses a multidisciplinary approach and is brought to life by interviews with people who worked in assembly-line industries during the inter-war period. This extremely readable study is important to feminists, historians, and sociologists, as well as to all those concerned with issues of gender, class, and the labour process.

Women on the Line is a pioneering ethnographic classic of the world of work in a British motor components factory. Miriam Glucksmann (aka Ruth Cavendish), a well-known contributor to the study of gender, work and employment, is for the first time revealed as the author, along with the identity of the company, product and factory.

Recording the experience of migrant women from Ireland, the Caribbean, and the Indian subcontinent with the immediacy of a diary, this is a unique account from an observing participant of the daily routines of repetitive work, a strike led by women from below, and the temporalities of work, home, children and leisure. Glucksmann's vivid narrative of life on the assembly line is combined with an analysis of the intersections of gender, ethnicity and class that prefigures subsequent theoretical advances.

This edition contains a new introduction situating the book in contemporary debates and developments and includes original photographs taken on the shop floor at the time.

The primary concern of this book is to investigate whether or not structuralism constitutes a distinctive framework in the social sciences. The author focuses on two major structuralist thinkers, Louis Althusser and Claude Levi-Strauss. She analyses and compares the structure of their theory, and places them within the context of their respective disciplines. Dr Glucksmann began working on this book at a time when structuralism was at the height of its popularity in France, and was thought to be a homogenous alternative to bourgeois sociology. The progress of her study implicitly reflects the developments and divergences within structuralist thought that have emerged since then. In particular, she examines the differences between the political and philosophical thought of Althusser and Levi-Strauss, which have become increasingly manifest.

Women on the Line is a pioneering ethnographic classic of the world of work in a British motor components factory. Miriam Glucksmann (aka Ruth Cavendish), a well-known contributor to the study of gender, work and employment, is for the first time revealed as the author, along with the identity of the company, product and factory.

Recording the experience of migrant women from Ireland, the Caribbean, and the Indian subcontinent with the immediacy of a diary, this is a unique account from an observing participant of the daily routines of repetitive work, a strike led by women from below, and the temporalities of work, home, children and leisure. Glucksmann's vivid narrative of life on the assembly line is combined with an analysis of the intersections of gender, ethnicity and class that prefigures subsequent theoretical advances.

This edition contains a new introduction situating the book in contemporary debates and developments and includes original photographs taken on the shop floor at the time.

Cottons and Casuals explores the connections between women's work in different spheres since the 1930s: paid employment, at home, and in the community. Women's own testimony and an array of other source materials are used to develop new ways of looking at their changing patterns of living and working.

The book examines changes in the organisation and commodification of domestic production and consumption, the use of technology, housing, family structures, gender relations and inter-generational mother-daughter relations. Differing temporalities of work are highlighted, as are their far-reaching effects for the organisation of peoples' lives and life courses.

The significance of varying locations and spatial organisations of work for communities, streets, families and gender relations provides another important focus. In the process, Glucksmann addresses the nature of the research process, reflecting on her sources and her own work in the production of knowledge

Cottons and Casuals explores the connections between women's work in different spheres since the 1930s: paid employment, at home, and in the community. Women's own testimony and an array of other source materials are used to develop new ways of looking at their changing patterns of living and working. The book examines changes in the organisation and commodification of domestic production and consumption, the use of technology, housing, family structures, gender relations and inter-generational mother-daughter relations. Differing temporalities of work are highlighted, as are their far-reaching effects for the organisation of peoples' lives and life courses. The significance of varying locations and spatial organisations of work for communities, streets, families and gender relations provides another important focus. In the process, Glucksmann addresses the nature of the research process, reflecting on her sources and her own work in the production of knowledge

The primary concern of this book is to investigate whether or not structuralism constitutes a distinctive framework in the social sciences. The author focuses on two major structuralist thinkers, Louis Althusser and Claude Levi-Strauss. She analyses and compares the structure of their theory, and places them within the context of their respective disciplines. Dr Glucksmann began working on this book at a time when structuralism was at the height of its popularity in France, and was thought to be a homogenous alternative to bourgeois sociology. The progress of her study implicitly reflects the developments and divergences within structuralist thought that have emerged since then. In particular, she examines the differences between the political and philosophical thought of Althusser and Levi-Strauss, which have become increasingly manifest.

Consumers are not usually incorporated into the sociological concept of 'division of labour', but using the case of household recycling, this book shows why this foundational concept needs to be revised.

Consumers are not usually incorporated into the sociological concept of 'division of labour', but using the case of household recycling, this book shows why this foundational concept needs to be revised.