A detailed exploration of the real lives of unmarried mothers in England through the past century. Argues that the 'permissive' sixties were largely a revolt against the secrecy and hypocrisy that went before. Although this led to greater public tolerance of family diversity, stigma and hardship persisted for many lone mothers and their children. Pat Thane and Tanya Evans have done a fine job in bringing together a huge range of research and synthesising it into a very readable volume.