Although I was never a Guide myself, the movement has meant - and continues to mean - much to many women and girls, both in the UK and globally. In addition, the fiction it inspired still has many fans.

No pressure(!), then, for the creators of this excellent book, which was published to mark the guiding centenary in 2010.

Well-researched and -written throughout, it's also very generously illustrated and produced on good-quality paper, with a very nicely appropriate retro feel to its design and layout.

The different books and their authors are thoroughly celebrated and complemented by a brief history of guiding and its founders, a glossary and shorter articles on various real-life aspects of guiding.

Very good indeed. ( )