Brodie's book covers more than just the 1906 Act and the experiences of the two world wars.It is a detailed elaboration of the provisions of the law since 1871 until 1945, and deals not only with collective bargaining, but also legal regulation of conditions of employment.Richard WhitingThe Irish Jurist, Vol 34Dec 2005Brodie's coverage of the period is much wider than simply an analysis of trade union law and industrial conflict.There is much more besides.Brodie's book sheds new light and provides a different perspective to a critical period in the development of British labour law.the way he approaches the subject and his willingness to challenge previous orthodoxies make this an important work. It should be read by anyone who has wondered why the shape of British labour law is so different in important aspects from that of other developed countries.Kenneth MillerThe Edinburgh Law Review, Vol 92005This is a timely and useful book.

confronts the formative history of our labour law with an honest determination. In educational terms, it is far more important that a labour law student should read this book than that he or she should know the latest tribunal decision on unfair dismissal.Lord WedderburnHistorical Studies in Industrial RelationsOctober 2004One important issue which attracts much academic interest is the question of the 'national character' of a labour law system its origins, strengths and weaknesses. Douglas Brodie's account of the historical foundations of British labour law is important for re-opening the debate about the nature and achievements of that system.Richard MitchellAustralian Journal of Labour LawDecember 2004.