Historian Barbara Walsh explores the lives and work of female religious communities in England and Wales during the 19th and first part of the 20th centuries. She explores the growth and distribution of the religious orders and congregations; the scope and scale of their work; the ensuing financial and recruitment demands; and the effect their work had on the surrounding communities. The book includes a few b&w maps and illustrations. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)