The book outlines the backgrounds and circumstances of 40 women working as prostitutes in a city in northern England. The book is divided into nine chapters: (1) outline of research methodology, theories and procedures; (2) the women’s personal developmental backgrounds and motivating factors; (3) sociological and “business” aspects of prostitution in the city; (4) problems and coping strategies; (5) “criminality” of the prostitutes and their association with crime and drug use; (6) general profile of the men who pay for sex; (7) the role of the police; (8) prostitutes’ opinions about “alternate strategies” for their business; and (9) summary of the study’s main points. Tables, appendixes, bibliography, glossary, index