This is the story of an extraordinary woman - mother of 12, Premier's wife, Prime Minister's wife, a Dame, then a popular politician in her own right, Australia's first female cabinet minister, radio broadcaster, newspaper columnist, author of three books, ABC Commissioner. Born to a struggling but aspirational timber family in Tasmania, Enid was married at seventeen to a man aged twice her age. This was the Irish Catholic Joe Lyons, a State Treasurer and Education Minister who would become a popular PM by leaving the ALP to lead the conservatives! Enid Lyons regarded herself as feminist but was also conservative. She was a pacifist and a Fabian reformer underneath her conservative outlook on families and moral life. Enid could be strong on principle but also surprisingly tolerant. She had views on mothering that were ahead of their time. It is said woman can't have family and apolitical career, but Enid Lyons had it all, in spades. But this was at great personal cost. The story of Joe and Enid Lyons is full of dramatic extremes and through their intimate letters a passionate love story is revealed. Anne Henderson has also uncovered new information which indicates a long hidden family secret. There will be controversy over this - and much interest.