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Unfettered and Alive
'I was born into a world that expected very little of women like me. We were meant to tread lightly on the earth, influencing events through our husbands and children, if at all. We were meant to fade into invisibility as we aged. I defied all of these expectations and so have millions of women like me.'
This is the compelling story of Anne Summers' extraordinary life. Her story has her traveling around the world as she moves from job to job, in newspapers and magazines, advising prime ministers, leading feminist debates, writing memorable and influential books. Anne has not been afraid to walk away from success and to satisfy her constant restlessness by charging down new and risky paths. Whatever position she has held, she has expanded what's possible and helped us see things differently-often at high personal cost.
Anne shares revealing stories about the famous and powerful people she has worked with or reported on and is refreshingly frank about her own anxieties and mistakes. She shares a heart-breaking story of family violence and tells of her ultimate reconciliation with the father who had rejected her. Unfettered and Alive is a provocative and inspiring memoir from someone who broke through so many boundaries to show what women can do.
'It's the story of a lot of things - Australian politics, feminism, journalism, international intrigue - but most of all it's the story of an utterly singular woman, who always says "Yes" to life even when it scares her. Her memory for the events, and her frankness about the fear, make this an extraordinary memoir.' - Annabel Crabb
'Exhilarating and what storytelling!' - Quentin Bryce
'The compelling memoir of a magnificent woman.' - David Marr
This is the compelling story of Anne Summers' extraordinary life. Her story has her traveling around the world as she moves from job to job, in newspapers and magazines, advising prime ministers, leading feminist debates, writing memorable and influential books. Anne has not been afraid to walk away from success and to satisfy her constant restlessness by charging down new and risky paths. Whatever position she has held, she has expanded what's possible and helped us see things differently-often at high personal cost.
Anne shares revealing stories about the famous and powerful people she has worked with or reported on and is refreshingly frank about her own anxieties and mistakes. She shares a heart-breaking story of family violence and tells of her ultimate reconciliation with the father who had rejected her. Unfettered and Alive is a provocative and inspiring memoir from someone who broke through so many boundaries to show what women can do.
'It's the story of a lot of things - Australian politics, feminism, journalism, international intrigue - but most of all it's the story of an utterly singular woman, who always says "Yes" to life even when it scares her. Her memory for the events, and her frankness about the fear, make this an extraordinary memoir.' - Annabel Crabb
'Exhilarating and what storytelling!' - Quentin Bryce
'The compelling memoir of a magnificent woman.' - David Marr
496 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2019
55 people are currently reading
492 people want to read
About the author
Anne Summers
25 books50 followersProfessional
Dr Anne Summers AO is a best-selling author, journalist and thought-leader with a long career in politics, the media, business and the non-government sector in Australia, Europe and the United States.
She is author of eight books, including the classic Damned Whores and God’s Police, first published in 1975. This bestseller was updated in 1994 and, again, in 2002 and stayed continuously in print until 2008. A new edition was published on International Women’s Day 2016.
Her previous books are The Misogyny Factor (2013), The Lost Mother: A Story of Art and Love (2009, 2010) and On Luck (2009), The End of Equality (2003), Ducks on the Pond (1999), Gamble for Power (1983) and Her-Story: Australian Women in Print (with Margaret Bettison – 1980). She writes a regular opinion column for the Sydney Morning Herald.
Anne was involved in the early 1970s, in helping start Elsie, Australia’s first women’s refuge and Refractory Girl, a women’s studies journal.
In 1975 she became a journalist, first on The National Times, then in 1979 was appointed Canberra bureau chief for the Australian Financial Review and then the paper’s North American editor.
She ran the federal Office of the Status of Women (now Office for Women) from 1983 to 1986 when Bob Hawke was Prime Minister and was an advisor, on women’s issues among other things, to Prime Minister Paul Keating for a year prior to the 1993 federal election.
In 1987 in New York she was editor-in-chief of Ms. – America’s landmark feminist magazine – and the following year, with business partner Sandra Yates bought Ms. and Sassy magazines in the second only women-led management buyout in US corporate history.
In November 2012 she began publishing Anne Summers Reports a lavish free digital magazine that promises to be ‘Sane Factual Relevant’ and which reports on politics, social issues, art, architecture and other subjects not covered adequately by the mainstream media.
In September 2013 Anne launched her series of Anne Summers Conversations events with former prime minister Julia Gillard in front of a packed Sydney Opera House.
Anne was chair of the board of Greenpeace International (2000-2006) and Deputy President of Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum (1999-2008).
In 1989 she was made an Officer in the Order of Australia for her services to journalism and to women. In 2011, along with three other women, Anne was honoured as an Australian Legend with her image placed on a postage stamp.
Anne was a leader of the generation and the movement that changed Australia for women. Her involvement in the women’s movement has earned her community respect. She has received Honorary Doctorates from Flinders University (1994), the University of New South Wales (2000), the University of South Australia (2014) and the University of Adelaide (2015).
Personal
Anne lives in Sydney with Chip Rolley, her partner of 27 years who is the editor of The Drum, the ABC’s opinion website.
Dr Anne Summers AO is a best-selling author, journalist and thought-leader with a long career in politics, the media, business and the non-government sector in Australia, Europe and the United States.
She is author of eight books, including the classic Damned Whores and God’s Police, first published in 1975. This bestseller was updated in 1994 and, again, in 2002 and stayed continuously in print until 2008. A new edition was published on International Women’s Day 2016.
Her previous books are The Misogyny Factor (2013), The Lost Mother: A Story of Art and Love (2009, 2010) and On Luck (2009), The End of Equality (2003), Ducks on the Pond (1999), Gamble for Power (1983) and Her-Story: Australian Women in Print (with Margaret Bettison – 1980). She writes a regular opinion column for the Sydney Morning Herald.
Anne was involved in the early 1970s, in helping start Elsie, Australia’s first women’s refuge and Refractory Girl, a women’s studies journal.
In 1975 she became a journalist, first on The National Times, then in 1979 was appointed Canberra bureau chief for the Australian Financial Review and then the paper’s North American editor.
She ran the federal Office of the Status of Women (now Office for Women) from 1983 to 1986 when Bob Hawke was Prime Minister and was an advisor, on women’s issues among other things, to Prime Minister Paul Keating for a year prior to the 1993 federal election.
In 1987 in New York she was editor-in-chief of Ms. – America’s landmark feminist magazine – and the following year, with business partner Sandra Yates bought Ms. and Sassy magazines in the second only women-led management buyout in US corporate history.
In November 2012 she began publishing Anne Summers Reports a lavish free digital magazine that promises to be ‘Sane Factual Relevant’ and which reports on politics, social issues, art, architecture and other subjects not covered adequately by the mainstream media.
In September 2013 Anne launched her series of Anne Summers Conversations events with former prime minister Julia Gillard in front of a packed Sydney Opera House.
Anne was chair of the board of Greenpeace International (2000-2006) and Deputy President of Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum (1999-2008).
In 1989 she was made an Officer in the Order of Australia for her services to journalism and to women. In 2011, along with three other women, Anne was honoured as an Australian Legend with her image placed on a postage stamp.
Anne was a leader of the generation and the movement that changed Australia for women. Her involvement in the women’s movement has earned her community respect. She has received Honorary Doctorates from Flinders University (1994), the University of New South Wales (2000), the University of South Australia (2014) and the University of Adelaide (2015).
Personal
Anne lives in Sydney with Chip Rolley, her partner of 27 years who is the editor of The Drum, the ABC’s opinion website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 17, 2019
A wonderful memoir!
November 15, 2018
Anne Summers documents who life from the age of 30 till now. Her achievements could make the basis of great novels, except they are true. Author, feminist, journalist, adviser to two Prime Ministers, editor, leader at Greenpeace. She has made great changes in the lives of women through her activism, obtaining changes in Government policy and producing articles, journals and books of great significance.
She has a way of understating her many achievements. In the middle of some description of one of her many challenges she would throw in she was the on the Board of this or advising this group or flying somewhere to present papers. One thing that impressed me was the way she constantly mentioned and recognised the various contributions and abilities of her bosses, coworkers, peers, mentors and supporters.
There is some personnel stuff in this book but this is more a memoir of the difficulties, achievements, setbacks and hope that make Anne Summers one special person.
She has a way of understating her many achievements. In the middle of some description of one of her many challenges she would throw in she was the on the Board of this or advising this group or flying somewhere to present papers. One thing that impressed me was the way she constantly mentioned and recognised the various contributions and abilities of her bosses, coworkers, peers, mentors and supporters.
There is some personnel stuff in this book but this is more a memoir of the difficulties, achievements, setbacks and hope that make Anne Summers one special person.
November 11, 2018
I'm surprised no reviews are on Goodreads already for this valuable book. Anne Summers is able to recount and reflect on her life from her twenties to her seventies with meaning for many readers. Several things stand out in her book: she's Australian, an inspiration for young Australians to show you can do anything if the spirit's willing. She's female, but held positions of significant authority and responsibility all over the world, often in male dominated areas. She's a leader, who's able to reach ordinary people, state her views and admit her strengths and weaknesses.
So I hope her memoirs are widely read.
They are easy to read and full of interest as we learn about her family relationships as well as her dealings with well known names. There's a sense of struggle at times, she had a variety of jobs, frequently needing to quickly learn new skills and tactics. She experiences personal clashes within the feminist movement, the business world, and with her father. Journalism was the original skill base, and that's a field where your work is so public by its very nature. I enjoyed this stimulating read very much.
So I hope her memoirs are widely read.
They are easy to read and full of interest as we learn about her family relationships as well as her dealings with well known names. There's a sense of struggle at times, she had a variety of jobs, frequently needing to quickly learn new skills and tactics. She experiences personal clashes within the feminist movement, the business world, and with her father. Journalism was the original skill base, and that's a field where your work is so public by its very nature. I enjoyed this stimulating read very much.
April 13, 2019
A very talented and hardworking woman with a mountain of achievements and good works. I’ve heard very interesting interviews with her, but this memoir felt like a string of facts with no narrative and I just couldn’t get into it.
February 10, 2019
I had high hopes for this book and was eager to feel a connection with the author, as there were many touchstones for me in her journey - temporal, locational and experiential. Disappointingly, I felt progressively distanced and uneasy. I’m still trying to work out why that might be. Perhaps it’s because it felt like an “account” rather than an insightful reflection. There were very many descriptions of events and interpersonal clashes when I couldn’t help but wonder whether there was a very different perspective to the author’s. Ordinarily, autobiographies give me a growing sense of what it would be like to spend time with the author and to “know” them. In this instance, I felt somehow dismissed and had a prickly sense that Summers was writing her memoir for herself, not her readers, but that her readers are a means to an end for her (that is to support her ambitions). I consider myself a “people person” and my own priorities are more about personal growth and the getting of wisdom than valuing power and status as measures of my success. Maybe this was where Summers and I diverged. Although it was interesting to appreciate the historical context of her journey and to realise that autobiographies are, by definition, biased, this was not a great read for me.
April 14, 2019
Opening with a letter to her 30 year old self, and spanning until she is now 70, Anne Summers outlines the roles and influence she has had in that time, her feminism and resilience to shape change and opinion and policy, and manages to spill much of her life out on these pages.
I feel like I have had an important Australian political history lesson, of what is essentially my lifetime. Anne has been part of several incredible teams and influential moments that have shaped the Australia of today for women.
Anne's time as a foreign correspondent piqued my interest the most, reading of her time in southern Africa in such a crucial period, and then Pakistan and some of the near miss encounters, were compelling reading.
Discovering the challenges as a woman in the Canberra Press Gallery, and also the years heading Ms. were new territory for me, and then remembering her Conversations series.
This felt like a review of times, and cathartic downloading of experiences, as Anne takes stock of these years, is proud of her achievements and her role is helping others excell.
Purchased after hearing her speak as part of the Feminist Writers Festival, I am richer in knowledge for the read.
I feel like I have had an important Australian political history lesson, of what is essentially my lifetime. Anne has been part of several incredible teams and influential moments that have shaped the Australia of today for women.
Anne's time as a foreign correspondent piqued my interest the most, reading of her time in southern Africa in such a crucial period, and then Pakistan and some of the near miss encounters, were compelling reading.
Discovering the challenges as a woman in the Canberra Press Gallery, and also the years heading Ms. were new territory for me, and then remembering her Conversations series.
This felt like a review of times, and cathartic downloading of experiences, as Anne takes stock of these years, is proud of her achievements and her role is helping others excell.
Purchased after hearing her speak as part of the Feminist Writers Festival, I am richer in knowledge for the read.
February 22, 2019
An admirably candid memoir, which gives an insiders view of the Femocrat Revolution. Summers work - from her early activism to around designing Australia's rebate-based childcare system, and the harder to quantify incremental culture change, have been fundamental to the society we now live in, so I must admit to being a little disappointed that the book didn't have as much wide-scale analysis as I was expecting.
Instead, we get a great deal of fascinating reminiscing, about events from Ms. Reinvention, working for Keating and then Good Weekend. I was surprised by realising how much influence GW had had on me in my 20s - possibly more of my generation than Summers realises. She speaks, for example, of a "weird" article she commissioned on sexual assault in virtual realities. I remember this distinctly, as it was the first time I saw the issues my friends and I were dealing with - online misogyny we would call it now - dealt with in a mainstream forum. It was extremely exciting, and validating, as was much of GW's focus on innovation and changing culture.
Overall a diverting read, if perhaps not all I wanted it to be.
Instead, we get a great deal of fascinating reminiscing, about events from Ms. Reinvention, working for Keating and then Good Weekend. I was surprised by realising how much influence GW had had on me in my 20s - possibly more of my generation than Summers realises. She speaks, for example, of a "weird" article she commissioned on sexual assault in virtual realities. I remember this distinctly, as it was the first time I saw the issues my friends and I were dealing with - online misogyny we would call it now - dealt with in a mainstream forum. It was extremely exciting, and validating, as was much of GW's focus on innovation and changing culture.
Overall a diverting read, if perhaps not all I wanted it to be.
January 27, 2019
Anne Summers first book Damned Whores and God’s Police was a revelation and and inspiration to me in 1975 when I was 20 and the feminist movement in Australia was just beginning. I’ve always felt a bond with her and was surprised when reading her latest book, that in some ways what she wanted from her life was very similar to what I wanted. In those early days, to not be encumbered by children and pursuing a meaningful career went against everything we had been brought up to believe was a woman’s role. It was heartening to know that I was not alone when labeled ‘selfish’ by my mother for not wanting children and becoming a housewife who was defined by my husband.
I have followed her career if not closely, with admiration at her indefatigable striving on behalf of women and her courage in the face of sometimes blatant hostility, misogyny and outright slander. Unfettered and Alive filled in for me what for her has been an interesting, rewarding and trail blazing life. Anne Summers is still striving and still an inspiration.
I have followed her career if not closely, with admiration at her indefatigable striving on behalf of women and her courage in the face of sometimes blatant hostility, misogyny and outright slander. Unfettered and Alive filled in for me what for her has been an interesting, rewarding and trail blazing life. Anne Summers is still striving and still an inspiration.
April 14, 2019
It’s a pity I can’t award six stars! Without doubt this is one of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read. At time it was like reading a thriller. I didn’t want it to end.
Dr Anne Summers is a great storyteller. Her life is a fascinating story of a varied and successful career, entrepreneurship, feminism and the barriers placed in front of her and all women. But it’s much more than that. Anyone who has ever been told “you can’t do that” or “you wouldn’t be able to do that” should read this book. “Inspirational” is an over used term but this book deserves it.
Great insights into the times in which she lived/lives and the barriers that women face. Alarming details and analysis of the push back against women and of the the strength of those forces that oppose change. Dr Anne Summers refused to submit and her story should inspire others to do similar.
A fascinating family story too, with some echoes of “The Road from Coorain” by Jill Ker Conway for me anyway.
I highly recommend this book. Enjoy
Dr Anne Summers is a great storyteller. Her life is a fascinating story of a varied and successful career, entrepreneurship, feminism and the barriers placed in front of her and all women. But it’s much more than that. Anyone who has ever been told “you can’t do that” or “you wouldn’t be able to do that” should read this book. “Inspirational” is an over used term but this book deserves it.
Great insights into the times in which she lived/lives and the barriers that women face. Alarming details and analysis of the push back against women and of the the strength of those forces that oppose change. Dr Anne Summers refused to submit and her story should inspire others to do similar.
A fascinating family story too, with some echoes of “The Road from Coorain” by Jill Ker Conway for me anyway.
I highly recommend this book. Enjoy
January 11, 2019
More than any other book from the 1970s feminist era, Anne Summers’ Damned Whores and God’s Police, most resonates with me. It was one of those “this changed me” [or at least confirmed the path I was on] books.
I have been aware of Ms Summers for decades and have read other works (the one I like most is The Lost Mother, which as she says, is constructed more like a detective novel than non-fiction).
This is an important book which adds to the history of the period from 1979 to the present. Much of it is Australian political history as Ms Summers worked in 1980s Canberra as a “femocrat” (I laughed remembering that term, redolent of the Big Shoulder Pads and Big Hair era) in the Hawke administration, and in the early 1990s with Paul Keating.
The sections I found most engaging, however, were her early work as a journalist in the Canberra press gallery, and the “notorious” stint as co-owner and editor of Ms magazine in New York. The latter is fascinating and there are titillating insights into various feuds between the Grand Dames of Feminism, most notably Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan, and Steinem and Summers.
I learned from this book that Steinem wrote scathingly about Summers’ stint at the helm of Ms. Summers puts her on defence at some length. In fact that is not the only time she she has taken the opportunity to prosecute her case: the other was during her editorship of the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Weekend magzine. It caused quite a ruckus in journalistic circles, though was probably all a bit arcane for the average reader.
I was interested in the period Summers spent on the Board (7 yrs) and as Chair (6 of those years) of Greenpeace International, and some of the most recent work she has done publishing/editing an online magzine and hosting converstaions with people like Julia Gillard, Adam Goodes and others.
Sunmers was brought up in a very conservative Catholic family, where expectations for girls were limited to marriage and child-raising. She seems to have resulted in a lack of self-confidence at various times. In fact this may be the reason for the one reservation I have about the book: trying a bit TOO hard to convince the reader of her worth.
The modern use of the word “hagiography” is a biography which presents someone with indue recerence (from the religious meaning of writig about saints). Sometimes this feels a bit like an autohahiography. Summers does acknowledge others’ work, but will
Always step forward and claim credit! No false modesty here. And indeed why should there be ? Hasn’t feminism taught is that we are entitled to claim credit?
Here is one other minor irritation. On about 5 occasions (one is a photo caption) she use “Person X and I ...” incorrectly - when it should be “Person X and me...” . I know common usage is changing but I am yet to embrace it. It is an understandble slip when writing, but really good editing should pick it up, and so I think Summers had been failed a mite by her editors. I think that says something about the state of book publishing! I’d like better from Allen & Unwin.
I have been aware of Ms Summers for decades and have read other works (the one I like most is The Lost Mother, which as she says, is constructed more like a detective novel than non-fiction).
This is an important book which adds to the history of the period from 1979 to the present. Much of it is Australian political history as Ms Summers worked in 1980s Canberra as a “femocrat” (I laughed remembering that term, redolent of the Big Shoulder Pads and Big Hair era) in the Hawke administration, and in the early 1990s with Paul Keating.
The sections I found most engaging, however, were her early work as a journalist in the Canberra press gallery, and the “notorious” stint as co-owner and editor of Ms magazine in New York. The latter is fascinating and there are titillating insights into various feuds between the Grand Dames of Feminism, most notably Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan, and Steinem and Summers.
I learned from this book that Steinem wrote scathingly about Summers’ stint at the helm of Ms. Summers puts her on defence at some length. In fact that is not the only time she she has taken the opportunity to prosecute her case: the other was during her editorship of the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Weekend magzine. It caused quite a ruckus in journalistic circles, though was probably all a bit arcane for the average reader.
I was interested in the period Summers spent on the Board (7 yrs) and as Chair (6 of those years) of Greenpeace International, and some of the most recent work she has done publishing/editing an online magzine and hosting converstaions with people like Julia Gillard, Adam Goodes and others.
Sunmers was brought up in a very conservative Catholic family, where expectations for girls were limited to marriage and child-raising. She seems to have resulted in a lack of self-confidence at various times. In fact this may be the reason for the one reservation I have about the book: trying a bit TOO hard to convince the reader of her worth.
The modern use of the word “hagiography” is a biography which presents someone with indue recerence (from the religious meaning of writig about saints). Sometimes this feels a bit like an autohahiography. Summers does acknowledge others’ work, but will
Always step forward and claim credit! No false modesty here. And indeed why should there be ? Hasn’t feminism taught is that we are entitled to claim credit?
Here is one other minor irritation. On about 5 occasions (one is a photo caption) she use “Person X and I ...” incorrectly - when it should be “Person X and me...” . I know common usage is changing but I am yet to embrace it. It is an understandble slip when writing, but really good editing should pick it up, and so I think Summers had been failed a mite by her editors. I think that says something about the state of book publishing! I’d like better from Allen & Unwin.
January 25, 2019
Always a bit unsure about picking up a memoir, but this one is a cracker. It’s filled with fascinating insights into the media, politics and Greenpeace along with a stat-backed story of women’s continuing struggle for equality in Australia. Behind it all is the story of Summer’s quest to be. Thoroughly recommend this book and will always remember it as the book that taught me (aged 49) why so many American men are called Chip.
December 12, 2018
Anne Summers tells incredibly compelling stories and she’s lived such a full and fascinating life, there are plenty of stories to tell. So I was very excited to see a copy of her latest memoir (it’s not her first) show up in my mailbox a few months ago.
I soon learned that this is a book that needs to be read slowly. I usually finish a book in a few days, maybe a week. I’ve been chipping away at this one for about 6 weeks in between other (slightly lighter) reads. It’s incredible and it’s important but there’s so much to get your head around as a reader, you need time to absorb and process each chunk.
Over 444 pages of writing on a wide range of topics it was this arc that struck me most. If you’ve been asking yourself: What went wrong for women in Australia? How did women gain so much – quality, subsidised childcare, the right to continue working after marriage and not be discriminated against in the workforce, equal pay – only to watch the gender pay gap actually increase in recent decades? Summers, being so close to the political centre of power, and with a focus on women’s policy, offers some keen insights.
Read my full review over at Story Addict.
I soon learned that this is a book that needs to be read slowly. I usually finish a book in a few days, maybe a week. I’ve been chipping away at this one for about 6 weeks in between other (slightly lighter) reads. It’s incredible and it’s important but there’s so much to get your head around as a reader, you need time to absorb and process each chunk.
Over 444 pages of writing on a wide range of topics it was this arc that struck me most. If you’ve been asking yourself: What went wrong for women in Australia? How did women gain so much – quality, subsidised childcare, the right to continue working after marriage and not be discriminated against in the workforce, equal pay – only to watch the gender pay gap actually increase in recent decades? Summers, being so close to the political centre of power, and with a focus on women’s policy, offers some keen insights.
Read my full review over at Story Addict.
December 26, 2018
I so much enjoyed reading this book. Anne has been so much part of Australia’s social and political life over the past decades it was like having a ringside seat to events that have shaped our country. Particularly the earlier phases of her career I found illuminating as I was watching those events at the time from the sidelines as a University student at ANU. And of course there are so many other phases of her career which are also fascinating. She is often quite tough on herself which makes the story seem more accessible- she isn’t so perfect that none of us could aspire to emulate her even a little. This is In comparison to some autobiographies of her male contemporaries who seem to always be perfect. So what will Anne do next? We await with interest.
April 21, 2019
A summary of Australian politics and women’s place in it in the 80s/90s (mostly). We have so much to thank Anne for: accessible childcare, culture shift on violence against women and encouragement to stand up, be bold and work with the fear of not being up to the challenge - by getting the job done.
May 30, 2023
I have followed Anne Summers since the Gillard years, with great interest and respect. Unfettered and Alive was an enormous book, though, and so full of names and places that it did take several weeks to read. I'm not sure I needed all the detail but perhaps this is churlish of me; the detail was there for the taking (or skimming, as the case may be).
Anne's career has been long and very full and I do wonder if the diversity of her achievements would be possible if she were starting out today. She is clearly a very smart and capable person and her self efficacy is quite unusual for a woman of her generation: one without family connections and/or money. To have produced this book AS must have kept detailed diaries over the years but I don't recall her saying so in the text. What did come across was her capacity for jumping in 'boots 'n all' and taking on a job that needed doing. There was something mechanical about all of this; there was mention of uncertainty at the start of some of her ventures, but otherwise vulnerability was light on the ground. A little more might have made her a little more likeable, but perhaps to be likeable is not something she needs. Better that the rest of us admire her from afar.
This book is admirable on so many levels (the least of which is the author's attention to accuracy) ... but I have rated it by how much I enjoyed it.
Anne's career has been long and very full and I do wonder if the diversity of her achievements would be possible if she were starting out today. She is clearly a very smart and capable person and her self efficacy is quite unusual for a woman of her generation: one without family connections and/or money. To have produced this book AS must have kept detailed diaries over the years but I don't recall her saying so in the text. What did come across was her capacity for jumping in 'boots 'n all' and taking on a job that needed doing. There was something mechanical about all of this; there was mention of uncertainty at the start of some of her ventures, but otherwise vulnerability was light on the ground. A little more might have made her a little more likeable, but perhaps to be likeable is not something she needs. Better that the rest of us admire her from afar.
This book is admirable on so many levels (the least of which is the author's attention to accuracy) ... but I have rated it by how much I enjoyed it.
October 22, 2023
I loved this book. Thank you Tandee for getting it for me for my 21st. I only understand now what a perfect gift it was.
- At the beginning I was underlining so much I could barely get through it. The amount of references and things I learnt about topics I find interesting was off the charts. Anne really bumped up against all this fascinating history.
- She really is a great writer.
- This book was inspiring to me.
- I like that she's also a cool person, with a love of music and art and fashion. The title comes from Joni Mitchell lyrics
- the very beginning where she was talking about having role models that aren't married really struck a chord
- she also made mistakes, like rejecting a job from self doubt
- If you're intimidated by its length, you should know that the twelve chapters could each work independently so just read the first few and see how you go
- the book is remarkably open, you never get the feeling you are being sold a story which really jolts me out of memoirs sometimes. You always feel this is what she really thinks.
- I read this book inspired also by Shorty and was really spurred on my discussing it with him
- At the beginning I was underlining so much I could barely get through it. The amount of references and things I learnt about topics I find interesting was off the charts. Anne really bumped up against all this fascinating history.
- She really is a great writer.
- This book was inspiring to me.
- I like that she's also a cool person, with a love of music and art and fashion. The title comes from Joni Mitchell lyrics
- the very beginning where she was talking about having role models that aren't married really struck a chord
- she also made mistakes, like rejecting a job from self doubt
- If you're intimidated by its length, you should know that the twelve chapters could each work independently so just read the first few and see how you go
- the book is remarkably open, you never get the feeling you are being sold a story which really jolts me out of memoirs sometimes. You always feel this is what she really thinks.
- I read this book inspired also by Shorty and was really spurred on my discussing it with him
January 15, 2021
Just finished this 500+ page tome of a memoir.
I started reading a friend's copy at a picnic, and immediately bought myself a copy.
Not just a memoir of a singular woman in Australian history, but also an extraordinarily detailed snapshot of the noughties and two thousands Australia.
Summers is brash, and almost American in her self-belief and willingness to applaud her own success, but this is a woman who has taken life by the balls, and has lived a life that was well-worth reading about.
From her delicious (and still very alive) feud with Gloria Steinhem, her extraordinary early career as an investigative reporter, or her account of helming Greenpeace, hers is a life that defied and reset expectations, and her account of that life is unapologetic and honest.
'I was born into a world that expected very little of women like me. We were meant to tread lightly on the earth, influencing events through our husbands and children, if at all. We were meant to fade into invisibility as we aged. I defied all of these expectations and so have millions of women like me.'
I started reading a friend's copy at a picnic, and immediately bought myself a copy.
Not just a memoir of a singular woman in Australian history, but also an extraordinarily detailed snapshot of the noughties and two thousands Australia.
Summers is brash, and almost American in her self-belief and willingness to applaud her own success, but this is a woman who has taken life by the balls, and has lived a life that was well-worth reading about.
From her delicious (and still very alive) feud with Gloria Steinhem, her extraordinary early career as an investigative reporter, or her account of helming Greenpeace, hers is a life that defied and reset expectations, and her account of that life is unapologetic and honest.
'I was born into a world that expected very little of women like me. We were meant to tread lightly on the earth, influencing events through our husbands and children, if at all. We were meant to fade into invisibility as we aged. I defied all of these expectations and so have millions of women like me.'
April 1, 2019
The second memoir by Anne Summers, starting in her 30s (her earlier life was chronicled in her first memoir). In her exciting life Anne has been a journalist, a senior public servant, government advisor, magazine editor, magazine publisher and writer. She has carried out these roles in Sydney, Canberra and New York. Autobiography is by its very nature somewhat self-justifying. However Anne takes us through the exciting times, the high and lows as well as the implementation of that particularly Australian phenomenon “tall poppy syndrome”.
I was tempted to give up as the book was heavy (I borrowed the hard back from my local library), but I couldn’t. Nor could I skim it. A great read.
I was tempted to give up as the book was heavy (I borrowed the hard back from my local library), but I couldn’t. Nor could I skim it. A great read.
June 3, 2019
This was my first Anne Summers, I’m a little embarrassed to admit. I found it a bit of work at the beginning as there’s some assumed knowledge going in. Once I did get into it, I absolutely became inspired to read more of her work. Anne Summer’s has had an amazing life and it gives hope to others of us who like to fly by the seat of our pants.
The story is a timely reminder, especially after the last election, that hard fought for rights can easily be taken away and feminism/equality is far from ‘solved’.
The structured story fell apart in the final chapters and was a bit defensive in tone but I hope this book gets a wide readership, particularly with young Australians.
The story is a timely reminder, especially after the last election, that hard fought for rights can easily be taken away and feminism/equality is far from ‘solved’.
The structured story fell apart in the final chapters and was a bit defensive in tone but I hope this book gets a wide readership, particularly with young Australians.
May 30, 2019
A fascinating look at the long and distinguished career of a woman who has been a strong voice for women's rights for forty years, as well as having written books, made her mark in the fields of journalism, politics, magazines and international environmental causes. Her Human Rights & Social Justice lecture, given in 2012 on the political persecution of Julia Gillard, Australia's first female prime minister, which she discusses in the book and can be read & seen on her website, is just one example of her extraordinary ability to capture topical issues and influence current thinking.
September 3, 2019
Wow! What a woman!
Anne Summers has led an extraordinary life. A life that could not be achieved if she had have had children. While she mentions in her book of the many negative comments regarding this, one thinks, as a mother, if she had a mother who decided against having children, Anne would not have been around to do what she did.
It is a very long book and, at times, a bit tedious so I skipped a few paragraphs that really didn’t interest me. Nevertheless, we can attribute Summers for exposing us to the inequalities of the sexes
Anne Summers has led an extraordinary life. A life that could not be achieved if she had have had children. While she mentions in her book of the many negative comments regarding this, one thinks, as a mother, if she had a mother who decided against having children, Anne would not have been around to do what she did.
It is a very long book and, at times, a bit tedious so I skipped a few paragraphs that really didn’t interest me. Nevertheless, we can attribute Summers for exposing us to the inequalities of the sexes
April 24, 2019
Anne Summers tenacity to challenge the norm, to exceed any expectations of her and women more generally, to make mistakes and move onwards and upwards even more strongly are inspirational.
This is a must read for women working hard to bring leadership in the community and workplace, particularly when they may have had some setbacks along their journey.
My takeaway is persistence and courage prevail.
Thanks for this powerful memoir Anne.
This is a must read for women working hard to bring leadership in the community and workplace, particularly when they may have had some setbacks along their journey.
My takeaway is persistence and courage prevail.
Thanks for this powerful memoir Anne.
May 5, 2019
I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much I did. Obviously aware of Anne summers as a feminist commentator , I knew nothing of her life or career. I particularly enjoyed the early parts of this book documenting her time as a journalist and the PM’s office in the 70s and 80s. Seriously the then opposition leader Bill hayden starts a press conference with a rape joke??!! This and other insights into the people she has worked with and come into contact is a highlight. A great read!
December 29, 2019
This was a very interesting and detailed way of learning more about Australia’s more recent history (1975-2016ish) through one woman’s eyes, with a focus on feminism, the media, labour politics, and Australia’s place internationally. There’s just a LOT of detail, and told in a way that didn’t grip me - it was interesting while I was reading it but not compelling to want to get through it in a flash.
January 30, 2019
Brilliant! What an amazing life and career Anne Summers has had. This book reminded me how fortunate I was to have been born in the 70s, able to benefit from so many of the changes and reforms that women like Anne were behind.
July 25, 2019
Love this book. Anne Summers is open honest and intelligent, her book, like her life, is a significant contribution to Australian life and the role of women in our society. In addition it's well written and informative. Highly recommended
November 9, 2023
What a wild ride… Anne summers takes us with her through the high highs and low lows of her personal and professional life. It’s a must read for anyone interested in the pathways of an influential feminist who has made a huge impact on the lives of women here in Australia and beyond our shores.
February 5, 2019
I loved this book. Summers' writing is naturally superb and it makes the incredible story of her life and career shine even brighter. Full review on my instagram (@bibliomoons).
February 17, 2019
Simply amazing - I feel so proud of Anne and all that she’s achieved in her life thus far. Prepare to feel inadequate!! Highly recommend.
May 7, 2019
Summers is such a high achiever. It's interesting read of the ambitions and challenges she addressed.
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