Before reading this, I only knew “of” Vanessa Redgrave. I had seen a few of her films (Julia, Howard’s End), heard her narrate as Nurse Lee on TV’s Call the Midwife, and had read a few articles about her activism. I knew enough to sense that the only way I could understand her distinguished career and commitment was to read her own words. We’ve come to learn that opinionated and “aggressive” women are so often disparaged that the negative words become more used than any first-hand communication.

Redgrave balanced the book with mostly acting and her activism. There’s not too much about her family. She’s candid about all the challenges of being an actor: time, roles, aging, finances and the impact her outspokenness has had on her career. Her timeline, compassion and stories of her activism are inspiring and often rich with detail. The conflicts of which she wrote are now 30+ years in the rear view mirror, yet continue to influence conflict and positive relations around the globe. It’s a 4-star read.