Best known and loved by Australians as the Editor of The Australian Women's Weekly Ita Buttrose has also made a lasting contribution to many aspects of our lives and culture. In this optimistic, humorous and courageous autobiography, Ita traces her working career - from 15 year old cadet journalist, through editorships of the Weekly, Cleo and ITA magazines, to heading up the National Advisory Council on AIDS, working with World Vision and accepting broad-ranging public speaking engagements. Ita shares with us the insights and philosophical views she has developed through her rich and diverse experiences: she gives us glimpses into the inner workings of the Australia media, politics and the arts, as well as allowing us into the more personal aspects of her life as a working mother. A Passionate Life is the uniquely Australian perspective of a remarkable, influential and always passionate woman.