Vida

Jacqueline Kent’s absorbing biography, is packed with illuminating historical detail from Goldstein’s life and times. An energetic teacher, an inspired writer and magazine publisher, and a devoted Christian Scientist, Goldstein turned down all suitors—including the dashing John Monash—and pursued her own path. Goldstein became an internationally celebrated feminist figure and a staunch ally of the suffragettes. She died four years after the end of WWII—a war that she, as a pacifist, saw coming in the mess of WWI. With her progressive socialist beliefs and armed with a calm inner strength, she is a visionary woman for our times—anyone trying to make sense of the misogyny directed at the Julia Gillard prime ministership, for example, would do well to read this book.

Julia Taylor, Bookseller + Publisher

I am a progressive politician

Vida Goldstein

Is Vida a woman for our time, as the title claims? I think Kent has proved that she is.

Kathy Gollan, Newtown Review of Books

Kent shows Goldstein as a pioneer who worked tirelessly for all her 80 years and lived a full and, for her time,, unusual life. Through exploring the details of Goldstein's background and the way she was perceived, Kent seeks to answer why we have not heard more about her. Kent has been thorough with her research, and the inclusion of pertinent correspondence and speeches highlight Goldstein's voice, which is warm and strong, with a striking contemporary feel. Kent draws learned and sometimes depressing parallels between then and now, and the text is punctuated with her funny asides and opinions about the situations Goldstein found herself in.

Louise Swinn, The Saturday Paper

Inspirational.

Australian Womens Weekly

This book is extraordinary not just because of the achievements of Vida Goldstein but that these occurred more than 100 years ago. Jacqueline Kent reminds the reader of how far the position of women in society has advanced, particularly their right to vote and to be treated equally, but at the same time highlights that many of the challenges faced by Vida all those years ago remain today.

Vittoria Bon, Sunday Herald Sun