Manmohini, a member of the family of Motilal Nehru, father of Jawaharlal Nehru and grandfather of Indira Gandhi, recalls her life, including her years in the anti-British campaign, her prison terms, her marriage and family, and her work in women's organizations and politics. Rich in detail, this memoir provides us with a more intimate rendering of the life of detainees than is generally available. It is also valuable for what it tells us about women in political roles. Most accounts assume that family prominence is sufficient to explain the place of women in politics. Manmohini's memoir, however, points to family culture and individuality as key factors in the making of a female leader in a patriarchal society.