In the seven short years since she became Ireland s first woman president - until her retirement from office in 1997 - Mary Robinson transformed the image of Ireland for the world.

Until now, she has revealed little of her private self and view of office. The authors, with unprecedented access, can now paint the most revealing picture yet of the woman who became the voice and face of modern Ireland. Here is an exclusive behind-the-scenes view of the big events, such as the historic lunch with the Queen and the much-criticised handshake with Gerry Adams. Here, too, is the private pain she experienced in her public life - the hate mail, for example, when she fought to legalise contraception; and the male hostility to her in politics and at the Bar. Here, too, is the story behind her great achievements which will mark her out forever in the history of Ireland.