The first life of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch has been as the wife of Sir Keith Murdoch, and the mother of Rupert; her second life has been her public career working for the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Victorian Tapestry Workshop, and in the creation of her garden at Cruden Bay. Her 'fortunate and happy life' includes the stories and relationships of her family. Her four children add their accounts of life with their mother. Indexed.