Their interest in the group of philosophers in this book sprang from a concern about their students: why were so many brilliant female fledgling philosophers leaving the discipline? Clare and Rachael began telling the story of Iris Murdoch, Mary Midgley, Philippa Foot and Elizabeth Anscombe to inspire the next generation.
They live in Newcastle, the city to which Mary Midgley moved in 1951. In the final few years of her life Clare and Rachael became good friends with Mary. When she died, aged 99, they were inspired to tell this story.