The Tamworth writer a doctor of philosophy, historian and researcher has written a story of Windsor from the cradle, a compelling saga of the personal, political, professional and private.

It hit bookshelves in Tamworth on Tuesday, the first of two books due this year about the former Werris Creek farmer turned federal powerbroker.

This one, Tony Windsor: The Biography, has about 90,000 words in its 336 pages.

"I'm pleased with it," Rae said this week, at home in Tamworth, comfortable and quietly confident but obviously apprehensive about a book that details the life of a man who galvanised so much emotion, passion and, in many instances, vitriol and venom three years ago.

"I think people will be enlightened and perhaps surprised; it's a book of his life, not all about politics but one influences the other," she said.

Rae said the politics was the catalyst for the book but the story, or hers at least, always starts with the family.

Windsor was a fascinating study. She'd never met him before; had heard about him, sure, but had never been introduced to him.

All she knew was what she heard. The common theme was, "He's a good bloke, everyone said that", but she remembers becoming interested in his political stand in the '91 election. He was supporting capital punishment. She thought, "Yeah, that's surprising" and didn't think much more about it for 20 years. Then he supported the Gillard Labor government in the hung parliament of 2010. Rae thought "That's fascinating" and then came the same-sex marriage stance. She was interested.

She couldn't find a biography but then rang his office. Windsor gave her a call and a week later she met him.

That was the start of this.

Rae started her story sojourn in February 2013 but when Windsor pulled the pin on politics in July she was on the literary fast-track. There was a publisher and their deadline. It changed the speed and direction of the book.

She's been to Canberra, interviewed Gillard before she was replaced by Kevin Rudd. As a historian, she takes lots of time with the interviews.

She spoke to many: Andrew Wilkie, Bob Katter, Rob Oakeshott, Nick Greiner, Windsor's brother in Tasmania even David Briggs, the man Windsor defeated in that first election ballot back in 1991.

She also talked to all the family and was so surprised at the feedback. The Windsor siblings found it an honour and a family way of life to go to functions with dad.

They made it part of their life. Lyn Windsor, says Rae, never, ever once found an excuse not to attend something. It was her exceptional contribution to rural life and just the thing they decided they would do from the get-go.

The family had decided they would do it together. They did.

Rae's latest book is not a novelty. She's a master in more ways than just a formal qualification as a writer and researcher. Her book on World War I nurses, Veiled Lines, came out a few years ago, she wrote two on the Australian Light Horse, including about her grandfather, there's been e-books, health and ageing, dementia subjects, too.

While a complex project, Rae hopes Windsor's humanity and his political views come through.

"I certainly enjoyed writing the book, it's fascinating" ... but she's tried not to put her voice into the book, wasn't there to direct his story.

Rae was born in Temora but moved to Sydney for a while. She's been in Tamworth now for years. She's been married to the retired agricultural research scientist Rick Young for years. They share four kids and she is now grandmum to 18-month-old Audrey.

While a lover of biographies and a biographer, she'd never countenance autobiography.

"I would rather stick pins in my eyes," she said.

The book is on sale now at Collins in Tamworth and other outlets.