Kendal P. Mobley's biography of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century social reformer Helen Barrett Montgomery astutely explores the missionary leader's motivation and influence. Montgomery might be most remembered for contributions to the ecumenical woman's missionary movement and her 1910 book, Western Women in Eastern Lands, but she was also was a Wellesley graduate, licensed Baptist preacher, Rochester school board reformer, Women's Educational Industrial Union leader, progressivist, and friend of Susan B. Anthony. On the surface, Montgomery's conservative theological views seem to contradict her feminist values, but Mobley traces the life of Montgomery to show how she integrated reformist feminism within the domestic sphere of home and family. For Montgomery, the spread of Christianity contributed to women's uplift, an educated motherhood, and ultimately the social and political emancipation of women.

Mobley classifies Montgomery as a “New Woman”; yet, he spends just as much time exploring how she does not fit with oversimplified classifications. These nuances are Mobley's strongest contributions to his interpretation of Montgomery's life and influence. For example, Montgomery's theological worldview shared much in common with social justice reformers, and she lived and worked in the same city as Walter Rauschenbusch, but her theological worldview and actions were not inspired by Rauschenbusch. In fact, she often opposed him. Mobley also critiques feminist scholars who are too quick to disassociate the theologically conservative Montgomery with Susan B. Anthony's liberal feminism. It is Mobley's reinterpretation of Montgomery's intellectual and social sphere that make Helen Barrett Montgomery a read for historians interested in “New Women” who do not easily fit into preconceived categories.