Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Mungo MacCallum, Black Inc., $32.99.
“Australians aren’t very fond of their politicians, alive or dead; we have raised no great monuments to our former leaders.”
Further to his opening statement, the well-known political journalist and author notes the exception is Ballarat, in Victoria. The city has the distinction of being represented by two prime ministers — Alfred Deakin and James Scullin. He then proceeds to expand on those who are recognised.
This compilation is a valuable contribution to our recorded history. Since 1901, 30 different leaders have run the national show. MacCallum creditably brings together details of these prime ministers.
It spans almost 120 years and gives a broad outline of the political environment as it was during the time of each incumbent. Each of them had made individual impacts of high proportions.
MacCallum states: “my lifetime spans eighteen of the figures – well over half — and I have known fourteen of them and been on first-name terms with thirteen.” That is his “credential for presuming to write about them in less than worshipful tones —that and my lifelong fascination with the political process”.
“Reviewing my contemporaries was harder; it is difficult to be objective about people you think you know. But I was confirmed in my belief that the most significant were the most courageous, the ones who burst through the roadblocks not only in society but within their own parties.”
Thorough research and characteristic wit and knowledge, Mungo brings the nation’s leaders to life. After you’ve read this, perhaps, you’ll appreciate them better … now that you know more about them.
