WORKING WITH DAVID: Inside the Lange Cabinet
Michael Bassett - Hodder Moa - $59.99

This much awaited work by political historian Michael Bassett, under a strict embargo until today, publication day, is likely to cause a major stir, particularly within membership of the Labour Party, both present and previous, as both the author & his subject had their supporters and detractors.

The falling out between Bassett and Lange is well known although not in the detail now provided. Much of the material has not previously been in the public arena and is drawn from the author's huge collection of caucus and cabinet notes, plus official papers.

Michael Bassett is a widely published writer on political subjects including biographies of Sir Joseph Ward, Gordon Coates and Peter Fraser. His new book, certain to outsell all his previous works, is a 600 plus page hardback thumper and contains interesting photographs and newspaper cartoons. Pic above right shows second Lange Ministry at Government House for swearing in, August 1987.

I have quickly read chapter one and the Epilogue as well as checking the index and bibliography and it is clear that this is going to be a most useful addition to New Zealand's political studies library. I'm sure too that there will be a great deal of media coverage given to the book in the coming days and weeks. The Sunday Star Times had an excerpt yesterday if you would like to get a atste of the book.