‘I
was the prime minister for three years and three days. Three years and three
days of resilience. Three years and three days of changing the nation. Three
years and three days for you to judge.’
My
Story
is Julia Gillard’s account of her time as Australia’s first female prime
minister.
It details her rise in the Labor Party and taking on
the role of Prime Minister, what propelled her and what sustained her during
that time. The book looks at all aspects of governing a country and of the
difficult and complex decisions that have to be made. My Story
discusses the leadership issues, the political campaigns, and all the domestic
and foreign policy issues that Julia Gillard faced as Prime Minister. As well,
it’s a chronicle of her life, growing up in Wales, moving to Adelaide and her
time in politics. She discusses her family and the personal choices she has
made. Julia Gillard shares her thoughts on the Labor Party, its future, and
important choices and issues facing the country. My Story is also
Julia Gillard’s story about being a woman at the highest levels of Australian
political and public life.
This is a memoir that is both frank and candid which I found most interesting. And yes some nice warm mentions and photos of her NZ prime Ministerial meetings.
But the book not only looks at the high points of Julia Gillard’s life but examines the
challenging times. It shows where she erred and where she triumphed. Above all
it’s the story of her political and personal journey during those turbulent
times for Australia and the meaning they hold for the future.
About the author:
Julia Gillard was sworn in as the 27th
Prime Minister of Australia on 24 June 2010 and served in that office until
June 2013. Previously, following the Australian Labor Party’s victory at the
2007 Federal Election, Ms Gillard served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and Social Inclusion. Ms
Gillard was born in Barry, Wales in 1961. She is the daughter of a nurse and an
aged care worker. Her family migrated to Australia in 1966 and she grew up in
Adelaide.
In March 2014 Ms Gillard was appointed
as chair of a global education program that aims to get the world’s poorest
children into school. The Global Partnership for Education is an international
initiative made up of 66 developing countries, donor governments, international
organisations, the private sector and civil society groups.
Julia Gillard will be touring New Zealand 18th-20th November - details soon on the blog.
Knopf Australia (Random House NZ)
26 Sept 2014
NZ RRP $54.99, Hardback
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