Julia Gillard - My Story

‘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