Gough Whitlam: A moment in history

Gough Whitlam: The Definitive Biography #1

by Jenny Hocking

Acclaimed biographer Jenny Hocking's Gough Whitlam: A moment in history is the first contemporary and definitive biographical study of the former Labor Prime Minister. From his childhood in the fledging city of Canberra to his first appearance as Prime Minister (playing Neville Chamberlain), to his extensive war service in the Pacific and marriage to Margaret, the champion swimmer and daughter of Justice Wilfred Dovey, the biography draws on previously unseen archival material, extensive interviews with family and colleagues, and exclusive interviews with Gough Whitlam himself. Hocking's narrative skill and scrupulous research reveals an extraordinary and complex man, whose life is, in every way, formed by the remarkable events of previous generations of his family, and who would, in turn, change Australian political and cultural developments in the twentieth century. Gough Whitlam: A moment in history is a magnificent biography that illuminates the path that took one man to power.

Genres: Biography, Politics, History, Australia, Nonfiction

471 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2008

About the author

Jenny Hocking FASSA is emeritus professor at Monash University and the inaugural distinguished Whitlam fellow with the Whitlam Institute at Western Sydney University. She is the author of three biographies, including the award-winning two-volume biography of Gough Whitlam, Gough Whitlam: A Moment in History (MUP, 2008) and Gough Whitlam: His Time (MUP, 2012). Her latest book is The Dismissal Dossier: The Palace Connection (MUP, 2017).

Reviews

[Good Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a decade since I read this book, and I remember finding it so excellent that I elected to stay in to read it rather than going to the pub.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first learned of this book when I heard Ms Hocking talk at Writer's Week in Adelaide in 2021. I picked it up earlier this year on a quick trip to Melbourne. It is a fairly long read, yet never dull, starting with his great-grandfather, Harry who emigrated to Australia during the gold rush. We learn small bits of his background as well as that of his infamous grandfather, and his illustrious father, who was instrumental in helping found the United Nations. His mother's family had ties to the south island town of Timaru, New Zealand. This biography takes us from this brief family history through Gough's childhood up until the calling of the election in 1972. Gough grew up in Canberra as his father was a civil servant and thus was immersed in political life from an early age. And he had his first role as Prime Minister in 1940 while a student at Sydney University, playing the role of Neville Chamberlain in St Paul's College review. He enlisted in WWII and was a navigator in the RAAF with many missions. He was active in the 1944 referendum set up by Prime Minister Chiefly which among other items set out to recognize the Aboriginal people in the Australian Constitution. It turned out to be the first of now two failures to recognize them. Interestingly it was supported by a large majority of those in the military while failing in the civilian population at large. What I found most interesting was how he worked tirelessly over a couple of decades in Parliament in the Labor Party to change the platform in increments to be the platform that he ran on as leader in 1969 and again in 1972. While not an easy read, as there was a lot of information to digest, I now am looking forward to the 2nd volume of the biography.

[Gede · Rating 5 out of 5]

The original is just as good as its sequel!

The biography was highly detailed and very long, although it was never dull or boring. Hocking introduces us by tracing back to his great-grandfather, who emigrated to Australia during the goldrush, and detailing the childhood of being a son of a Crown Solicitor during the emergence of Canberra. The detailed account really helped me to get an understanding of how his family history and upbringing shaped Whitlam. After reading the first volume, I think you get more of an appreciation of what kind of leader Whitlam was when he had to reform his party when it split and how he lead it during opposition as well.

Despite being a lengthy book, unless you're super interested in politics in this period, I think this volume isn't a necessary read and the second volume is enough to give you an understanding how impactful he was to Australia.

[Glen Cowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as the second entry. In some ways, I was glad I read this after 'Gough Whitlam: His Time'. As you get through the book, you get a magnificent picture of what drove Gough as well as noticing areas that would create storm clouds in his life. Sometimes there are diversion into Australian political history as opposed to Gough's personal history, but it does show how he was able to step up to the mark and forge Labor policy.

Highly recommended.

[Tim O'Hare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. Interesting to learn how much of a struggle Whitlam put up to mould the Labor Party towards his vision. Does get bogged down in a lot of historical detail, a likely by-product of the author's decision to extend his life into two volumes. Found the start a bit slow, particularly about his early life and Whitlam as a figure did not become interesting until he entered parliament if not entered into the Deputy Leadership and Leadership of the Labor Party. Very fascinating character arc, going from an elite private school boy to a champion of the minorities. A must read for any party hacks who think Whitlam was descended from heaven and perfectly embodied the Labor Party platform from the start. Shows that all great statesmen have first had to wage arduous wars on their own party before the party could accept them as leader.

7/10

[Ashley Paskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting read, very interesting. Its never boring. Details the origins of the Whitlam family to the growth of Gough Whitlam from boy into Politician. Effortlessly explaining the machinations, difficulties of Government in the 50s and 60s. I'm not reading the follow-on to this book.

[Michael Pennington · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather excruciating. Sadly dull. More a political history of the Labour Party than a gripping biography of one of Australia's great leaders.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly informative and well composed.