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Penny Wong: Passion and Principle
A revelatory portrait of one of the most talented, poised and respected women in Australian politics, written by one of Australia’s foremost biographers.
Senator Penny Wong is an extraordinary Australian politician. Resolute, self-possessed and a penetrating thinker on subjects from workplace relations to foreign affairs, she is admired by members of parliament and the public from across the political divide.
In this first-ever biography of Penny Wong, acclaimed journalist Margaret Simons traces her story: from her early life in Malaysia, to her student activism in Adelaide, to her entry into the male-dominated chambers of federal parliament, to her leading role as a voice of reason and respect in the polarising campaign to legalise same-sex marriage – and to her current position, poised to become Australia’s future minister for foreign affairs. What emerges is a picture of a leader for modern Australia, a cool-headed, cautious, yet charismatic figure of piercing intelligence and a personal history linking back to Australia’s colonial settlers and through to its multicultural present.
Drawing on exclusive interviews with Penny Wong, and her Labor colleagues, parliamentary opponents, close friends and family, this scintillating portrait of an Australian politician without precedence promises to be one of the most talked-about political biographies of the year.
Senator Penny Wong is an extraordinary Australian politician. Resolute, self-possessed and a penetrating thinker on subjects from workplace relations to foreign affairs, she is admired by members of parliament and the public from across the political divide.
In this first-ever biography of Penny Wong, acclaimed journalist Margaret Simons traces her story: from her early life in Malaysia, to her student activism in Adelaide, to her entry into the male-dominated chambers of federal parliament, to her leading role as a voice of reason and respect in the polarising campaign to legalise same-sex marriage – and to her current position, poised to become Australia’s future minister for foreign affairs. What emerges is a picture of a leader for modern Australia, a cool-headed, cautious, yet charismatic figure of piercing intelligence and a personal history linking back to Australia’s colonial settlers and through to its multicultural present.
Drawing on exclusive interviews with Penny Wong, and her Labor colleagues, parliamentary opponents, close friends and family, this scintillating portrait of an Australian politician without precedence promises to be one of the most talked-about political biographies of the year.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
107 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Simons
26 books21 followersMargaret Simons (b 1960) is an Australian academic, freelance journalist and author. She is currently the media commentator for Crikey and has written ten books.
She is currently Director of the Centre for Advanced Journalism at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the University of Melbourne.
Simons was a finalist for a Walkley Award for journalism in 2007 for the story Buried in the Labyrinth, about the release of a pedophile into the community, published in Griffith Review and her book The Content Makers – Understanding the Future of the Australian Media was longlisted for the 2008 non-fiction book Walkley award.
Simons also writes for The Age, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Monthly. For many years, she wrote the "Earthmother" gardening column for The Australian.
Simons has a doctorate from the University of Technology, Sydney and was co-founder, with Melissa Sweet, of the community-funded news site YouComm News. She lives in Melbourne.
(from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margare...)
She is currently Director of the Centre for Advanced Journalism at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the University of Melbourne.
Simons was a finalist for a Walkley Award for journalism in 2007 for the story Buried in the Labyrinth, about the release of a pedophile into the community, published in Griffith Review and her book The Content Makers – Understanding the Future of the Australian Media was longlisted for the 2008 non-fiction book Walkley award.
Simons also writes for The Age, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Monthly. For many years, she wrote the "Earthmother" gardening column for The Australian.
Simons has a doctorate from the University of Technology, Sydney and was co-founder, with Melissa Sweet, of the community-funded news site YouComm News. She lives in Melbourne.
(from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margare...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
October 7, 2019
This is a stunning book brilliantly written by Margaret Simons. It is both biography (though in a minor way) and an exploration and analysis of Australian politics with Senator Wong as the connecting figure.
The text neither glorifies nor demonises Senator Wong, rather it shows her as a strong, intelligent woman working in a tough environment. It doesn't spare her weaknesses. Ms Simons eschews emotive terms and provides verifiable and referenced material.
The text neither glorifies nor demonises Senator Wong, rather it shows her as a strong, intelligent woman working in a tough environment. It doesn't spare her weaknesses. Ms Simons eschews emotive terms and provides verifiable and referenced material.
October 10, 2019
Fascinating and forensic biography of an interesting political figure. Simons has done the hard work and it shows, and she never gives into the obvious narrative- like any good biographer she has a critical eye on her subject. Highly recommended
January 10, 2021
I’m giving this book a four because Penny Wong‘s life is amazing and I’m glad that I could read about it. I found it very inspiring and relatable. The writing style of the author is very easy to read but I focused more on the facts than her analysis/opinions as I found it to be superficial and lacking in nuance.
For the style and writing of the book, I would give it three stars.
For the style and writing of the book, I would give it three stars.
April 24, 2020
I’ll be honest, when I first received this book as a gift I wasn’t too keen on reading it. Mostly because I didn’t think politicians were interesting or honest. My friend had gifted it to me because she thought I could relate to someone who initially wanted to go into medicine but decided on following her passion and going into law/politics instead.
The book only speaks briefly about that transition, it is by far one of the most minor aspects of it. Reading about Penny Wong’s first experiences of racism - you’d know, without a doubt, that her going into politics wasn’t really a transition, it was more of an inevitable thing.
One of the most admirable things about Wong is her composure but also her ability to give into her emotions. It seems to be a well-known characteristic about her amongst her colleagues and friends, and something that demands a lot of respect. It was so inspiring to read about.
Also, I will be looking at the counter-factual from now on.
A great read.
The book only speaks briefly about that transition, it is by far one of the most minor aspects of it. Reading about Penny Wong’s first experiences of racism - you’d know, without a doubt, that her going into politics wasn’t really a transition, it was more of an inevitable thing.
One of the most admirable things about Wong is her composure but also her ability to give into her emotions. It seems to be a well-known characteristic about her amongst her colleagues and friends, and something that demands a lot of respect. It was so inspiring to read about.
Also, I will be looking at the counter-factual from now on.
A great read.
December 30, 2019
3½ stars
I'm in two minds about this book. One one hand Margaret Simons has written a well-researched, timely overview of Penny Wong's political life. On the other hand you have a reluctant subject who has deep antipathy toward the creation of this biography.
Although a riveting read, Wong's reluctance toward this book permeates throughout the narrative and at times makes for uncomfortable reading.
I'm in two minds about this book. One one hand Margaret Simons has written a well-researched, timely overview of Penny Wong's political life. On the other hand you have a reluctant subject who has deep antipathy toward the creation of this biography.
Although a riveting read, Wong's reluctance toward this book permeates throughout the narrative and at times makes for uncomfortable reading.
January 28, 2021
Author does a great job assembling parts of Wong's life into very coherent themes to paint a portrait of a formidable federal politician that is seldom in the media (for the wrong reasons) but whose charisma shines through when revealed bit by bit in this book full of treasure troves
March 24, 2021
3.5 stars. An interesting collection of information about Penny's political rise with occasional (very guarded) snippets of personal information.
Read
January 25, 2021idk how to rate this because it was interesting but i just wanted it to be an autobiography
November 21, 2019
I'm not one of those who dismiss all politicians as self-serving and a waste of space. I've met too many who genuinely wanted to change things for the better, even if I didn't agree with their choices and/or they didn't always achieve their ambitions. But I'm also not one of the 'Penny Wong fan club' or her 235,000 followers on Twitter. I just think she's one of the most interesting politicians we have, and when one of the best journalists we have in this country— Margaret Simons— writes her biography, I want to read it.
Simons bookends the bio with Penny Wong's lack of enthusiasm for its existence. She did not want the book written, though she eventually reluctantly agreed to interviews. Famously circumspect, Wong insisted that her personal life remain private, and consistent with her public persona, though she was willing to own her mistakes and errors of judgement, she also refused point-blank to discuss issues such as the destructive leadership debacle or to reveal any cabinet discussions. Simons had to rely on others to learn that amongst Wong's less well-known political attributes, she has consistently been an astute judge of her leaders, both in terms of their character and their capacity to attract the vote. Simons is even-handed, using multiple sources to unpack the betrayals, but reading between the lines, it's clear that Wong values loyalty and stability. Because that's how you stay in government, and then you can get things done.
Despite these access limitations, Simons has written an immensely readable book, in the notoriously difficult genre of political biography. And in the process, despite herself, Wong came to believe that the book might have some benefits...
Not so much the obvious thing
Simons suggested that as the book came into being, she herself
Simons likens it to an audience responding to a tragic play leaving the theatre with a greater understanding of the human affairs it depicted.
Wong concedes that maybe a book about her career is just a small way in which we can have that discussion about what we hope for and expect of political representatives and the polity, and what we can do better.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2019/11/21/p...
Simons bookends the bio with Penny Wong's lack of enthusiasm for its existence. She did not want the book written, though she eventually reluctantly agreed to interviews. Famously circumspect, Wong insisted that her personal life remain private, and consistent with her public persona, though she was willing to own her mistakes and errors of judgement, she also refused point-blank to discuss issues such as the destructive leadership debacle or to reveal any cabinet discussions. Simons had to rely on others to learn that amongst Wong's less well-known political attributes, she has consistently been an astute judge of her leaders, both in terms of their character and their capacity to attract the vote. Simons is even-handed, using multiple sources to unpack the betrayals, but reading between the lines, it's clear that Wong values loyalty and stability. Because that's how you stay in government, and then you can get things done.
Despite these access limitations, Simons has written an immensely readable book, in the notoriously difficult genre of political biography. And in the process, despite herself, Wong came to believe that the book might have some benefits...
Not so much the obvious thing
— a high-profile gay person as a role model for others, and 'that meaning something to vulnerable people
Simons suggested that as the book came into being, she herself
... had come to think of it as being about politics itself: how hard it is, the price that is paid in the struggle to make change, and both the necessity and inevitability of compromise, even when — as with climate change — such compromise may do us in.
Simons likens it to an audience responding to a tragic play leaving the theatre with a greater understanding of the human affairs it depicted.
Perhaps they might also grasp the humanity behind the headlines — and what it meant for a person of talent, passion and principle to devote herself to delivering the service of political representation.
Wong concedes that maybe a book about her career is just a small way in which we can have that discussion about what we hope for and expect of political representatives and the polity, and what we can do better.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2019/11/21/p...
December 7, 2019
Penny Wong is a formidable woman, a notable politician, and an inspiring Australian. Wong has had an outstanding political career, and has risen the ranks with her passion, perseverance and sheer grit.
In this first ever biography of Penny Wong, the award winning journalist Margaret Simons has created an extraordinary book. A snapshot into the intensely private Penny Wong through a series of interviews with Wong and those around her.
The book, has a remarkable balance of snapshots of from both personal and public life.
From her early life in Malaysia, through to her early political passions at university, all the way through the political policies, and portfolios of many years in office.
To navigating family struggles and grief, relationships, children, racism and public views on one’s sexuality.
This book is inspiring and challenging, a curiously delightful glimpse into the enigma that is Penny Wong.
In this first ever biography of Penny Wong, the award winning journalist Margaret Simons has created an extraordinary book. A snapshot into the intensely private Penny Wong through a series of interviews with Wong and those around her.
The book, has a remarkable balance of snapshots of from both personal and public life.
From her early life in Malaysia, through to her early political passions at university, all the way through the political policies, and portfolios of many years in office.
To navigating family struggles and grief, relationships, children, racism and public views on one’s sexuality.
This book is inspiring and challenging, a curiously delightful glimpse into the enigma that is Penny Wong.
December 19, 2020
DNF. This is really niche reading. I am interested in PW as we share a similar racial background and I am always fascinated to watch how she speaks. I really wanted to know more. The book lost me about 1/5th of the way in. I'm interested in politics, but this really goes into the nuts and bolts in an obsessive minutiae. I just got bored. I know PW is intensely private and I get it. But I just wanted more intimacy. The book just holds you at arms length. It might be for you, it just wasn't for me.
October 20, 2019
Wong is a great and interesting subject for a biography. But I think this one is a bit too early in her career. We really don’t get a lot about what makes her tick - testament to her reticence in sharing too much about herself (which gets referenced frequently). I think Simons has done a good job with limited material but the biography of Penny Wong that I want to read will probably be written in about 30 years time.
August 18, 2025
Whilst a valuable read, with the knowledge that this was written against the will of Penny Wong is upsetting. I would not have read this were I not gifted a copy.
January 28, 2024
I feel conflicted about enjoying this book knowing that Penny Wong never wanted it written.
But while she may not have wanted this book to come to life, I am very glad that it did.
I’ve always made the joke that somewhere in my ancestry Penny Wong and I must be related, my basis was our surnames. However, upon reading this biography, I realised that Penny Wong’s biography is the first instance of me seeing myself portrayed in media.
Penny Wong comes from a sort of melting pot background, with family from Malaysia originating from the Hakka Chinese people. Penny Wong has lived overseas, lives in Australia, is our foreign minister and was formerly minister for Climate Change & Water. To me, this eclectic upbringing and diverse career path (while in the domain of politics) reflects my own life in a way I have never seen portrayed in films or books before. I was born and raised in Australia, but my family are Hakka Chinese descendants. Most of my family moved to Mauritius but some moved to Malaysia. I grew up bilingual in French and English and had the privilege to study abroad, where I learned Spanish & Portuguese. My interests were varied but included climate change & water, and more recently foreign affairs.
Penny Wong might never have wanted this biography published, but to me, this biography means the world.
Penny Wong represents me.
Margaret Simons did a phenomenal job in writing an engaging biography about Australia’s now foreign minister. This book also gave me a broader understanding of politics and also helped me understand a few foreign policies. Simons has done a fantastic job of critically examining Penny Wong’s career, and whether you like or dislike Senator Wong, you cannot take away her clear hard work ethic. Simons takes care in neither putting Penny Wong on a pedestal nor villainising her. This book is also a cross-section of politics and current affairs through the lens of a certain Penny Wong.
Some of my favourite passages and quotes:
- I grew up thinking of myself as half-Chinese and half-Australian,' she says. The Chinese identity does not imply any yearning for or loyalty to the present-day nation of China. Rather, it is an ethnic and cultural identification.
- He (Penny Wong's father) wanted her to speak without an accent, which for him meant 'not like a Malaysian Chinese. For Francis, English was the language of education and opportunity. Today, Penny Wong speaks very little Chinese. She says, 'I can't get the tones right.'
- Today, Wong says of her mother that she has an instinctive habit of taking the perspective of the person with less power.
- It helped confirm her view that she would have to work harder, and be tougher, if she was to make her way in the party
- There aren't many models for female political power in Australia we have trouble dealing with it. We seesaw between discomfort with women seeking and exercising influence, and idealising them as somehow better and different from men. Then we punish them if they turn out to be, after all, like other politicians - making the same kinds of compromises and engaging in the same types of political warfare.
- The tendency is to hold women leaders to different standards - idealising them, then tearing them down
- She clearly had the makings of an iconic Labor figure, and could give voice and visibility to a significant part of the community, who had never seen themselves represented in Australian politics
- She was interviewed by a journalist from the Australian, and asked a question that she would never forget. He asked me how an Asian Lesbian could represent the people of Adelaide’s northern suburbs. I was actually lost for words… She reflected that she should have responded “how can John Howard represent women?”
- An inability to build consensus has eroded the capacity for change
- A woman a complete stranger yelled “how does a slanty-eyed slut like you get two guys? She responded just lucky I guess
- ‘What is significant is not my personal attributes. Rather what would be significant about an Asian-Australian being our foreign minister is what it says about us’ it would be a powerful demonstration of Australia having overcome its racist past. Not quite but its definitely a start
And my favourite quote from the book:
People can’t be what they can’t see
But while she may not have wanted this book to come to life, I am very glad that it did.
I’ve always made the joke that somewhere in my ancestry Penny Wong and I must be related, my basis was our surnames. However, upon reading this biography, I realised that Penny Wong’s biography is the first instance of me seeing myself portrayed in media.
Penny Wong comes from a sort of melting pot background, with family from Malaysia originating from the Hakka Chinese people. Penny Wong has lived overseas, lives in Australia, is our foreign minister and was formerly minister for Climate Change & Water. To me, this eclectic upbringing and diverse career path (while in the domain of politics) reflects my own life in a way I have never seen portrayed in films or books before. I was born and raised in Australia, but my family are Hakka Chinese descendants. Most of my family moved to Mauritius but some moved to Malaysia. I grew up bilingual in French and English and had the privilege to study abroad, where I learned Spanish & Portuguese. My interests were varied but included climate change & water, and more recently foreign affairs.
Penny Wong might never have wanted this biography published, but to me, this biography means the world.
Penny Wong represents me.
Margaret Simons did a phenomenal job in writing an engaging biography about Australia’s now foreign minister. This book also gave me a broader understanding of politics and also helped me understand a few foreign policies. Simons has done a fantastic job of critically examining Penny Wong’s career, and whether you like or dislike Senator Wong, you cannot take away her clear hard work ethic. Simons takes care in neither putting Penny Wong on a pedestal nor villainising her. This book is also a cross-section of politics and current affairs through the lens of a certain Penny Wong.
Some of my favourite passages and quotes:
- I grew up thinking of myself as half-Chinese and half-Australian,' she says. The Chinese identity does not imply any yearning for or loyalty to the present-day nation of China. Rather, it is an ethnic and cultural identification.
- He (Penny Wong's father) wanted her to speak without an accent, which for him meant 'not like a Malaysian Chinese. For Francis, English was the language of education and opportunity. Today, Penny Wong speaks very little Chinese. She says, 'I can't get the tones right.'
- Today, Wong says of her mother that she has an instinctive habit of taking the perspective of the person with less power.
- It helped confirm her view that she would have to work harder, and be tougher, if she was to make her way in the party
- There aren't many models for female political power in Australia we have trouble dealing with it. We seesaw between discomfort with women seeking and exercising influence, and idealising them as somehow better and different from men. Then we punish them if they turn out to be, after all, like other politicians - making the same kinds of compromises and engaging in the same types of political warfare.
- The tendency is to hold women leaders to different standards - idealising them, then tearing them down
- She clearly had the makings of an iconic Labor figure, and could give voice and visibility to a significant part of the community, who had never seen themselves represented in Australian politics
- She was interviewed by a journalist from the Australian, and asked a question that she would never forget. He asked me how an Asian Lesbian could represent the people of Adelaide’s northern suburbs. I was actually lost for words… She reflected that she should have responded “how can John Howard represent women?”
- An inability to build consensus has eroded the capacity for change
- A woman a complete stranger yelled “how does a slanty-eyed slut like you get two guys? She responded just lucky I guess
- ‘What is significant is not my personal attributes. Rather what would be significant about an Asian-Australian being our foreign minister is what it says about us’ it would be a powerful demonstration of Australia having overcome its racist past. Not quite but its definitely a start
And my favourite quote from the book:
People can’t be what they can’t see
May 21, 2023
Actually, I'd rate it 4.5 stars if I could.
Margaret Simons' biography of Penny Wong was written in 2019, while the Labor Party was still in opposition. Wong was reluctant to be involved in the biography and when she did finally agree to be interviewed, the sessions were conducted in neutral spaces (no empty fruit bowl for her!) with strict limits on what could and could not be discussed. I wonder if she would concede to be involved today, now that she is minister for Foreign Affairs: I suspect not. (That said, a revised second edition is due to be released this year).
Penny Wong is very much aware that she is the first Asian, gay, female Parliamentarian and it was largely because of these adjectives that she decided to run for the Senate with its statewide vote rather than the more geographically concentrated House of Representatives where a targeted negative campaign could cruel her chances. Because she is a Senator, and unlikely to change to the House of Reps, there has been little anointing of her as 'the next female Prime Minister'.
Simons has chosen as her subtitle 'Passion and Principle'. Apart from the obvious alliteration, I wonder why she chosen "passion" in describing Penny Wong. Her demeanour is deliberately passion-less - her breaking down in tears after the same-sex marriage plebiscite notwithstanding- and Simons points out the 'Wongisms' that she uses to keep control of her language e.g. her low, quiet delivery; her expressive eyebrows to suggest skepticism; her vocal tics like 'the best of our generation' and 'let me just say this'. It came as a surprise to read some of her lectures and addresses (e.g. the John Button Memorial Lecture) where she spelled out her beliefs and priorities and I found myself thinking "You are really good" in a way that doesn't come through in other forums. While not indulging in 'what-if' thinking, Wong entertains counter-factuals as part of working out her position, and she eschews the idea of binary thinking, always looking for an alternative.
Her passion seems to have been constrained by the second 'p' of the subtitle: principle. In deciding to 'stay in the room' in relation to the same-sex marriage issue (something to which she was strongly committed) she steadfastly abided by cabinet solidarity outside it (something that I am criticizing pro-Voice Liberal front-benchers for doing), even when it went against her own interests.
Margaret Simon is not an invisible presence in this biography. Coming from the press ranks herself, she affords an influence to the media that perhaps a political scientist or historian would not. She has had to actively pursue Penny Wong, and the long list of nearly forty named informants at the end of the book and an extensive bibliography and index reflect her diligence in writing this book. At times it reads like a tussle between two feisty interlocutors: she often challenges Wong's assertions, and Wong pushes back. Penny Wong has been firm about the 'no-go' areas (e.g. her brother, her children). This is no hagiography: instead, as with other good interviewers (I'm thinking her of Janet Malcolm) Simon is reflecting on her own practice as a biographer and refining her own ideas about politics and politicians.
For my complete review, please visit:
http://residentjudge.com/2023/05/21/p...
Margaret Simons' biography of Penny Wong was written in 2019, while the Labor Party was still in opposition. Wong was reluctant to be involved in the biography and when she did finally agree to be interviewed, the sessions were conducted in neutral spaces (no empty fruit bowl for her!) with strict limits on what could and could not be discussed. I wonder if she would concede to be involved today, now that she is minister for Foreign Affairs: I suspect not. (That said, a revised second edition is due to be released this year).
Penny Wong is very much aware that she is the first Asian, gay, female Parliamentarian and it was largely because of these adjectives that she decided to run for the Senate with its statewide vote rather than the more geographically concentrated House of Representatives where a targeted negative campaign could cruel her chances. Because she is a Senator, and unlikely to change to the House of Reps, there has been little anointing of her as 'the next female Prime Minister'.
Simons has chosen as her subtitle 'Passion and Principle'. Apart from the obvious alliteration, I wonder why she chosen "passion" in describing Penny Wong. Her demeanour is deliberately passion-less - her breaking down in tears after the same-sex marriage plebiscite notwithstanding- and Simons points out the 'Wongisms' that she uses to keep control of her language e.g. her low, quiet delivery; her expressive eyebrows to suggest skepticism; her vocal tics like 'the best of our generation' and 'let me just say this'. It came as a surprise to read some of her lectures and addresses (e.g. the John Button Memorial Lecture) where she spelled out her beliefs and priorities and I found myself thinking "You are really good" in a way that doesn't come through in other forums. While not indulging in 'what-if' thinking, Wong entertains counter-factuals as part of working out her position, and she eschews the idea of binary thinking, always looking for an alternative.
Her passion seems to have been constrained by the second 'p' of the subtitle: principle. In deciding to 'stay in the room' in relation to the same-sex marriage issue (something to which she was strongly committed) she steadfastly abided by cabinet solidarity outside it (something that I am criticizing pro-Voice Liberal front-benchers for doing), even when it went against her own interests.
Margaret Simon is not an invisible presence in this biography. Coming from the press ranks herself, she affords an influence to the media that perhaps a political scientist or historian would not. She has had to actively pursue Penny Wong, and the long list of nearly forty named informants at the end of the book and an extensive bibliography and index reflect her diligence in writing this book. At times it reads like a tussle between two feisty interlocutors: she often challenges Wong's assertions, and Wong pushes back. Penny Wong has been firm about the 'no-go' areas (e.g. her brother, her children). This is no hagiography: instead, as with other good interviewers (I'm thinking her of Janet Malcolm) Simon is reflecting on her own practice as a biographer and refining her own ideas about politics and politicians.
For my complete review, please visit:
http://residentjudge.com/2023/05/21/p...
October 30, 2023
I am neither particularly interested in politics nor particularly well-informed about the political scene in Australia (or elsewhere if it comes to that). My impression before reading this book was that politics is largely a dirty game involving people who, on the whole, have their own interests and promotion at heart; it's a generalization of course, and there are undoubtedly numerous exceptions to this, but this book certainly hasn't done anything to change my view on that. It was also my impression before reading this book, that one of those exceptions may have been Penny Wong and this book has certainly confirmed that impression.
It is not an autobiography, not a personal account. In fact, Wong herself did not want this book to be written although she did ultimately give Margaret Simons five personal interviews. There is a great deal more about Australian politics over the past 20 odd years than there is about Wong herself, but the book certainly is an account of the huge impact that Penny Wong has had on the politics of our nation and the complexities of those politics: when it is necessary to support a party line even if that line does not align with personal views, when it is necessary to stand back and look at the big picture, the long term outcomes, rather than the short term wins.
Wong need not, from what I can see, have worried about the publishing of this book. While it seems to have been written frankly and with honesty, she comes out looking like a real person: honest, highly intelligent, very private, completely ethical with a warmth and wit that her physical demeanor may not reflect.
The words from her maiden speech in the Senate, delivered on August 21, 2002, reflect Wong's integrity . . . and are sadly just as true today as they were then.
It is to assert that those with power should act with compassion for those who have less, and that the experience of those who are marginalised cannot be bypassed, ignored or minimised as it so often is. Compassion is what underscores our relationships with one and other , and it is compassion which enables us to come to a place of community even in our diversity. Yet this country in recent times has been sadly lacking in compassion.
A dry but interesting read ***
It is not an autobiography, not a personal account. In fact, Wong herself did not want this book to be written although she did ultimately give Margaret Simons five personal interviews. There is a great deal more about Australian politics over the past 20 odd years than there is about Wong herself, but the book certainly is an account of the huge impact that Penny Wong has had on the politics of our nation and the complexities of those politics: when it is necessary to support a party line even if that line does not align with personal views, when it is necessary to stand back and look at the big picture, the long term outcomes, rather than the short term wins.
Wong need not, from what I can see, have worried about the publishing of this book. While it seems to have been written frankly and with honesty, she comes out looking like a real person: honest, highly intelligent, very private, completely ethical with a warmth and wit that her physical demeanor may not reflect.
The words from her maiden speech in the Senate, delivered on August 21, 2002, reflect Wong's integrity . . . and are sadly just as true today as they were then.
It is to assert that those with power should act with compassion for those who have less, and that the experience of those who are marginalised cannot be bypassed, ignored or minimised as it so often is. Compassion is what underscores our relationships with one and other , and it is compassion which enables us to come to a place of community even in our diversity. Yet this country in recent times has been sadly lacking in compassion.
A dry but interesting read ***
November 3, 2022
Interestingly this book was published in 2019 before the world spun into total unpredictability. But it’s taken that long for me to pick this one up despite being a fan of Penny Wong.
Nevertheless, I knew little about her until she was recently appointed as our Foreign Minister. After the election in May, she hit the ground running, impressing me even more.
This biography reveals a lot about her background, her mother, Australian with ancestors dating back to the 1800’s and her father of Chinese descent. The history of her childhood is fascinating and her battle with racism heartbreaking. Yet this is where her passion and her ethics were created making her into the person she is today.
I was fascinated to learn the machinations of the party and her role in it and reminded of the disgusting behaviour by the Liberal Party under John Howard (who could forget his role in dividing the country on race by the pictures of the children overboard scandal).
I don’t often read biographies let alone ones on politicians but I’m glad I read about this inspiring woman. I’ve seen her interrogating politicians on the Senate’s committee asking the questions I wanted answered. No wonder she is seen as formidable. Because she is and a whole lot more.
This biography goes beyond the personal as it delves into Australian politics forcing the reader to confront the past, the good, the bad and the ugly, particularly when it comes to the slow and painful machinations of change such as marriage equality, climate change and our indigenous voices. At times it is dry, plodding and insightful, sometimes all at once.
I will certainly be taking a lot more notice of what Penny Wong does, now that I understand her just that little bit more. If you like your politics then this one is for you.
Nevertheless, I knew little about her until she was recently appointed as our Foreign Minister. After the election in May, she hit the ground running, impressing me even more.
This biography reveals a lot about her background, her mother, Australian with ancestors dating back to the 1800’s and her father of Chinese descent. The history of her childhood is fascinating and her battle with racism heartbreaking. Yet this is where her passion and her ethics were created making her into the person she is today.
I was fascinated to learn the machinations of the party and her role in it and reminded of the disgusting behaviour by the Liberal Party under John Howard (who could forget his role in dividing the country on race by the pictures of the children overboard scandal).
I don’t often read biographies let alone ones on politicians but I’m glad I read about this inspiring woman. I’ve seen her interrogating politicians on the Senate’s committee asking the questions I wanted answered. No wonder she is seen as formidable. Because she is and a whole lot more.
This biography goes beyond the personal as it delves into Australian politics forcing the reader to confront the past, the good, the bad and the ugly, particularly when it comes to the slow and painful machinations of change such as marriage equality, climate change and our indigenous voices. At times it is dry, plodding and insightful, sometimes all at once.
I will certainly be taking a lot more notice of what Penny Wong does, now that I understand her just that little bit more. If you like your politics then this one is for you.
May 15, 2020
3.75 **
My mum introduced me to Penny Wong on one of the biggest days of my life. On the day the result of 61% was announced, I was huddled in an English classroom with the countdown on the screen. The entire class cheered as the results were announced, quite a few of the students being LGBT, myself included. My mum showed me the famous images of Penny Wong later that night, she had been a big fan of hers for a while by then. I had not been in politics enough to know of her.
I delved into an interest in politics, a shallow one but one nonetheless. But the more I learn and see, my admiration for Penny Wong continues to grow. I understand the significance of a woman of colour and a lesbian woman being 'in the room' and I admire her political prowess. Her ability to compromise is not one I share yet, but I understand the necessity.
This biography was a great insight into Australian politics and the way that Wong worked and handled her portfolios. While it was a slow read, it was a good one with chapters that I surprisingly flew through. It was a shame that the book was written against the wishes of Penny and Sophie though, it really did make the read a bit of discomfort. But I am grateful that I got the chance to read it, it's given me a bit of an insight that's changed a few perspectives of mine that I was stuck on, and it's an eternal inspiration to see a woman like her in parliament. God knows I don't want to enter politics myself, but it's amazing to see someone fight so hard for her rights, my rights and the rights of all LGBTQ+ peoples. This is a bit of a mess of a review, but I really did find the book an interesting read. Gods I don't even know how to rate it though.
My mum introduced me to Penny Wong on one of the biggest days of my life. On the day the result of 61% was announced, I was huddled in an English classroom with the countdown on the screen. The entire class cheered as the results were announced, quite a few of the students being LGBT, myself included. My mum showed me the famous images of Penny Wong later that night, she had been a big fan of hers for a while by then. I had not been in politics enough to know of her.
I delved into an interest in politics, a shallow one but one nonetheless. But the more I learn and see, my admiration for Penny Wong continues to grow. I understand the significance of a woman of colour and a lesbian woman being 'in the room' and I admire her political prowess. Her ability to compromise is not one I share yet, but I understand the necessity.
This biography was a great insight into Australian politics and the way that Wong worked and handled her portfolios. While it was a slow read, it was a good one with chapters that I surprisingly flew through. It was a shame that the book was written against the wishes of Penny and Sophie though, it really did make the read a bit of discomfort. But I am grateful that I got the chance to read it, it's given me a bit of an insight that's changed a few perspectives of mine that I was stuck on, and it's an eternal inspiration to see a woman like her in parliament. God knows I don't want to enter politics myself, but it's amazing to see someone fight so hard for her rights, my rights and the rights of all LGBTQ+ peoples. This is a bit of a mess of a review, but I really did find the book an interesting read. Gods I don't even know how to rate it though.
June 27, 2021
Like most political biography, you have to enjoy the rehash of history - usually with some hope of a fresh perspective or a juicy insider tit-bit - to really enjoy the read. This is no different and was especially so as the subject of the book was very reluctant to participate. The key takeaway comes at the start of Chapter 11, with the three credos Penny Wong has governed her political career by, from student politics to being a senior member of a perpetually alternative government. Stated in the annual John Button lecture she delivered in 2010, the discipline imposed by being a member of a political party was the central theme, achieved by what she calls "staying in the room" to seek compromise in order to achieve progress; praxis, practical political action in the quest for change; and the adherence to the political tool of the "counterfactual" or the imagining what would happen in the opposite course was taken.
Its an interesting read but mostly in the sections which reveal Wong's personal struggles and life choices. The best of the political stuff was her stoush with the Greens over same-sex marriage and the justifications she adheres to still as to why she voted the Labor Party line against it for so long. The worst of it was the abandonment of Julia Gillard in favour of the second coming of the self-anointed Christ from Queensland.
What is clear, is that Penny Wong is a pragmatic politician. Perhaps the subtitle of the book should have been "Passion, Principle and Practicalities", with the third of these being the dominant strand in how Wong operates. Passion and Principle have often been secondary.
Its an interesting read but mostly in the sections which reveal Wong's personal struggles and life choices. The best of the political stuff was her stoush with the Greens over same-sex marriage and the justifications she adheres to still as to why she voted the Labor Party line against it for so long. The worst of it was the abandonment of Julia Gillard in favour of the second coming of the self-anointed Christ from Queensland.
What is clear, is that Penny Wong is a pragmatic politician. Perhaps the subtitle of the book should have been "Passion, Principle and Practicalities", with the third of these being the dominant strand in how Wong operates. Passion and Principle have often been secondary.
June 16, 2023
This book is a fascinating and insightful biography of Penny Wong, one of the most influential and respected politicians in Australia. The author, Margaret Simons, interviewed Wong and many of her colleagues, opponents, friends and family to paint a comprehensive portrait of her life and career. The book covers Wong's early years in Malaysia and Australia, where she faced racism and discrimination, her rise in the Labor Party and her role as a leader and advocate for progressive causes. The book also explores Wong's personal journey as a woman, a lesbian and an Asian-Australian, and how she balances her public and private identities. The book was written before Wong became Australia's first gay Asian-Australian foreign minister, but it shows how she has been preparing for this role since 2016, when she became the shadow foreign minister in opposition. She was praised as one of the best policy minds in the country, and compares her to Gareth Evans and Kim Beazley. She also reveals Wong's faith, values and principles that guide her decisions and actions. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Australian politics, history and culture, as well as the life story of an inspiring and remarkable woman.
March 6, 2022
An interesting read. I did not come from the perspective that Wong was a Don Dunstanesque figure as I knew she had worked within the confines of the Labor Party to get same sex marriage adopted as official policy. That said, I came away with equal measures of admiration and skepticism for her pragmatic approach and publicly dispassionate approach. That might be my biases speaking but I also believe that those officially ‘outside the room’ both domestically (B.A. Santamaria) and internationally (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) have also exponentially changed the trajectories of their nations. Plus, I believe that constantly compromising with a system can make you a creature of it this causing you to forget your original mission. Nonetheless, I am just a punter with little experience in these matters and as is pointed out in the book, it takes amazing discipline to eat a figurative **** sandwich in pursuit of longer term goals.
June 8, 2023
From a book that was not going to be written, this developed into a gem. Easy reading across a wide area.
Reading a biography can sometimes be a cold experience that leaves the reader with a disconnected feeling. Not so here. This book does a very good job of providing the reader with an understanding of who Penny Wong is. The early pages cover where she was born, the mixed culture she was born into, her parents ideals, her moving to Australia with those cultural battles, her education, her interests in her radical years and her own same sex parented family. Then, after the construction of a good foundation the book progresses to the daily grind of what we know her for.
The coverage of the party faction struggles I found wearing, as usual I saw it as dirty laundry.
Wong’s role in the progress of the Labor Party was done well, handled delicately without efforts by the subject or the writer to score points.
Reading a biography can sometimes be a cold experience that leaves the reader with a disconnected feeling. Not so here. This book does a very good job of providing the reader with an understanding of who Penny Wong is. The early pages cover where she was born, the mixed culture she was born into, her parents ideals, her moving to Australia with those cultural battles, her education, her interests in her radical years and her own same sex parented family. Then, after the construction of a good foundation the book progresses to the daily grind of what we know her for.
The coverage of the party faction struggles I found wearing, as usual I saw it as dirty laundry.
Wong’s role in the progress of the Labor Party was done well, handled delicately without efforts by the subject or the writer to score points.
December 20, 2025
Good.
I thought it was a bit sympathetic to the subject at first but it ended up being pretty balanced. Too much of the general problem with memoirs and bios - they want to paint the picture of a rags to riches, overcoming adversity etc - but in the end - Wong has had enormous advantages in her background and simply acted on them; it;s not a tale of rising above adversity as much as that would make a good story.
An honest account would have been better, but it's undeniable through the writing that Wong is an effective operator. She has overcome problems with her ethnicity and sexuality to do good. But the book plays down her sexuality and overplays her ethnicity.
Overall, there was not that much original thinking and just a lot of parroting over overtired ideological ideas that we’ve all heard before.
I thought it was a bit sympathetic to the subject at first but it ended up being pretty balanced. Too much of the general problem with memoirs and bios - they want to paint the picture of a rags to riches, overcoming adversity etc - but in the end - Wong has had enormous advantages in her background and simply acted on them; it;s not a tale of rising above adversity as much as that would make a good story.
An honest account would have been better, but it's undeniable through the writing that Wong is an effective operator. She has overcome problems with her ethnicity and sexuality to do good. But the book plays down her sexuality and overplays her ethnicity.
Overall, there was not that much original thinking and just a lot of parroting over overtired ideological ideas that we’ve all heard before.
January 16, 2020
I hadn’t expected to like this book as much as I did. Most politicians seem to be either pragmatic or principled - this biography would lead me to believe that Penny Wong is one of those rare individuals who can be both. I appreciated how the author detailed Penny’s view that issues such as climate change are non binary and her commitment to a collectivist approach to politics. I’ve always had a soft soft for Penny Wong but have an even greater appreciation for her now. This is an extremely well researched and well written text and I recommend it to anyone interested in Australian politics and the major issues of the last 20 years.
June 15, 2020
An honest politician!
A thorough, very detailed and well written biography of Penny Wong, an Australian Labour Party senator and currently leader of the opposition in the Senate. I was impressed by the quality of the writing but even more so by the person being described. Principled, intelligent, hard working, honest. Duly pragmatic on occasion. Not qualities Australians usually ascribe to politicians, fairly or not. But read the detailed account of her life and work and decide for yourself. If I ever move to South Australia I’ll start voting for her for sure. Assuming the book is a true account. Easily checked at least partially.
A thorough, very detailed and well written biography of Penny Wong, an Australian Labour Party senator and currently leader of the opposition in the Senate. I was impressed by the quality of the writing but even more so by the person being described. Principled, intelligent, hard working, honest. Duly pragmatic on occasion. Not qualities Australians usually ascribe to politicians, fairly or not. But read the detailed account of her life and work and decide for yourself. If I ever move to South Australia I’ll start voting for her for sure. Assuming the book is a true account. Easily checked at least partially.
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December 3, 2023"Passion and principle"? Rich. I used to really look up to her.
But I've been so disgusted over her stance on Gaza.
I tried to call her office and didn’t even get the chance to talk to anyone. Couldn’t even leave a voice mail. The sign off was, “the foreign affairs office appreciates you voicing your views”. What voice?
They literally won’t even hear from the public again.
Over 4000 children have been murdered in Israeli bombings. They don’t even know if they’ll be able to count the amount who will die from disease. Babies left for dead in hospitals, and the Australian government literally won’t even answer the phone. Shame. I dread having to explain this to my baby one day.
But I've been so disgusted over her stance on Gaza.
I tried to call her office and didn’t even get the chance to talk to anyone. Couldn’t even leave a voice mail. The sign off was, “the foreign affairs office appreciates you voicing your views”. What voice?
They literally won’t even hear from the public again.
Over 4000 children have been murdered in Israeli bombings. They don’t even know if they’ll be able to count the amount who will die from disease. Babies left for dead in hospitals, and the Australian government literally won’t even answer the phone. Shame. I dread having to explain this to my baby one day.
November 17, 2019
A very interesting insight into Penny Wong’s life and career. It’s written in a formal, journalistic style and sometimes goes into a little more detail than I thought necessary - but tells an engaging story nonetheless. One of the most revealing parts of the book is the story behind it - that Wong really didn’t want it to be written. She eventually came around to giving interviews, and no doubt the book is much stronger for it.
June 23, 2021
Some ethical objections to writing this book that the subject of it clearly did not want written. But I know I certainly take a different view of privacy than a writer who believes a persons story should be told for the greater good, whether they like it or not. I tend to sympathize with Penny Wong's desire for privacy, and lack trust in anyone's statement around what is for the best.
An interesting book, well written and readable. But perhaps not necessary to write.
An interesting book, well written and readable. But perhaps not necessary to write.
March 3, 2023
A great read. The author did an amazing job explaining complex political events and situations in a concise way without loosing the main points. An interesting and insightful look at Penny Wong whether she would agree with all that is said about her or not. I think the author has done a great job letting those of us who are not politically minded to know some of what political life is like. A book to be continued…….now that she is in government.
January 16, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book. I have always respected Penny Wong as a politician because of the intellect and poise she has whenever she speaks in public. This book confirmed what a consumate politician she is, and that she is a person with incredible purpose and integrity. Penny Wong is the kind of politician we need.
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