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Donald Horne: A Life in the Lucky Country
The fascinating biography of a brilliant man who captured the nation's imagination and boldly showed Australians who we were and how we could change.
In the 1960s, Donald Horne offered Australians a compelling reinterpretation of the Menzies years as a period of social and political inertia and mediocrity. His book The Lucky Country was profoundly influential and, without doubt, one of the most significant shots ever fired in Australia's endless culture war.
Ryan Cropp's landmark biography positions Horne as an antipodean Orwell, a lively, independent and distinct literary voice 'searching for the temper of the people, accepting it, and moving on from there'. Through the eyes—and unforgettable words—of this preternaturally observant and articulate man, we see a recognisable modern Australia emerge.
In the 1960s, Donald Horne offered Australians a compelling reinterpretation of the Menzies years as a period of social and political inertia and mediocrity. His book The Lucky Country was profoundly influential and, without doubt, one of the most significant shots ever fired in Australia's endless culture war.
Ryan Cropp's landmark biography positions Horne as an antipodean Orwell, a lively, independent and distinct literary voice 'searching for the temper of the people, accepting it, and moving on from there'. Through the eyes—and unforgettable words—of this preternaturally observant and articulate man, we see a recognisable modern Australia emerge.
374 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2023
3 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Cropp
1 bookRyan Cropp is a Research Fellow at the University of Sydney's Department of History.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 14, 2024
A good biography doesn't take a one-sided approach, but instead captures the complexity of the subject's life and times, it includes noteworthy achievements, moments of adversity, and major turning points.
Reading biographies was a serious part of my reading life, here are some: ‘Recollections of a Bleeding Heart’ by Don Watson, ‘Patrick White’ by David Marr, ‘Ben Chifley- A Political Biography’ by L F Crisp, ‘Gough Whitlam: His Time’ by Jenny Hocking, ‘Nugget Coombs: a reforming life’ by Tim Rowse, ‘An Eye for Eternity: The Life of Manning Clark’ by Mark McKenna, ‘The Brilliant Boy’ by Gideon Haigh, ‘John Curtain’s War’ by John Edwards, ‘The Enigmatic Mr Deakin’ by Judith Brett.
I don’t seem to read many these days, may be because there aren’t many worthy subjects, these days? One important thing is that the biography must be written after the subject has died.
Ryan Cropp’s publication infiltrates the above list. Originally a PhD thesis the author has transformed his account of Donald Horne into a detailed, interpretive account of Horne. He was best described as a public intellectual “A kind of public explainer, a crystalliser and a clarifier, a taker of the cultural and political temperature”.
Cropp’s biography is an exhaustive account of Horne, his personal life, his devoted wife Myfanwy, his many friends, acquaintances, both academic and social, and the publications and organisations that he engaged with.
Cropp gives a detailed account of Horne’s early years, his life at university, his employment by Frank Packer and his close relationship with Frank’s eldest son Clyde. (In 1968 I worked as a copy boy at Consolidated press and one of my tasks was to deliver Clyde Packer his daily mail. All I can remember was his huge desk and that he looked less like a bull frog than his brother Kerry, who closely resembled one.
As I read the first hundred pages names appeared that I knew as Australian intellectuals, authors, academics, journalists, public servants and politicians. John Anderson, Garfield Barwick, Michael Baume, Manning Clark, Peter Coleman, Geoffrey Dutton, Adrian Deamer, Max Harris, Robert Hughes, John Latham, David McNicoll, James McAuley, Henry Mayer, Rupert Murdoch, Frank Packer, Clyde Packer, E.G. Theodore, Russell Ward, Judah Waten, Patrick White and Hal Wootten. All who contributed to the country in the 1950, 60 and 70s and beyond. One of the appealing aspects of this biography was to be reminded of these people, many who are now forgotten by most Australians.
From Cropp’s telling, in his early years Horne was a conservative, combative writer. He was strongly anti-communist and believed in the concept of the yellow peril, although I there is no evidence that he was racist. He did travel throughout South East Asia. It was also that around this time the concept of an Australian identity started to be a subject of discussion and debate.
As I became political aware in the late sixties and early seventies Donald Horne was a person who I read about and heard about. I remember him as a conservative journalist. In senior high school classes, his ‘A Lucky Country’ was discussed. I am sure I, as did most Australians at the time, interpreted the title as saying that Australia was a lucky country because of its resources, its people, its climate and the country’s institutions. The line that captures the essence of the book is, “Australia is a lucky country run mainly by second rate people who share its luck.” Australia developed wealth and power as a consequence of luck rather than strategy, with an over reliance on it's climate and plentiful natural resources.
The Lucky Country was first published in 1964 and has not been out of print since. Horne attacked the philistinism, provincialism and dependence that the country showed and that it was second-rate people who shared this luck. Many might argue that observation is relevant today.
The seventies and eighties were a time when Australians participated in the continuous debate about the concept of an Australian identity. What could be referred to as the ‘Crocodile Dundee era’ when certain
stereotypes were projected and challenged. Horne went on to write many more books with the theme of, who are Australians.
He took Australian society to task for its philistinism, provincialism and dependence. 'Australia is a lucky country, run mainly by second-rate people who share its luck.
The election of the Whitlam Governement resulted in an epiphany for Horne. He became a great supporter of Whitlam and with Governor- General Kerr’s dismissal he had a second epiphany and became a devout republican. (Sadly as I write King Charles III is visiting Australia and by the looks of things the UK will be a republic before Australia.)
In his life Horne had something to say, and he said it often.
Some described Horne as an antipodean Orwell. One significent difference (acknowledgement to Ana Funder, ‘Wifedom’) He treated his wife Myfanwy with much greater respect and fully acknowleged her role in his achievements. Myfanwy was devoted to her husband’s intellectual pursuits
Horne died in Sptember 2005. Myfanwy in 2013
On finishing the book I reflected who are the present public intellectuals? In this age of celebrityhood it seems the word of sports stars, movie stars, singers and other entertainers seem be acknowledged more than those with academic and writing qualifications. Radio shock jocks appear to have an unequal opinion in public debates. Social media provides us with the bearded and reverse cap brigade. The Murdoch media does it upmost to influence public debate and attack others who don’t fit their mold.
Here is my list of today’s public intellectuals: Indigenous: Noel Pearson, Marcia Langton, Henry Reynolds, Frank Brennan, Stan Grant. Literature: Tim Winton, David Malouf, Helen Garner, Richard Flanagan, David Williamson. History: Inga Clendinnen, Geoffrey Blainey, Frank Bongiorno. Feminism: Germaine Greer, Anne Summers. Environment: Tim Flannery, Bob Brown. Society: Robert Manne, Raimond Gaita, Don Watson. Science: Paul Davies, Peter Doherty and Fiona Stanley.
Reading biographies was a serious part of my reading life, here are some: ‘Recollections of a Bleeding Heart’ by Don Watson, ‘Patrick White’ by David Marr, ‘Ben Chifley- A Political Biography’ by L F Crisp, ‘Gough Whitlam: His Time’ by Jenny Hocking, ‘Nugget Coombs: a reforming life’ by Tim Rowse, ‘An Eye for Eternity: The Life of Manning Clark’ by Mark McKenna, ‘The Brilliant Boy’ by Gideon Haigh, ‘John Curtain’s War’ by John Edwards, ‘The Enigmatic Mr Deakin’ by Judith Brett.
I don’t seem to read many these days, may be because there aren’t many worthy subjects, these days? One important thing is that the biography must be written after the subject has died.
Ryan Cropp’s publication infiltrates the above list. Originally a PhD thesis the author has transformed his account of Donald Horne into a detailed, interpretive account of Horne. He was best described as a public intellectual “A kind of public explainer, a crystalliser and a clarifier, a taker of the cultural and political temperature”.
Cropp’s biography is an exhaustive account of Horne, his personal life, his devoted wife Myfanwy, his many friends, acquaintances, both academic and social, and the publications and organisations that he engaged with.
Cropp gives a detailed account of Horne’s early years, his life at university, his employment by Frank Packer and his close relationship with Frank’s eldest son Clyde. (In 1968 I worked as a copy boy at Consolidated press and one of my tasks was to deliver Clyde Packer his daily mail. All I can remember was his huge desk and that he looked less like a bull frog than his brother Kerry, who closely resembled one.
As I read the first hundred pages names appeared that I knew as Australian intellectuals, authors, academics, journalists, public servants and politicians. John Anderson, Garfield Barwick, Michael Baume, Manning Clark, Peter Coleman, Geoffrey Dutton, Adrian Deamer, Max Harris, Robert Hughes, John Latham, David McNicoll, James McAuley, Henry Mayer, Rupert Murdoch, Frank Packer, Clyde Packer, E.G. Theodore, Russell Ward, Judah Waten, Patrick White and Hal Wootten. All who contributed to the country in the 1950, 60 and 70s and beyond. One of the appealing aspects of this biography was to be reminded of these people, many who are now forgotten by most Australians.
From Cropp’s telling, in his early years Horne was a conservative, combative writer. He was strongly anti-communist and believed in the concept of the yellow peril, although I there is no evidence that he was racist. He did travel throughout South East Asia. It was also that around this time the concept of an Australian identity started to be a subject of discussion and debate.
As I became political aware in the late sixties and early seventies Donald Horne was a person who I read about and heard about. I remember him as a conservative journalist. In senior high school classes, his ‘A Lucky Country’ was discussed. I am sure I, as did most Australians at the time, interpreted the title as saying that Australia was a lucky country because of its resources, its people, its climate and the country’s institutions. The line that captures the essence of the book is, “Australia is a lucky country run mainly by second rate people who share its luck.” Australia developed wealth and power as a consequence of luck rather than strategy, with an over reliance on it's climate and plentiful natural resources.
The Lucky Country was first published in 1964 and has not been out of print since. Horne attacked the philistinism, provincialism and dependence that the country showed and that it was second-rate people who shared this luck. Many might argue that observation is relevant today.
The seventies and eighties were a time when Australians participated in the continuous debate about the concept of an Australian identity. What could be referred to as the ‘Crocodile Dundee era’ when certain
stereotypes were projected and challenged. Horne went on to write many more books with the theme of, who are Australians.
He took Australian society to task for its philistinism, provincialism and dependence. 'Australia is a lucky country, run mainly by second-rate people who share its luck.
The election of the Whitlam Governement resulted in an epiphany for Horne. He became a great supporter of Whitlam and with Governor- General Kerr’s dismissal he had a second epiphany and became a devout republican. (Sadly as I write King Charles III is visiting Australia and by the looks of things the UK will be a republic before Australia.)
In his life Horne had something to say, and he said it often.
Some described Horne as an antipodean Orwell. One significent difference (acknowledgement to Ana Funder, ‘Wifedom’) He treated his wife Myfanwy with much greater respect and fully acknowleged her role in his achievements. Myfanwy was devoted to her husband’s intellectual pursuits
Horne died in Sptember 2005. Myfanwy in 2013
On finishing the book I reflected who are the present public intellectuals? In this age of celebrityhood it seems the word of sports stars, movie stars, singers and other entertainers seem be acknowledged more than those with academic and writing qualifications. Radio shock jocks appear to have an unequal opinion in public debates. Social media provides us with the bearded and reverse cap brigade. The Murdoch media does it upmost to influence public debate and attack others who don’t fit their mold.
Here is my list of today’s public intellectuals: Indigenous: Noel Pearson, Marcia Langton, Henry Reynolds, Frank Brennan, Stan Grant. Literature: Tim Winton, David Malouf, Helen Garner, Richard Flanagan, David Williamson. History: Inga Clendinnen, Geoffrey Blainey, Frank Bongiorno. Feminism: Germaine Greer, Anne Summers. Environment: Tim Flannery, Bob Brown. Society: Robert Manne, Raimond Gaita, Don Watson. Science: Paul Davies, Peter Doherty and Fiona Stanley.
July 30, 2024
Kaboom!
I knew nothing much about Donald Horne when the biography by Ryan Cropp was shortlisted for the National Biography award. I had read one of his novels and found it derivative, tedious and predictable. But long before that, I had read the 1974 reissue of his most famous book The Lucky Country, published in 1964. To quote my own thoughts from when I reviewed the novel:
I liked The Lucky Country because it savaged the doldrum years of Robert Menzies, exemplified for me by shoes and by yarn. Yes, shoes and yarn. We could not buy a decent pair of women's shoes in Australia. Imports, made with good quality leather and in enticing styles were prohibitively expensive for an ordinary person like me. The Australian made ones were made of poor quality leather, lasted five minutes and even in the years before the internet we knew that they were out-of-date before ever they became available in the shops. As for yarn, there was a company which dominated the market and somehow turned beautiful Australian wool into cheap yarn in banal colours which pilled as soon as you wore it. The Lucky Country told us that Australian business and manufacturing, propped up by import tariffs and decades of benign and lethargic Liberal governments, was lazy and complacent, and we knew it to be true. (Don't get me started about Australian cars. Those of us who remember Peter Wherrett's Torque on ABC TV will never forget that footage of the car sliding out of control when he braked on a wet surface.)
(Mind you, you still can't buy decent shoes or yarn, but now it's for different reasons. People want cheap stuff from China and that's what retailers sell.)
Whatever, Donald Horne was a bit of a hero of mine, and I was looking forward to reading his bio. But though I enjoyed it immensely, I was saddened to find that my 'hero' had feet of clay. Almost half the book is about a man who — to put it mildly — would not have been on my Christmas card list...
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2024/07/30/d...
Yes, that was the sound of another long-held illusion hitting the dust!
I knew nothing much about Donald Horne when the biography by Ryan Cropp was shortlisted for the National Biography award. I had read one of his novels and found it derivative, tedious and predictable. But long before that, I had read the 1974 reissue of his most famous book The Lucky Country, published in 1964. To quote my own thoughts from when I reviewed the novel:
Everyone my age knows the name of the Australian journalist, writer, and public intellectual Donald Horne AO (1921-2005) because everyone my age has either read The Lucky Country (1964), or heard everyone else talk about it so much that they thought they didn’t need to read it themselves. Indeed, the title of that book went into the vernacular where it is misused all the time to signify what a beaut country Australia is. Misused because, as the blurb at Goodreads tells anyone who looks it up:Horne took Australian society to task for its philistinism, provincialism and dependence. The book was a wake-up call to an unimaginative nation, an indictment of a country mired in mediocrity and manacled to its past.
Ouch. But true. It was still mostly true when I read it in my young adulthood, even after three years of a progressive government in 1975.
I liked The Lucky Country because it savaged the doldrum years of Robert Menzies, exemplified for me by shoes and by yarn. Yes, shoes and yarn. We could not buy a decent pair of women's shoes in Australia. Imports, made with good quality leather and in enticing styles were prohibitively expensive for an ordinary person like me. The Australian made ones were made of poor quality leather, lasted five minutes and even in the years before the internet we knew that they were out-of-date before ever they became available in the shops. As for yarn, there was a company which dominated the market and somehow turned beautiful Australian wool into cheap yarn in banal colours which pilled as soon as you wore it. The Lucky Country told us that Australian business and manufacturing, propped up by import tariffs and decades of benign and lethargic Liberal governments, was lazy and complacent, and we knew it to be true. (Don't get me started about Australian cars. Those of us who remember Peter Wherrett's Torque on ABC TV will never forget that footage of the car sliding out of control when he braked on a wet surface.)
(Mind you, you still can't buy decent shoes or yarn, but now it's for different reasons. People want cheap stuff from China and that's what retailers sell.)
Needless to say, Cropp's chapter length analysis of The Lucky Country is considerably more complex and nuanced than mine!
Whatever, Donald Horne was a bit of a hero of mine, and I was looking forward to reading his bio. But though I enjoyed it immensely, I was saddened to find that my 'hero' had feet of clay. Almost half the book is about a man who — to put it mildly — would not have been on my Christmas card list...
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2024/07/30/d...
August 11, 2023
A comprehensive and fascinating exploration into the life of Australian cultural icon.
I was not particularly familiar with the works of Donald Horne, but this well-written, robustly-researched biography took me on a compelling and inspiring journey through Horne’s prolific creative and intellectual life and, at the same time, provided an engaging history of the political and sociocultural evolution of Australia (putting on it's big-boy-pants) through the latter half of the 20th century.
Horne's deeply curious, reflective and engaged way of relating to culture and ideas was a welcome reminder that "good ideas, well expressed" can be "taken up and turned into a framework for action". It also made me want to put down my phone, and go engage in some vigorous debating over a long lunch - preferably with wine involved.
I was not particularly familiar with the works of Donald Horne, but this well-written, robustly-researched biography took me on a compelling and inspiring journey through Horne’s prolific creative and intellectual life and, at the same time, provided an engaging history of the political and sociocultural evolution of Australia (putting on it's big-boy-pants) through the latter half of the 20th century.
Horne's deeply curious, reflective and engaged way of relating to culture and ideas was a welcome reminder that "good ideas, well expressed" can be "taken up and turned into a framework for action". It also made me want to put down my phone, and go engage in some vigorous debating over a long lunch - preferably with wine involved.
January 9, 2025
An absolute page-turner. This is a biography of Donald Horne, but in many ways it is much more. It is simultaneously an intellectual history of Horne and Australia. As one of Horne’s reviewers once said, ‘[he] wrestled with the problem of himself and called it Australia’. It is a story of his lifelong inquiry into ideas and culture and his neverending quest to improve the level of discourse in this country. Donald Horne is unquestionably one of the most important thinkers in Australian history - this is an excellent biography of the man who challenged the country to wake-up and reimagine itself.
August 12, 2023
This is a very well-written life and times of Donald Horne, best known as the author of The Lucky Country, but also a prolific and ubiquitous figure in late 20th century Australia.
I have some comments on Horne's political evolution elsewhere.
I have some comments on Horne's political evolution elsewhere.
September 9, 2023
Outstanding! Horne's death was before my time and most of my understanding of him had been 'wrote the Lucky Country, brilliant man of another era'. Found this super illuminating not just of Horne but of his times. I would have done a cracking job getting on the lunchtime pisser with him back in the day, I can tell you that much.
October 6, 2023
Excellent book. Easy to read. Very well written. Couldn't put it down. Started and finished the book in two days.
I had read The Lucky Country some years ago but didn't quite understand where the author was coming from. Now I do. I will now read The Lucky Country again.
I had read The Lucky Country some years ago but didn't quite understand where the author was coming from. Now I do. I will now read The Lucky Country again.
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