The Latham Diaries

by Mark Latham

A riveting chronicle of life inside politics. The backroom deals, the frontroom coniving, the bitter defeat of idealism and the triumph of opportunism.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Biography, History, Australia

429 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Mark William Latham, a former Australian politician, was leader of the Federal Parliamentary Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition from December 2003 to January 2005.

Reviews

[Wisdom Wasp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard book to rate. Because while it’s always entertaining, informative and extremely honest, it’s is pretty hard to read some of the things Mark writes and thinks about others. Mark Lathams view on people seems to be if you’re on his side, or with him like Keating and Gough are, you’re a “top bloke” if not you’re whatever description he pulls - although often funny, delivered with more malice and anger that stops them from being Keating-esque classics. In particular his words about John Anderson and his poor joke on Gareth Evans retirement leave a bad taste in the mouth (1/3rd of the way through the book).

What is great about the book is Marks insight into the machinery of Labor politics, the changing of the type of politician and the public perception of politicians changing because of this. It’s great to read a more “real” view of these political characters we know, although filtered through Marks perceptions.

Mark is a forward thinker, and his diagnosis of the problems, his ideas to build social capital and what the future for work and the Labor movement have proven to be correct. Politically, I agree with his diagnosis and his solutions. He’s a very smart guy, unique but his inability to understand other points of view are his weakest points. Kim Beazely is often in the crosshairs, because he’s risk averse, and probably because he plays the politics game of schmooze better than others.

Mark Latham writes about his contempt for the political process, but honestly his hatred for politics rings hollow. He hates politics when it doesn’t work for him, whether getting ignored at a Caucus meeting or losing an election he could’ve won. Mark Latham loves politics, he’s never left politics and his current love for the camera and attention, now taking the fight against “political correctness”. which I agree with by the way. He’s not a natural on TV as he is a writer though, His columns in the AFR were some of best I ever read, and he was right nearly everyone time, pretty much unbeatable in that domain.

Although Mark would like you to think he would’ve been happier as a policy specialist, I don’t feel that’s true. He loves the fight of politics, and he also loves to fight on behalf of the marginalised. His positives and his flaws make him who he is, if he had a greater calm and political nous he could’ve been a great Prime Minister, up there with his heroes Keating and Gough and Australia would have been better off. But this wouldn’t be the character of Mark Latham who’s written this book - it is a great historical document nonetheless.

Also one other thing - the introduction laying out his political view is only for policy wonks - skip it if that’s not your interest.

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love autobiographies that are brutally honest, or at least feel that way on the surface. I have no doubt most of what Latham has written here is true, it just follows the path we see everyday on the reported world of politics and its stuff that's impossible to make up on the spot (remember, this was published pretty much straight after he left politics at the start of 2005). Particularly in light of Kevin Rudd's demise at the hands of his faction ALP 'buddies' just before the 2010 election.

The highlight for me is the characters within the ALP and the media, those behind the scenes stories you only hear through media rumour or vague word of mouth.... is presented here. None of the main players escape Latham's wraith in some way, sure he sounds bitter, very bitter, but justified in many ways. I can't believe how some act... its mortifying...

This is one of the best horror stories I've ever read and this shit is real!!! REAL!!! Makes you wonder where Australia is heading if this is one of two sides that directs Australia's future... and the other party is even worse!!!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ripper of a book. Hilarious in parts, but overall a convincing argument of the hollow shell the ALP has become. The epilogue was particularly sad. Good on him for having a go and making the decision to walk away.

On a personal level it finally put the last nail in the coffin of any inclinations I had to rejoin, or become active in support of, the ALP. Now I might check out one of the local Green branches.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had always intended to read Barking Mark’s parliamentary diaries ever since they were first published. It wasn’t until my reading habits improved that I eventually got around to it.

At the time they came out, I actually had a lot of sympathy with Latham. I felt he had been treated unfairly, especially with the Labor Party referring disparagingly to “the Latham experiment” after he had tried to modernise the party. It wasn’t until he signed up with Channel 9 to act as a serial pest during the 2010 election that I lost all respect for him. Almost everything that has happened since has just been an embarrassment. Even so, I still wanted to read what he had to say before he went completely insane.

Much of his criticisms of the party, which go back well before his leadership, are entirely valid and remain so even now. His frustrations with machine politics are quite understandable and in some ways, ahead of their time. So too are his annoyances with a media more interested in trivia than policy.

However, the seeds of his later derangement are visible. He has much to say on the need for the Labor Party to separate itself from socially conservative unions who no longer have the numbers to swing elections. A fair point, but he also writes of his preference for the company of the knockabout Aussie larrikin – an overly blokey type of character represented by the kind of unions he was trying to break away from. Also, in choosing to out himself as the unnamed MP who told a female journalist at a drinks function that he was “going home to masturbate,” he reveals that he might not understand the distinction between being a larrikin and being a dickhead. Elsewhere, he rejects the notion that his attitude to women is a problem, and then refers to Michelle Grattan as ugly in the very next paragraph.

I couldn’t help but wonder what the Latham of 2005 would make of the Latham of 2017. Although the diaries reveal an ability to justify contradictory points of view, I still think the author of this book would be disgusted in a bloke who took Murdoch’s dollar to talk about recipes on a news channel (Broccolini, Mark? What self-respecting knockabout Aussie larrikin has even heard of broccolini?) and makes videos of himself wandering the streets of western Sydney looking for non-English speakers to humiliate. He has become one of the leading purveyors of the “downwards envy” he rightly criticised throughout his diaries.

The biggest message of the book should be what a toll party politics and being an MP takes on a doting family man. Unfortunately, his description of Bob Hawke on page 158 becomes an even more apt summation of Barking Mark himself: “A tub-thumper who degenerated into a clown.”

[S'hi · Rating 3 out of 5]

An insight into daily thoughts and conversations of a top level politician coming to terms with his differences with his own party, but seeking alternative solutions in trying times of change. The tendency toward denigration of colleagues as well as opponents becomes gruelling. The seeming waste of good talent by the conception of Opposition within the Australian/Westminster parliamentary system also raises questions about how we might conceive of our politics differently although Mark Latham does not address this directly himself. Beyond the recriminations and frustrations political biography always seems to have something to teach us about ourselves. But are we willing to act upon those insights for a better future for us all?

[Rowan Rafferty · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happened & what happened? Readable, interesting , insightful. Clearly Mr Latham is a man of considerable intellect ... or was then. There is logic, there is morality and you have to ask what drove him to politics, and there are some answers.

A clearly nasty first marriage breakdown may account for some of his more what I would term misogynistic behaviour and attitudes, and that is sad to see.
What drives him now is a mystery after reading this.

His commentary on big political party machinations and their attendant value systems was and is still true.

Insights into the #ALP, characters and policy is an observed history with plenty of personal commentary.

At the very least, love him or hate him, this book will make you think.

[Jacqueline Hodder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me as it's not something I might normally choose to read but I do always want to make sure I keep reading as broadly as possible. This is a series of (edited) diary entries from a former leader of the Labor part of Australia while they were in opposition in the early 2000s. Mark Latham was seen as a controversial figure and a bit of a risk at the time and these diary entries show how and why that was. There is a depth of intelligence and thought that shines through and some incredible insights into the inner-machinations of a major political party. Although I worry about the trajectory his career took post-Labor party, this period of time and Latham's role in bearing witness to it is fascinating.

[Naomi Elizabeth FRYERS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the policy making parts were mildly intriguing but I got bored with the bitterness and political intricacies that are irrelevant to most of our lives. 2 stars for the who's in what factions list though. 🤣

[Frankie]

lol I’m inputting books I read in probably 2006 but this one’s too embarrassing

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a ripper read. Raw and to the point. I was a little shocked at seeing how many reasonable opinions Mark Latham has, considering how out there and plain wrong a lot of his opinions are now. He seemed to have a level head, and took the same view I would have had at all the in fighting in the ALP. He called many things out, such as the failure the Iraq war would be and the lie of the WMDs. The person who wrote these diaries seems like one completely different to the Latham of today.

[Daniel Lang · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mark Latham's "The Latham Diaries" is a regrettable exercise in self-indulgence and bitterness that fails to offer any meaningful insights or contribute to a constructive political discourse. This literary endeavor serves as a stark reminder of the worst aspects of political memoirs, leaving readers with little more than a sour taste and a sense of wasted time.

From the very beginning, it's evident that Latham's primary goal is to settle scores and air grievances rather than provide a thoughtful reflection on his time in politics. The author's tone is consistently acerbic, creating an unpleasant reading experience as he lashes out at former colleagues, political opponents, and anyone else who had the audacity to disagree with him.

The narrative lacks coherence, with Latham jumping haphazardly between events and issues without offering any meaningful context or analysis. The disjointed nature of the storytelling makes it challenging for readers to follow the chronology of events or understand the broader significance of the author's experiences.

Latham's relentless focus on personal vendettas undermines any potential value the book might have had. Rather than shedding light on the intricacies of political decision-making or offering a behind-the-scenes perspective, "The Latham Diaries" reads more like a laundry list of grievances and a platform for settling old scores.

The lack of self-awareness is striking. Latham seems oblivious to the contradictions in his own actions and statements, making it difficult for readers to take his perspective seriously. The incessant blame-shifting and refusal to take responsibility for personal and political failures further diminish the credibility of the author.

Moreover, the book is riddled with a toxic mix of arrogance and victimhood. Latham's portrayal of himself as a misunderstood genius thwarted by lesser minds is both tiresome and unconvincing. The constant finger-pointing at others for his own shortcomings becomes wearisome, leaving readers questioning the authenticity of the author's narrative.

In summary, "The Latham Diaries" is a disappointing foray into the world of political memoirs. Mark Latham's bitterness, lack of introspection, and penchant for settling scores overshadow any potential value the book might have offered. Readers seeking a nuanced and insightful exploration of political life would be better served looking elsewhere. A one-star rating is a generous assessment for a book that adds little to the public discourse and instead serves as a cautionary example of how not to approach the genre.

[Tiemu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brutally knocks over the naive assumptions the average person will hold regarding the dark machinations that are the Australian Labor Party, Australian trade unionism, Australian journalism, and the immoral cabal who shape these murky organisations.

One can only wish a Liberal Party member would publish an honest personal diary like this one, demonstrating how noxious the system is on all sides.

Though published in 2005, the Diary lives on. The Daily Telegraph continues feeding voyeurism to a mindless public by physically stalking politicians for fluff news 'stories': retired Latham eats food with his kids; Latham speaks to a swimming teacher. Only the machine men now know who actually runs the Labor Party: future leaders destined behind closed doors with secret handshakes, from the murky backrooms of Sussex Street Sydney. He offers a 'who's who in the factional zoo', but by now it's outdated, but shows how mindbogglingly complex the ALP zoo really is.

Many of the personalities Latham assails against remain in parliament, and more frighteningly, are now in power. The inmates he scorns now run the asylum.

Latham fails to accept much personal blame for anything. It's a trait common among politicians of all stripes, even anti-politician politicians. It can seem somewhat confusing to scold others for disloyalty, then later scold them for not thinking and acting independently. He fails to even consider that his 2004 election policies might not at all have been what the Australian people want: his promise to let the children of unprocessed assylum seekers into the community with their parents still detained would have resulted in massive future compensation lawsuits and comparisons to Auschwitz and the Stolen Generation. The wider community might not have cared about the Tasmanian forests, or a carbon trading scheme. To be fair though, this is a diary, hurriedly written no doubt given his busy schedule, and our own diaries are hardly fountains of modest, selfless thoughts. In fact it is the unabashed emotion, witticisms and gutter talk that make this polemic against the ALP and political culture downright hilarious.

A complete anomaly in Australian political literature. Dated, but a keeper.

[Brett Davison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candid. That’s one way to describe this documentation of a desperate period in Labor Politics. Another way to describe it is a vicious bile ridden “get square” against all of the intellectual midgets who stood in his way. Yet another way to describe it would be a portrait of functional insanity. But what I think is that it’s a bit of each.
He had some great theories, but like a lot of theories they were devoid of any basis in reality. A medium sized economy supporting 23 or so million people was never going to be the place to test those theories. And when he was rejected by a nervous Australian public in favour of the warm & comfortable John Howard, well the toys were tossed from the pram quicksmart. His resignation press conference delivered in a Park in south west Sydney is the stuff of legend & only served to add credence to the notion that he was a tad unstable….
However, his insight, turn of phrase & outrageous candor make this a political perv’s delight. Well written in a straight forward style, he spares no one in his observations & musings. Latham was a political anomaly, a University Professor in a Blue Truckie’s Singlet who promised so much, but ultimately delivered so little. Sadly, more sizzle than sausage

[Daniel Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wonder if I'll ever read a more brutally honest account of Australian politics. No doubt Latham's Diaries are somewhat self-serving, but even with that in mind you can't help but to feel for him as he notes that day-to-day happenings in the ALP, his path to party leadership and his loss to John Howard.

It's a scary look inside the Australian parliament, where intellectual and independent thought is punished and tribalism is rewarded. It also shows the kind of treatment the media gives MPs: it is rather ghastly.

Given Latham's recent fall from grace, this was in many ways a sad read. One of Australia's brightest political thinkers has wasted his time and legacy on insulting public figures in rather crude terms. Often there was some underlying point to his attacks that was completely overshadowed by the manner he made them.

Still, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book for anyone looking to understand life in Australian politics or the workings of the parliamentary Labor Party.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I get the impression that Latham is a bit mad, and a bit of an egomaniac at times. But if you get past all that, which isn't all that hard he reveals of himself quite honestly, then you have someone who is actually quite incisive in his political analysis and recommendations.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read most of this book to my brother-in-law while travelling
throughout the Flinders Ranges S.A. putting together a Bus Tour for Seniors
both of which we are!!!
A Great Trip with a Great Book by a Great Flawed Man,
whom I've often admired.

[Noel Landry · Rating 1 out of 5]

One star but there’s an underlying brilliance here where an entire work of non fiction(?) presents one man as brilliantly above the fray and yet amongst and from the people, while strangely being undermined betrayed and disappointed by not just everyone he knows, but everyone., everywhere.

[Stephanie]

Didn't finish it. But Scathing and personal reflection of his time in politics. Australian politics seems to be more transparent and intimate than in the States.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The man is insane but it's an interesting look at the inside of Australian politics

[Anthony · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank God he lost the election.

[David Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read if you are interested in how Labor works, with some interesting policy ideas for the future

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps if the author had focused less on his diaries and more on his "real" life, he would have seen greater success in both.

[abc · Rating 5 out of 5]

non stop bagging of the labor party from start to finish. In other words my kind of book.