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Young Hawke: The making of a larrikin - a biography of one of the most influential and recognisable Australians from the award-winning historian an
From Rhodes Scholar to union leader to political how Bobbie became Bob, the iconic PM. The new biography from award-winning historian David Day sheds fresh light on the formative years of Australia's most charismatic leader, who became a political legend.
David Day's biography of the young Bob Hawke takes readers on a journey, from his humble beginnings as the often-neglected son of religious zealots on the South Australian frontier to his wild ways at a succession of universities and his eventual rise as the country's most powerful union leader. Day provides a new perspective on a larrikin who was known for his overweening self-confidence and charm. A skilled negotiator with a drive to bring Australians together, he would go on to become our most popular and accomplished prime minister.
Drawing on a decade of extensive research and interviews with those who knew Hawke best, this ground-breaking biography by an acclaimed writer reveals how Hawke's difficult childhood shaped him into someone who was also known for his uncontrollable bouts of anger and notorious for his alcoholism, obsessive womanising and close links with some of Australia's more shadowy characters.
This gripping biography is a must-read for anyone interested in the first fifty years of Bob Hawke, our last truly colourful political leader.
'David Day's biography ... brings fascinating new dimension to this complex and deeply flawed man ... [a] fascinating, elegantly written account' Guardian
David Day's biography of the young Bob Hawke takes readers on a journey, from his humble beginnings as the often-neglected son of religious zealots on the South Australian frontier to his wild ways at a succession of universities and his eventual rise as the country's most powerful union leader. Day provides a new perspective on a larrikin who was known for his overweening self-confidence and charm. A skilled negotiator with a drive to bring Australians together, he would go on to become our most popular and accomplished prime minister.
Drawing on a decade of extensive research and interviews with those who knew Hawke best, this ground-breaking biography by an acclaimed writer reveals how Hawke's difficult childhood shaped him into someone who was also known for his uncontrollable bouts of anger and notorious for his alcoholism, obsessive womanising and close links with some of Australia's more shadowy characters.
This gripping biography is a must-read for anyone interested in the first fifty years of Bob Hawke, our last truly colourful political leader.
'David Day's biography ... brings fascinating new dimension to this complex and deeply flawed man ... [a] fascinating, elegantly written account' Guardian
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 17, 2025
Splendid biography of former Prime Minister Bob Hawke that covers the period of life from his birth to the day he announced he would stand for preselection for the seat of Wills just prior to the 1980 election
Day doesn't pull any punches or give Hawke an easy ride.
While he documented Hawke s success as leader of the actu which was to be a stepping stone in his goal to become prime Minister, he also highlights Hawkes demons , namely his alcoholism and womanising while married.
Overall a very balanced account of one of Australia's most influential leaders and a must read for anyone interested in politics.
Day doesn't pull any punches or give Hawke an easy ride.
While he documented Hawke s success as leader of the actu which was to be a stepping stone in his goal to become prime Minister, he also highlights Hawkes demons , namely his alcoholism and womanising while married.
Overall a very balanced account of one of Australia's most influential leaders and a must read for anyone interested in politics.
November 23, 2025
David Day’s, ‘Young Hawke - The Making of a Larrikin’ is a well researched, lucid and highly engaging account of Bob Hawke’s early years before becoming Australia’s 23rd Prime Minister. The text spans Hawke’s youth, education, marriage to Hazel, and career as leader of ACTU and the ALP.
It is difficult to read about the extent of his narcissism, the voracious womanising, the minimising of Hazel’s worth and his rampant alcoholism because these behavioural components formed a large part of the man who would come to hold the highest ever approval rating of an Australian Prime Minister.
The author is deft at including many anecdotes from those who were close to the young Hawke and much of this is not easy reading. Hawke was hailed as charismatic and dynamic by many, representative of the Australian body politic, with progressive ideals. Nevertheless, what also stood out about the young Hawke was an overriding petulance, conceit and egotism that flawed, if not dulled, his brilliance.
As a son he appeared to blame mummy for her dogged expectations and preference for his dead brother; as a scholar he was unwilling to “ever pay tribute to the influence of any teacher”; as a committed unionist he loved the hedonistic high life and was nicknamed “champagne Charlie” by those who foot many of his bills. In his closest personal relationships his self-interest was breathtaking. As a husband he appeared to have had little compunction at getting his wife to abort a child, “a task that was hers alone to undertake and to finance”. This was done in order to achieve his Rhodes Scholarship. He then called her to his side to divert his attention from the abundant sexual temptations at Oxford.
Hawke loved his family but was mostly absent working on his career, his mistresses or the overarching fornication crusade that occupied his time. Hawke was notorious in his objectification of women in the crudest, foul mouthed manner and when rejected he could be vicious and spiteful in his criticism of them. Hawke backed and fought for the causes of the working man (and to a lesser degree woman) but sought the company and benefits of the wealthiest industrialists; he was an outspoken and avid Zionist, at no time acknowledging the plight of ordinary Palestinians. Hardly the makings of a statesman with a “vision for a better and more egalitarian world”.
Somewhat problematic was the premise that Hawke was, in essence, a larrikin who made good. This was a bit of a stretch. When ‘larrikin’ is used in Australian English it has positive connotations: rambunctious, uncultivated and irreverent. Hawke made good politically, because he was propelled by ego, ambition and narcissism - the larrikin element was a guise.
It will be interesting to see how the next volume about Hawke’s leadership might reveal his maturity.
It is difficult to read about the extent of his narcissism, the voracious womanising, the minimising of Hazel’s worth and his rampant alcoholism because these behavioural components formed a large part of the man who would come to hold the highest ever approval rating of an Australian Prime Minister.
The author is deft at including many anecdotes from those who were close to the young Hawke and much of this is not easy reading. Hawke was hailed as charismatic and dynamic by many, representative of the Australian body politic, with progressive ideals. Nevertheless, what also stood out about the young Hawke was an overriding petulance, conceit and egotism that flawed, if not dulled, his brilliance.
As a son he appeared to blame mummy for her dogged expectations and preference for his dead brother; as a scholar he was unwilling to “ever pay tribute to the influence of any teacher”; as a committed unionist he loved the hedonistic high life and was nicknamed “champagne Charlie” by those who foot many of his bills. In his closest personal relationships his self-interest was breathtaking. As a husband he appeared to have had little compunction at getting his wife to abort a child, “a task that was hers alone to undertake and to finance”. This was done in order to achieve his Rhodes Scholarship. He then called her to his side to divert his attention from the abundant sexual temptations at Oxford.
Hawke loved his family but was mostly absent working on his career, his mistresses or the overarching fornication crusade that occupied his time. Hawke was notorious in his objectification of women in the crudest, foul mouthed manner and when rejected he could be vicious and spiteful in his criticism of them. Hawke backed and fought for the causes of the working man (and to a lesser degree woman) but sought the company and benefits of the wealthiest industrialists; he was an outspoken and avid Zionist, at no time acknowledging the plight of ordinary Palestinians. Hardly the makings of a statesman with a “vision for a better and more egalitarian world”.
Somewhat problematic was the premise that Hawke was, in essence, a larrikin who made good. This was a bit of a stretch. When ‘larrikin’ is used in Australian English it has positive connotations: rambunctious, uncultivated and irreverent. Hawke made good politically, because he was propelled by ego, ambition and narcissism - the larrikin element was a guise.
It will be interesting to see how the next volume about Hawke’s leadership might reveal his maturity.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews