The Whitlam Mob

by Mungo MacCallum

"We were a motley mob, we sans-culottes of Canberra ...""
In this vastly entertaining book, Mungo MacCallum captures the spirit of a nation-changing time. He portrays the Whitlam government's key figures - from Gough and Margaret to Lionel Murphy, Bill Hayden and Jim Cairns - as well as "the other mob" in opposition - Billy McMahon, John Gorton, Malcolm Fraser and many more.
"The Whitlam Mob"addresses some crucial questions: What was the night of the long prawns? Who was the playboy of the parliament? And who was "the toe-cutter"?
This is Mungo at his best: vivid and barbed, nostalgic but always clear-eyed.
Mungo MacCallum's books include "The Good, the Bad and the Unlikely: Australia's Prime Ministers, The Mad Marathon" and "The Man Who Laughs." For more than four decades, he has been one of Australia's most influential and entertaining political journalists.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Australia, Biography

Unknown Binding

First published July 23, 2014

About the author

Mungo Wentworth MacCallum (21 December 1941 – 9 December 2020) was an Australian political journalist and commentator.

From the 1970s to the 1990s he covered Australian federal politics from the Canberra Press Gallery for The Australian, The National Times, The Sydney Morning Herald, Nation Review and radio stations 2JJ / Triple J and 2SER. He wrote political commentary for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) current affairs and news analysis program The Drum, frequently wrote for the magazine The Monthly, and contributed political commentary to Australia's national Community Radio Network, columns for the Byron Shire Echo and The Northern Star, and a weekly cryptic crossword for The Saturday Paper.

He also authored several books, including Run, Johnny, Run, written after the 2004 Australian federal election. His autobiographical narrative of the Australian political scene, Mungo: the man who laughs – has been reprinted four times. How To Be A Megalomaniac or, Advice to a Young Politician was published in 2002, and Political Anecdotes was published in 2003. In December 2004, Duffy & Snellgrove published War and Pieces: John Howard's last election.

Reviews

[Loki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview of the personalities of the Whitlam era, on both sides, written with humour and empathy for all. Not a history book as such, but would make a very good companion to one.

[Nicco · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a critical reflection of the Whitlam Government, this isn't it. However, what you'll find is a humorous, jovial, and nostalgic look back at all the characters that made up both 'The Whitlam Mob', and 'The Other Mob', then look no further.

A great read from one of Australia's most colourful reporters. We certainly miss the likes of Mungo MacCallum.

[John Marius · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read about a more idealistic and innovative political landscape. Mungo MacCallum lays on the nostalgia thick, maybe rightly so, but does manage, at times, to cut through with some critical reflection.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nostalgic trip.

[Andrew Fielding · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the players in early 1970s Australian politics. well written and easy to read.

[Peter Geyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mungo MacCallum has been a fixture in the reporting of Australian political life for as long as I've been an adult – humorous, witty, of the left in an Australian way and a fan of Gough Whitlam, the Prime Minister whose term was cut short by a governor-general's dismissal, in the midst of a combination of chaos, vision, deception, political brutality and so many other words. The afternoon of his dismissal was the only time I participated in a demonstration: in those days, permission wasn't required, they just happened.

The book is a collection of pen-pictures of those on both sides of politics around this time, with a bit more on Whitlam to start off with. All the names were familiar to me in a greater or lesser extent and I recalled most of the events, with some other stories and encounters rounding out the picture.

MacCallum admits his bias towards Whitlam, and also mentions his encounters, positive and otherwise, with politicians on both sides of the parliament. In between all that, you get a picture of what political and social culture was like in Canberra and Australia at that time. Although it's an obvious advantage to have experienced that period, and so be able to verify or confirm names dates, and places mentioned in the book, it can be of interest to anyone whoi wants to find out something about the Australia of the past, which still survives in pockets here and there in the present.

The book is clearly written and an easy read. I got through the vast majority of it in 2-3 hours. I'd give it a 5, but I rarely give those out.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the very end of the book (no spoiler alert required), MacCallum writes: "I was never a direct participant, but I was a passionately keen observer ... this book is a nostalgic reminiscence of those days of glory ... it is an attempt to come to grips with, in particular, the Whitlam mob ..." If you were an observer or would like to glean more information about a time that many remain passionate about, The Whitlam Mob is a good read.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

very enjoyable read.

[Trent Mctiernan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indeed colourful times. A amusing take on all the players of the time. Mungo as always a easy and amusing read. As colourful as the characters.

[Peter Langston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A splendid and humorous recall of the characters and events of Australian political life which surrounded Gough Whitlam.

[Dulcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diverting bit of a stroll down Mungo's memories of a different era. Enjoyable; particularly with Dr Google to hand.