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Bring Back Yesterday: On losing the love of my life, and doing what it takes to survive
A deeply moving love story and grief memoir from one of Australia's most respected and longstanding public figures.
It was a warm October day when his life splintered down the middle. She was gone in a flash. Everything changed forever.
For three months, in shock at this horror, he maintained a regime of late-night walks across the city. There came a time when he had walked enough, and so he stopped.
Bring Back Yesterday is a love story, and the account of the author finding his footing again after the death of his wife, Helena.
Raw and compelling, the anecdotes and insights Bob Carr shares will resonate with anyone who has ever been in a long-term relationship or lost a much-loved partner.
'A soul-searing portrait of love and loss ... This unsparing account of a powerful man unravelled by grief is a brave gift to all who have suffered, and will suffer, the inevitable tragedy of being human.' Geraldine Brooks
'A memoir of raw and extraordinary power' David Marr
'This scorching book burns with passion and pain, but also with resilience and a defiant hope' Greg Sheridan
It was a warm October day when his life splintered down the middle. She was gone in a flash. Everything changed forever.
For three months, in shock at this horror, he maintained a regime of late-night walks across the city. There came a time when he had walked enough, and so he stopped.
Bring Back Yesterday is a love story, and the account of the author finding his footing again after the death of his wife, Helena.
Raw and compelling, the anecdotes and insights Bob Carr shares will resonate with anyone who has ever been in a long-term relationship or lost a much-loved partner.
'A soul-searing portrait of love and loss ... This unsparing account of a powerful man unravelled by grief is a brave gift to all who have suffered, and will suffer, the inevitable tragedy of being human.' Geraldine Brooks
'A memoir of raw and extraordinary power' David Marr
'This scorching book burns with passion and pain, but also with resilience and a defiant hope' Greg Sheridan
185 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2026
About the author
Bob Carr
9 books8 followersBob Carr is the longest continuously serving Premier in New South Wales history.
He served as Leader of the Opposition from 1988 until his election as Premier in March 1995. He was re-elected in 1999 and again in March 2003 securing an historic third four-year term.
He retired from politics in 2005 after over 10 years as Premier.
During these 10 years the State Government set new records for spending on infrastructure, became the first government in the State’s history to retire debt, hosted the world’s best Olympics in 2000 and achieved the nation’s best school literacy levels. Forbes magazine called Bob Carr a “dragon slayer” for his landmark tort law reforms.
As Premier he introduced the world’s first carbon trading scheme and curbed the clearing of native vegetation as anti-greenhouse measures. He was a member of the International Task Force on Climate Change convened by Tony Blair, and was made a life member of the Wilderness Society in 2003. He has also received the World Conservation Union International Parks Merit Award for creating 350 new national parks.
Bob Carr has received the Fulbright Distinguished Fellow Award Scholarship. He has served as Honorary Scholar of the Australian American Leadership Dialogue.
In March 2012 he was designated by Prime Minister Julia Gillard as Australia’s Foreign Minister. He was elected to the Australian Senate to fill a casual Senate vacancy and sworn in to the Senate and Cabinet on March 13, 2012.
He served as Leader of the Opposition from 1988 until his election as Premier in March 1995. He was re-elected in 1999 and again in March 2003 securing an historic third four-year term.
He retired from politics in 2005 after over 10 years as Premier.
During these 10 years the State Government set new records for spending on infrastructure, became the first government in the State’s history to retire debt, hosted the world’s best Olympics in 2000 and achieved the nation’s best school literacy levels. Forbes magazine called Bob Carr a “dragon slayer” for his landmark tort law reforms.
As Premier he introduced the world’s first carbon trading scheme and curbed the clearing of native vegetation as anti-greenhouse measures. He was a member of the International Task Force on Climate Change convened by Tony Blair, and was made a life member of the Wilderness Society in 2003. He has also received the World Conservation Union International Parks Merit Award for creating 350 new national parks.
Bob Carr has received the Fulbright Distinguished Fellow Award Scholarship. He has served as Honorary Scholar of the Australian American Leadership Dialogue.
In March 2012 he was designated by Prime Minister Julia Gillard as Australia’s Foreign Minister. He was elected to the Australian Senate to fill a casual Senate vacancy and sworn in to the Senate and Cabinet on March 13, 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 19, 2026
I used to view Bob Carr as a successful and efficient Premier and Foreign Minister but a rather unemotional and humourless person. After reading Bring Back Yesterday, I have glimpsed another side of his personality. The book is a beautiful depiction of his loving partnership of 50 years with Helena, until her sudden tragic death in 2023 and it is a moving expression of the overwhelming grief he has lived with since then - with a few touches of humour scattered throughout.
The book also provides fascinating historical accounts of Helena's life in Taiping, Malaysia in the mid-20th century and Bob's life growing up at the same time in the working class Sydney suburbs of Matraville and Maroubra. Stories of his schooling in that region resonate with those of my partner who also grew up in Maroubra in the 1950s and 1960s. Chapters on Debts of Honour, which pay tribute to a diverse collection of people who have positively influenced Bob's life, add further emotional and historical depth to the memoir.
Bring Back Yesterday is a great read as an account of love, loss and grief, as well as some 20th century Australian social and cultural history.
The book also provides fascinating historical accounts of Helena's life in Taiping, Malaysia in the mid-20th century and Bob's life growing up at the same time in the working class Sydney suburbs of Matraville and Maroubra. Stories of his schooling in that region resonate with those of my partner who also grew up in Maroubra in the 1950s and 1960s. Chapters on Debts of Honour, which pay tribute to a diverse collection of people who have positively influenced Bob's life, add further emotional and historical depth to the memoir.
Bring Back Yesterday is a great read as an account of love, loss and grief, as well as some 20th century Australian social and cultural history.
April 7, 2026
This was a quick read and full of emotions. It was lovely to read a book so full of love for a spouse. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews