Banjo: The remarkable life of Australia's greatest storyteller

by Grantlee Kieza

A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson is rightly recognised as Australia's greatest storyteller and most celebrated poet, the boy from the bush who became the voice of a generation. He gave the nation its unofficial national anthem 'Waltzing Matilda' and treasured ballads such as 'The Man from Snowy River' and 'Clancy of the Overflow', vivid creations that helped to define Australia's national identity.

But there is more, much more to Banjo's story, and in this landmark biography, award-winning writer Grantlee Kieza chronicles a rich and varied life, one that straddled two centuries and saw Australia transform from a far-flung colony to a fully fledged nation.

Born in the bush, as a boy Banjo rode his pony to a one-room school along a trail frequented by outlaw Ben Hall. As a young man he befriended Breaker Morant, and covered the second Boer War as a reporter. He fudged his age to enlist during World War I, ultimately driving an ambulance before commanding a horse training unit during that conflict. Newspaper editor, columnist, foreign correspondent and ABC broadcaster, he knew countless luminaries of his time, including Rudyard Kipling, Winston Churchill, Field Marshal Haig and Henry Lawson. The tennis ace, notorious ladies' man, brilliant jockey and celebrated polo player was an eye-witness to countless key moments in Australian history, and saw Carbine and Phar Lap race.

Extensively researched and written with Kieza's trademark verve, Banjo is a lively and captivating portrait of this truly great Australian.

Genres: Biography, Australia, History, Nonfiction, Poetry

692 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2018

Reviews

[Darryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read far more fiction than non-fiction and few biographies. But I have loved Banjo's poems since childhood and was curious enough to read this. I'm very glad that I did. It's written in a style which is unexpected for a biography. Rather than focusing narrowly on Banjo himself, the approach is quite sweeping. The book covers in some detail the lives of mush of his family back to his grandparents, including the lives they lived, the Australian environment they grew up including not only the bush but the social conditions, politics etc. It presents the history of my country in a manner that brings it to life. As a child in primary school I was taught about events such as the Eureka stockade and the Shearer's strike, with some banal explanations of their significance which meant very little. But reading this book the significance of these events and others become sharply apparent. It clearly charts the development of the Australian character, both real and arch typical through the life of this extraordinary man who had such an influence on it.

[Ryan Butta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. Not only on the life of one of Australia's most famous poets but an excellent snapshot of Australia in the period leading up to Federation. Also very interesting to see the intersections of Paterson's life with Henry Lawson, who enjoyed none of the advantages or luck that banjo did. Lawson's life was a sad tale all by itself. Highly recommended read.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a superb book on a subject that should be dear to most Australians. Author Grantlee Kieza, who wrote that excellent bo0k Mrs Kelly (on Ned Kelly's mum) and the best biography of Monash, has excelled himself with this one. I was raised on Banjo Patterson poetry, which my father had committed to memory when he was eight and was still word perfect in his 50s and when it came to choose a poem to memorise and read in second class at primary school, naturally I chose Mulga Bill's Bycycle and with a few prompts can still recite it today. So, if you are stuck for a Christmas present for that difficulty to buy for person, this could be the ideal gift and they will thank you for it.

[Sean Nonnenmacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very in interesting book about a great Australian. Loved the history and the stories. Would have rated the book higher however, the author almost paints Banjo as a saint, rarely putting a foot wrong. While a fantastic book, I feel there is a lot of untold stories which should have been told in this book.

[Ashley Salta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really fascinating insight into early life within early Australian colonies. Kieza tells a story very impartially while drawing interesting comparisons between Banjo's life and the lives of many great people he met.

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard this gentleman speak at the Australian Club last year where he introduced Banjo's great grandson who was also in attendance. It was a riveting presentation about Banjo and the book was brilliant - 5 stars - will now read his book on Macquarie

[Helen Saddler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable tale of the Australia if my ancestors. I loved the way the author highlighted Banjo's life in contrast with Henry Lawson's. It revealed a lot more about Banjo than I previously knew - his work as a war correspondent, army officer and newspaper editor. Thoroughly recommended.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating account of one of Australia’s most influential writers at a time when Australian identity was being formed.

[Ken Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew that Banjo Paterson wrote Waltzing Matilda and the Man from Snowy River and that was pretty much it. This book showed me there was so much more to his life, from struggling through a dull solicitor job in the city while dreaming of adventures in the bush, to being a war correspondent in the Boer War, and an ambulance driver in World War I. There was his long time rivalry with Henry Lawson, and reading his works on radio soon after it was introduced in Australia. He met Winston Churchill, Don Bradman, and counted Breaker Morant among his friends. An interesting read for anyone with an interest in Australian history.

[Peter Langston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough treatment of a very well known subject. Kieza humanises "The Banjo" in this volume, painting a picture of a urbane man whose heart never left the bush. Undoubtedly advantaged by his schooling and the connections that were made open to him, he made the best of those opportunities but in the process achieved great advantage in the same way that Lawson didn't. His own frank assessment of his writing is probably accurate and reflects his frustration at not being able to break from the mold of the man who wrote persuasive verse early in his career and never really progressed to anything more. Little wonder his last years were pining for the chance to be Clancy.

[Giselle Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is very long but so interesting as the author charts the lives of Banjo and to a lesser degree Henry Lawson, the sad flip side to the story. Highly recommended. I loved the stories of Banjo's mother and grandmother fighting against the odds in the bush. Bit like my ancestors.

[Deb]

I just loved this! So much I did not know about Banjo Paterson. This book is a must for people who love Australian history and trivia. Unbelievable how many historically interesting individuals he met.

[Craig Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most Australians have heard of A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson, but how many of us know the man behind the legend? Grantlee Kieza sets out to rectify this with a truly remarkable tale of arguably Australia's finest wordsmith. Told with passion and enthusiasm, and thoroughly researched, the tale of this talented Australian is brought to life from Banjo's early years, to his Boer war experience, the writing of 'The man from snowy river', and 'Clancy of the overflow', to his classic ballad 'Waltzing Matilda', still sung vigorously to this day. Kieza has done a remarkable job of bringing 'Banjo' back to life. Highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Literature or Australian history.

[Sam Schroder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kieza has done extensive research and written an engaging history of Banjo Patterson’s life which includes a lot of details about Henry Lawson and Breaker Morant’s stories as well.
In a really nice, narrative style, Kieza places Patterson’s family’s history in perspective and shows how he found his way into an immortal presence in Australia’s psyche.
Byrne’s narration was really appealing and definitely added to my enjoyment of the book.
If you love Australian history and a well-written biography, you’ll love this. I have now added most of Kieza’s catalogue to my wish list. Especially the one on Ned Kelly’s mum!

[Vikki Petraitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Banjo Paterson and it was great to read a comprehensive book about his life and work.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating audiobook, comprehensively covering Banjo Patterson's life, his contemporaries (Louisa Patterson, Henry Lawson, Breaker Morant, Miles Franklin, etc), his work (Waltzing Matilda, Man from Snowy River, etc) and Australian culture as it was during his time.
Could easily enjoy immersing myself in it again. Terrifically done.

[Bill Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the vision splendid

[Tuesdayschild · Rating 3 out of 5]

I counted this as finished at 70% ; the book was interesting enough but started to feel like it was dragging on with details.

[Dulcie · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I was younger there was a popular bumper sticker that read"Is that true? Or did you read it in the Telegraph?" As a News Corp scribbler, Kieza brings a staunch tone of tripe to this book.
With a subject as rich as Patterson to work from this "study" is hugely detailed but lacks any real analysis. There is no tangent that Kieza doesn't chase after and in so many cases he just parrots earlier mistakes, sustaining myths with no historical basis.
Kieza may well be aiming to be the new Peter Fitzsimmons which for some readers will be just fine. For this reader however, this is an empty populist tome which is highly disrespectful to the subject.
If David Marr's magisterial work with Patrick White is the gold standard for Australian literary biography, then "Banjo" is the kindy reader.
Save your time and go read something worthy. This isn't.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have finished reading yet another wonderful biography written by Grantlee Kieza. I am thoroughly enjoying more in-depth learning about key figures in Australian history, and also really enjoying sharing the experience with my mum as we read the books together. Modern technology is sometimes really wonderful.

[Malvina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great biography of Banjo Paterson, and a good description of the life of the times. I enjoyed the encounters he had with people such as Henry Lawson, Breaker Morant, Rudyard Kipling, and others. Also fascinating were the descriptions of the Boer War and WWI. A good read.

[Rocky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a terrific account of the life of one of my favourite poets. Kieza tells a great story with lots of research to back it up

[Cher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this banjo is my hero now

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant - Grantlee Kieza does it again! I "knew" about Banjo Patterson, but there is so much more to him than Waltzing Matilda and The Man From Snowy River, and now I realise how much my Australian identity owes to him. What a man! What a life! By the middle of the book, I believe that I was half in love with Banjo ...

[Luke Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb title, certainly a new favourite from Kieza. Paterson lived not only a life of stark contrast to his contemporary Lawson, he was another genuine Australian (perhaps without being a “battler” in some people’s minds). He lived a full and adventurous life, serving his country in beautiful and creative verse that in many ways formed our literary tradition, but also in war. Wasn’t much the man couldn’t do, and seems very much like the kind of person you’d like to have a long conversation with.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biographies like this are always bittersweet when they are over.

I feel this one went on a little too long and the author would segue to talking about various other people (many names already forgotten) if they even had the slightest association with Banjo. I felt some things could have been left out 🤷🏻‍♀️

However I did enjoy this nonetheless.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grantlee Kieza books are worth reading, I have really enjoyed all of his books ,written in a style which is interesting, informative and satisfying.

[Tuesdayschild · Rating 3 out of 5]

I counted this as finished at 70%: the book was interesting enough but started to feel like it was dragging on with details.

[Angus Mcfarlane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A free book from my subscription to The Australian last year, this was a difficult book to get into and took a long time to get through. Part of this was the medium: there is something about my kobo app that makes books harder than other electronic media, but on a phone, the main option in this case, even harder. And the early stages of banjos life, or his parents and grandparents, are sparse and set the scene in a roundabout way, which is a pity since the story does get moving later.

I didn't realize that waltzing Matilda was banjos, nor most of the activities he engaged in as a lawyer and journalist, flitting off to wars in Africa and Europe to report. He is an interesting mixture of the times - connected to the wealthy through sporting clubs, strongly nationalistic and what would be now labelled xenophobic, yet sympathetic and insightful in regard to the 'enemy' (boers).

But it his poetry is his lasting fame, waltzing Matilda and the man from snowy river being the ones that have stuck, and the biography has lead me to read more of his poetry, most of it rollicking ballads, and much of it connected to riding and racing horses. It probably doesn't class as good poetry, but it is easy to enjoy, especially when read aloud. My favourite find so far is a pithy item about the war in chile, discovered the week of Chile's national celebration of independence etc. Maybe there will be more of these, but since I've read other national poets (Neruda) getting to know Australia's is a good way to reacclimatise to my home country.

[Adrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is brilliant. I’m personally invested because I grew up in Narromine, near Bathurst, Orange and Yeoval, where Banjo was born and raised till he moved to Sydney. This read wasn’t so much about his poetry for me, it was a revisit to the countryside I love. A visit to the old Sydney I wish we as a country did a far better job at preserving.

I was shocked to find out that Franz Ferdinand visited Narromine and went hunting wildlife, 300 kills. This tiny backwater village hosted an astounding historical figure. That blew my mind.