Kerry O'Brien, A Memoir

by Kerry O'Brien

Born the day after the first American occupying troops landed near Tokyo in August 1945, Kerry O'Brien's life has spanned the post-war era through the maelstrom of the nuclear and digital age - a remarkable time of intense and dynamic change that has no match in human history. He has witnessed life changing events, interviewed the great and good, and explained the intricacies of the world to millions of Australians as we sat in the comfort and safety of our lounge rooms.

Whether strolling the history-laden corridors of the White House unhindered while waiting to interview Barack Obama, or talking with Nelson Mandela on his first day in the presidential residence in Pretoria in a room filled with the blood-soaked ghosts of apartheid, or receiving a haughty rebuke from an indignantly regal Margaret Thatcher, or exploring ideas with some of the great artists, philosophers and scientists of our time, Kerry O'Brien has sought to unearth the truth behind the news. In Australia, he has watched thirteen prime ministers come and go and has called the powerful to account without fear or favour.

In this intimate ground-breaking account told with wit and insight O'Brien reflects on the big events, the lessons learned and lessons ignored, along with the foibles and strengths of public figures who construct our world. The end result is a memoir like no other - an engrossing study of a private life lived in the public eye and wrapped in nearly three-quarters of a century of social and political history.

Genres: Biography, Memoir, Politics, Australia

871 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Alan Marr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an epic tale covering Australia as i have known it. O'Brien has been an heroic figure for me, always courageous in his pursuit of truth. I was able to relive the anger I felt about Vietnam, Iraq, MUA, Children Overboard and may other lies told to the Australian public.I also relived the boldness of some of my heroes - Whitlam and Keating -while also rekindling the awkwardness i felt at some of their statements and decisions.
The five points O'Brien makes in the closing chapter are a sobering reminder of the challenges Australia faces today.

[David Risstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kerry O’Brien’s memoir is a wonderful magic carpet ride through Kerry’s media career and events in Australia’s recent history that many of us will remember.

I thoroughly enjoyed the decency Kerry appeared to carry with him, particularly with the Australian Broadcasting Commission, where many of us remember him from his days anchoring The 7:30 Report.

Quintessentially a decent Australian, with a much greater commercial history than I had been aware of, Kerry’s memoirs took me on a meander through recent political events that seem only yesterday.

Thank you Kerry. I thoroughly enjoyed your book and sharing this window into your life. I hope time treats you well.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Kerry, and he has had a fascinating life. However, I don’t have the time or attention span to read such a tome of mostly political and historical insights and anecdotes. So after 100 pages or so I lightly skipped through the book and read sections here and there that interested me. I would have loved to read more about him and his own life.

[Bronwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fabulous book. I spaced it out as long as I could, to make it last longer (and it is fairly long anyway) but it was wonderful to retrace the news events of my life, told by an expert. At first I thought it could have been improved by adding photos, but it might have been a bit much. This is not about his personal life, but his professional career, which was truly amazing.

[Ann Koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This huge book has taken me 4 months to read, however I enjoyed every word of it. My family came out on same emigrant ship as Kerry O’Brien’s ancestors, so we have that in common. Being the same age as Kerry I was able to relate to all that he has written from a political point of view.

[Paul Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading for 70 year olds

Enjoyed looking back through the political history of my lifetime. Lots of things I had forgotten or not known brought back to life by someone who was in the thick of it all. Thanks, Kerry.

[Peter Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book for those who want to relive recent Australian history and remember important cultural figures interviewed by him.You need lots of time as it is very long but always absorbing.