The words of John Howard sum this book up pretty well: “There is no finer being in public life than John Anderson.”
I had a chat with John after a meeting he spoke at during Australia’s recent marriage debate. I told him I was interested in politics and asked him what he would recommend I do. He told me to read books - which I already do a lot of - and to read, more specifically biographies. I had a look around and then thought, “why not read John Anderson’s bio”. He is a man I know little of until recently but my family (and I think most Australians) greatly admire. Anderson is a strong believer and a commonsense Aussie and I wish he would at least get back into politics for a short while.
One of the greatest points of interest for me when reading Faith & Duty was the incredible level of integrity John had. He was above reproach. I think all politicians aught to hold to this same standard, however I think it is well nigh impossible when we have not true moral standard for society.
I would recommend this book to anyone (whether you are passionate about politics or not) as it is thought provoking, well written and well informed.
Faith and Duty is the story of a man whose life was filled with tragedy (his mother and sister died when he was young and he lost a son), a reluctant politician and a mature believer.
As a biography or as a useful reference book, Faith and Duty is a very shallow narrative. It is more a book of out right praise for its subject and very little else. I am always very questioning of politicians, when they leave office, suddenly undergoing some kind of Paulian conversion on the road to some kind of Damascus.