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Please Explain
In 1996, Pauline Hanson gave a speech that changed Australia. Targeting Asian and Indigenous people and foreign aid, Hanson unleashed a Pandora's box of division on the country. When she famously lost her federal seat in 1998, her political downfall seemed assured - but she stayed firmly in the spotlight, whether she was being locked up for electoral fraud or jiving on Dancing with the Stars. Now, after almost two decades in the political wilderness, Hanson is back in the Senate and more powerful than ever. Before One Nation's astonishingly successful return to Australian politics in 2016, multi-award-winning filmmaker Anna Broinowski had complete access to Hanson and her 'Fed Up' election campaign. Broinowski followed Hanson as she flew from Rockhampton to Sydney to Great Keppel Island and beyond in her Jabiru two-seater. The absurdity, the discord and the hatred Hanson attracts and inflames were all on show - sometimes funny, sometimes frightening, and often surreal. At the time, no one was taking Pauline Hanson and One Nation's political chances seriously, but Broinowski quickly realised that there was a movement forming. Pauline Hanson's explosive political journey mirrors Australia's from left-leaning multiculturalism, to the divided landscape we live in now. And, alongside the shocks of Brexit and Trump's presidency, Hanson's resurrection reflects a broader global trend towards outrageous far-right outsiders. Please Explain is a compelling, intimate look at how an Ipswich fish and chip shop lady changed our nation - and how (whether we like it or not) she speaks directly to Australian society and our multicultural identity today.
- GenresNonfictionPolitics
570 pages, Paperback
Published January 10, 2018
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25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 9, 2017
This book chronicles the remarkable career of Pauline Hanson, now a significant figure in Australian politics. The book is a companion volume to Broinowski's film documentary of the same name which has been shown on Australian TV. Broinowski widens her lens to bring Hanson's career up to date with her entry into the Australian Senate with increased representation gained in the 2016 Double Dissolution election.
We see how Hanson, through historical circumstances and her own strong personality and hard work, and with the backing of community supporters and significant other players, has cobbled together a party, and a movement that has shifted Australia further to the right especially on racially-infused issues. This is a story still in play with Hanson now a go-to talking head on Breakfast TV and an organised player in politics across Australia and most particularly in Queensland. It's an interesting, easy read and well worth dipping into if you like to feel out the whole landscape of Australian politics.
We see how Hanson, through historical circumstances and her own strong personality and hard work, and with the backing of community supporters and significant other players, has cobbled together a party, and a movement that has shifted Australia further to the right especially on racially-infused issues. This is a story still in play with Hanson now a go-to talking head on Breakfast TV and an organised player in politics across Australia and most particularly in Queensland. It's an interesting, easy read and well worth dipping into if you like to feel out the whole landscape of Australian politics.
December 3, 2017
4.5 stars
If you love Australian politics, this is a must read. The author does try and give Pauline a fair go, to try and understand her. Pauline is a hard worker, and stands up for what she believes in (which isn't much) but you can't escape the reality that she really not interested in understanding the world around her. She is only interested in viewing things through the lens of her own experience. She is extremely ignorant and more than a little racist, but she is also has a very cunning mind, and Ana does a brilliant job of excavating the scary Pauline and One Nation phenomenon.
If you love Australian politics, this is a must read. The author does try and give Pauline a fair go, to try and understand her. Pauline is a hard worker, and stands up for what she believes in (which isn't much) but you can't escape the reality that she really not interested in understanding the world around her. She is only interested in viewing things through the lens of her own experience. She is extremely ignorant and more than a little racist, but she is also has a very cunning mind, and Ana does a brilliant job of excavating the scary Pauline and One Nation phenomenon.
November 18, 2017
This is a fascinating look at the One Nation leader. I loved the perspective, as it actually analysed why Hanson is so popular and did not just take the easy route of ridiculing her.
March 6, 2021
The life of Pauline would make fantastic movie, undeniably. Author did great job on the structure and how it's narrated. It was chronological but relayed the events back to the people involved in the book 20 years or so after it happen to get there recollection of the events so you could see how they felt. She did a fantastic job of getting everyone besides Tony Abbott... Unsurprisingly. Felt more than a biography because the author lived through part of it. Her take on Pauline and the apparatus around her felt more honest and genuine.
Suspect the author wanted to be friends with Pauline after this hence the major effort she put towards trying to explain the policies and why Pauline has the views she does. Regardless it's appreciated and necessary. You don't get one million votes for spouting out the most racist things you can possibly imagine. People, especially that many people didnt vote for her out of "ignorance".
It's clear after reading this book the political parties and the people that wanted to leech off her are big contributors to her success and fall from grace. Major problem with one nation was it grew too quickly to handle with the wrong people behind it. If Pauline was more articulate with good support in addition made an effort to squash the toxic hatred that bubbles within the ranks instead of ignoring it we might of seen a third major political party.
Suspect the author wanted to be friends with Pauline after this hence the major effort she put towards trying to explain the policies and why Pauline has the views she does. Regardless it's appreciated and necessary. You don't get one million votes for spouting out the most racist things you can possibly imagine. People, especially that many people didnt vote for her out of "ignorance".
It's clear after reading this book the political parties and the people that wanted to leech off her are big contributors to her success and fall from grace. Major problem with one nation was it grew too quickly to handle with the wrong people behind it. If Pauline was more articulate with good support in addition made an effort to squash the toxic hatred that bubbles within the ranks instead of ignoring it we might of seen a third major political party.
March 11, 2023
I just loved this book, and for so many reasons. I am far from a Pauline Hanson fan, and it would take quite a lot for me to ever consider voting for One Nation. All the same, being of a quite conservative mindset, albeit decreasingly so in the last few years, I have never been able to revile or exactly ridicule her either. If anything, I've always felt kind of sorry for her: she represents such a loud but terrified demographic of people who are so entrenched in their narrow views, plain ignorance often suppresses what is a genuine decency and kindness in many of them. Hanson is, like most populist right-wingers, a symptom and not a cause of the racism and hatred they thrive on - but she is one hell of a nasty symptom.
However, for all the craziness, hypocrisy, stupidity and genuine bigotry that isn't unfairly associated with her, this book written by an outspoken "leftie" journalist somehow manages to humanize and understand Hanson as a person who you can, in many ways, relate to and even admire. All simultaneously to feeling mystified and sometimes somewhat sickened that such a person can exist, let alone attain such a platform in modern Australia - a country that, for all its warts that come part and parcel with any Western nation, can boats one of the most peaceful, tolerant and successfully multicultural societies in the world.
Please Explain provides a perfect response to the titular request made famous by the flame-headed fishermonger-cum-politician herself. Broinowski covers her controversial subject in a way that is funny yet serious, scathing yet humane. Sometimes, if perhaps reluctantly, it can also be a tiny bit redeeming. However, as the author herself opines, it is doubtful Hanson would not hate it if she ever bothered to read it.
However, for all the craziness, hypocrisy, stupidity and genuine bigotry that isn't unfairly associated with her, this book written by an outspoken "leftie" journalist somehow manages to humanize and understand Hanson as a person who you can, in many ways, relate to and even admire. All simultaneously to feeling mystified and sometimes somewhat sickened that such a person can exist, let alone attain such a platform in modern Australia - a country that, for all its warts that come part and parcel with any Western nation, can boats one of the most peaceful, tolerant and successfully multicultural societies in the world.
Please Explain provides a perfect response to the titular request made famous by the flame-headed fishermonger-cum-politician herself. Broinowski covers her controversial subject in a way that is funny yet serious, scathing yet humane. Sometimes, if perhaps reluctantly, it can also be a tiny bit redeeming. However, as the author herself opines, it is doubtful Hanson would not hate it if she ever bothered to read it.
January 24, 2018
Anna Broinowski's book on Pauline Hanson does what it promises - explains the rise, fall, and rise again of this controversial, divisive, and damaging politician convincingly. Using the access she received to Hanson in order to make a documentary about her, Broinowski explains how it was that Hanson came to represent an increasing segment of the Australian population who feel (rightly) as if the major parties have left them behind. Trump's success in the US in many ways parallels that of Hanson - and Hanson's rise again suggests that this is a phenomenon the major parties should be watching closely.
Broinowski outlines John Howard and especially Tony Abbott's hand in the creation of One Nation, and leaves me in no doubt of the enormous shift to the right that Hanson's policies have effected on the 'centre'.
Despite the well-researched nature of the book, and its sympathetic treatment of the many - Indigenous Australians, Asian Australians, Muslim Australians and others - marginalised by and indeed subject to abuse as a result of Hanson's rhetoric, Broinowski still manages to portray Hanson and her followers in a sympathetic light at times, helping the reader to understand the phenomenon in a deeper, less knee-jerk way. I can imagine both fans and foes of Hanson getting something out of this book.
Broinowski outlines John Howard and especially Tony Abbott's hand in the creation of One Nation, and leaves me in no doubt of the enormous shift to the right that Hanson's policies have effected on the 'centre'.
Despite the well-researched nature of the book, and its sympathetic treatment of the many - Indigenous Australians, Asian Australians, Muslim Australians and others - marginalised by and indeed subject to abuse as a result of Hanson's rhetoric, Broinowski still manages to portray Hanson and her followers in a sympathetic light at times, helping the reader to understand the phenomenon in a deeper, less knee-jerk way. I can imagine both fans and foes of Hanson getting something out of this book.
June 14, 2018
Pauline Hanson was one of the most iconic, if not divisive politician in the history of modern Australian politics. Against the backdrop of a more inclusive, multicultural Australia which opened itself for both immigrants and aboriginal people, Hanson strives to bring the Australia she lived in 1950s, the idyllic, White, Anglo-Saxon, Australia. Starting from scratch as a fish and chips seller, she became the first woman independent MP ever to be elected in Australia. Her maiden speech in 1996, which claimed that Australia was in danger of being ‘swamped by Asians’ let loose the darker side of Australian society. She went on to build her own Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party, ended up in jail for electoral fraud, and won the runner up position in Dancing With the Stars competition. And for today, with populism on the rise around the world, she rode the wave back into the Parliament. Throughout the book, I can see that Pauline is a highly passionate woman when it comes to her cause. However, she is too easily led by other people, such as her closest advisors. The amusing thing about Pauline is, although she claimed that she is not a feminist, throughout her life she seems to be one, that is, by becoming a single mother who raised her children with her own hand, and breaking the glass ceiling by getting herself elected.
January 26, 2023
Broinowski does her best with the story she's got, and what she's got is bloody good.
We learn of the deception, corruption and stupidity both within and surrounding her party and her many influences throughout her political career. This book doesn't pull its punches towards Hanson and her ideology, yet it still provides a fascinating multi-dimensional portrait of her character.
Each chapter held many new revelations and surprises for me, and gave me a very well-rounded view of her actions, her stubbornness and her ignorance - whilst also showing the influences of her childhood, the hypocrisy of what she preaches, and how she was the victim far more than even she'd admit. The context Broinowski provides in each chapter is concise, clear and sometimes devastating, and contrasts beautifully with the thoughtlessness Pauline tends to exhibit (and not exhibit sometimes).
There is perhaps too much going on the book with it's plotlines and many relationships to keep track of, yet it still remains quite clear the point Broinowski is trying to prove - and when she hits her point, she can do it marvellously.
Never before would I have thought I'd want to hear more from Pauline Hanson until I read this book.
We learn of the deception, corruption and stupidity both within and surrounding her party and her many influences throughout her political career. This book doesn't pull its punches towards Hanson and her ideology, yet it still provides a fascinating multi-dimensional portrait of her character.
Each chapter held many new revelations and surprises for me, and gave me a very well-rounded view of her actions, her stubbornness and her ignorance - whilst also showing the influences of her childhood, the hypocrisy of what she preaches, and how she was the victim far more than even she'd admit. The context Broinowski provides in each chapter is concise, clear and sometimes devastating, and contrasts beautifully with the thoughtlessness Pauline tends to exhibit (and not exhibit sometimes).
There is perhaps too much going on the book with it's plotlines and many relationships to keep track of, yet it still remains quite clear the point Broinowski is trying to prove - and when she hits her point, she can do it marvellously.
Never before would I have thought I'd want to hear more from Pauline Hanson until I read this book.
January 25, 2018
After a few chapters I was ready to throw in the towel. It seemed like the book had no structure and was just re-hashing themes and issues I was already well-versed on. But once we got into the actual narrative of the rise, fall and rise again I realised why I was reading this book - to understand why indeed Hanson has risen again. Australia has changed a lot since her first stint in Canberra and not for the better. I do remember being at primary school back in 1996 and kids talking about her - in the multicultural western suburbs of Melbourne I have a clear memory of a second generation Maltese-Australian convinced Hanson wanted to deport her. Now, Hanson gets plentiful airtime to promote her xenophobic views with hardly a whimper. Sometime in the last two decades we’ve moved her views from unacceptable to deserving a microphone. A frustrating book but a worthwhile read all the same.
September 5, 2022
The author simultaneously filmed a documentary on the redhead from Queensland & her quest appears to have been to locate the human inside the shell of inflammatory ignorance. She occasionally succeeds & her insights are fascinating. I ended the book with a grudging respect for Hanson, at least in terms of her resilience; she did, after all, return to parliament after a stint in jail for malfeasance in the electoral process. Her tendency to rely on toxic males suggests a poor judge of character; David Oldfield comes out of this account as 1 of the most repellent individuals in the political sphere, which is really saying something. He once told the author that she wouldn't feel like standing up for Muslims when they sliced off her clitoris. A class act indeed. Worth a look & congrats to Ms B for her even-handed approach, even when I suspected that it hurt.
December 1, 2020
Pauline Hanson's an incredibly polarising figure in Australian politics and the author, Anna Broinowski, is clearly opposed to many of her views. However Broinowski treats her subject fairly, even with a certain amount of respect as she tries to understand what makes Hanson tick and what is her appeal to a sizeable portion of the community. I found this impartiality both surprising and refreshing, as so many books nowadays about controversial politicians are either vicious diatribes or sycophantic puff pieces. So Please Explain provides a much-needed respite in this divisive, parochial age we now live in. It's also excellent journalism, providing some revealing insights into Australian politics and Australian society.
June 9, 2018
Love her or hate her, the Pauline Hanson story is admirable, plenty in it for every taste. For more than two decades the name has entered then dominated political conversations on all levels of the community. She may not be the cleverest politician in Canberra, but none of her piers wear their heart on their sleeve as prominently and proudly as Pauline.
Leaving the life of a fish and chip shop proprietor, Hanson commences a life of an outspoken politician with some radical social views. It is soon proven in the polls there are a significant number of people who quietly agree with her and she gains a position in Canberra, but it is only temporary. After a lengthy time in the wilderness she returns to Canberra with a strong influence on the governing party.
Anna Broinowski makes it clear, despite Hanson being used, abused, loved and jailed, she does not slow down...... as her opponents ready for the next upset.
Unfortunately, the book is not primarily about Pauline Hanson, not even political tales of our times; there is a constant feeling it is about the author and her efforts to gather material for the book. The final paragraph of the book clarifies the situation. The author’s role is a little too prominent as she loses her way and wanders off into things that appear irrelevant. It is regularly difficult to determine if the comment of the paragraph is from history or the author.
Leaving the life of a fish and chip shop proprietor, Hanson commences a life of an outspoken politician with some radical social views. It is soon proven in the polls there are a significant number of people who quietly agree with her and she gains a position in Canberra, but it is only temporary. After a lengthy time in the wilderness she returns to Canberra with a strong influence on the governing party.
Anna Broinowski makes it clear, despite Hanson being used, abused, loved and jailed, she does not slow down...... as her opponents ready for the next upset.
Unfortunately, the book is not primarily about Pauline Hanson, not even political tales of our times; there is a constant feeling it is about the author and her efforts to gather material for the book. The final paragraph of the book clarifies the situation. The author’s role is a little too prominent as she loses her way and wanders off into things that appear irrelevant. It is regularly difficult to determine if the comment of the paragraph is from history or the author.
May 12, 2018
An excellent and -- crucially -- IMPARTIAL analysis of why Pauline Hanson has returned to power. You don't have to be a fan of Hanson's politics (I'm not) to appreciate this book. It's a good piece of investigative journalism, and the author has done well to interview all the key players, notably John Howard, David Oldfield, and Hanson herself. If you want to get a good feel of what Australia (especially Queensland) is really like, then read this book as part of a wider programme of books on contemporary Australia.
July 6, 2022
5 STARS because so little has been written of late about Pauline who says what we are thinking.
Even so, this book finishes just after her re-election in 2016 to the Senate, and I found the whole story of childhood and the early years - pre fish & chip shop, then the shop then first time around in parliament - fascinating as much as about Pauline as about the social environment as that time. Plus the interviews with the other characters over the years were illuminating. I am waiting for another book that tracks the years 2016 onwards
Even so, this book finishes just after her re-election in 2016 to the Senate, and I found the whole story of childhood and the early years - pre fish & chip shop, then the shop then first time around in parliament - fascinating as much as about Pauline as about the social environment as that time. Plus the interviews with the other characters over the years were illuminating. I am waiting for another book that tracks the years 2016 onwards
July 26, 2023
I chose this book to get a better understanding of Pauline Hanson, and I sure did. Being a left-leaning person, and knowing that the author is a far-left person, writing about a far-right politician like Pauline, I appreciated the factual, but intermittently witty style of the author. A good read that allowed me to understand her better and understand people that appear quite racist and far right.
October 14, 2017
I greatly enjoy this book but only got to 40% in the Canberra library- unable to obtain it from my local library (is there really such a rush of people wanting to read this?) I decided not to pursue the rest.
November 2, 2017
A well-researched, thoroughly readable account of the political rise of Pauline Hanson, mark II.
December 16, 2023
Yes 4 stars although the author is lefter than left and cringingly naive , but she writes a good story
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews