Albanese

by Karen Middleton

Anthony Albanese has been at the heart of Labor politics in Australia for many years. In his early years of political and community engagement, he persistently worked to ensure that the Labor left was a vital part of all ALP activities. This is his story. The turbulent years of federal politics with a deeply personal dimension.

Anthony learned his political craft among the tough men and women of NSW Labor, inheriting his mother's devotion to social justice, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the party his family had served for three generations.

Albanese: Telling It Straight reveals what shaped the bloke they call 'Albo', his climb through politics by playing hard, fast and sometimes loose and how he discovered his own past as he and his colleagues wrestled with Labor's future.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Biography, Australia

454 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Karen Middleton is a political journalist with more than two decades' experience reporting on national and international affairs in print and broadcast media. A former president of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery and a Churchill fellow, she is chief political correspondent with SBS Television, a long-time newspaper columnist and radio commentator and a panellist on the ABC's lnsiders program. Karen was in Washington DC on September 11, 2001, and reported from Afghanistan in 2007 and 2011

Reviews

[Seff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved all the background prior to Albo becoming an MP.

Really enjoyed it. The biographer keeps a great pace, though there is infrequent backtracking which does become tedious.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book confirmed my opinion that Anthony Albanese is a decent human. I was particularly interested in the search for his absent father and the warm and genuine way he eventually folded his father and the wider family into own life. The chances of that meeting ever coming off were extraordinarily slim, but the end of his long hunt was so rewarding. The sort of politician you'd be happy to have over for a casual meal, a rarity from that point of view.

[Anna Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading Karen Middleton’s biography about Anthony Albanese a week before the 2022 Federal Election. During the campaign, I realised I didn’t know as much about the man as I should. So, I decided to read, ‘Albanese: Telling it Straight,’ to make up for the gaps in my knowledge.

The book satisfied my curiosity. Using a chronological narrative structure, Middleton covers all aspects of Albanese’s life; from the time his mother met his father, through to the leadership challenge against Bill Shorten. Middleton describes the nuances of Albanese’s personal life, including Albanese’s famously close relationship with his mother, while it also follows the path of his political career. It is generously sprinkled with political anecdotes, enough to satisfy anyone interested in understanding the background to Albanese’s relationships with his political colleagues and opponents.

Anthony Albanese’s story is fascinating. It sheds light on the struggles of working-class Australians in recent history, it considers the broader ideas of identity and belonging in Australia, and it argues that even someone who is born with very little can achieve a lot.

My only criticism of the book, and the reason that it has lost a star, is that it’s too kind to Albanese. If you want to like the man, or if you want your admiration confirmed, then this book is perfect. But if you want something more critical, this book isn't right for you. Albanese's policies and political methodologies are relayed in a positive light. Most of the people interviewed for the book are his friends or admirers.

Potential readers should also know that, through no fault of the author – the book was published in 2016 – the account doesn’t include what is no doubt an important period in Albanese’s life – his period as opposition leader.

Still, this is a well-researched and well-written book, easy to read, and definitely worthwhile for anyone interested in knowing more about the man who is the 31st Prime Minister of Australia.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthony Albanese has been at the heart of Labor politics in Australia for many years. In his early years of political and community engagement , he persistently worked to ensure that the Labor left was a vital part of all ALP activities. This is his story. The turbulent years of federal politics with a deeply personal dimension.

Anthony learned his political craft among the tough men and women of NSW Labor, inheriting his mother's devotion to social justice, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the party his family had served for three generations.

Albanese: Telling it Straight reveals what shaped the bloke they call 'Albo', his climb through politics by playing hard, fast and sometimes loose and how he discovered his own past as he and his colleagues wrestled with Labor's future.

A must read for the true believers of ALP Left faction.....'Albo' is one of the True Believers and has earned his right to lead the ALP to a Australian Federal victory. From humble beginnings and true devotion to the working class this biography shows Anthony Albanese as a strong leader.

[Rod Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in Australian politics this is a must read. A clever blend of the personal and the political. Well written and nicely paced.

[Jon Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this biography. I felt I did get to know Albs.

[Pip Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most interesting biography - well worth reading.

[Jase Harrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate this book. Not because it's badly written (it's just your regular fawning dross an ALP hack) but because since it was written in 2017 (before Albanese's Prime Ministership) it made me so mad at all the ways that the PM has gone against his supposed values once he got into power. Everything from being the child of a struggling single mum (raise the rate then) to complaining about how it's difficult for university students (make uni free again then) to talking big game about how he was one of the founding members of the parliamentary friends of Palestine (recognize Palestine as a state and BDS then). I hate it I hate it I hate it.

[Moona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albanese: Telling It Straight by Karen Middleton provides an intimate look into the life of Anthony Albanese, a key figure in Australia's Labor Party. The biography delves into Albanese's upbringing, shaped by his devoted mother, Maryanne, who raised him single-handedly in tough circumstances. Through personal and political struggles, the book reveals how Albanese's early life experiences and his discovery of his true parentage influenced his political journey. Middleton paints a comprehensive picture of Albanese’s rise in the NSW Labor scene and his commitment to social justice, offering readers a nuanced understanding of both the man and his political ethos.

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until Albo became PM, I would have been surprised to know a biography had been written. Now with his having led the ALP to government in May 2022, it's very relevant to know him better via this timely book about his political development. It's a very interesting story of lifelong political engagement and commitment. He has the making of a great PM and has got off to a fantastic start four months in. A good read, at times repetitive and overly detailed, but worth perseverance. No doubt there will be more books that pick up where this left off.

[Dragan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great political book, considering political books can be so hit and miss. I loved reading about Albos back story and learning that he came from an underprivileged background with housing commission. I loved reading about the NRL saga VS Murdoch. Some parts of the book were too in detail and irrelevant to the average joe. But a great book overall

[Susan Wishart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whatever your political preferences this is a very interesting read. It's not only a detailed account of Anthony Albanese and his many years in parliament but an amazing and heartwarming account of his personal life growing up as an only child with a wonderful single mother. A very well crafted insight into the man who has come a long way to now lead the Labor party.

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a bit late to the party with this book, but being election time, and Albo is now the opposition leader, I wanted to get to know our potential PM! I found it very detailed and enjoyed the many and varied anecdotes. It seems he was born for this role? Time will tell!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really insightful book

I really liked the in-depth research on the remarkable life of our current Prime Minister. His early years really shaped who he is now. Wearing his heart on his sleeve and being loyal and convincing are integral to being a great leader.

[DomBlack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Middleton's journalism but I found this a bit overly sympathetic on Albo. He's a divisive figure and it's easy to go too far one way or the other way him - but I think this one swung the pendulum a little far in the sympathy direction.

[Dave Copeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad write up.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found particularly the early part of this book very interesting. It has been researched in great detail and was interesting whatever side of politics you follow.

[Kathie Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. Didn’t like the direct quotes as always suspicious about them. Learnt about his background and early years in politics

[Katrina Bradfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Very easy to read although I didn't have much time to read this month. I really feel like I have discovered more about our esteemed PM

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting read