An Eye for Eternity: The Life of Manning Clark

by Mark McKenna

Manning Clark was a complex, demanding and brilliant man. Mark McKenna's compelling biography of this giant of Australia's cultural landscape is informed by his reading of Clark's extensive private letters, journals and diaries—many that have never been read before.

An Eye for Eternity paints a sweeping portrait of the man who gave Australians the signature account of their own history. It tells of his friendships with Patrick White and Sidney Nolan. It details an urgent and dynamic marriage, ripped apart at times by Clark's constant need for extramarital romantic love. A son who wrote letters to his dead parents. A historian who placed narrative ahead of facts. A doubter who flirted with Catholicism. A controversial public figure who marked slights and criticisms with deeply held grudges.

To understand Clark's life is to understand twentieth century Australia. And it raises fundamental questions about the craft of biography. When are letters too personal, comments too hurtful and insights too private to publish? Clark incessantly documented his life—leaving notes to the biographers he knew would pursue his story. He had a deep need to be remembered and this book means he will now be understood in an unforgettable way.

Genres: Biography, Australia, History

810 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

There are multiple authors with this name in this data base. This one is Mark^^^McKenna

Reviews

[Abmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

McKenna has achieved what must have been an arduous and grueling task in bringing together Clarks
notes and diaries. Through this work has been revealed a very much abstract and maybe disturbed character in Clark. At times had the feeling the biography tended to focus on the criticism directed at Clark.

[Bob Speechley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Manning Clark is an enigmatic figure in the eyes of Australians. Beloved and respected by those on the left of politics and ridiculed by the conservatives. Clark identified the key issues which impacted on Australia since it was settled by the white man and his History of Australia gives important insights into the growth of the country. The influence of Protestantism,Catholicism and the Enlightenment are explored in depth and whilst Clark was criticised by fellow historians and others when the six volumes arrived off the press the books were warmly received by Australians across the board.

Mark McKenna gives a thorough view into Clark's life, his family, travels, work and paricularly his discipline in writing his history. Clark's flaws are not ignored and many of the factual errors in his most important book are exposed. Perhaps the most important characteristic of Manning Clark was his ability to move those who studied with him over the years.

Knowing his story is a moving experience.

[Andrew Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was about 9 or 10, a family friend took us to visit Dymphna Clark. Manning would have been dead only a year or two at that point, and though I didn't really know much about anything, I knew he had been an important writer, a profession I was beginning to dream of. So there I sat, eating homemade ice cream and knowing I was in an important place, talking to an important person. I also remember wanting to see his study, though I never worked up the courage to actually ask.

An Eye for Eternity is an outstanding biography of one of Australia's greatest writers. I devoured this book in large gulps, greedily wanting to read more.

McKenna, one of the leading historians of the generation following Clark is the perfect author to cover Who Manning was, Why he acted as he did, How his work progressed and was received, but also critically, Why it matters. There's a fascinating mediation throughout the work on what it means to write history, on what the profession should aim for and its role in society.

I read this mainly as a way to limber up for reading Clark's 6 volume history, and now can't wait to get stuck in.

[Peter Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a monumental life of Manning Clark.I skimmed it for the controversies he aroused which McKenna handles very well.I found it well written and informative but I didn’t want the detail of his early years so chose to skim which I enjoyed.

[Warrren Gardiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most comprehensive, well researched and balanced biography of an Australian figure.

[Dulcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My younger self devoured The History and it made me love real history that has the courage to take a stand. This as against the bland repetition of detail without analysis that makes up the bulk of much current history - Grace Karskens, Thomas Keneally and Henry Reynolds excused.
McKenna has produced a magisterial study of Clark to rival David Marr's life of the sainted White.
I did not like the Clark that emerged through this biography, particularly his arrogance. But I really cared.
Thank you Mark McKenna.

[Clio]

1/12/2012. Mckenna's biography of Manning Clark has just won the Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-Fiction at the 2012 NSW Premier's Literary Awards last night. I heard him deliver the History Council's Annual History Lecture earlier this year, which was engaging and thought provoking. This biography will be a must-read for Australian historians.