Diplomatic: A Washington memoir

by Joe Hockey, Leo Shanahan (Primary Contributor)

In September 2015, Joe Hockey's promising political career was brought to a dramatic end when Malcolm Turnbull successfully challenged Prime Minister Tony Abbott for the Liberal leadership. After felling the Abbott/Hockey government, Turnbull informed Hockey that he would no longer be treasurer of Australia - a deal had been struck with Scott Morrison. Instead, Turnbull offered Hockey a new Australia's Ambassador to the United States. Traversing the worlds of politics, business and diplomacy, Joe Hockey's Diplomatic is an insightful, honest and at times hilarious insider's memoir recounting the former treasurer's unique diplomatic style. It chronicles the evolution, depth and complexity of the US-Australian relationship, from the final year of the Obama administration, the triumph and chaos of the Trump presidency and then on to the two nations' shared future under President Joe Biden and beyond. Based in Washington, DC, Ambassador Hockey immediately found himself in the middle of the historic 2016 presidential campaign between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Despite strong objections from his own government, Hockey reached out to the Trump campaign early on. Betting on the electoral appeal of the brash, anti-establishment candidate, Hockey secured priceless early diplomatic contacts within the Trump campaign and then his administration. Anchored by Hockey's direct interaction with Trump's dysfunctional White House, Diplomatic reveals for the first time the aftermath of the leaked phone call between the US president and Prime Minister Turnbull. Hockey recalls his personal dealings with Trump on the golf course and the cavalcade of characters who came in and out of Trump's Oval Office, including Steve Bannon, Stephen Miller and Mick Mulvaney. Donald Trump's unconventional presidency turned politics and diplomatic relations in Washington, DC on its head. When Joe Hockey found himself an unlikely diplomat in this new world order, his unorthodox dealmaking instincts placed him in the hot seat at precisely the right moment in history.

Genres: Biography

320 pages, Paperback

Published August 8, 2023

Reviews

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Political biographies are usually stiff, stilted and self-serving, but this one is the opposite. It is friendly, frank and inciteful and really takes you behind the Washington scene as only could have been witnessed by an Australian Ambassador with a wealth of political experience behind him. Joe Hockey you have co-written the best political biography I have ever read. I have met Joe on quite a few occasions over the years when I was an active member of the Chatswood Chamber of Commerce and as our local Federal member for North Sydney he was a regular speaker. He was also an inciteful speaker about what was happening in Canberra and a very good local member, even when you could have described him as a Canberra high-flyer. But to me the strength of this book is that it takes you behind the scenes of the chaotic Trump period in the White House as well as providing a very good backgrounder on how the US political system works, which is bewildering for most outsiders. Joe has now retired from politics and has started a business consultancy with offices in Sydney and Washington and I must admit if I was still operating my PR business and required business consultancies services in Washington, it would be the first call I'd make.

[Kanako Okiron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admittedly did not look at Joe Hockey with much anticipation whilst he was in politics. But reading this book changed my perception of him - surprisingly for the better. The current political climate (in Australia and the world) is shifting, so this book could not be more relevant. I’m glad I read it after the election!
Joe (co)writes with humour and amusement as he recounts one heck of a career he had serving as Ambassador to Australia. I laughed out loud at some of the stories about his very memorable experiences with Trump - enough to be made into a satire like Veep! Contrary to popular belief, Joe rarely shows bias in this memoir - he is mostly generous to both sides, which is why I gave this five stars. A great look at the sometimes fractured relationship between Australia and America, and how far we have to go. My hope is with Albo as PM, he and Biden will have a strong relationship that will top all the past prime ministers and US presidents.

[Jo Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Hockey has been in and around politics for a long time.
This book outlines where he came from before he became the Ambassador to the USA and the life history that Joe describes clearly explains his reasons for entering into public service and then why he left public service after 24 years.
I don't think that I have ever read a book that shows the details, seriousness and effort required in being a diplomatic representative to another country on behalf of your own.

[Alice Bloomfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Joe Hockey read the room on this one. There is a bit of life set up for him then it is solidly all about what it was like to be Ambassador to the USA under three presidents including Trump. The discussion of how regular diplomacy went out the window was interesting to read and it was interesting to see how Trump was perceived by people in these positions. The discussion of the changes the the US-Australian relationship were also interesting and valuable.

[Grant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll give Joe credit that he's managed to bring a 5th grade level of writing to his memoir which made for an easy light read. Joe doesn't seem as morally bankrupt as some of his liberal counterparts but he's managed to fill a book without saying much. His generalisations don't always hit the mark and the level of analysis is often shallow. It is a little ironic that he calls Trump a Costanza like politician in how he managed covid and then lost in 2020, only to have Scott Morrison do something similar. A Washington Memoir won't leave you with too much insight into Joe's political career bur it also won't bore you like Turnbull's book.

[Judith Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Australians speak english

In 1972 it was strange to have Americans comment on my good English!!! Having been born and reared in Australia.
On the other hand it was an embarrassing
moment when having guests for a meal and the desert was heaped on top of the main meal.
Washington a fabulous experience but
do not want a gun under my pillow

[Twilight Cone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Joe Hockey certainly wants you to know how deeply impressive Joe Hockey is.

It' really 2-3 good dinner party stories stretched into whole book. Unless you are personally being appointed Australian ambassador to the US you can skip this one.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book. It was not a heavy political, egocentric story. Rather an informative, enlightening and sometimes entertaining read. I would not hesitate to recommend it.

[Peter Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into his attitude of others that he feels inferior to himself and very pompous about his achievements. According to Joe the world wouldn't exist if it wasn't for his actions.