Bob Hawke

by Troy Bramston

The definitive full-life biography of Australia’s 23rd prime minister; the only one that Hawke cooperated with after exiting the prime ministership.

This unprecedented biography of Hawke includes an exclusive series of interviews with him – the last that he gave – as well as unfiltered access to his extensive trove of personal papers. It features new interviews with more than 100 people who knew and worked with Hawke, including his family and friends; political and union colleagues, and rivals; advisers and public servants; and journalists; along with international contemporaries of Hawke such as George H.W. Bush, John Major, Brian Mulroney, James Baker and George Shultz.

It also brings together an extraordinary array of never-before-seen archival documents: family diaries, notes, letters and scrapbooks; school and university reports; cabinet, departmental and vice-regal papers; party strategy documents, polling and caucus minutes; and secret correspondence and meeting records between Hawke and other Cold War leaders.

Genres: Biography, Politics, Nonfiction, Australia, History, Audiobook

720 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2022

Reviews

[Callum's Column · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hawke is one of Australia's most consequential prime ministers. Humbly born, Hawke studied at Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship before joining the Australian Council of Trade Unions, where he became the most powerful figure in Australia for wage arbitration. He had one ambition when elected to Parliament in 1980: leadership of the Australian Labor Party. He toppled Hayden in 1983, and won four elections before being ousted by Keating in 1991. Under his premiership, Australia's economy and financial sector were fundamentally transformed, Medicare and superannuation were enacted, and legal ties with the UK were severed. Hawke shaped contemporary Australia.

This is not a good biography. A reader ought to indirectly gain an understanding of the political, philosophical and economic backdrop of the era of such influential figures. However, Bramston provides negligible context of Hawke's actions and beliefs. How did the Cold War affect Australia, what was the Australian labour movement, what caused Australia's economic woes, why did Australia move away from the UK, etc, etc. These are just some pivotal questions that were totally glanced over. Moreover, there is no historical narrative. The author just asserts fact after fact. This makes for boring reading; a common feature of similar books written by journalists.

Not all works by journalists are like this. I recently read Christopher Hitchens' autobiography, which masterfully weaved political and historical events and thought alongside his own reflections. I am about to reread "Keating" by Kerry O'Brien, which makes no claim to be a history in the disciplinary sense. It is instead a prime example of journalistic interviews converted into book-form. Further, histories by Peter Fitzsimons demonstrates that journalists are able to craft compelling historical narratives. I should be more careful in the future and read a few pages before spending $50 on a subpar literary work.

Thanks for reading Callum’s Column! Subscribe for free (only your email is required) for new book reviews and political analyses on Australia and the United States: https://callumscolumn.substack.com/

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unquestionably the best Hawke bio to date, but a lot of it is disappointingly surface-level. The leadership troubles towards the end of Bob's tenure, however, are done exceptionally. Nevertheless, I still don't think he's ever really been done justice in literature. Maybe he can't be. But this is the best overview on the market.

[Freddie Sudell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, engaging and informative, and I got through it much quicker then I thought I would. You definitely get the sense he was someone was very complicated, and it is not afraid to give a warts and all portrayal of the man. He was full of many contradictions, a shrewd political operator but a real bastard at the same time. The author does a very good job at showing the many different Hawkes that existed simultaneously. I only hold back from the full 5 stars just because it didn't ever reach that threshold that I love in biographies where you end up in the headspace of the person the book is about, rather this book more feels like you're understanding Hawke from the outside-in. I'm sure the outside in intent was purposeful from the author. After all, the central theme of the book was the contradictions of Hawke. that's just personal taste at the end of the day. Eitherway, fantastic recap of the man and late 20th politics in Oz.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fascinating account of a dynamic government. The book definitely discusses Hawke's drinking and womanising, but also his accomplishments together with Keating in government, and in the ACTU.

[Mike Hansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very hard to stay engaged. Too many personal opinions

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was thorough and enjoyable, I would recommend. This review is more a review of Bob Hawke than the actual book. I got used to the author's narration but he doesn't have a great voice. Let's leave it at that.

Bob Hawke is undoubtedly an impressive character, although I come away from this book not having a particularly great impression of him. He is obviously a complex character. It's often easy to evaluate the leaders of the past as either good or bad but the ones who really are impressive with long lasting legacies, are often far more deep than a black and white picture and thus harder to evaluate. Justininan im thinking of you.

Before listening to this book, pretty much all I knew about Hawke was that he's that guy that everyone likes cus he was good at drinking, so much so that he got a world record for sculling beer. Everyone likes him for that and he's got that mural up on the side of that Newtown pub and a brand of beer to go with it.

In terms of his policy I can agree with most of it without being particularly versed in it. And it overall wasn't the focus of the book. I come away from this thinking that Hawke and Keating very much set Australia up in a lot of ways notability Medicare but I already knew this. I did not however realise just how long he served or favourably he was seen by the general public. I don't know enough about the economy to comment intelligently on how Hawke performed on it and running the show, but it seems as if he did a good job overall. I interpret his refusal to step down to Keating to him having a feeling of; im still popular there's no issues here, i've done a good job so why not ride the wave and see how far I can get before I have to pass things on.

However on a personal level I don't think all that crash hot. He runs around like he's some kind of medieval prince having hoes lined up in every city he goes to. Throughout his whole life he is incessantly having affairs even into his old age basically up until his death (unless I've missed something). Hawkes treatment of his wife Hazel is deplorable, he found an angel and behaved awfully towards her, it's disgusting. His complete disregard of her and how she managed his household is insulting. And made far worse by how boisterous he is - in what I will not go as far as calling neglect but it is not far off. His overall treatment of her is repugnant and showcases other unsavory character traits namely his abusive tendencies.

The figure who comes up as a point of comparison is Friedrich II (the Sicilian not the Prussian one). Who I do have a favourable opinion of although I believe there is also a lot of slutting about there as well. But I can far more easily overlook that as it's a different time period and sort just what you expect of the medieval era. I am left thinking that is just always the way that the rich and powerful have always and will always behave.

He has some strange habits, starting with his let's say exhibitionist tendencies which are just really strange. There were countless examples of him inviting some reporter over or a colleague to have a meeting at his house and then greets them naked, then proceeds to prance about naked in front of them and be I assume willfully oblivious to their discomfort. He's very touchy, always wanting to go up and touch people when he's talking to them. And he has a tendency to break down into tears in public, when he is passionately sad about an issue, which happened a few times, I'm sure would have been seen as even stranger back in the day, but if anything it seems to have contributed to his popularity

Hawke is constantly described as a larrikin which I concede he is the quintessential image of in the popular imagination. He has an image of being genuine and cutting through the bullshit, which obviously contributed to his popularity.

In his early life, well before being PM. His primary side hustle was suing people for defamation primarily as a means of income, not because he felt particularly insulted. Which is as hilarious as it is awful.

Hawke is someone who should have been knocked down a few pegs far more times in his early life. Pretty much everything goes right from him he, doesn't have any rags to prominence story, any traumatic backstory, any real struggles to overcome, aside from his older brother dying while he was a kid and I guess alcoholism and sex addiction, and his relationship breakdowns (Keating and Hazel), but that's literally it. He’s always liked, he’s always loved, always seen as special, always lands on his feet, never has to work particularly hard at anything, not that he didn't work hard but that he didn't need to to get his way. He comes from a comfortable and functional middle class family. Everything goes well for him for his whole life. Basically waltzes into politics and decides that if he is going to run for parliament he has to be PM. And everyone expected that of him anyway. For years before he entered parliament he was seen as a favorite to be future PM. His parents constantly treated him as someone who would be destined for great things and the theme of divine providence is prominent throughout this book. His mother in particular always expected him to be PM from a very young age.

I'm not embarrassed to admit that I'm envious of him. Almost everything goes perfectly for him, his first marriage falls apart and he had a rocky relationship with his kids at times but that was entirely his fault and is easily ignored when you look at the rest of his life. It annoys me that everything was easy for him. He had a very easy life. It's not that things were handed to him per se but everything comes to him - he's magnetic - in both fortune and personality. He's apparently endlessly charming, highly liked; by men cus of his drinking prowess and ability to have a chat with anyone at the pub, and highly liked by women cus he's charismatic I guess, and apparently had a lot of sex appeal. I don't see it. He clearly has an ago and a lot of hubris, as a result of too many people telling him that he was special for too long. He is egotistical at times but somehow he comes off as grounded in his day to day interactions, idk how, he's just that talented apparently.

For all these reasons I don’t like him. He's too much of a superman type figure who I specifically find to be unrelatable, who I can't connect with him at all. He just doesn't fit my character archetype. Take say, Manuel Palaiologos who I found to be instantly more relatable and far more inline with how I see myself. Hawke is too popular, and too likeable. I also admittedly have a propensity to be automatically suspicious of things that are popular and have a habit of going against the grain with these things.

Throughout the book a few people cite him as one of the best prime ministers Australia has had. I guess I agree, medicare is pretty cool, sucked in America. But I don't know anywhere near enough to make that call. I do currently tend to agree with the sentiment also mentioned that Australia has not had a lot of not very talented leaders.

Even in his death Hawke is still being hyped up.

This reads like I'm such an incel, complaining about how he's popular and special, which is not my intention - I don't think it's unfair to say that Bob Hawke, objectively, had an easier life than most.

There is an interesting anecdote in this book about how in his youth Hawke beat up a jewish kid and was deeply repentant over it which later led to his vehement support for Israel in life. I don't judge Hawke for making this kind of fuck up and then trying to correct it. I think it does speak to his character that he is able to realise his mistakes and then strive to make up for it, and you have to respect him for that.

Thoughts of on some of the people involved:
Keating has a foul temper, is an overly arrogant and ambitious arse who walks around with an aura of superiority and an absolutely wicked tongue (which often leads to amusing quips). If he didn't choose politics I could see him as a comedian. He also comes off as very similar to Bob as they both have an aura of knowing their worth even if they both have an inflated sense of self importance and an attitude of not settling for less what they feel they deserve. So it makes sense that they fell out, predictable even.

Frazer comes off as just utterly incompetent and out of his depth. A little bit of Joe Biden, if I do say so, but he was PM for quite a while. Astoundingly.

One of the most likeable people in this story is Hayden who wrote a number of amusing correspondences with the queen, which you can clearly tell he thoroughly enjoyed writing. He strikes me as someone who had ambition for the top, failed not really completely of his own fault, but then someone who was later able to reconcile with his place in history and settle for governor general after his time in the sun had passed.

TLDR: pretty good book, Hawke pretty good PM, not that great of a bloke despite his common perception.

[Dirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of new insights, he certainly doesn’t strike me as your run of the mill Leftie.

[RM · Rating 2 out of 5]

The publishers have sub-subtitled this "the definitive biography", but it might equally be called "the unnecessary biography": despite Bramston's access to more material than Hawke's previous biographers, there's not much that's new here. Yes, it's important to finally have a biography which acknowledges the womanising, the extent of the drinking, and the deeply problematic post-parliamentary business activities. But most of this long book is a variation of "the record says X, this person's recollection was Y and this other person's opinion was Z". Bramston never moves beyond this reportage style, so there's very little critical reflection on his sources. The periods before and after the prime ministership read more like a history of Bob Hawke, and the long section on the prime ministership reads like a booster history of the Hawke government. We never get access to Hawke's character (beyond repetitious and vapid phrases like "he had a special relationship with Australians") because Bramston never ultimately gets at the contradictions in his subject. Given his upbringing, where did Hawke's early misogyny come from? And what changed in his attitude to women to lead to his creation of a bureaucracy devoted to the status of women - headed by Anne Summers and answerable to the ALP's first female minister for women - in 1983? How and why does a take-no-prisoners workers' advocate, who was unequivocal in his demands for higher wages during the 1960s, became a rather moderate ACTU secretary during the 1970s and then a prime minister devoted above all to wage restraint and "consensus" between labour and capital? Part of the answer to that question lies in the extent to which Hawke was cultivated by American labour attaches. Bramston deals very briefly with this (he couldn't ignore it, because David McKnight had broken the story in 2003), but only to downplay it as largely irrelevant to the development of Hawke's views. That's because Bramston is deeply uncritical of the policy record of the Hawke-Keating government. Just as one would expect from a journalist at The Australian, Bramston accepts hook, line and sinker that government's own narrative about itself - which is that it took the difficult decisions to open Australia to the modern world and which, "recession we had to have" notwithstanding, paved the way for three decades of uninterrupted GDP growth. This narrative is subject to no criticism whatsoever, even when Bramston briefly acknowledges the creation of an entrenched underclass which was an inevitable consequence of greater unemployment, lower taxes and, initially at least, a greater reliance on social security which was inevitably rationalised. Bramston is at least up-front about his personal opinion, which is that Hawke was the greatest Labor leader, the greatest PM, the greatest Australian, and just the greatest. Bramston is at his best on the leadership tussles between Hawke and Keating - it's illuminating just how many of the caucus believed Hawke should have honoured the Kirribilli Agreement, as if the ALP's leadership is a thing to be traded in secret and bestowed by incumbents - though ultimately the detail of leadership coups is the kind of gossipy muck-raking which fascinates Press Gallery reporters and very few others. The "definitive" Hawke biography remains to be written.

[Julius Bautista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob Hawke, the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia, was in office when my family migrated to Sydney in the immediate post-martial law period in the Philippines. Hawke — with a demeanor and oratorical style that was vastly different to what I observed among Filipino politicians — was a major influence in the maturation of my political consciousness. I particularly enjoyed learning more about Hawke’s relationship with Paul Keating. It’s all there - the Kirribilli agreement, the recession “Australia had to have”, the leadership spill. Bramston portrays Hawke as the quintessential Aussie larrikin who achieved high approval ratings and solid political capital in spite of (or maybe even because of) his unapologetically misogynist philandering. I think about this now in the neo-Marcosian era: Hawke was, in essence, a Duterte before Duterte. To extend this analogy to a thought experiment, the biography also says a lot about what Hazel Hawke had to put up with — the boozing, the womanizing, the disrespect. In another universe, would her martyric perseverance translate into political capital, a la Cory Aquino or Leni Robredo? Somehow, I don’t think so.

This biography emerged from Hawke’s complicity with the author, and is based on public records and hitherto unpublished documents and personal files. Overall, reading it has diminished my impression of Hawke, but in a good way I think. I haven’t read Blanche D’Alpuget’s biography of Hawke (which she wrote while having an affair with him) but I would recommend this one to my Aussie friends, especially those who grew up in the 90s.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob Hawke is an oft-mythologised figure in Australian politics. Bramston’s account is a warts and all look at Hawke’s life and paints a much clearer picture of Hawke than Hawke skulling a beer at the cricket or Labor mythologising does.

I was concerned, given the author’s political leanings, that Demons and Destiny would be a rose-coloured narration of Hawke’s life - this is not the case. A balanced review that highlights RJ Hawke’s strengths and shortcomings as both a politician and a man.

Thoroughly researched and a broad array of interviews from figures on both sides of politics and all parts of Hawke’s life.

Worth the read.

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enjoyable book

I must admit up front that I am not an Australian citizen, but I loved this book. It is the biography of a fascinating politician who was as flawed as he was talented. Its just so interesting to see another system of government and how it seems more nimble and able to address changes.
As for Hawke himself, what a fascinating man who was able to use his passion and intelligence to lead Australia to such monumental and positive changes. A must read for political nerds or even people who like all things Presidential (Yes, I know Hawke was not a President).
Please read, if nothing else than to learn what World Record he holds.

[Tom Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

An iconic Australian figure, yet one I didn’t know too deeply about – it was a joy to listen to this audiobook on the life of the iconic Bob Hawke. From his upbringing to a pathway to politics that seemed destined from his charismatic image, Troy Bramston managed to hold my attention all the way through. This was also a history lesson on the Labor Party in Australia, of the culture and politics before my time, and an insight into a man who is placed on a pedestal but had many demons and problems of his own. I’m glad I stuck through with this book and look forward to reading further biographies recommended highly.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very easy to read but thorough account of Bob Hawke's life. I did not know a great deal about the man, but feel well versed in his life and his contribution to Australia. It shed light on many things I didn't know, and I can tell that not only a lot of research went into this, but the author is clearly a good writer, as a lot of things could be turgid, but it was more than readable. I also read this over the 2022 Australian Federal election which was quite timely, and the stark contrast in the leaders of then vs the 'leaders' of today is telling.

[Glen Cowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read. I think that the human effects of what the Hawke/Keating governments did in the 80’s was overlooked and too much of a rosy afterglow was applied. That said, it provided a thoroughly fair recounting of who he was. It was a tour de force of many of my formative years and made me think about the values I was raised with. They were inextricably forged in the middle of the Hawke/Keating years and for that reason, it was an enlightening read.

[Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive on Bob’s personal life with fairly decent overview of Bob’s time in politics although it lacks detail in some areas. That’s by no means a to detract from the massive work Bramston has completed here. It’s a rare example of covering the good with bad and not just shoving the bad under a rug of euphemisms. Definitely worth a read if you’re wanting a deeper background of Bob’s life.

[Dulcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a youth n the Eighties I thought Hawkie was a toadying prick. The sycophancy to Reagan and Thatcher made me sick and the larrikin play acting was disgusting.
If anything this book has only made me more set in this belief. Added to this I'm now even more pissed off about the fatuous "leadership" of Beazley et al.
PJK still comes out as a fave.

[Shawn Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

He drank like a fish. Swore like a sailor. Worked like a demon and made the largest impact on Australian politics of any PM in history. An engaging yet balanced history of one of Australia's most beloved icons.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, fair, detailed, balanced. Covers all of Hawke's strengths and weaknesses and let's the reader decide whether the good outweighs the bad.

[Zane Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and detailed exploration of an amazing prime minister

[SteveMcI · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read and well set out. Ended quickly but expanded on what I new of him when growing up.

[David Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light on demons and heavy on destiny. Unfortunately this is still only a little less sanitised than Blanch D'Alpuget's.

I'm still waiting for the warts-and-all bio.

[Dan Tadmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does a good job of not mythologising Hawke

[Edward Pierre-Humbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had to pick my favourite book about Australian politics, it would be this.
Bramston is legitimately, a very skilled author. For a biography about one of Australia's most influential Prime Ministers, Bramston was not afraid to explore the ugly aspects of Hawke's life or his character. Ranging from his adultery, womanising actions, narcissisms and his shortcomings as a father, Hawke is depicted as a deeply flawed being, which is a strong contrast to what you would usually see in a biography about a politician.
While some level of bias is inevitable given the nature of a political biography, Bramston is still very effective at maintaining a level of professionality when recounting the political landscape as well as Hawke's tenure as Prime Ministers. It is very thorough and detailed about Hawke's rise to power and what he did when he was Prime Minister.
The level of comprehensiveness cannot be understated either. I am confident that someone could read this with minimal knowledge about that period of time in Australian politics and would come out with, at the very least, a very solid understanding of that time.
This is genuinely a must-read for anyone who has an interest in Australian politics.

[Daniel Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Bob Hawke: Demons and Destiny" by Troy Bramston is a remarkable exploration of one of Australia's most iconic political figures, offering a comprehensive and insightful journey into the life and legacy of Bob Hawke. My experience with this biography was nothing short of enlightening, and Bramston's narrative prowess shines as he unravels the complex tapestry of Hawke's demons and destiny.

From the very beginning, Bramston skillfully transports readers into the world of Australian politics, meticulously detailing the events and circumstances that shaped Hawke's remarkable career. The depth of research and Bramston's genuine admiration for the subject matter is evident, guiding readers through the highs and lows of Hawke's life with passion and authenticity.

What sets this biography apart is its ability to capture not only the political brilliance of Hawke but also the personal struggles and challenges he faced. Bramston delves into the complexities of Hawke's character, providing a nuanced and balanced portrayal that goes beyond the public persona. The narrative unfolds with perfect pacing, offering both the drama of political intrigue and moments for reflection on the personal choices that defined Hawke's destiny.

Bramston's prose is a delight—eloquent, engaging, and thought-provoking. The storytelling is enriched with insightful observations and perceptive commentary, propelling the narrative forward and adding an authentic touch to the man behind the political legend.

In conclusion, "Bob Hawke: Demons and Destiny" is a triumph in the realm of political biographies. Troy Bramston has crafted a compelling narrative that skillfully weaves together political history, personal struggles, and the enduring legacy of a charismatic leader. This biography not only informs but also captures the essence of an era in Australian politics, providing readers with a profound understanding of the demons and destiny that shaped Bob Hawke's extraordinary life. A must-read for those fascinated by political history and the indelible mark left by influential leaders.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bramston outlays a definitive overview of Bob Hawke’s vast life. It extensively covers Hawke’s upbringing and education, then turns to his time as a unionist, politician and businessman. Since Hawke had such an accomplished life, events are inevitably excluded but generally covers most of his life. Nevertheless, Bramston does go above some memoirs in covering aspects such as Hawke’s relationship with Hazel and Hawke’s drinking antics.

At times Bramston sits on the fence on issues such as the Hawke-Hayden leadership battle, Hawke-Keating leadership battle and allegations of impropriety in Hawke’s post prime ministership business dealings. By doing so the perspectives are shared but at times it leads to pandering to Hawke.

Bramston also misses a good opportunity to truly draw out the legacy of Hawke on Australia’s political, social and economic spheres. Often this lead to periods of dry reading.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had its moments. No particular new ground - in fact the Keating leadership challenge chapter may as well have been copied-and-pasted from his 2016 book 'Keating'. Some material on his post-1991 career was of interest & reports of Hawke's views on Australia's most recent PMs. The attempts to diagnose Hawke with high functioning alcoholism and sex addiction were a massive stretch and Bramston could not even get a medical expert of any kind to back up his statements. A good book for someone reading about Hawke for the first time but most of the content has been written much better elsewhere.