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The Gospel According To Paul
My fellow irrelevant Australians. Never, in the history of our democracy, has Australian political life been in such a parlous state. There are people living in this country who have never seen true political leadership, having been governed in recent times by the dullest, most sanctimonious, hypocritical choir of patsies. This book will give them a woefully overdue idea of what a real leader looks like.
Leadership is not like a can of Popeye's spinach - you have to earn it. And earn it I did. And I am going to tell you how.
In The Gospel According to Paul, writer and satirist Jonathan Biggins draws on his award-winning play to harness the eviscerating wit, wisdom and confidence of Keating, showing us the evolution of Paul John Keating, from Bankstown to the Lodge and beyond. Almost the autobiography Keating said he would never write, it is a timely reminder of the political leadership we are sorely missing.
Leadership is not like a can of Popeye's spinach - you have to earn it. And earn it I did. And I am going to tell you how.
In The Gospel According to Paul, writer and satirist Jonathan Biggins draws on his award-winning play to harness the eviscerating wit, wisdom and confidence of Keating, showing us the evolution of Paul John Keating, from Bankstown to the Lodge and beyond. Almost the autobiography Keating said he would never write, it is a timely reminder of the political leadership we are sorely missing.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2022
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 13, 2022
I read this after seeing the author at Adelaide Writers’ Week. This is essentially a short biography of Keating done in the voice of Keating, in the style of the satirical theatrical production of the same name. The second part of the book gives a bit of background into how the show came about. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this book, I just think the humour works better on the stage and I am still trying to work out why it was written down and published. Which sounds way harsher than I meant it to.
March 3, 2022
My fellow irrelevant Australians,
Paul Keating here. Remember when there was actual leadership in this country? No? Well, I'll give you a clue, I had the top job in this country until 1996.
Ringing any bells now? Of course. I'm from that era of politics when we actually did things other than update our Instagram account or plan trips to Hawaii.
Before my Prime Ministership, I was of course the best treasurer this country has ever had. Hang on, what's that you're thinking? Costello was? Rubbish, he just collected the spoils from the greatest reforming government we've ever enjoyed. I delivered budgets that really brought home the bacon.
Fair warning here, unless you're Australian you will probably not enjoy this. Well, unless of course you want a masterclass of wit and a whole swag of references that will fly straight over your head.
The first half of this book here is based on the autobiographical play about my life that I didn't write. In the play I take you through my life from go to whoa. Well, not quite to whoa because I'm still kicking around, handing out my opinions. But it's my trademark wit and biting insults all the way. You'll hear my thoughts on familiar characters. Old Bob, for instance. This guy, I mean… Jesus Christ. Or so he thought.
I talk a bit about the tories too. God I miss having a go at them. When they attacked me in Parliament it was like being flogged with a warm lettuce. They're all tip and no iceberg.
So. Seen the play? Well, you'll enjoy this then. It'll be familiar to you.
Didn't see the play? Don't you worry, this book has most of that.
Why bother with a book version at all? Well, in politics, everyone gets carted out in a box.
In five, ten, twenty, thirty years, who knows, I'll probably literally be in a box myself so there won't be a chance to see this play. So what a treat for posterity we have here.
The second half of the book will be entertaining for you too. That's where the satirist who wrote the play details the fine tuning and evolution of his satirical Keating persona. The only thing better than that is the real Keating.
–
The above is my paltry attempt to mirror the style of the book, and I've tried to weave in a few jokes from the book/play / Keating witticisms. I thoroughly enjoyed both the play and the book. The first half of the book is very similar to the play. I didn't mind that, I thought it was very entertaining.
Paul Keating here. Remember when there was actual leadership in this country? No? Well, I'll give you a clue, I had the top job in this country until 1996.
Ringing any bells now? Of course. I'm from that era of politics when we actually did things other than update our Instagram account or plan trips to Hawaii.
Before my Prime Ministership, I was of course the best treasurer this country has ever had. Hang on, what's that you're thinking? Costello was? Rubbish, he just collected the spoils from the greatest reforming government we've ever enjoyed. I delivered budgets that really brought home the bacon.
Fair warning here, unless you're Australian you will probably not enjoy this. Well, unless of course you want a masterclass of wit and a whole swag of references that will fly straight over your head.
The first half of this book here is based on the autobiographical play about my life that I didn't write. In the play I take you through my life from go to whoa. Well, not quite to whoa because I'm still kicking around, handing out my opinions. But it's my trademark wit and biting insults all the way. You'll hear my thoughts on familiar characters. Old Bob, for instance. This guy, I mean… Jesus Christ. Or so he thought.
I talk a bit about the tories too. God I miss having a go at them. When they attacked me in Parliament it was like being flogged with a warm lettuce. They're all tip and no iceberg.
So. Seen the play? Well, you'll enjoy this then. It'll be familiar to you.
Didn't see the play? Don't you worry, this book has most of that.
Why bother with a book version at all? Well, in politics, everyone gets carted out in a box.
In five, ten, twenty, thirty years, who knows, I'll probably literally be in a box myself so there won't be a chance to see this play. So what a treat for posterity we have here.
The second half of the book will be entertaining for you too. That's where the satirist who wrote the play details the fine tuning and evolution of his satirical Keating persona. The only thing better than that is the real Keating.
–
The above is my paltry attempt to mirror the style of the book, and I've tried to weave in a few jokes from the book/play / Keating witticisms. I thoroughly enjoyed both the play and the book. The first half of the book is very similar to the play. I didn't mind that, I thought it was very entertaining.
July 15, 2023
Great read about an extraordinary man by an extraordinary author
Loved the book. Very clever lines offering lots of giggles. Big supporter of the Wharf Review and this is along the same line.
Loved the book. Very clever lines offering lots of giggles. Big supporter of the Wharf Review and this is along the same line.
January 19, 2024
Heard the stage version on ABC's Late Night Live
June 4, 2024
A fantastic performance by Jonathan Biggins, a book which on its own merits is good, but watched live improves it dramatically
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews